EWK vs. RFEU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWK (iShares MSCI Belgium ETF) and RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds. EWK is passively managed, while RFEU is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWK returned 6.17%/yr vs 7.29%/yr for RFEU. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWK charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for RFEU.

Performance

EWK vs. RFEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWK achieves a 9.09% return, which is significantly higher than RFEU's 1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, EWK has underperformed RFEU with an annualized return of 6.17%, while RFEU has yielded a comparatively higher 7.29% annualized return.

EWK

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 9.09%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.69%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 6.17%

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: 13.97%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 3.74%
• 10Y*: 7.29%

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

EWK vs. RFEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	9.09%	35.38%	0.14%	7.47%	-13.98%	12.84%	0.04%	25.92%	-20.40%	23.70%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	1.50%	30.78%	-1.78%	16.19%	-24.17%	22.83%	6.25%	23.21%	-17.57%	26.58%

Correlation

The correlation between EWK and RFEU is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2016	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between EWK and RFEU has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EWK vs. RFEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWK	RFEU
Healthcare	26.1%	13.3%
Consumer Defensive	25.1%	9.3%
Financial Services	16.5%	18.9%
Real Estate	10.3%	-
Industrials	7.7%	15.4%
Basic Materials	5.0%	1.2%
Utilities	3.0%	6.4%
Consumer Cyclical	2.0%	10.6%
Technology	1.7%	12.5%
Communication Services	1.4%	3.8%
Energy	1.1%	8.7%

Return for Risk

EWK vs. RFEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWK

EWK Risk / Return Rank: 38
EWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EWK Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EWK Martin Ratio Rank: 35

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

EWK vs. RFEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.77	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.57	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	2.99	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	10.93	-5.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWK vs. RFEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWK Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the RFEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWK and RFEU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EWK	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.77	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.23	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.41	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.41	-0.16

Drawdowns

EWK vs. RFEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWK drawdown since its inception was -74.10%, which is greater than RFEU's maximum drawdown of -39.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWK and RFEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWK	RFEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.10%	-39.74%	-34.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.47%	-5.15%	-10.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.64%	-13.48%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.22%	-35.92%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.80%	-39.74%	-3.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.53%	-0.11%	-3.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.54%	-9.62%	-11.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.30%	1.35%	+2.95%

Volatility

EWK vs. RFEU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) has a higher volatility of 5.54% compared to First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) at 0.00%. This indicates that EWK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWK	RFEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	0.00%	+5.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.75%	4.43%	+8.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.29%	8.73%	+6.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	16.77%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.06%	17.86%	+1.20%

EWK vs. RFEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWK has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEU's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWK vs. RFEU - Dividend Comparison

EWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than RFEU's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	1.59%	1.73%	3.25%	2.09%	2.58%	3.64%	1.66%	2.77%	2.78%	2.91%	1.75%	2.06%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	2.83%	2.87%	5.45%	3.37%	4.98%	1.82%	2.32%	3.08%	2.84%	1.35%	3.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWK and RFEU in my portfolio?

EWK and RFEU have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWK or RFEU?

EWK has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWK dropped -74.10% vs RFEU's -39.74%.

Which ETF is better, EWK or RFEU?

On 10-year performance, RFEU leads with 7.29% vs 6.17% for EWK. On fees, EWK is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, RFEU has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWK or RFEU?

Over the 10-year period, RFEU has performed better with a 7.29% return vs 6.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWK or RFEU?

EWK is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWK or RFEU?

RFEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 1.59% for EWK.

What is the main difference between EWK and RFEU?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWK and 0.83% for RFEU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.49), 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.