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AIA vs. EPP
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AIA vs. EPP

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) and EPP (iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from iShares - AIA tracks the S&P Asia 50 Index while EPP tracks the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIA returned 13.37%/yr vs 7.34%/yr for EPP. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AIA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for EPP.

Performance

AIA vs. EPP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIA achieves a 37.37% return, which is significantly higher than EPP's 13.66% return. Over the past 10 years, AIA has outperformed EPP with an annualized return of 13.37%, while EPP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.34% annualized return.

AIA

1D
1.38%
1M
-0.63%
6M
22.48%
YTD
37.37%
1Y
66.32%
3Y*
32.09%
5Y*
12.22%
10Y*
13.37%
ALL TIME*
7.82%

EPP

1D
-1.26%
1M
5.83%
6M
7.04%
YTD
13.66%
1Y
19.08%
3Y*
13.55%
5Y*
6.35%
10Y*
7.34%
ALL TIME*
9.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

AIA

iShares Asia 50 ETF
$72.11M$68.43M$74.19M

EPP

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF
$14.47M$15.53M$19.44M

AIA vs. EPP - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AIA
iShares Asia 50 ETF		37.37%47.79%20.26%4.32%-24.08%-10.91%33.73%22.21%-14.22%45.00%
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		13.66%19.70%4.76%5.76%-6.59%4.26%6.04%18.30%-10.78%26.05%

Correlation

The correlation between AIA and EPP is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.69

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2007

0.78

The correlation between AIA and EPP shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AIA vs. EPP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AIA
EPP

Technology

57.5%
1.0%

Financial Services

20.6%
45.0%

Consumer Cyclical

9.5%
6.9%

Communication Services

7.2%
2.6%

Industrials

2.0%
8.7%

Healthcare

0.9%
3.8%

Energy

0.6%
2.5%

Real Estate

0.5%
7.2%

Basic Materials

0.5%
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.2%

Utilities

-

3.5%

Technology

AIA
57.5%
EPP
1.0%

Financial Services

AIA
20.6%
EPP
45.0%

Consumer Cyclical

AIA
9.5%
EPP
6.9%

Communication Services

AIA
7.2%
EPP
2.6%

Industrials

AIA
2.0%
EPP
8.7%

Healthcare

AIA
0.9%
EPP
3.8%

Energy

AIA
0.6%
EPP
2.5%

Real Estate

AIA
0.5%
EPP
7.2%

Basic Materials

AIA
0.5%
EPP
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

AIA

-

EPP
3.2%

Utilities

AIA

-

EPP
3.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Asia 50 ETF

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

Often compared with AIA:
AIA vs. EEMAAIA vs. VPLAIA vs. SPYAIA vs. IOOAIA vs. IEMGAIA vs. GMFAIA vs. VWO
Often compared with EPP:
EPP vs. AAXJEPP vs. EWTEPP vs. BBAXEPP vs. EWHEPP vs. EWYEPP vs. VPLEPP vs. EWJ

Return for Risk

AIA vs. EPP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
AIA
AIA Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
EPP
EPP Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
EPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
EPP Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
EPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
EPP Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIA vs. EPP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AIAEPPDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.03
1.23

+0.80

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.52
1.77

+0.76

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.22

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.81

2.13

+1.68

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.04

5.94

+6.09

AIA vs. EPP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIA Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the EPP Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIA and EPP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AIA vs. EPP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIA drawdown since its inception was -60.89%, smaller than the maximum EPP drawdown of -66.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIA and EPP.

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Drawdown Indicators

AIAEPPDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.89%

-66.01%

+5.12%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-16.83%

-8.79%

-8.04%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.64%

-19.29%

-2.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.99%

-24.55%

-21.44%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-54.64%

-39.30%

-15.34%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.13%

-1.26%

-9.87%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.61%

-10.57%

-6.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.32%

3.15%

+2.17%

Volatility

AIA vs. EPP - Volatility Comparison

iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) has a higher volatility of 11.50% compared to iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) at 3.89%. This indicates that AIA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EPP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AIAEPPDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

11.50%

3.89%

+7.61%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

28.26%

12.79%

+15.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

31.64%

15.30%

+16.34%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.69%

17.52%

+9.17%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.17%

19.01%

+5.16%

AIA vs. EPP - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than EPP's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIA vs. EPP - Dividend Comparison

AIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than EPP's 3.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AIA
iShares Asia 50 ETF		1.60%2.50%2.78%2.07%2.59%1.54%1.11%2.24%2.49%1.45%2.29%2.88%
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		3.31%3.77%3.81%4.10%4.37%4.58%2.28%3.89%5.00%4.15%3.96%4.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

AIA and EPP have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AIA has higher volatility (11.50%) compared to EPP (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIA dropped -60.89% vs EPP's -66.01%.

On 10-year performance, AIA leads with 13.37% vs 7.34% for EPP. On fees, EPP is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, EPP has been the lower-risk option at 3.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, AIA has performed better with a 13.37% return vs 7.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EPP is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AIA.

EPP has the higher dividend yield at 3.31%, compared with 1.60% for AIA.

AIA tracks S&P Asia 50 Index, while EPP tracks MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for AIA and 0.48% for EPP.

AIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.23), 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.

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