EWL vs. FDD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD).

EWL and FDD 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. FDD is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30. It was launched on Aug 27, 2007. Both EWL and FDD 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. 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.

EWL vs. FDD - 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%
FDD First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund	2.13%	62.50%	0.28%	14.16%	-16.14%	16.03%	-3.80%	23.79%	-8.98%	19.07%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWL achieves a -1.92% return, which is significantly lower than FDD's 2.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EWL having a 9.38% annualized return and FDD not far ahead at 9.42%.

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%

FDD

• 1D: 3.55%
• 1M: -4.63%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 11.69%
• 1Y: 36.97%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

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

EWL vs. FDD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

FDD

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

EWL

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF

Return for Risk

EWL vs. FDD — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWL

EWL Risk / Return Rank: 49
EWL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
EWL Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
EWL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
EWL Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
EWL Martin Ratio Rank: 45

FDD

FDD Risk / Return Rank: 92
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

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.

	EWL	FDD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	2.00	-1.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	2.65	-1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.40	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	3.15	-2.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.08	12.09	-8.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWL vs. FDD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWL Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is lower than the FDD Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWL and FDD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EWL	FDD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93	2.00	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.59	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.47	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.08	+0.27

Correlation

The correlation between EWL and FDD is 0.67, 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. FDD - Dividend Comparison

EWL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, less than FDD's 3.87% 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%
FDD First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund	3.87%	3.99%	7.65%	6.85%	6.07%	3.44%	4.01%	4.69%	5.05%	2.78%	4.88%	4.35%

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWL	FDD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.62%	-74.77%	+23.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.48%	-11.44%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.99%	-35.11%	+6.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.99%	-41.43%	+12.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.63%	-5.69%	-3.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.12%	-35.79%	+24.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	2.98%	+0.50%

Volatility

EWL vs. FDD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) is 6.66%, while First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a volatility of 7.53%. This indicates that EWL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWL	FDD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.66%	7.53%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.81%	11.41%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.95%	18.63%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.86%	18.26%	-2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.36%	20.10%	-3.74%