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EPP vs. URTH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EPP vs. URTH

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

EPP (iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF) and URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPP is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index, while URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPP returned 7.79%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for URTH. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EPP charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for URTH.

Performance

EPP vs. URTH - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EPP having a 8.62% return and URTH slightly higher at 8.91%. Over the past 10 years, EPP has underperformed URTH with an annualized return of 7.79%, while URTH has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

EPP

1D
0.66%
1M
-0.31%
YTD
8.62%
6M
9.61%
1Y
15.65%
3Y*
12.24%
5Y*
4.53%
10Y*
7.79%

URTH

1D
0.39%
1M
1.20%
YTD
8.91%
6M
9.60%
1Y
24.56%
3Y*
19.60%
5Y*
11.45%
10Y*
13.38%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EPP vs. URTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		8.62%19.70%4.76%5.76%-6.59%4.26%6.04%18.30%-10.78%26.05%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		8.91%21.36%18.66%23.95%-17.97%22.27%15.78%28.15%-8.56%22.95%

Correlation

The correlation between EPP and URTH is 0.78, 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

0.78

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

0.76

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

0.79

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

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012

0.71

The correlation between EPP and URTH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPP vs. URTH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EPP
URTH

Financial Services

44.9%
15.3%

Basic Materials

17.0%
3.3%

Industrials

8.5%
10.8%

Real Estate

7.4%
1.7%

Consumer Cyclical

6.2%
8.8%

Utilities

3.5%
2.8%

Healthcare

3.3%
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

2.9%
5.0%

Energy

2.7%
4.0%

Communication Services

2.6%
8.6%

Technology

1.0%
30.5%

Financial Services

EPP
44.9%
URTH
15.3%

Basic Materials

EPP
17.0%
URTH
3.3%

Industrials

EPP
8.5%
URTH
10.8%

Real Estate

EPP
7.4%
URTH
1.7%

Consumer Cyclical

EPP
6.2%
URTH
8.8%

Utilities

EPP
3.5%
URTH
2.8%

Healthcare

EPP
3.3%
URTH
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

EPP
2.9%
URTH
5.0%

Energy

EPP
2.7%
URTH
4.0%

Communication Services

EPP
2.6%
URTH
8.6%

Technology

EPP
1.0%
URTH
30.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

iShares MSCI World ETF

Often compared with EPP:
EPP vs. EWTEPP vs. AAXJEPP vs. BBAXEPP vs. EWHEPP vs. AIAEPP vs. EWYEPP vs. VPL
Often compared with URTH:
URTH vs. VTURTH vs. IWDA.LURTH vs. SPYURTH vs. VOOURTH vs. XWD.TOURTH vs. BRK-BURTH vs. VXUS

Return for Risk

EPP vs. URTH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EPP
EPP Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
EPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
EPP Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
EPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
EPP Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
Martin Ratio Rank
URTH
URTH Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
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. URTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH). 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.

EPPURTHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.96
1.85

-0.89

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.40
2.55

-1.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.33

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.65

2.56

-0.91

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.95

11.37

-6.42

EPP vs. URTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPP Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is lower than the URTH Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPP and URTH, 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. URTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPP drawdown since its inception was -66.01%, which is greater than URTH's maximum drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPP and URTH.

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Drawdown Indicators

EPPURTHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-66.01%

-34.01%

-32.00%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.79%

-9.06%

+0.27%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.29%

-16.94%

-2.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.31%

-26.05%

+0.74%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.30%

-34.01%

-5.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.64%

-1.87%

-1.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.61%

-4.37%

-6.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.93%

2.04%

+0.89%

Volatility

EPP vs. URTH - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) at 4.55%. This indicates that EPP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than URTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EPPURTHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.46%

4.55%

+0.91%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.74%

10.11%

+2.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.18%

12.57%

+2.61%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.51%

16.26%

+1.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.14%

17.29%

+1.85%

EPP vs. URTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPP has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than URTH's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPP vs. URTH - Dividend Comparison

EPP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, more than URTH's 1.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		3.47%3.77%3.81%4.10%4.37%4.58%2.28%3.89%5.00%4.15%3.96%4.90%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		1.36%1.48%1.47%1.70%1.68%1.50%1.52%2.16%2.30%1.88%2.15%2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

EPP and URTH have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EPP has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to URTH (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPP dropped -66.01% vs URTH's -34.01%.

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.38% vs 7.79% for EPP. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 7.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

URTH is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for EPP.

EPP has the higher dividend yield at 3.47%, compared with 1.36% for URTH.

EPP is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while URTH is Global Equities. EPP tracks MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index, while URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.48% for EPP and 0.24% for URTH.

URTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.96), 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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