EWY vs. SPDW

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) and SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWY is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index, while SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWY returned 13.73%/yr vs 9.88%/yr for SPDW. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWY charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPDW.

Performance

EWY vs. SPDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). 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 SPDW's 12.05% return. Over the past 10 years, EWY has outperformed SPDW with an annualized return of 13.73%, while SPDW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.88% 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%

SPDW

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -3.99%
• 6M: 7.53%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 1Y: 25.96%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 9.46%
• 10Y*: 9.88%
• ALL TIME*: 4.99%

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

EWY vs. SPDW - 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%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	12.05%	34.75%	3.55%	17.81%	-15.98%	11.45%	9.90%	22.41%	-14.22%	25.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EWY and SPDW is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2007	0.71

The correlation between EWY and SPDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWY vs. SPDW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWY	SPDW
Technology	56.1%	9.8%
Industrials	14.6%	10.5%
Financial Services	11.3%	18.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	5.4%
Healthcare	3.3%	6.2%
Communication Services	2.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.2%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	3.1%
Energy	0.8%	4.8%
Utilities	0.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

EWY vs. SPDW — 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

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. SPDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). 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	SPDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.54	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.15	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.28	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	2.26	+2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.04	8.53	+7.51

EWY vs. SPDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWY Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the SPDW Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWY and SPDW, 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. SPDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWY drawdown since its inception was -74.14%, which is greater than SPDW's maximum drawdown of -60.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWY and SPDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWY	SPDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.14%	-60.02%	-14.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.85%	-11.55%	-14.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-13.53%	-13.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.15%	-30.21%	-16.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.73%	-34.98%	-14.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.70%	-4.05%	-21.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.09%	-12.84%	-7.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.14%	3.05%	+5.09%

Volatility

EWY vs. SPDW - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a higher volatility of 22.94% compared to SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) at 5.22%. This indicates that EWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWY	SPDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.94%	5.22%	+17.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.48%	14.97%	+33.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.71%	16.96%	+34.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.91%	16.72%	+15.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.90%	17.10%	+11.80%

EWY vs. SPDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWY has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDW's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWY vs. SPDW - Dividend Comparison

EWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than SPDW's 3.09% 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%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	3.09%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWY and SPDW in my portfolio?

EWY and SPDW have a correlation of 0.71, 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 SPDW?

EWY has higher volatility (22.94%) compared to SPDW (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWY dropped -74.14% vs SPDW's -60.02%.

Which ETF is better, EWY or SPDW?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 13.73% vs 9.88% for SPDW. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPDW has been the lower-risk option at 5.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWY or SPDW?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 13.73% return vs 9.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWY or SPDW?

SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 3.09%, compared with 1.25% for EWY.

What is the main difference between EWY and SPDW?

EWY is categorized as South Korea Equities, while SPDW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index, while SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWY and 0.04% for SPDW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.54), 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.