EWO vs. PBEU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EWO (iShares MSCI Austria ETF) and PBEU (Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWO is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Austria Investable Market Index, while PBEU is a Financials Equities fund tracking the BITA European Banks Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EWO charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBEU.

Performance

EWO vs. PBEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Austria ETF (EWO) and Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWO achieves a 22.29% return, which is significantly higher than PBEU's 13.63% return.

EWO

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: 8.63%
• YTD: 22.29%
• 6M: 23.55%
• 1Y: 54.33%
• 3Y*: 35.93%
• 5Y*: 17.04%
• 10Y*: 15.85%

PBEU

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: 7.22%
• YTD: 13.63%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EWO vs. PBEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EWO iShares MSCI Austria ETF	22.29%	12.44%
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	13.63%	11.42%

Correlation

The correlation between EWO and PBEU is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025	0.83

Return for Risk

EWO vs. PBEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWO

EWO Risk / Return Rank: 83
EWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
EWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
EWO Omega Ratio Rank: 84
EWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EWO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

PBEU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PBEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Austria ETF (EWO) and Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU). 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.

	EWO	PBEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.13	—	—

Drawdowns

EWO vs. PBEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWO drawdown since its inception was -75.69%, which is greater than PBEU's maximum drawdown of -17.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWO and PBEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWO	PBEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.69%	-17.26%	-58.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.75%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-1.42%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-3.94%	-24.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EWO	PBEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.15%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.32%	27.63%	-8.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	27.63%	-5.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.65%	27.63%	-4.98%

EWO vs. PBEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWO has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than PBEU's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWO vs. PBEU - Dividend Comparison

EWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, more than PBEU's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWO iShares MSCI Austria ETF	1.98%	2.38%	7.40%	5.66%	4.75%	2.42%	0.98%	3.11%	4.04%	2.03%	1.99%	1.51%
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWO and PBEU in my portfolio?

EWO and PBEU have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EWO or PBEU?

On fees, PBEU is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWO or PBEU?

PBEU is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWO.

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

EWO has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.01% for PBEU.

What is the main difference between EWO and PBEU?

EWO is categorized as Europe Equities, while PBEU is Financials Equities. EWO tracks MSCI Austria Investable Market Index, while PBEU tracks BITA European Banks Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWO and 0.13% for PBEU.