HEWJ vs VOO
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, HEWJ or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOO over the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HEWJ | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $775M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.14% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 178 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +21.19%Best | +12.74% |
| 1Y Return | +35.76%Best | +19.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.77%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.44%Best | +12.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,343Best | $18,230 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2014 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2014 to Sep 8, 2026 (12.6 years).
HEWJ vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.6 years both funds cover.
HEWJ vs VOO Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HEWJ returned +35.76% while VOO returned +19.43%. Year to date, HEWJ is up 21.19% versus a gain of 12.74% for VOO.
Over three years, HEWJ compounded at +26.77% per year against +21.18% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +20.44% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.15% annualized vs +12.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HEWJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.6% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.1% for HEWJ and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEWJ charges 0.49% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEWJ currently yields 4.14% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HEWJ and 504 in VOO, totalling 102.8% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HEWJ and 504 in VOO, against full books of 178 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEWJ and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HEWJ or VOO?
HEWJ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEWJ or VOO?
Over the past year HEWJ returned +35.76% vs +19.43% for VOO, so HEWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), HEWJ annualized +12.78% vs +13.15% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEWJ or VOO?
HEWJ has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VOO. Worst drawdown: HEWJ -34.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both HEWJ and VOO?
HEWJ and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HEWJ or VOO?
HEWJ yields 4.14% while VOO yields 1.08%, so HEWJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than HEWJ?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOO over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.