EWK vs. IWM
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM).
EWK and IWM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EWK is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index. It was launched on Mar 12, 1996. IWM is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. It was launched on May 22, 2000. Both EWK and IWM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
EWK vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
EWK vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF | 0.04% | 35.38% | 0.14% | 7.47% | -13.98% | 12.84% | 0.04% | 25.92% | -20.40% | 23.70% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.93% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWK achieves a 0.04% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 0.93% return. Over the past 10 years, EWK has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 5.83%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.76% annualized return.
EWK
- 1D
- 3.36%
- 1M
- -8.47%
- YTD
- 0.04%
- 6M
- 5.37%
- 1Y
- 25.60%
- 3Y*
- 11.34%
- 5Y*
- 5.98%
- 10Y*
- 5.83%
IWM
- 1D
- 3.50%
- 1M
- -4.96%
- YTD
- 0.93%
- 6M
- 3.02%
- 1Y
- 25.66%
- 3Y*
- 12.94%
- 5Y*
- 3.34%
- 10Y*
- 9.76%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
EWK vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWK has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
EWK vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
EWK
IWM
EWK vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.
| EWK | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.61 | 1.11 | +0.50 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.19 | 1.66 | +0.53 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.21 | +0.10 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.58 | 1.82 | -0.24 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.54 | 6.76 | -0.22 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EWK | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.61 | 1.11 | +0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | 0.15 | +0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 | 0.43 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 0.34 | -0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between EWK and IWM is 0.56, 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.
Dividends
EWK vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
EWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, more than IWM's 1.02% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF | 1.73% | 1.73% | 3.25% | 2.09% | 2.58% | 3.64% | 1.66% | 2.77% | 2.78% | 2.91% | 1.75% | 2.06% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 1.02% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
Drawdowns
EWK vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWK drawdown since its inception was -74.10%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWK and IWM.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| EWK | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.10% | -59.05% | -15.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.47% | -13.74% | -1.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.22% | -31.91% | -3.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.80% | -41.13% | -1.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.53% | -7.91% | -3.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.63% | -10.83% | -10.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.75% | 3.70% | +0.05% |
Volatility
EWK vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 7.65% and 7.47%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| EWK | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.65% | 7.47% | +0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.79% | 14.47% | -3.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.99% | 23.18% | -7.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.68% | 22.55% | -4.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.95% | 22.99% | -4.04% |