EPOL vs. ECH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EPOL (iShares MSCI Poland ETF) and ECH (iShares MSCI Chile ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPOL is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Poland Investable Market Index, while ECH is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPOL returned 11.51%/yr vs 4.42%/yr for ECH. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EPOL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for ECH.

Performance

EPOL vs. ECH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPOL achieves a 14.18% return, which is significantly higher than ECH's 0.47% return. Over the past 10 years, EPOL has outperformed ECH with an annualized return of 11.51%, while ECH has yielded a comparatively lower 4.42% annualized return.

EPOL

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 14.18%
• 6M: 23.43%
• 1Y: 38.60%
• 3Y*: 35.91%
• 5Y*: 16.15%
• 10Y*: 11.51%

ECH

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -2.24%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 6.38%
• 1Y: 31.98%
• 3Y*: 14.76%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: 4.42%

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

EPOL vs. ECH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPOL iShares MSCI Poland ETF	14.18%	77.34%	-2.61%	50.70%	-24.62%	12.21%	-8.38%	-6.13%	-13.76%	52.43%
ECH iShares MSCI Chile ETF	0.47%	65.41%	-8.67%	9.01%	25.12%	-19.80%	-7.13%	-17.79%	-18.98%	41.79%

Correlation

The correlation between EPOL and ECH is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2010	0.51

The correlation between EPOL and ECH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPOL vs. ECH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPOL	ECH
Financial Services	45.6%	24.6%
Energy	14.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	10.7%
Basic Materials	6.6%	21.0%
Communication Services	6.3%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	6.3%
Utilities	5.1%	12.3%
Technology	1.9%	-
Industrials	1.7%	14.4%
Healthcare	0.3%	-
Real Estate	-	9.2%

Return for Risk

EPOL vs. ECH — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPOL

EPOL Risk / Return Rank: 53
EPOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
EPOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
EPOL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
EPOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
EPOL Martin Ratio Rank: 55

ECH

ECH Risk / Return Rank: 33
ECH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
ECH Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
ECH Omega Ratio Rank: 34
ECH Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ECH Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

EPOL vs. ECH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) and iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH). 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.

	EPOL	ECH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.30	+0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	1.81	+0.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.55	1.63	+1.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.69	4.17	+5.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EPOL vs. ECH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPOL Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the ECH Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPOL and ECH, 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

	EPOL	ECH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	1.30	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.42	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.16	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.06	+0.16

Drawdowns

EPOL vs. ECH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPOL drawdown since its inception was -63.72%, smaller than the maximum ECH drawdown of -74.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPOL and ECH.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPOL	ECH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.72%	-74.08%	+10.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.04%	-19.65%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.81%	-25.59%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.21%	-26.06%	-28.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.41%	-66.89%	+5.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-25.34%	+24.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.90%	-37.52%	+10.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	7.70%	-3.66%

Volatility

EPOL vs. ECH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) is 7.88%, while iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH) has a volatility of 8.31%. This indicates that EPOL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ECH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPOL	ECH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.88%	8.31%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.35%	20.22%	-2.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.19%	24.79%	-1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.07%	27.55%	+1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.66%	27.21%	+0.45%

EPOL vs. ECH - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPOL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than ECH's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPOL vs. ECH - Dividend Comparison

EPOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than ECH's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECH iShares MSCI Chile ETF	2.00%	2.01%	3.12%	4.77%	6.73%	5.49%	2.16%	2.47%	2.37%	1.42%	1.85%	2.13%
EPOL iShares MSCI Poland ETF	4.19%	4.78%	6.04%	2.87%	2.65%	1.33%	1.44%	2.51%	1.44%	1.88%	2.14%	2.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPOL and ECH in my portfolio?

EPOL and ECH have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPOL or ECH?

ECH has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to EPOL (7.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPOL dropped -63.72% vs ECH's -74.08%.

Which ETF is better, EPOL or ECH?

On 10-year performance, EPOL leads with 11.51% vs 4.42% for ECH. On fees, ECH is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, EPOL has been the lower-risk option at 7.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPOL or ECH?

Over the 10-year period, EPOL has performed better with a 11.51% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPOL or ECH?

ECH is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for EPOL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPOL or ECH?

EPOL has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 2.00% for ECH.

What is the main difference between EPOL and ECH?

EPOL is categorized as Europe Equities, while ECH is Foreign Large Cap Equities. EPOL tracks MSCI Poland Investable Market Index, while ECH tracks MSCI Chile Investable Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for EPOL and 0.59% for ECH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.30), 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.