EWL vs. SGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWL (iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWL is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Switzerland Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EWL returned 6.33%/yr vs 3.54%/yr for SGOV. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. EWL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.

Performance

EWL vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with EWL having a 1.57% return and SGOV slightly lower at 1.51%.

EWL

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 1.57%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 12.76%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 9.27%

SGOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

EWL vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EWL iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF	1.57%	32.92%	-2.80%	17.67%	-18.89%	20.20%	19.26%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	1.51%	4.24%	5.27%	5.12%	1.58%	0.04%	0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between EWL and SGOV is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2020	-0.01

Return for Risk

EWL vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWL

EWL Risk / Return Rank: 22
EWL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
EWL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
EWL Omega Ratio Rank: 22
EWL Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
EWL Martin Ratio Rank: 24

SGOV

SGOV Risk / Return Rank: 100
SGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	20.28	-19.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	275.69	-274.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	195.55	-194.40
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	398.20	-397.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.10	4,462.00	-4,458.91
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. SGOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWL Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the SGOV Sharpe Ratio of 20.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWL and SGOV, 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

	EWL	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	20.28	-19.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	14.73	-14.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	12.48	-12.14

Drawdowns

EWL vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWL drawdown since its inception was -51.62%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWL and SGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWL	SGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.62%	-0.03%	-51.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.48%	-0.01%	-13.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-0.01%	-13.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.99%	-0.03%	-28.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.42%	0.00%	-6.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.09%	-0.00%	-11.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	0.00%	+4.13%

Volatility

EWL vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) has a higher volatility of 5.07% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.05%. This indicates that EWL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWL	SGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	0.05%	+5.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.24%	0.13%	+12.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	0.20%	+15.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	0.24%	+15.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.47%	0.24%	+16.23%

EWL vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWL vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison

EWL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than SGOV's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWL iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF	1.68%	1.71%	2.21%	2.12%	2.04%	1.73%	1.45%	1.85%	2.56%	2.05%	2.75%	2.58%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	3.86%	4.10%	5.10%	4.87%	1.45%	0.03%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWL and SGOV in my portfolio?

EWL and SGOV have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWL or SGOV?

EWL has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to SGOV (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWL dropped -51.62% vs SGOV's -0.03%.

Which ETF is better, EWL or SGOV?

On 5-year performance, EWL leads with 6.33% vs 3.54% for SGOV. On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWL or SGOV?

Over the 5-year period, EWL has performed better with a 6.33% return vs 3.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWL or SGOV?

SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EWL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWL or SGOV?

SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 1.68% for EWL.

What is the main difference between EWL and SGOV?

EWL is categorized as Europe Equities, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. EWL tracks MSCI Switzerland Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EWL and 0.09% for SGOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.28 vs 0.82), 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.