EIS vs. EWT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EIS (iShares MSCI Israel ETF) and EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EIS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while EWT is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Taiwan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EIS returned 11.97%/yr vs 19.90%/yr for EWT. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.59% expense ratio.

Performance

EIS vs. EWT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) and iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EIS achieves a 18.19% return, which is significantly lower than EWT's 68.27% return. Over the past 10 years, EIS has underperformed EWT with an annualized return of 11.97%, while EWT has yielded a comparatively higher 19.90% annualized return.

EIS

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: -2.12%
• YTD: 18.19%
• 6M: 22.47%
• 1Y: 54.91%
• 3Y*: 37.61%
• 5Y*: 15.32%
• 10Y*: 11.97%

EWT

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 18.24%
• YTD: 68.27%
• 6M: 72.42%
• 1Y: 110.37%
• 3Y*: 38.34%
• 5Y*: 18.33%
• 10Y*: 19.90%

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

EIS vs. EWT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	18.19%	45.11%	34.50%	5.48%	-27.05%	22.83%	12.01%	20.93%	-4.84%	12.77%
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	68.27%	28.38%	16.11%	23.97%	-28.90%	26.18%	31.50%	33.36%	-9.90%	26.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EIS and EWT is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.56

The correlation between EIS and EWT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

EIS vs. EWT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EIS	EWT
Financial Services	34.6%	13.0%
Technology	17.8%	72.9%
Industrials	10.9%	4.9%
Healthcare	9.8%	0.8%
Real Estate	9.1%	-
Utilities	6.6%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	2.5%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	1.1%
Energy	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.5%

Return for Risk

EIS vs. EWT — Risk / Return Rank

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

EIS

EIS Risk / Return Rank: 76
EIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
EIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
EIS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EIS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

EWT

EWT Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
EWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWT Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

EIS vs. EWT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) and iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT). 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.

	EIS	EWT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	4.42	-1.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	5.00	-1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.69	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.45	10.56	-6.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.54	32.40	-15.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EIS vs. EWT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIS Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is lower than the EWT Sharpe Ratio of 4.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIS and EWT, 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

	EIS	EWT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	4.42	-1.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.82	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.92	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.26	+0.07

Drawdowns

EIS vs. EWT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIS drawdown since its inception was -51.94%, smaller than the maximum EWT drawdown of -64.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIS and EWT.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIS	EWT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.94%	-64.37%	+12.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.40%	-10.51%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.10%	-25.66%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.88%	-38.88%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.88%	-38.88%	-3.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.56%	-0.20%	-5.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-19.23%	+5.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	3.42%	-0.09%

Volatility

EIS vs. EWT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) is 6.64%, while iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) has a volatility of 10.43%. This indicates that EIS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIS	EWT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.64%	10.43%	-3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.05%	20.52%	-4.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.56%	25.10%	-2.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.81%	22.59%	-0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	21.60%	-0.52%

EIS vs. EWT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both EIS and EWT have an expense ratio of 0.59%.

Dividends

EIS vs. EWT - Dividend Comparison

EIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than EWT's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	1.22%	1.44%	1.38%	1.39%	1.66%	1.04%	0.16%	2.06%	0.87%	2.02%	1.78%	2.55%
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	2.63%	4.43%	3.32%	8.12%	18.82%	0.55%	1.83%	2.49%	3.16%	2.81%	2.39%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EIS and EWT in my portfolio?

EIS and EWT have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EIS or EWT?

EWT has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to EIS (6.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIS dropped -51.94% vs EWT's -64.37%.

Which ETF is better, EIS or EWT?

On 10-year performance, EWT leads with 19.90% vs 11.97% for EIS. Both ETFs have the same 0.59% expense ratio. On volatility, EIS has been the lower-risk option at 6.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EIS or EWT?

Over the 10-year period, EWT has performed better with a 19.90% return vs 11.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EIS or EWT?

EIS and EWT have the same expense ratio: 0.59% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EIS or EWT?

EWT has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.22% for EIS.

What is the main difference between EIS and EWT?

EIS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while EWT is Asia Pacific Equities. EIS tracks MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while EWT tracks MSCI Taiwan Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.42 vs 2.45), 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.