CDUAF vs. EWC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CDUAF (Canadian Utilities Limited) is a stock, while EWC (iShares MSCI Canada ETF) is Canada Equities fund tracking the MSCI Canada Index. Over the past 10 years, CDUAF returned 7.36%/yr vs 11.34%/yr for EWC. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CDUAF vs. EWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Canadian Utilities Limited (CDUAF) and iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CDUAF achieves a 18.15% return, which is significantly higher than EWC's 10.25% return. Over the past 10 years, CDUAF has underperformed EWC with an annualized return of 7.36%, while EWC has yielded a comparatively higher 11.34% annualized return.

CDUAF

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 18.15%
• 6M: 22.00%
• 1Y: 34.32%
• 3Y*: 15.92%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: 7.36%

EWC

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 10.25%
• 6M: 15.05%
• 1Y: 33.05%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 11.65%
• 10Y*: 11.34%

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

CDUAF vs. EWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CDUAF Canadian Utilities Limited	18.15%	35.10%	6.34%	-6.25%	-1.87%	25.16%	-14.69%	37.49%	-19.67%	15.55%
EWC iShares MSCI Canada ETF	10.25%	35.92%	12.38%	14.73%	-12.95%	26.98%	5.52%	27.58%	-17.16%	15.73%

Correlation

The correlation between CDUAF and EWC is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2007	0.26

The correlation between CDUAF and EWC shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.34 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CDUAF vs. EWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

CDUAF

CDUAF Risk / Return Rank: 90
CDUAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
CDUAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
CDUAF Omega Ratio Rank: 88
CDUAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
CDUAF Martin Ratio Rank: 93

EWC

EWC Risk / Return Rank: 73
EWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
EWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
EWC Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EWC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

CDUAF vs. EWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Canadian Utilities Limited (CDUAF) and iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC). 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.

	CDUAF	EWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.38	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	3.12	-0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.41	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.43	4.03	+2.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.85	16.67	-0.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CDUAF vs. EWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CDUAF Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the EWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CDUAF and EWC, 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

	CDUAF	EWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.38	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.68	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.61	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.41	-0.32

Drawdowns

CDUAF vs. EWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CDUAF drawdown since its inception was -71.22%, which is greater than EWC's maximum drawdown of -60.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CDUAF and EWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	CDUAF	EWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.22%	-60.75%	-10.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.35%	-8.51%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.43%	-12.97%	-9.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.94%	-24.81%	-7.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.92%	-42.66%	+0.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.16%	0.00%	-18.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.91%	-13.14%	-26.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	2.06%	+0.11%

Volatility

CDUAF vs. EWC - Volatility Comparison

Canadian Utilities Limited (CDUAF) has a higher volatility of 6.38% compared to iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC) at 3.27%. This indicates that CDUAF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CDUAF	EWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	3.27%	+3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	10.99%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.91%	13.99%	+1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.04%	17.24%	+1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.57%	18.74%	+6.83%

Dividends

CDUAF vs. EWC - Dividend Comparison

CDUAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, more than EWC's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CDUAF Canadian Utilities Limited	3.71%	4.21%	5.47%	6.05%	5.03%	4.85%	5.32%	4.24%	4.49%	4.82%	4.82%	5.11%
EWC iShares MSCI Canada ETF	1.31%	1.45%	2.23%	2.27%	2.34%	1.85%	2.09%	2.16%	2.65%	1.97%	1.75%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CDUAF and EWC in my portfolio?

CDUAF and EWC have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CDUAF or EWC?

CDUAF has higher volatility (6.38%) compared to EWC (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CDUAF dropped -71.22% vs EWC's -60.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.17), 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.