EPHE vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EPHE (iShares MSCI Philippines ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from iShares - EPHE tracks the MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index while EWY tracks the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPHE returned -2.80%/yr vs 16.60%/yr for EWY. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.59% expense ratio.

Performance

EPHE vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (EPHE) 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, EPHE achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 97.70% return. Over the past 10 years, EPHE has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of -2.80%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.60% annualized return.

EPHE

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: -1.42%
• 3Y*: 1.74%
• 5Y*: -2.44%
• 10Y*: -2.80%

EWY

• 1D: -12.25%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 97.70%
• 6M: 107.34%
• 1Y: 183.08%
• 3Y*: 48.30%
• 5Y*: 17.96%
• 10Y*: 16.60%

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

EPHE vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPHE iShares MSCI Philippines ETF	1.87%	1.56%	-1.41%	1.27%	-15.87%	-2.23%	-3.95%	8.50%	-17.50%	20.20%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	97.70%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between EPHE and EWY is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2010	0.50

The correlation between EPHE and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EPHE vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPHE	EWY
Industrials	30.8%	13.8%
Financial Services	20.0%	8.9%
Utilities	13.5%	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	5.1%
Real Estate	11.2%	-
Communication Services	4.8%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	1.6%
Energy	1.3%	0.6%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.2%
Healthcare	-	2.9%
Technology	-	61.4%

Return for Risk

EPHE vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPHE

EPHE Risk / Return Rank: 8
EPHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
EPHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
EPHE Omega Ratio Rank: 8
EPHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
EPHE Martin Ratio Rank: 8

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 92
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
EWY 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.

EPHE vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (EPHE) 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.

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.

	EPHE	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.07	3.76	-3.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.05	3.64	-3.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.54	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	7.98	-8.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.16	27.66	-27.82

EPHE vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPHE Sharpe Ratio is -0.07, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPHE 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.

Drawdowns

EPHE vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPHE drawdown since its inception was -53.82%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPHE and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPHE	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.82%	-74.14%	+20.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.90%	-23.08%	+7.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.42%	-27.36%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.96%	-48.55%	+15.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.62%	-49.73%	-1.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.64%	-12.32%	-20.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.02%	-20.10%	-0.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.76%	6.65%	+2.11%

Volatility

EPHE vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Philippines ETF (EPHE) is 9.46%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 29.47%. This indicates that EPHE 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

	EPHE	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.46%	29.47%	-20.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.63%	45.53%	-29.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.50%	49.00%	-28.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.42%	31.00%	-12.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.29%	28.43%	-6.14%

EPHE vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both EPHE and EWY have an expense ratio of 0.59%.

Dividends

EPHE vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

EPHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, more than EWY's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPHE iShares MSCI Philippines ETF	2.73%	2.11%	2.32%	2.01%	1.73%	1.05%	0.72%	0.78%	0.45%	0.36%	0.71%	1.03%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.06%	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 EPHE and EWY in my portfolio?

EPHE and EWY have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPHE or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (29.47%) compared to EPHE (9.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPHE dropped -53.82% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, EPHE or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 16.60% vs -2.80% for EPHE. Both ETFs have the same 0.59% expense ratio. On volatility, EPHE has been the lower-risk option at 9.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPHE or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 16.60% return vs -2.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPHE or EWY?

EPHE and EWY have the same expense ratio: 0.59% per year.

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

EPHE has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 1.06% for EWY.

What is the main difference between EPHE and EWY?

EPHE tracks MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs -0.07), 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.