EWUS vs. VGK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWUS (iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF) and VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds - EWUS tracks the MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index while VGK tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWUS returned 3.77%/yr vs 9.26%/yr for VGK. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWUS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VGK.

Performance

EWUS vs. VGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWUS achieves a 1.21% return, which is significantly lower than VGK's 5.62% return. Over the past 10 years, EWUS has underperformed VGK with an annualized return of 3.77%, while VGK has yielded a comparatively higher 9.26% annualized return.

EWUS

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: 2.10%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 5.28%
• 1Y: 8.92%
• 3Y*: 12.21%
• 5Y*: -0.15%
• 10Y*: 3.77%

VGK

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 5.62%
• 6M: 8.66%
• 1Y: 18.01%
• 3Y*: 16.32%
• 5Y*: 8.24%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

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

EWUS vs. VGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWUS iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF	1.21%	25.13%	3.55%	15.41%	-31.19%	12.55%	-2.58%	35.16%	-20.16%	32.17%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	5.62%	35.83%	1.88%	20.19%	-15.98%	16.89%	5.43%	24.85%	-14.89%	26.98%

Correlation

The correlation between EWUS and VGK 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	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2012	0.74

The correlation between EWUS and VGK shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWUS vs. VGK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWUS	VGK
Financial Services	22.9%	23.9%
Industrials	20.7%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	14.6%	6.8%
Real Estate	10.1%	1.5%
Basic Materials	6.7%	5.4%
Communication Services	5.7%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	8.5%
Technology	4.3%	8.3%
Energy	3.3%	5.3%
Healthcare	3.2%	12.1%
Utilities	3.0%	4.8%

Return for Risk

EWUS vs. VGK — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWUS

EWUS Risk / Return Rank: 17
EWUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
EWUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
EWUS Omega Ratio Rank: 16
EWUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
EWUS Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VGK

VGK Risk / Return Rank: 31
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

EWUS vs. VGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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.

	EWUS	VGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	1.18	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	1.72	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.21	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	1.50	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.92	5.56	-3.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWUS vs. VGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWUS Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the VGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWUS and VGK, 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

	EWUS	VGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	1.18	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.46	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	0.49	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.28	+0.02

Drawdowns

EWUS vs. VGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWUS drawdown since its inception was -49.33%, smaller than the maximum VGK drawdown of -63.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWUS and VGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWUS	VGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.33%	-63.61%	+14.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.21%	-12.09%	-3.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.84%	-14.31%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.14%	-32.74%	-15.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.33%	-37.24%	-12.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.93%	-2.41%	-3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-13.34%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.65%	3.25%	+1.40%

Volatility

EWUS vs. VGK - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (EWUS) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) at 5.73%. This indicates that EWUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWUS	VGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	5.73%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.52%	12.78%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.78%	15.40%	+2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.12%	17.90%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.59%	18.96%	+3.63%

EWUS vs. VGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWUS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VGK's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWUS vs. VGK - Dividend Comparison

EWUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, more than VGK's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWUS iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF	3.55%	3.59%	3.67%	2.88%	2.03%	3.54%	1.97%	2.59%	3.53%	2.61%	3.18%	2.85%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	2.82%	2.86%	3.61%	3.15%	3.25%	3.05%	2.11%	3.27%	3.95%	2.70%	3.52%	3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWUS and VGK in my portfolio?

EWUS and VGK 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.

Which is riskier, EWUS or VGK?

EWUS has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to VGK (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWUS dropped -49.33% vs VGK's -63.61%.

Which ETF is better, EWUS or VGK?

On 10-year performance, VGK leads with 9.26% vs 3.77% for EWUS. On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VGK has been the lower-risk option at 5.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWUS or VGK?

Over the 10-year period, VGK has performed better with a 9.26% return vs 3.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWUS or VGK?

VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWUS or VGK?

EWUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.55%, compared with 2.82% for VGK.

What is the main difference between EWUS and VGK?

EWUS tracks MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index, while VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWUS and 0.06% for VGK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 0.50), 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.