A side-by-side comparison of BMO Japan Index ETF (ZJPN) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZJPN | AIA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +18.03%✓ | -7.74% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.12%✓ | -1.75% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.14% | +3.98%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -2.95% | -7.46%✓ |
| Current Price | $50.28 | $131.56 |
| AUM | $725M | $4.67B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.49% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04%✓ | 0.91% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | NA |
| Inception Date | 2022-01-24 | 2007-11-13 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 53 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Unclassified | Unclassified |
| Beta | 0.79 | 1.13 |
| 52-Week High | $53.88 | $150.82 |
| 52-Week Low | $40.97 | $89.07 |
| 50-Day MA | $51.30 | $138.59 |
| 200-Day MA | $48.33 | $127.95 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZJPN | AIA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +18.03%✓ | -7.74% |
| 1 Year | +17.93% | +32.33%✓ |
| 3 Year | +21.07% | +38.29%✓ |
| 5 Year | +0.00% | +12.86%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +13.00%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 14.87% | 27.88% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.63 | 1.60 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 4.25% |
| 2 | 7203 | Toyota Motor Corp | 2.91% |
| 3 | 8316 | Sumitomo Mitsui Financial | 2.76% |
| 4 | 8035 | Tokyo Electron Limited | 2.79% |
| 5 | 6857 | Advantest Corp. | 2.57% |
| 6 | 6501 | Hitachi Ltd | 2.58% |
| 7 | 6758 | Sony Corp | 2.38% |
| 8 | 9984 | Softbank Group Corp. | 2.18% |
| 9 | 8411 | Mizuho Financial Group Inc | 2.29% |
| 10 | 6098 | Recruit Holdings Co Ltd | 2.27% |
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 24.74% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 13.75% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 6.24% |
| 4 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 4.43% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 4.36% |
| 6 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 3.95% |
| 7 | 0939 | China Construction Bank Corp | 2.70% |
| 8 | D05 | DBS Group Holdings Ltd | 2.35% |
| 9 | 1299 | AIA Group Ltd | 2.04% |
| 10 | 2317 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 1.94% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZJPN | AIA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.23% | 1.29% |
| Communication Services | 9.11% | 6.63% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.65% | 8.49% |
| Consumer Defensive | 3.90% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.90% | 0.48% |
| Financial Services | 18.21% | 18.70% |
| Healthcare | 5.15% | 0.48% |
| Industrials | 23.82% | 1.83% |
| Real Estate | 2.49% | 0.38% |
| Technology | 20.09% | 61.60% |
| Utilities | 1.20% | 0.00% |
About ZJPN
NA
About AIA
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its underlying index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZJPN and AIA are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ZJPN scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ZJPN and AIA?
ZJPN (BMO Japan Index ETF) and AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($725M vs $4.67B), dividend yield (1.04% vs 0.91%), and year-to-date performance (+18.03% vs -7.74%).
Is ZJPN better than AIA?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZJPN has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZJPN and AIA on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZJPN and AIA should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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