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EWS vs. FXU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EWS vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

EWS (iShares MSCI Singapore ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - EWS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Singapore Index, while FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWS returned 7.88%/yr vs 9.38%/yr for FXU. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWS charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

EWS vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWS achieves a 5.96% return, which is significantly lower than FXU's 8.19% return. Over the past 10 years, EWS has underperformed FXU with an annualized return of 7.88%, while FXU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.38% annualized return.

EWS

1D
0.07%
1M
0.24%
YTD
5.96%
6M
7.68%
1Y
18.15%
3Y*
20.28%
5Y*
8.93%
10Y*
7.88%

FXU

1D
0.87%
1M
0.66%
YTD
8.19%
6M
8.80%
1Y
17.67%
3Y*
17.64%
5Y*
11.71%
10Y*
9.38%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EWS vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EWS
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF		5.96%31.35%22.10%6.15%-9.80%5.47%-8.47%14.54%-11.34%34.78%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		8.19%21.86%22.50%-2.12%3.68%17.67%1.53%11.67%5.43%0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between EWS and FXU is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.14

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.29

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.30

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.29

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007

0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between EWS and FXU has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EWS vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EWS
FXU

Financial Services

52.2%

-

Industrials

18.1%
4.2%

Real Estate

8.6%

-

Utilities

4.7%
92.0%

Consumer Defensive

4.6%

-

Communication Services

4.2%

-

Technology

4.0%

-

Consumer Cyclical

3.5%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Energy

-

3.7%

Healthcare

-

-

Financial Services

EWS
52.2%
FXU

-

Industrials

EWS
18.1%
FXU
4.2%

Real Estate

EWS
8.6%
FXU

-

Utilities

EWS
4.7%
FXU
92.0%

Consumer Defensive

EWS
4.6%
FXU

-

Communication Services

EWS
4.2%
FXU

-

Technology

EWS
4.0%
FXU

-

Consumer Cyclical

EWS
3.5%
FXU

-

Basic Materials

EWS

-

FXU

-

Energy

EWS

-

FXU
3.7%

Healthcare

EWS

-

FXU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI Singapore ETF

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

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Often compared with FXU:
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Return for Risk

EWS vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EWS
EWS Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
EWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWS Omega Ratio Rank: 3535
Omega Ratio Rank
EWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWS Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
FXU
FXU Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

EWS vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). 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.

EWSFXUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.15
1.26

-0.11

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.69
1.75

-0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.21

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.24

1.93

+0.31

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.40

5.17

+0.23

EWS vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWS Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the FXU Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWS and FXU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

EWS vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWS drawdown since its inception was -75.13%, which is greater than FXU's maximum drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWS and FXU.

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Drawdown Indicators

EWSFXUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-75.13%

-49.00%

-26.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.82%

-8.63%

+0.81%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.34%

-17.46%

+1.12%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.06%

-21.87%

-7.19%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.84%

-34.81%

-6.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.77%

-5.57%

+2.80%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.98%

-7.63%

-14.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.23%

3.22%

+0.01%

Volatility

EWS vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) have volatilities of 5.05% and 5.01%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EWSFXUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.05%

5.01%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.11%

10.33%

+1.78%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.24%

13.30%

+1.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.34%

16.61%

+0.73%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.04%

18.34%

-0.30%

EWS vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWS has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWS vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

EWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than FXU's 2.16% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWS
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF		3.87%4.10%4.28%6.50%2.56%6.00%2.68%4.70%4.21%3.46%3.96%4.20%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		2.16%2.29%2.41%2.52%2.03%2.00%3.97%2.34%2.40%3.81%2.62%3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

EWS and FXU have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EWS has higher volatility (5.05%) compared to FXU (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWS dropped -75.13% vs FXU's -49.00%.

On 10-year performance, FXU leads with 9.38% vs 7.88% for EWS. On fees, EWS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FXU has performed better with a 9.38% return vs 7.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EWS is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

EWS has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 2.16% for FXU.

EWS is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FXU is Utilities Equities. EWS tracks MSCI Singapore Index, while FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EWS and 0.62% for FXU.

FXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 1.15), 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.

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