AAXJ vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from iShares - AAXJ tracks the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index while EWY tracks the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ returned 10.50%/yr vs 17.46%/yr for EWY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AAXJ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

AAXJ vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAXJ achieves a 31.17% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 119.05% return. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of 10.50%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 17.46% annualized return.

AAXJ

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 10.65%
• YTD: 31.17%
• 6M: 33.71%
• 1Y: 59.00%
• 3Y*: 24.49%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

EWY

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 30.18%
• YTD: 119.05%
• 6M: 134.13%
• 1Y: 251.82%
• 3Y*: 51.99%
• 5Y*: 20.31%
• 10Y*: 17.46%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAXJ vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF	31.17%	31.53%	10.41%	4.79%	-20.35%	-5.73%	23.35%	17.93%	-15.04%	41.76%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	119.05%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between AAXJ and EWY is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2008	0.83

The correlation between AAXJ and EWY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

AAXJ vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAXJ	EWY
Technology	41.6%	52.4%
Financial Services	17.7%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	5.7%
Industrials	8.3%	20.4%
Communication Services	6.9%	2.9%
Basic Materials	3.5%	2.0%
Healthcare	3.0%	3.5%
Energy	2.7%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	1.7%
Utilities	1.8%	0.4%
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

AAXJ vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAXJ

AAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 84
AAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 96
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 97

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAXJ vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAXJ	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	6.02	-3.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	5.31	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.74	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.34	10.99	-6.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.76	40.91	-24.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAXJ vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAXJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 6.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAXJ and EWY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAXJ	EWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	6.02	-3.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.71	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.64	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.33	-0.05

Drawdowns

AAXJ vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.37%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAXJ and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAXJ	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.37%	-74.14%	+24.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-23.08%	+9.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-27.36%	+7.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.74%	-48.55%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.52%	-49.73%	+5.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-1.73%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.03%	-20.13%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	6.19%	-2.66%

Volatility

AAXJ vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) is 8.93%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 20.32%. This indicates that AAXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAXJ	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	20.32%	-11.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.46%	37.41%	-19.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.25%	42.10%	-21.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.94%	28.83%	-8.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	27.37%	-7.12%

AAXJ vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAXJ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAXJ vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

AAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than EWY's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF	1.38%	1.81%	1.86%	1.95%	1.74%	2.21%	1.06%	1.83%	2.10%	1.99%	1.77%	2.44%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	0.96%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAXJ and EWY in my portfolio?

AAXJ and EWY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAXJ or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (20.32%) compared to AAXJ (8.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAXJ dropped -49.37% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, AAXJ or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 17.46% vs 10.50% for AAXJ. On fees, EWY is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, AAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 8.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAXJ or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 17.46% return vs 10.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAXJ or EWY?

EWY is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AAXJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAXJ or EWY?

AAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.96% for EWY.

What is the main difference between AAXJ and EWY?

AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AAXJ and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.02 vs 2.93), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.