EWO vs. EWA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EWO (iShares MSCI Austria ETF) and EWA (iShares MSCI-Australia ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWO is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Austria Investable Market Index, while EWA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Australia Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWO returned 14.21%/yr vs 8.53%/yr for EWA. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWO charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for EWA.

Performance

EWO vs. EWA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Austria ETF (EWO) and iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWO achieves a 16.61% return, which is significantly higher than EWA's 12.52% return. Over the past 10 years, EWO has outperformed EWA with an annualized return of 14.21%, while EWA has yielded a comparatively lower 8.53% annualized return.

EWO

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 6.00%
• YTD: 16.61%
• 6M: 23.65%
• 1Y: 44.58%
• 3Y*: 33.99%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 14.21%

EWA

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 15.59%
• 1Y: 16.38%
• 3Y*: 13.02%
• 5Y*: 6.09%
• 10Y*: 8.53%

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

EWO vs. EWA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWO iShares MSCI Austria ETF	16.61%	74.21%	4.05%	20.63%	-21.95%	31.50%	-3.67%	17.05%	-22.88%	52.47%
EWA iShares MSCI-Australia ETF	12.52%	13.35%	1.60%	13.81%	-5.92%	8.93%	8.29%	22.45%	-12.04%	19.88%

Correlation

The correlation between EWO and EWA is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 1996	0.52

The correlation between EWO and EWA shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (all time) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWO vs. EWA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWO	EWA
Financial Services	46.6%	43.6%
Industrials	14.2%	4.5%
Energy	10.8%	4.5%
Basic Materials	8.1%	23.0%
Utilities	7.5%	1.7%
Technology	6.6%	1.1%
Real Estate	4.4%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	6.1%
Communication Services	-	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.6%
Healthcare	-	4.9%

Return for Risk

EWO vs. EWA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWO

EWO Risk / Return Rank: 68
EWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
EWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
EWO Omega Ratio Rank: 67
EWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
EWO Martin Ratio Rank: 62

EWA

EWA Risk / Return Rank: 30
EWA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
EWA Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
EWA Omega Ratio Rank: 26
EWA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EWA Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

EWO vs. EWA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Austria ETF (EWO) and iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA). 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.

	EWO	EWA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	0.98	+1.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	1.43	+1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.18	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	1.79	+1.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	5.15	+6.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWO vs. EWA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWO Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the EWA Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWO and EWA, 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

	EWO	EWA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	0.98	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.31	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.38	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.29	-0.02

Drawdowns

EWO vs. EWA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWO drawdown since its inception was -75.69%, which is greater than EWA's maximum drawdown of -66.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWO and EWA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWO	EWA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.69%	-66.98%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.08%	-10.01%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.75%	-21.91%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.82%	-24.87%	-16.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.10%	-45.54%	-12.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.61%	+2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.13%	-11.33%	-16.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	3.48%	+0.66%

Volatility

EWO vs. EWA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Austria ETF (EWO) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to iShares MSCI-Australia ETF (EWA) at 5.51%. This indicates that EWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWO	EWA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	5.51%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.95%	13.94%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.47%	16.87%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.83%	19.72%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	22.61%	+0.25%

EWO vs. EWA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWO has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than EWA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWO vs. EWA - Dividend Comparison

EWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, less than EWA's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWA iShares MSCI-Australia ETF	2.85%	3.21%	3.71%	3.72%	5.28%	5.08%	2.02%	3.97%	6.11%	4.44%	4.03%	5.48%
EWO iShares MSCI Austria ETF	2.04%	2.38%	7.40%	5.66%	4.75%	2.42%	0.98%	3.11%	4.04%	2.03%	1.99%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWO and EWA in my portfolio?

EWO and EWA have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWO or EWA?

EWO has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to EWA (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWO dropped -75.69% vs EWA's -66.98%.

Which ETF is better, EWO or EWA?

On 10-year performance, EWO leads with 14.21% vs 8.53% for EWA. On fees, EWO is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWA has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWO or EWA?

Over the 10-year period, EWO has performed better with a 14.21% return vs 8.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWO or EWA?

EWO is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EWA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWO or EWA?

EWA has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 2.04% for EWO.

What is the main difference between EWO and EWA?

EWO is categorized as Europe Equities, while EWA is Asia Pacific Equities. EWO tracks MSCI Austria Investable Market Index, while EWA tracks MSCI Australia Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWO and 0.50% for EWA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.98), 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.