EWY vs. SCHD

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWY is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWY returned 13.73%/yr vs 12.32%/yr for SCHD. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWY charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

EWY vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWY achieves a 67.52% return, which is significantly higher than SCHD's 21.36% return. Over the past 10 years, EWY has outperformed SCHD with an annualized return of 13.73%, while SCHD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.32% annualized return.

EWY

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -25.70%
• 6M: 45.13%
• YTD: 67.52%
• 1Y: 130.03%
• 3Y*: 38.38%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 13.73%
• ALL TIME*: 9.80%

SCHD

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 3.61%
• 6M: 15.19%
• YTD: 21.36%
• 1Y: 25.66%
• 3Y*: 13.54%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 12.32%
• ALL TIME*: 13.25%

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

EWY vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	67.52%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	21.36%	4.34%	11.66%	4.54%	-3.26%	29.87%	15.03%	27.29%	-5.56%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between EWY and SCHD is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between EWY and SCHD has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EWY vs. SCHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWY	SCHD
Technology	56.1%	12.7%
Industrials	14.6%	7.8%
Financial Services	11.3%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	7.7%
Healthcare	3.3%	20.8%
Communication Services	2.6%	6.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	20.6%
Energy	0.8%	14.1%
Utilities	0.3%	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EWY vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 89
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 91
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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.

	EWY	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.34	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.63	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	5.59	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.04	13.64	+2.39

EWY vs. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWY Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWY and SCHD, 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

EWY vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWY drawdown since its inception was -74.14%, which is greater than SCHD's maximum drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWY and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWY	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.14%	-33.37%	-40.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.85%	-4.61%	-21.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-16.13%	-11.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.15%	-16.85%	-30.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.73%	-33.37%	-16.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.70%	-0.88%	-24.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.09%	-3.30%	-16.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.14%	1.89%	+6.25%

Volatility

EWY vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a higher volatility of 22.94% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 3.63%. This indicates that EWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWY	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.94%	3.63%	+19.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.48%	7.97%	+40.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.71%	11.05%	+40.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.91%	14.37%	+17.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.90%	16.71%	+12.19%

EWY vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWY has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWY vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

EWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than SCHD's 3.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.25%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.20%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWY and SCHD in my portfolio?

EWY and SCHD have a correlation of 0.07, 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 SCHD?

EWY has higher volatility (22.94%) compared to SCHD (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWY dropped -74.14% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, EWY or SCHD?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 13.73% vs 12.32% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWY or SCHD?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 13.73% return vs 12.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWY or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.25% for EWY.

What is the main difference between EWY and SCHD?

EWY is categorized as South Korea Equities, while SCHD is Dividend. EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index, while SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWY and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.34), 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.