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EPP vs. FPA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EPP vs. FPA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EPP (iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF) and FPA (First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - EPP tracks the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index while FPA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPP returned 7.62%/yr vs 10.87%/yr for FPA. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EPP charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FPA.

Performance

EPP vs. FPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPP achieves a 6.84% return, which is significantly lower than FPA's 43.37% return. Over the past 10 years, EPP has underperformed FPA with an annualized return of 7.62%, while FPA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.87% annualized return.

EPP

1D
-1.34%
1M
-1.93%
YTD
6.84%
6M
5.29%
1Y
13.95%
3Y*
12.66%
5Y*
4.60%
10Y*
7.62%

FPA

1D
-6.12%
1M
-0.38%
YTD
43.37%
6M
43.73%
1Y
57.04%
3Y*
30.61%
5Y*
12.24%
10Y*
10.87%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EPP vs. FPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		6.84%19.70%4.76%5.76%-6.59%4.26%6.04%18.30%-10.78%26.05%
FPA
First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund		43.37%43.16%3.95%9.97%-14.55%2.98%13.43%8.91%-21.91%35.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EPP and FPA is 0.61, 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

0.61

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.68

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.68

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011

0.68

The correlation between EPP and FPA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPP vs. FPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EPP
FPA

Financial Services

44.9%
8.6%

Basic Materials

17.0%
4.2%

Industrials

8.5%
32.7%

Real Estate

7.4%
6.2%

Consumer Cyclical

6.2%
9.3%

Utilities

3.5%
5.1%

Healthcare

3.3%
0.8%

Consumer Defensive

2.9%
2.7%

Energy

2.7%
5.4%

Communication Services

2.6%
2.6%

Technology

1.0%
25.2%

Financial Services

EPP
44.9%
FPA
8.6%

Basic Materials

EPP
17.0%
FPA
4.2%

Industrials

EPP
8.5%
FPA
32.7%

Real Estate

EPP
7.4%
FPA
6.2%

Consumer Cyclical

EPP
6.2%
FPA
9.3%

Utilities

EPP
3.5%
FPA
5.1%

Healthcare

EPP
3.3%
FPA
0.8%

Consumer Defensive

EPP
2.9%
FPA
2.7%

Energy

EPP
2.7%
FPA
5.4%

Communication Services

EPP
2.6%
FPA
2.6%

Technology

EPP
1.0%
FPA
25.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with EPP:
EPP vs. EWTEPP vs. AAXJEPP vs. BBAXEPP vs. EWHEPP vs. AIAEPP vs. EWYEPP vs. VPL
Often compared with FPA:
FPA vs. FSEAXFPA vs. VPLFPA vs. ADIVFPA vs. EWSFPA vs. EWYFPA vs. FICSFPA vs. FLKR

Return for Risk

EPP vs. FPA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EPP
EPP Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
EPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
EPP Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
EPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
EPP Martin Ratio Rank: 3434
Martin Ratio Rank
FPA
FPA Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
FPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
FPA Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
FPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
FPA Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

EPP vs. FPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA). 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.

EPPFPADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.92
1.99

-1.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.36
2.58

-1.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.36

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.59

3.73

-2.14

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.68

12.70

-8.02

EPP vs. FPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPP Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the FPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPP and FPA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

EPP vs. FPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPP drawdown since its inception was -66.01%, which is greater than FPA's maximum drawdown of -52.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPP and FPA.

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Drawdown Indicators

EPPFPADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-66.01%

-52.91%

-13.10%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.79%

-15.37%

+6.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.29%

-20.66%

+1.37%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.79%

-34.38%

+9.59%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.30%

-52.91%

+13.61%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.22%

-9.25%

+4.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.61%

-13.46%

+2.85%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.99%

4.50%

-1.51%

Volatility

EPP vs. FPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) is 5.38%, while First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) has a volatility of 16.46%. This indicates that EPP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EPPFPADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.38%

16.46%

-11.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.79%

26.05%

-13.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.18%

28.94%

-13.76%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.52%

24.79%

-7.27%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.06%

22.76%

-3.70%

EPP vs. FPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPP has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than FPA's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPP vs. FPA - Dividend Comparison

EPP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.52%, less than FPA's 3.72% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		3.52%3.77%3.81%4.10%4.37%4.58%2.28%3.89%5.00%4.15%3.96%4.90%
FPA
First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund		3.72%4.71%3.40%3.02%4.22%5.12%1.59%3.90%2.81%3.15%2.42%1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

EPP and FPA have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FPA has higher volatility (16.46%) compared to EPP (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPP dropped -66.01% vs FPA's -52.91%.

On 10-year performance, FPA leads with 10.87% vs 7.62% for EPP. On fees, EPP is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, EPP has been the lower-risk option at 5.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FPA has performed better with a 10.87% return vs 7.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EPP is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FPA.

FPA has the higher dividend yield at 3.72%, compared with 3.52% for EPP.

EPP tracks MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index, while FPA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for EPP and 0.80% for FPA.

FPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.92), 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.

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