EWP vs. EWU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWP (iShares MSCI Spain ETF) and EWU (iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF) are both Europe Equities funds from iShares - EWP tracks the MSCI Spain Index while EWU tracks the MSCI United Kingdom Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWP returned 10.99%/yr vs 7.75%/yr for EWU. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

EWP vs. EWU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Spain ETF (EWP) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EWP having a 5.49% return and EWU slightly higher at 5.55%. Over the past 10 years, EWP has outperformed EWU with an annualized return of 10.99%, while EWU has yielded a comparatively lower 7.75% annualized return.

EWP

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 10.02%
• 1Y: 34.73%
• 3Y*: 30.89%
• 5Y*: 17.03%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

EWU

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 20.53%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: 7.75%

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

EWP vs. EWU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWP iShares MSCI Spain ETF	5.49%	78.03%	5.70%	30.26%	-5.18%	0.25%	-3.94%	11.93%	-15.32%	26.98%
EWU iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF	5.55%	34.95%	6.74%	12.40%	-4.39%	18.19%	-11.80%	21.29%	-14.30%	21.54%

Correlation

The correlation between EWP and EWU is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 1996	0.67

The correlation between EWP and EWU shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (all time) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWP vs. EWU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWP	EWU
Financial Services	41.4%	26.0%
Utilities	21.2%	5.1%
Industrials	16.1%	12.1%
Energy	5.3%	11.0%
Technology	4.9%	0.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	4.0%
Communication Services	2.9%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.9%	0.6%
Healthcare	1.3%	13.9%
Basic Materials	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	14.2%

Return for Risk

EWP vs. EWU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWP

EWP Risk / Return Rank: 55
EWP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
EWP Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
EWP Omega Ratio Rank: 51
EWP Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
EWP Martin Ratio Rank: 60

EWU

EWU Risk / Return Rank: 41
EWU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
EWU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EWU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EWU Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
EWU Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

EWP vs. EWU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Spain ETF (EWP) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). 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.

	EWP	EWU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.44	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.05	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.26	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.08	+0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.91	7.54	+3.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWP vs. EWU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWP Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the EWU Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWP and EWU, 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

	EWP	EWU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.44	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.65	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.41	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.26	+0.05

Drawdowns

EWP vs. EWU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWP drawdown since its inception was -61.19%, roughly equal to the maximum EWU drawdown of -63.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWP and EWU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWP	EWU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.19%	-63.99%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-9.92%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.19%	-12.63%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.91%	-24.91%	-9.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.36%	-43.33%	-3.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.60%	-4.64%	+2.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.43%	-14.16%	-7.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	2.73%	+0.46%

Volatility

EWP vs. EWU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Spain ETF (EWP) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) at 5.56%. This indicates that EWP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWP	EWU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	5.56%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.64%	12.30%	+3.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.76%	14.39%	+4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	16.43%	+3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.23%	18.84%	+3.39%

EWP vs. EWU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both EWP and EWU have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

EWP vs. EWU - Dividend Comparison

EWP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than EWU's 3.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWP iShares MSCI Spain ETF	2.15%	2.27%	4.35%	2.70%	3.07%	3.29%	2.56%	3.72%	3.69%	2.72%	4.65%	3.85%
EWU iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF	3.53%	3.73%	4.16%	4.14%	3.43%	4.35%	2.48%	4.13%	4.98%	3.91%	3.97%	4.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWP and EWU in my portfolio?

EWP and EWU have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWP or EWU?

EWP has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to EWU (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWP dropped -61.19% vs EWU's -63.99%.

Which ETF is better, EWP or EWU?

On 10-year performance, EWP leads with 10.99% vs 7.75% for EWU. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, EWU has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWP or EWU?

Over the 10-year period, EWP has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 7.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWP or EWU?

EWP and EWU have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWP or EWU?

EWU has the higher dividend yield at 3.53%, compared with 2.15% for EWP.

What is the main difference between EWP and EWU?

EWP tracks MSCI Spain Index, while EWU tracks MSCI United Kingdom Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.44), 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.