EWY vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWY returned 15.79%/yr vs 9.28%/yr for EFA. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWY charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

EWY vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWY achieves a 90.95% return, which is significantly higher than EFA's 7.13% return. Over the past 10 years, EWY has outperformed EFA with an annualized return of 15.79%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.28% annualized return.

EWY

• 1D: 5.96%
• 1M: -2.40%
• YTD: 90.95%
• 6M: 99.65%
• 1Y: 189.48%
• 3Y*: 44.08%
• 5Y*: 17.62%
• 10Y*: 15.79%

EFA

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: -1.04%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 18.74%
• 3Y*: 15.87%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.28%

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

EWY vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	90.95%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	7.13%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	22.04%	-13.82%	25.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EWY and EFA is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2001	0.67

The correlation between EWY and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWY vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWY	EFA
Technology	52.4%	10.4%
Industrials	20.4%	19.9%
Financial Services	9.6%	24.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	7.6%
Healthcare	3.5%	10.6%
Communication Services	2.9%	4.5%
Basic Materials	2.0%	5.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	6.7%
Energy	1.4%	4.0%
Utilities	0.4%	4.0%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

EWY vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 95

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 38
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

EWY vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.

	EWY	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.23	1.23	+3.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	1.79	+2.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.23	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.26	1.65	+6.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.84	6.15	+23.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWY vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWY Sharpe Ratio is 4.23, which is higher than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWY and EFA, 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

	EWY	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.23	1.23	+3.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.49	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.54	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.31	+0.01

Drawdowns

EWY vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWY drawdown since its inception was -74.14%, which is greater than EFA's maximum drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWY and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWY	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.14%	-61.04%	-13.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.08%	-11.42%	-11.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-14.05%	-13.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.55%	-29.53%	-19.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.73%	-34.19%	-15.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.33%	-2.63%	-11.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.12%	-11.93%	-8.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.38%	3.05%	+3.33%

Volatility

EWY vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a higher volatility of 25.98% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) at 4.54%. This indicates that EWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWY	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.98%	4.54%	+21.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.23%	12.82%	+28.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.13%	15.31%	+29.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.70%	16.52%	+13.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.83%	17.28%	+10.55%

EWY vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWY has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWY vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

EWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than EFA's 3.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.16%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.10%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWY and EFA in my portfolio?

EWY and EFA have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWY or EFA?

EWY has higher volatility (25.98%) compared to EFA (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWY dropped -74.14% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which ETF is better, EWY or EFA?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 15.79% vs 9.28% for EFA. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWY or EFA?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 15.79% return vs 9.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWY or EFA?

EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWY or EFA?

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.16%, compared with 1.10% for EWY.

What is the main difference between EWY and EFA?

EWY is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWY and 0.32% for EFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.23 vs 1.23), 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.