Developed market countries from around the world have been gaining overall with improving economic conditions. In 2017 Japanese stock indexes have been outperforming broad market benchmarks. Improving corporate governance and increasing dividend rates from mature companies in Japan are two things helping equity investment momentum. Investment experts also see potential for the yen to gain in 2018 adding to factors for investment in the Asian developed market country.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that offer indexed exposure to international markets can be a prudent investment for investors seeking global diversification. Specifically in Japan the Nikkei 400 Index can provide targeted investment in large-cap and mid-cap Japanese companies. Other leading Japanese indexes also include the MSCI Japan Index, the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Japan Index, the FTSE Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index and the Nikkei 225 Index.

Below are three ETFs that track the performance of the JPX-Nikkei Index 400. This index includes 400 large-cap and mid-cap Japanese equities screened for shareholder-friendly activities, profitability and return on equity. The three funds included are the largest funds by assets under management managed with a Nikkei 400 index replication strategy. The funds are managed by two leading international ETF providers, iShares and Deutsche X-trackers. These funds offer investors long portfolio investment options for exposure to the Japanese market with some consideration for currency benefits. (See also: How to Go Long or Short Japan via ETFs.)

Investment fund data is as of November 30, 2017. Fund performance data is as of December 4, 2017.

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 (JPXN)

JPXN is an index fund that seeks to track the JPX-Nikkei Index 400. The fund provides exposure to 400 high quality, large- and mid-cap Japanese stocks. JPXN does not employ currency hedging in its investment strategy. It is managed in Japanese yen with daily net asset values generated in U.S. dollars.

  • Assets under Management: $97.3 million
  • Price / Earnings Ratio: 16.69
  • Price / Book Ratio: 1.61
  • Distribution Yield: 1.33%
  • Number of Holdings: 395
  • One Year Return: 23.31%

X-trackers Japan JPX-Nikkei 400 Equity ETF (JPN)

JPN tracks the JPX-Nikkei 400 Total Return Index. The Fund uses an index replication strategy to invest in stocks from the Index. The Fund does not use currency hedging in its investment strategy.

  • Assets under Management: $13.1 million
  • Price / Earnings Ratio: 15.12
  • Price / Book Ratio: 1.44
  • Number of Holdings: 400
  • One Year Return: 21.56%

In May 2017, Deutsche Asset Management closed its hedged version of this fund, the Deutsche X-trackers Japan JPX-Nikkei 400 Hedged Equity (JPNH).

iShares Currency Hedged JPX-Nikkei 400 (HJPX)

This fund uses the JPX-Nikkei 400 Net Total Return USD Hedged Index as its benchmark. The fund seeks to replicate the Index’s holdings and return. It invests the majority of its assets in the iShares JPXN ETF. The fund also invests in currency hedged securities included in the Index such as foreign currency forward contracts.

  • Assets under Management: $3.0 million
  • Price / Earnings Ratio: 15.72
  • Price / Book Ratio: 1.51
  • Distribution Yield: 1.19%
  • One Year Return: 20.18%

Bottom Line

The Nikkei 400 Index is one of the broadest most high-quality indexes for investment in Japanese companies. These ETFs provide investment vehicles for investors seeking to capitalize on potential for continued momentum in Japanese equities. The Nikkei 400 Index uses a screening methodology, enhancing the quality of large-cap and mid-cap companies in the Index for investors. Due diligence on these funds should be done regularly to ensure portfolio fit since investment in Japanese equities involves risks associated with international investing that may change over time.