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EWU vs. FDD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EWU vs. FDD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EWU (iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF) and FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - EWU tracks the MSCI United Kingdom Index while FDD tracks the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWU returned 7.86%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for FDD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWU charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for FDD.

Performance

EWU vs. FDD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) and First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWU achieves a 6.59% return, which is significantly lower than FDD's 12.85% return. Over the past 10 years, EWU has underperformed FDD with an annualized return of 7.86%, while FDD has yielded a comparatively higher 10.06% annualized return.

EWU

1D
0.99%
1M
0.93%
YTD
6.59%
6M
10.05%
1Y
21.33%
3Y*
17.73%
5Y*
10.86%
10Y*
7.86%

FDD

1D
1.18%
1M
3.09%
YTD
12.85%
6M
18.93%
1Y
34.33%
3Y*
26.63%
5Y*
11.30%
10Y*
10.06%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EWU vs. FDD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EWU
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF		6.59%34.95%6.74%12.40%-4.39%18.19%-11.80%21.29%-14.30%21.54%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		12.85%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-8.98%19.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EWU and FDD is 0.84, 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

0.84

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

0.83

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

0.85

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

0.85

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2007

0.76

The correlation between EWU and FDD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWU vs. FDD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EWU
FDD

Financial Services

26.0%
52.2%

Consumer Defensive

14.2%
3.7%

Healthcare

13.9%

-

Industrials

12.1%
12.5%

Energy

11.0%
10.8%

Basic Materials

9.3%
2.9%

Utilities

5.1%
6.0%

Consumer Cyclical

4.0%
12.3%

Communication Services

2.4%
2.1%

Technology

0.6%

-

Real Estate

0.6%
3.5%

Financial Services

EWU
26.0%
FDD
52.2%

Consumer Defensive

EWU
14.2%
FDD
3.7%

Healthcare

EWU
13.9%
FDD

-

Industrials

EWU
12.1%
FDD
12.5%

Energy

EWU
11.0%
FDD
10.8%

Basic Materials

EWU
9.3%
FDD
2.9%

Utilities

EWU
5.1%
FDD
6.0%

Consumer Cyclical

EWU
4.0%
FDD
12.3%

Communication Services

EWU
2.4%
FDD
2.1%

Technology

EWU
0.6%
FDD

-

Real Estate

EWU
0.6%
FDD
3.5%

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iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

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Return for Risk

EWU vs. FDD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EWU
EWU Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
EWU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWU Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWU Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
EWU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWU Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

EWU vs. FDD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) and First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD). 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.

EWUFDDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
2.24

-0.75

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.12
3.07

-0.96

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.38

-0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.16

3.67

-1.51

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.80

12.33

-4.53

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWU vs. FDD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWU Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the FDD Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWU and FDD, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

EWUFDDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.49

2.24

-0.75

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.66

0.62

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.42

0.50

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.26

0.10

+0.17

Drawdowns

EWU vs. FDD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWU drawdown since its inception was -63.99%, smaller than the maximum FDD drawdown of -74.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWU and FDD.

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Drawdown Indicators

EWUFDDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-63.99%

-74.77%

+10.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.92%

-9.39%

-0.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.63%

-13.06%

+0.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.91%

-35.11%

+10.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.33%

-41.43%

-1.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.70%

-1.10%

-2.60%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.16%

-35.46%

+21.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.74%

2.79%

-0.05%

Volatility

EWU vs. FDD - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) at 5.12%. This indicates that EWU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EWUFDDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.64%

5.12%

+0.52%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.33%

12.37%

-0.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.40%

15.40%

-1.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.43%

18.40%

-1.97%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.84%

20.16%

-1.32%

EWU vs. FDD - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWU has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FDD's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWU vs. FDD - Dividend Comparison

EWU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, which matches FDD's 3.50% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWU
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF		3.50%3.73%4.16%4.14%3.43%4.35%2.48%4.13%4.98%3.91%3.97%4.11%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		3.50%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

EWU and FDD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EWU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to FDD (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWU dropped -63.99% vs FDD's -74.77%.

On 10-year performance, FDD leads with 10.06% vs 7.86% for EWU. On fees, EWU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FDD has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FDD has performed better with a 10.06% return vs 7.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EWU is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for FDD.

EWU and FDD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 3.50%.

EWU tracks MSCI United Kingdom Index, while FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EWU and 0.58% for FDD.

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.49), 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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