BBAX vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BBAX (JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - BBAX tracks the Morningstar Developed Asia Pacific ex-Japan Target Market Exposure Index while EWY tracks the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBAX returned 5.02%/yr vs 20.31%/yr for EWY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBAX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

BBAX vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF (BBAX) 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, BBAX achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 119.05% return.

BBAX

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 20.17%
• 3Y*: 13.06%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: —

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)

BBAX vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BBAX JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF	10.52%	20.21%	2.50%	5.60%	-4.80%	5.53%	8.02%	18.66%	-9.65%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	119.05%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-10.52%

Correlation

The correlation between BBAX and EWY is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2018	0.68

The correlation between BBAX and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BBAX vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBAX	EWY
Financial Services	45.9%	9.6%
Basic Materials	16.0%	2.0%
Real Estate	8.4%	-
Industrials	7.9%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	5.7%
Healthcare	4.5%	3.5%
Utilities	3.3%	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	1.7%
Energy	2.9%	1.4%
Communication Services	2.8%	2.9%
Technology	0.3%	52.4%

Return for Risk

BBAX vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBAX

BBAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
BBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
BBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
BBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
BBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

BBAX vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF (BBAX) 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.

	BBAX	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	6.02	-4.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	5.31	-3.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.74	-0.49
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	10.99	-8.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.46	40.91	-33.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBAX vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 6.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBAX 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

	BBAX	EWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	6.02	-4.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.71	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.33	+0.01

Drawdowns

BBAX vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBAX drawdown since its inception was -39.64%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBAX and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBAX	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.64%	-74.14%	+34.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.01%	-23.08%	+14.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.12%	-27.36%	+7.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.33%	-48.55%	+24.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-1.73%	-1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.22%	-20.13%	+12.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	6.19%	-3.48%

Volatility

BBAX vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF (BBAX) is 4.65%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 20.32%. This indicates that BBAX 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

	BBAX	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	20.32%	-15.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.79%	37.41%	-25.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	42.10%	-27.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.28%	28.83%	-11.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.68%	27.37%	-7.69%

BBAX vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBAX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBAX vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

BBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, more than EWY's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBAX JPMorgan BetaBuilders Developed Asia ex-Japan ETF	3.58%	3.86%	4.13%	4.17%	5.06%	5.47%	2.57%	4.07%	1.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 BBAX and EWY in my portfolio?

BBAX and EWY have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBAX or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (20.32%) compared to BBAX (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBAX dropped -39.64% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, BBAX or EWY?

On 5-year performance, EWY leads with 20.31% vs 5.02% for BBAX. On fees, BBAX is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, BBAX has been the lower-risk option at 4.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBAX or EWY?

Over the 5-year period, EWY has performed better with a 20.31% return vs 5.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBAX or EWY?

BBAX is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

BBAX has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 0.96% for EWY.

What is the main difference between BBAX and EWY?

BBAX tracks Morningstar Developed Asia Pacific ex-Japan Target Market Exposure Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for BBAX and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.02 vs 1.41), 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.