EWA vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

EWA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Australia Index. It was launched on Mar 18, 1996.

Performance

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWA iShares MSCI-Australia ETF	7.25%	13.35%	1.60%	13.81%	-5.92%	8.93%	8.29%	22.45%	-12.04%	19.88%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWA achieves a 7.25% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, EWA has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 8.25%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

EWA

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: -6.15%
• YTD: 7.25%
• 6M: 5.23%
• 1Y: 22.34%
• 3Y*: 10.85%
• 5Y*: 6.55%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

EWA vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWA

EWA Risk / Return Rank: 61
EWA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
EWA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
EWA Omega Ratio Rank: 59
EWA Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
EWA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	EWA	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.92	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	1.41	+0.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.21	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	1.41	+0.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.79	6.61	+0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWA Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWA and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EWA	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	0.92	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.61	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.68	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.46	-0.17

Correlation

The correlation between EWA and ^GSPC is 0.58, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Drawdowns

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWA drawdown since its inception was -66.98%, which is greater than ^GSPC's maximum drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWA and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWA	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.98%	-56.78%	-10.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.85%	-12.14%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.87%	-25.43%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.54%	-33.92%	-11.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.86%	-5.78%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-10.75%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.50%	2.60%	+0.90%

Volatility

EWA vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA) has a higher volatility of 8.40% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.37%. This indicates that EWA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWA	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.40%	5.37%	+3.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.99%	9.55%	+3.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.16%	18.33%	+2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.62%	16.90%	+2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.61%	18.05%	+4.56%