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EWL vs. FDD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EWL vs. FDD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

EWL (iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF) and FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - EWL tracks the MSCI Switzerland Index while FDD tracks the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWL returned 9.91%/yr vs 11.01%/yr for FDD. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EWL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for FDD.

Performance

EWL vs. FDD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWL achieves a 7.20% return, which is significantly lower than FDD's 18.92% return. Over the past 10 years, EWL has underperformed FDD with an annualized return of 9.91%, while FDD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.01% annualized return.

EWL

1D
-1.19%
1M
-1.28%
6M
4.45%
YTD
7.20%
1Y
22.60%
3Y*
12.29%
5Y*
6.77%
10Y*
9.91%
ALL TIME*
7.56%

FDD

1D
0.50%
1M
7.25%
6M
13.35%
YTD
18.92%
1Y
39.43%
3Y*
27.25%
5Y*
13.14%
10Y*
11.01%
ALL TIME*
2.89%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EWL

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF
$28.12M$30.49M$28.31M

FDD

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund
$2.43M$2.30M$2.53M

EWL vs. FDD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EWL
iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF		7.20%32.92%-2.80%17.67%-18.89%20.20%11.80%31.58%-9.21%23.34%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		18.92%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-8.98%19.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EWL and FDD is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.69

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.70

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.72

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2007

0.67

The correlation between EWL and FDD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWL vs. FDD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EWL
FDD

Healthcare

37.2%

-

Financial Services

18.2%
58.2%

Consumer Defensive

13.5%
4.2%

Industrials

12.9%
11.4%

Basic Materials

7.0%
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

6.3%
9.2%

Communication Services

1.2%
1.9%

Technology

1.0%

-

Real Estate

0.9%
3.3%

Utilities

0.4%
6.0%

Energy

-

9.1%

Healthcare

EWL
37.2%
FDD

-

Financial Services

EWL
18.2%
FDD
58.2%

Consumer Defensive

EWL
13.5%
FDD
4.2%

Industrials

EWL
12.9%
FDD
11.4%

Basic Materials

EWL
7.0%
FDD
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

EWL
6.3%
FDD
9.2%

Communication Services

EWL
1.2%
FDD
1.9%

Technology

EWL
1.0%
FDD

-

Real Estate

EWL
0.9%
FDD
3.3%

Utilities

EWL
0.4%
FDD
6.0%

Energy

EWL

-

FDD
9.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

Often compared with EWL:
EWL vs. FLSWEWL vs. EWQEWL vs. FSZEWL vs. EWOEWL vs. VTWNXEWL vs. TCIEXEWL vs. TILGX
Often compared with FDD:
FDD vs. EUFNFDD vs. RFEUFDD vs. FLAXFDD vs. VTIFDD vs. IQDFFDD vs. IEURFDD vs. DVY

Return for Risk

EWL vs. FDD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
EWL
EWL Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
EWL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
EWL Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWL Martin Ratio Rank: 4747
Martin Ratio Rank
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 9191
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 9292
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 9090
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 9292
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 8989
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EWL vs. FDD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD). 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.

EWLFDDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.40
2.48

-1.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.06
3.38

-1.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.42

-0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.63

4.16

-2.52

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.39

13.77

-8.38

EWL vs. FDD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWL Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the FDD Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWL and FDD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

EWL vs. FDD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWL drawdown since its inception was -51.62%, smaller than the maximum FDD drawdown of -74.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWL and FDD.

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Drawdown Indicators

EWLFDDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.62%

-74.77%

+23.15%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.48%

-9.39%

-4.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.48%

-12.90%

-0.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.99%

-34.84%

+5.85%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.99%

-41.43%

+12.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.28%

0.00%

-1.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.04%

-35.18%

+24.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.08%

2.83%

+1.25%

Volatility

EWL vs. FDD - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) has a higher volatility of 4.59% compared to First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) at 3.74%. This indicates that EWL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EWLFDDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.59%

3.74%

+0.85%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.83%

13.14%

-0.31%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.80%

15.79%

+0.01%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.22%

18.44%

-2.22%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.30%

19.77%

-3.47%

EWL vs. FDD - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FDD's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWL vs. FDD - Dividend Comparison

EWL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, less than FDD's 5.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWL
iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF		1.73%1.71%2.21%2.12%2.04%1.73%1.45%1.85%2.56%2.05%2.75%2.58%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		5.01%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

EWL and FDD have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EWL has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to FDD (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWL dropped -51.62% vs FDD's -74.77%.

On 10-year performance, FDD leads with 11.01% vs 9.91% for EWL. On fees, EWL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FDD has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FDD has performed better with a 11.01% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EWL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for FDD.

FDD has the higher dividend yield at 5.01%, compared with 1.73% for EWL.

EWL tracks MSCI Switzerland Index, while FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EWL and 0.58% for FDD.

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.40), 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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