iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $97.51 (market cap $23.87B), while Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $91.75 (market cap $384.60B). The key difference: Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF is far larger — about 16.1× iShares MSCI Japan ETF's market cap, and Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF is more actively traded (5,662,307 versus 5,412,820). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI Japan ETF for 56 Days and Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF for 47 Days on average.
| EWJ | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.87B | $384.60B |
Volume | 5,412,820 | 5,662,307 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $99.32 | $92.64 |
52-Week Low | $78.36 | $70.00 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 47 Days |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWJ, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF, trades at $98.32, down 1.01% on the day amid broader Asian market pressures. Technical indicators show a bullish trend with strong moving average support, though oscillators remain neutral. Recent news highlights Japan's monetary policy shifts with BOJ rate hikes and yen volatility creating both opportunities and challenges for Japanese equities. The ETF has demonstrated strong performance in 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 with gains exceeding 20% according to Zacks Investment Research (September 30, 2026).
The outlook for EWJ remains constructive given Japan's economic reforms and AI sector growth, though rising bond yields and currency fluctuations present near-term headwinds. Institutional interest appears strong as Japan's market rotation toward technology and AI plays supports continued ETF inflows. Key risks include BOJ policy uncertainty and global interest rate dynamics that could pressure Japanese equities.
VUG trades at $92.42, down 0.24% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages but showing overbought conditions on shorter-term RSI readings. The ETF maintains strong long-term performance credentials with 11-12% average annual returns since 2004, though current concentration in mega-cap tech stocks presents both opportunity and risk. Recent dividend activity shows minimal income generation with a $0.09 distribution scheduled for September 2026.
The growth-focused ETF offers exposure to market-leading companies but faces concentration risk with over 36% in three holdings. Long-term investors benefit from Vanguard's low-cost structure and historical outperformance, though near-term technical indicators suggest potential consolidation. Market sentiment remains positive for buy-and-hold strategies despite recent value stock outperformance in 2026.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index, providing broad exposure to over 180 large and mid-cap companies in Japan. It is the most established and liquid vehicle for accessing the Japanese equity market, featuring a diversified portfolio across industrials, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors.
Read more on EWJ →VUG is an index-based ETF that tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, providing concentrated exposure to the largest and fastest-growing companies in the United States. It focuses on stocks with high growth potential across tech, communication, and consumer sectors, serving as a low-cost, high-conviction core holding for long-term capital appreciation.
Read more on VUG →