EWT vs. AIA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) and AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from iShares - EWT tracks the MSCI Taiwan Index while AIA tracks the S&P Asia 50. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWT returned 19.90%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for AIA. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EWT charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AIA.

Performance

EWT vs. AIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWT achieves a 68.27% return, which is significantly higher than AIA's 52.67% return. Over the past 10 years, EWT has outperformed AIA with an annualized return of 19.90%, while AIA has yielded a comparatively lower 15.48% annualized return.

EWT

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 18.24%
• YTD: 68.27%
• 6M: 72.42%
• 1Y: 110.37%
• 3Y*: 38.34%
• 5Y*: 18.33%
• 10Y*: 19.90%

AIA

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 18.04%
• YTD: 52.67%
• 6M: 57.46%
• 1Y: 100.69%
• 3Y*: 38.58%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

EWT vs. AIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	68.27%	28.38%	16.11%	23.97%	-28.90%	26.18%	31.50%	33.36%	-9.90%	26.81%
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	52.67%	47.79%	20.26%	4.32%	-24.08%	-10.91%	33.73%	22.21%	-14.22%	45.00%

Correlation

The correlation between EWT and AIA 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2007	0.82

The correlation between EWT and AIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWT vs. AIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWT	AIA
Technology	72.9%	56.8%
Financial Services	13.0%	19.3%
Industrials	4.9%	2.6%
Basic Materials	3.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	10.1%
Communication Services	1.9%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	-
Healthcare	0.8%	0.9%
Energy	-	0.7%
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

EWT vs. AIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWT

EWT Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
EWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWT Martin Ratio Rank: 95

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 93
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

EWT vs. AIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). 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.

	EWT	AIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.42	3.94	+0.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.00	4.57	+0.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.64	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.56	7.16	+3.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	32.40	26.55	+5.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWT vs. AIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWT Sharpe Ratio is 4.42, which is comparable to the AIA Sharpe Ratio of 3.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWT and AIA, 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

	EWT	AIA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.42	3.94	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.49	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.66	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.32	-0.07

Drawdowns

EWT vs. AIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWT drawdown since its inception was -64.37%, which is greater than AIA's maximum drawdown of -60.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWT and AIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWT	AIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.37%	-60.89%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.51%	-14.15%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.66%	-21.64%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.88%	-50.17%	+11.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.88%	-54.64%	+15.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.19%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.23%	-16.68%	-2.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.81%	-0.39%

Volatility

EWT vs. AIA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) is 10.43%, while iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) has a volatility of 11.22%. This indicates that EWT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWT	AIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.43%	11.22%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.52%	21.71%	-1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.10%	25.70%	-0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.59%	25.51%	-2.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.60%	23.55%	-1.95%

EWT vs. AIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWT has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than AIA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWT vs. AIA - Dividend Comparison

EWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, more than AIA's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.64%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	2.63%	4.43%	3.32%	8.12%	18.82%	0.55%	1.83%	2.49%	3.16%	2.81%	2.39%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWT and AIA in my portfolio?

EWT and AIA 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 is riskier, EWT or AIA?

AIA has higher volatility (11.22%) compared to EWT (10.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWT dropped -64.37% vs AIA's -60.89%.

Which ETF is better, EWT or AIA?

On 10-year performance, EWT leads with 19.90% vs 15.48% for AIA. On fees, AIA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EWT has been the lower-risk option at 10.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWT or AIA?

Over the 10-year period, EWT has performed better with a 19.90% return vs 15.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWT or AIA?

AIA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWT or AIA?

EWT has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.64% for AIA.

What is the main difference between EWT and AIA?

EWT tracks MSCI Taiwan Index, while AIA tracks S&P Asia 50. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWT and 0.50% for AIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.42 vs 3.94), 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.