JOF vs VXUS
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, JOF or VXUS?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS 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 | JOF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $365M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.92% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 91 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +21.63%Best | +11.59% |
| 1Y Return | +30.32%Best | +17.16% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.94%Best | +20.45% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.15%Best | +9.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,547Best | $15,556 |
| Fund Family | Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 1990 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 7, 2026 (15.7 years).
JOF vs VXUS 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
JOF vs VXUS Performance
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc (JOF) is an ETF from Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JOF returned +30.32% while VXUS returned +17.16%. Year to date, JOF is up 21.63% versus a gain of 11.59% for VXUS.
Over three years, JOF compounded at +29.94% per year against +20.45% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.15% and +9.24% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.63% annualized vs +4.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JOF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -57.9% for JOF and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JOF charges 1.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $5 annually, a gap of $142 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JOF currently yields 15.92% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 91 holdings in JOF and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 94.6% and 89.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 65 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, JOF as of May 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
65 positions in common, counted across the 91 positions we hold weights for in JOF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 91 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JOF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4633:JPSakata Inx Corp | 5.61% | 0.00% | 5.61% |
| 7327:TKDaishi Hokuetsu Financial Group Inc | 3.78% | 0.01% | 3.77% |
| 7762:TKCitizen Watch Co Ltd | 3.50% | 0.01% | 3.49% |
| 8336:JPMusashino Bank Ltd/the | 2.94% | 0.00% | 2.94% |
| 1939:JPYondenko Corp | 2.71% | 0.00% | 2.71% |
| 6481:JPTHK Co. Ltd. | 2.33% | 0.01% | 2.32% |
| 8084:JPRyoden Corp | 2.28% | 0.00% | 2.28% |
| 429A:JPTekscend Photomask Corp | 2.28% | 0.00% | 2.28% |
| 7287:JPNippon Seiki Co Ltd | 1.88% | 0.00% | 1.88% |
| 8130:JPSangetsu Corp | 1.80% | 0.00% | 1.80% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JOF and VXUS 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, JOF or VXUS?
JOF has an expense ratio of 1.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $142 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JOF or VXUS?
Over the past year JOF returned +30.32% vs +17.16% for VXUS, so JOF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), JOF annualized +4.04% vs +4.63% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JOF or VXUS?
JOF has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: JOF -57.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both JOF and VXUS?
JOF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, JOF or VXUS?
JOF yields 15.92% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so JOF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than JOF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.