EWT vs. EZA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) and EZA (iShares MSCI South Africa ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWT is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Taiwan Index, while EZA is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI South Africa Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWT returned 19.56%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for EZA. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.59% expense ratio.

Performance

EWT vs. EZA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWT achieves a 61.53% return, which is significantly higher than EZA's -2.81% return. Over the past 10 years, EWT has outperformed EZA with an annualized return of 19.56%, while EZA has yielded a comparatively lower 8.12% annualized return.

EWT

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 8.18%
• YTD: 61.53%
• 6M: 67.45%
• 1Y: 89.17%
• 3Y*: 34.98%
• 5Y*: 17.48%
• 10Y*: 19.56%

EZA

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: -5.51%
• YTD: -2.81%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 30.30%
• 3Y*: 23.45%
• 5Y*: 9.50%
• 10Y*: 8.12%

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

EWT vs. EZA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	61.53%	28.38%	16.11%	23.97%	-28.90%	26.18%	31.50%	33.36%	-9.90%	26.81%
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF	-2.81%	75.20%	7.16%	1.51%	-5.18%	7.91%	-5.19%	9.83%	-25.24%	36.03%

Correlation

The correlation between EWT and EZA is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2003	0.59

The correlation between EWT and EZA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWT vs. EZA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWT	EZA
Technology	72.9%	-
Financial Services	13.0%	32.1%
Industrials	4.9%	1.5%
Basic Materials	3.5%	39.7%
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	14.7%
Communication Services	1.9%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	2.4%
Healthcare	0.8%	1.2%
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	1.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

EWT vs. EZA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWT

EWT Risk / Return Rank: 94
EWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
EWT Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
EWT Martin Ratio Rank: 95

EZA

EZA Risk / Return Rank: 29
EZA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
EZA Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
EZA Omega Ratio Rank: 30
EZA Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EZA Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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. EZA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) and iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA). 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.

	EWT	EZA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.36	0.95	+2.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	1.41	+2.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.18	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.53	1.31	+7.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.15	3.41	+21.74

EWT vs. EZA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWT Sharpe Ratio is 3.36, which is higher than the EZA Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWT and EZA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EWT vs. EZA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWT drawdown since its inception was -64.37%, roughly equal to the maximum EZA drawdown of -64.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWT and EZA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWT	EZA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.37%	-64.64%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.51%	-23.31%	+12.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.66%	-23.31%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.88%	-34.94%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.88%	-62.25%	+23.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.19%	-18.05%	+13.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.21%	-16.92%	-2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	8.93%	-5.37%

Volatility

EWT vs. EZA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) has a higher volatility of 13.55% compared to iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) at 11.34%. This indicates that EWT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EZA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWT	EZA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.55%	11.34%	+2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.68%	27.03%	-4.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	31.92%	-5.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.95%	28.86%	-5.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.78%	31.43%	-9.65%

EWT vs. EZA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both EWT and EZA have an expense ratio of 0.59%.

Dividends

EWT vs. EZA - Dividend Comparison

EWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.74%, less than EZA's 6.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	2.74%	4.43%	3.32%	8.12%	18.82%	0.55%	1.83%	2.49%	3.16%	2.81%	2.39%	3.12%
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF	6.34%	6.16%	7.26%	2.84%	3.90%	2.05%	5.51%	12.27%	3.81%	1.55%	4.10%	3.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWT and EZA in my portfolio?

EWT and EZA have a correlation of 0.54, 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 EZA?

EWT has higher volatility (13.55%) compared to EZA (11.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWT dropped -64.37% vs EZA's -64.64%.

Which ETF is better, EWT or EZA?

On 10-year performance, EWT leads with 19.56% vs 8.12% for EZA. Both ETFs have the same 0.59% expense ratio. On volatility, EZA has been the lower-risk option at 11.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWT or EZA?

Over the 10-year period, EWT has performed better with a 19.56% return vs 8.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWT or EZA?

EWT and EZA have the same expense ratio: 0.59% per year.

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

EZA has the higher dividend yield at 6.34%, compared with 2.74% for EWT.

What is the main difference between EWT and EZA?

EWT is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while EZA is Emerging Markets Equities. EWT tracks MSCI Taiwan Index, while EZA tracks MSCI South Africa Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.36 vs 0.95), 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.