EWS vs. UAE
EWS (iShares MSCI Singapore ETF) and UAE (iShares MSCI UAE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Singapore Index, while UAE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI All UAE Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWS returned 7.91%/yr vs 5.59%/yr for UAE. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWS charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for UAE.
Performance
EWS vs. UAE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWS achieves a 8.22% return, which is significantly higher than UAE's -2.82% return. Over the past 10 years, EWS has outperformed UAE with an annualized return of 7.91%, while UAE has yielded a comparatively lower 5.59% annualized return.
EWS
- 1D
- -0.70%
- 1M
- 4.60%
- YTD
- 8.22%
- 6M
- 8.37%
- 1Y
- 19.41%
- 3Y*
- 21.86%
- 5Y*
- 9.39%
- 10Y*
- 7.91%
UAE
- 1D
- -1.38%
- 1M
- -2.11%
- YTD
- -2.82%
- 6M
- -0.47%
- 1Y
- 4.41%
- 3Y*
- 12.18%
- 5Y*
- 8.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.59%
EWS vs. UAE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWS iShares MSCI Singapore ETF | 8.22% | 31.35% | 22.10% | 6.15% | -9.80% | 5.47% | -8.47% | 14.54% | -11.34% | 34.78% |
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF | -2.82% | 21.35% | 15.25% | 2.91% | -5.36% | 44.16% | -7.23% | 1.59% | -14.42% | 4.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between EWS and UAE is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2014 | 0.32 |
EWS vs. UAE - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
EWS
UAE
Financial Services
Industrials
Real Estate
Utilities
Consumer Defensive
Communication Services
Technology
Consumer Cyclical
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Healthcare
-
-
Financial Services
EWS
UAE
Industrials
EWS
UAE
Real Estate
EWS
UAE
Utilities
EWS
UAE
Consumer Defensive
EWS
UAE
Communication Services
EWS
UAE
Technology
EWS
UAE
Consumer Cyclical
EWS
UAE
Basic Materials
EWS
-
UAE
Energy
EWS
-
UAE
Healthcare
EWS
-
UAE
-
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Return for Risk
EWS vs. UAE — Risk / Return Rank
EWS
UAE
EWS vs. UAE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) and iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE). 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.
| EWS | UAE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.06 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.49 | 0.21 | +2.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.08 | 0.53 | +5.55 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EWS | UAE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.32 | 0.20 | +1.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 | 0.47 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.29 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.15 | 0.06 | +0.09 |
Drawdowns
EWS vs. UAE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWS drawdown since its inception was -75.00%, which is greater than UAE's maximum drawdown of -60.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWS and UAE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWS | UAE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -75.00% | -60.49% | -14.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.82% | -21.50% | +13.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.34% | -21.50% | +5.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.06% | -27.47% | -1.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.84% | -49.71% | +8.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.70% | -16.42% | +15.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.88% | -23.91% | +2.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 8.37% | -5.17% |
Volatility
EWS vs. UAE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) is 3.68%, while iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) has a volatility of 6.49%. This indicates that EWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UAE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EWS | UAE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.68% | 6.49% | -2.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.45% | 19.05% | -7.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.73% | 21.99% | -7.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.25% | 18.77% | -1.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.03% | 19.54% | -1.51% |
EWS vs. UAE - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWS has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than UAE's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
EWS vs. UAE - Dividend Comparison
EWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.79%, less than UAE's 4.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWS iShares MSCI Singapore ETF | 3.79% | 4.10% | 4.28% | 6.50% | 2.56% | 6.00% | 2.68% | 4.70% | 4.21% | 3.46% | 3.96% | 4.20% |
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF | 4.22% | 4.10% | 3.32% | 3.25% | 2.67% | 4.88% | 4.75% | 3.54% | 5.56% | 3.38% | 4.74% | 3.77% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EWS and UAE have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UAE has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to EWS (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWS dropped -75.00% vs UAE's -60.49%.
On 10-year performance, EWS leads with 7.91% vs 5.59% for UAE. On fees, EWS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EWS has performed better with a 7.91% return vs 5.59%. 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 0.59% for UAE.
UAE has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 3.79% for EWS.
EWS is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while UAE is Emerging Markets Equities. EWS tracks MSCI Singapore Index, while UAE tracks MSCI All UAE Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EWS and 0.59% for UAE.
EWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 0.20), 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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