EWL vs. EWK
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK).
EWL and EWK are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EWL is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Switzerland Index. It was launched on Mar 12, 1996. 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. Both EWL and EWK 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
EWL vs. EWK - Performance Comparison
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EWL vs. EWK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWL iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF | -1.92% | 32.92% | -2.80% | 17.67% | -18.89% | 20.20% | 11.80% | 31.58% | -9.21% | 23.34% |
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% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWL achieves a -1.92% return, which is significantly lower than EWK's 0.04% return. Over the past 10 years, EWL has outperformed EWK with an annualized return of 9.38%, while EWK has yielded a comparatively lower 5.83% annualized return.
EWL
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -9.63%
- YTD
- -1.92%
- 6M
- 6.46%
- 1Y
- 15.70%
- 3Y*
- 11.32%
- 5Y*
- 7.64%
- 10Y*
- 9.38%
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%
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EWL vs. EWK - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than EWK's 0.49% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
EWL vs. EWK — Risk / Return Rank
EWL
EWK
EWL vs. EWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK). 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.
| EWL | EWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.93 | 1.61 | -0.68 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.38 | 2.19 | -0.81 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.31 | -0.13 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.05 | 1.58 | -0.53 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.08 | 6.54 | -2.46 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EWL | EWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.93 | 1.61 | -0.68 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | 0.34 | +0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 | 0.31 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.34 | 0.25 | +0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between EWL and EWK is 0.63, 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
EWL vs. EWK - Dividend Comparison
EWL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, which matches EWK's 1.73% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWL iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF | 1.74% | 1.71% | 2.21% | 2.12% | 2.04% | 1.73% | 1.45% | 1.85% | 2.56% | 2.05% | 2.75% | 2.58% |
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% |
Drawdowns
EWL vs. EWK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWL drawdown since its inception was -51.62%, smaller than the maximum EWK drawdown of -74.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWL and EWK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWL | EWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.62% | -74.10% | +22.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.48% | -15.47% | +1.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.99% | -35.22% | +6.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.99% | -42.80% | +13.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.63% | -11.53% | +1.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.12% | -21.63% | +10.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | 3.75% | -0.27% |
Volatility
EWL vs. EWK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) is 6.66%, while iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that EWL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EWL | EWK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.66% | 7.65% | -0.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.81% | 10.79% | +0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.95% | 15.99% | +0.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.86% | 17.68% | -1.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.36% | 18.95% | -2.59% |