How the Hedged Class of a Japan Fund Result in a 500% Outperformance Over a Non-Hedge One.

Group 1 - The article discusses concerns about the potential decline of the USD and its implications for investments, particularly in the context of de-dollarization and currency hedging strategies [3][30]. - It highlights the performance comparison between unhedged and hedged equity funds, specifically focusing on the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF (DXJ) [8][12]. - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between being denominated in a currency versus being hedged against currency fluctuations, which can significantly impact investment performance [15][18]. Group 2 - The performance of DXJ has been notably superior to EWJ, with DXJ achieving a 453% return compared to EWJ's 107% since DXJ's inception in 2006, illustrating the benefits of currency hedging in a depreciating currency environment [20]. - The article notes that the Japanese Yen has experienced significant volatility, with a 56% appreciation against the USD from 2006 to 2012, followed by a decline, which affects the performance of both hedged and unhedged funds [24][25]. - It suggests that investors should consider the underlying methodology of funds, as DXJ is designed to favor companies that benefit from a weaker yen, while EWJ is more general in its approach [28].