Fund-vs-fund · International Equities
Mercer Core Hedged Global Shares Fund vs Smart Japan ESG ETF
Both are International Equities funds available to NZ retail investors. Numbers below are sourced from the FMA Disclose register via Sorted Smart Investor and reflect the latest published quarterly fund updates.
| Metric | Mercer | Smartshares | Lower / higher is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fund charge | 1.46% | 0.55% | Lower is better |
| Risk indicator (1–7) | 5 | 5 | Higher = more volatility |
| 5-year return p.a. | 9.28% | 8.82% | Higher is better (past not future) |
| Fund size | NZ$18m | NZ$15m | Larger = more stable, lower close-risk |
| Growth / income split | 98% / 2% | 98% / 2% | More growth = higher long-run return + volatility |
What each fund says it does
Mercer
Mercer Core Hedged Global Shares Fund
The fund invests in shares listed on share markets predominately in developed economies and is fully hedged to the New Zealand dollar. The portfolio uses multiple managers and is diversified by region, manager and investment approaches. Environmental, Social and Governance characteristics are integrated into the underlying investment managers’ investment processes. The fund aims to provide a Gross Return above the return of the MSCI World Index with net dividends reinvested (100% hedged NZD on an after-tax basis) on a rolling three-year basis.Full Mercer Mercer Core Hedged Global Shares Fund profile →
Smartshares
Smart Japan ESG ETF
The Smart Japan ESG ETF is designed to track the return (before tax, fees and other expenses) of the MSCI Japan Screened Index. The Index is comprised of Japanese companies screened for exposure to controversial weapons, civilian firearms, tobacco, thermal coal and oil sands. The Index excludes companies that fail to comply with the United Nations Global Compact Principles. For more information, please refer to the Smart Responsible Investment Policy.Full Smartshares Smart Japan ESG ETF profile →
Important: This comparison is general information only — not personalised financial advice.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. The right fund for you depends on your personal
circumstances. Read each fund's Product Disclosure Statement and consider speaking to a licensed financial adviser.