HEWJ vs VTI
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HEWJ or VTI?
HEWJ has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $646M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 30 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +24.03%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +40.26%Best | +15.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.41%Best | +22.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.66%Best | +12.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,653Best | $17,869 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2014 to Oct 1, 2026 (12.7 years).
HEWJ vs VTI 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
HEWJ vs VTI Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HEWJ returned +40.26% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, HEWJ is up 24.03% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, HEWJ compounded at +28.41% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +21.66% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, HEWJ has the edge at +12.92% annualized vs +12.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.8% for HEWJ. 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 -35.0% for VTI. 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 VTI 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 4.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HEWJ and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 104.5% and 98.1% 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 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 30 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEWJ and VTI 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 VTI?
HEWJ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEWJ or VTI?
Over the past year HEWJ returned +40.26% vs +15.23% for VTI, so HEWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), HEWJ annualized +12.92% vs +12.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEWJ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.8% for HEWJ. Worst drawdown: HEWJ -34.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HEWJ and VTI?
HEWJ and VTI 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 VTI?
HEWJ yields 4.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HEWJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HEWJ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.