EWD vs. FSZ
EWD (iShares MSCI Sweden ETF) and FSZ (First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - EWD tracks the MSCI Sweden Index while FSZ tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Switzerland Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWD returned 9.99%/yr vs 10.31%/yr for FSZ. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWD charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FSZ.
Performance
EWD vs. FSZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWD achieves a 1.51% return, which is significantly lower than FSZ's 3.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EWD having a 9.99% annualized return and FSZ not far ahead at 10.31%.
EWD
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -4.68%
- YTD
- 1.51%
- 6M
- 1.35%
- 1Y
- 12.56%
- 3Y*
- 16.27%
- 5Y*
- 4.08%
- 10Y*
- 9.99%
FSZ
- 1D
- 0.51%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 3.05%
- 6M
- 2.06%
- 1Y
- 10.13%
- 3Y*
- 13.36%
- 5Y*
- 6.21%
- 10Y*
- 10.31%
EWD vs. FSZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWD iShares MSCI Sweden ETF | 1.51% | 36.55% | -3.90% | 25.07% | -27.84% | 22.84% | 22.27% | 21.74% | -12.78% | 21.86% |
FSZ First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund | 3.05% | 30.10% | -1.85% | 21.30% | -20.12% | 20.18% | 13.83% | 25.88% | -15.22% | 31.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between EWD and FSZ is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012 | 0.71 |
The correlation between EWD and FSZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.
EWD vs. FSZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
EWD
FSZ
Industrials
Financial Services
Communication Services
Technology
Basic Materials
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Real Estate
Energy
-
-
Utilities
-
Industrials
EWD
FSZ
Financial Services
EWD
FSZ
Communication Services
EWD
FSZ
Technology
EWD
FSZ
Basic Materials
EWD
FSZ
Consumer Cyclical
EWD
FSZ
Consumer Defensive
EWD
FSZ
Healthcare
EWD
FSZ
Real Estate
EWD
FSZ
Energy
EWD
-
FSZ
-
Utilities
EWD
-
FSZ
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Return for Risk
EWD vs. FSZ — Risk / Return Rank
EWD
FSZ
EWD vs. FSZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Sweden ETF (EWD) and First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ). 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.
| EWD | FSZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.13 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.87 | 0.98 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.81 | 2.39 | +0.43 |
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Drawdowns
EWD vs. FSZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWD drawdown since its inception was -75.40%, which is greater than FSZ's maximum drawdown of -33.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWD and FSZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWD | FSZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -75.40% | -33.97% | -41.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.49% | -10.39% | -4.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.84% | -13.93% | -3.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -42.33% | -33.96% | -8.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.33% | -33.97% | -8.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.67% | -4.17% | -4.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.20% | -6.98% | -12.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.47% | 4.25% | +0.22% |
Volatility
EWD vs. FSZ - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF (EWD) has a higher volatility of 6.65% compared to First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ) at 4.07%. This indicates that EWD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EWD | FSZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.65% | 4.07% | +2.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.18% | 11.06% | +6.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.33% | 14.25% | +6.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.00% | 19.35% | +4.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.22% | 18.75% | +4.47% |
EWD vs. FSZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWD has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FSZ's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
EWD vs. FSZ - Dividend Comparison
EWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%, more than FSZ's 2.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWD iShares MSCI Sweden ETF | 3.68% | 3.27% | 1.77% | 2.41% | 3.68% | 5.46% | 0.98% | 4.15% | 5.17% | 3.23% | 3.91% | 4.08% |
FSZ First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund | 2.37% | 1.80% | 1.80% | 2.11% | 3.50% | 1.62% | 1.53% | 2.01% | 2.29% | 1.49% | 1.93% | 1.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EWD and FSZ have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EWD has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to FSZ (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWD dropped -75.40% vs FSZ's -33.97%.
On 10-year performance, FSZ leads with 10.31% vs 9.99% for EWD. On fees, EWD is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FSZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FSZ has performed better with a 10.31% return vs 9.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EWD is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FSZ.
EWD has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 2.37% for FSZ.
EWD tracks MSCI Sweden Index, while FSZ tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Switzerland Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for EWD and 0.80% for FSZ.
FSZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.62), 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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