EWY vs. VTIAX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index, while VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWY returned 17.58%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VTIAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWY charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

EWY vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWY achieves a 117.50% return, which is significantly higher than VTIAX's 13.65% return. Over the past 10 years, EWY has outperformed VTIAX with an annualized return of 17.58%, while VTIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.17% annualized return.

EWY

• 1D: 7.09%
• 1M: 18.22%
• YTD: 117.50%
• 6M: 133.15%
• 1Y: 225.50%
• 3Y*: 50.62%
• 5Y*: 20.64%
• 10Y*: 17.58%

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 13.65%
• 6M: 15.19%
• 1Y: 30.12%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

EWY vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	117.50%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.65%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between EWY and VTIAX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.76

The correlation between EWY and VTIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWY vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWY	VTIAX
Technology	57.4%	18.1%
Industrials	14.5%	16.1%
Financial Services	9.7%	22.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	8.4%
Healthcare	3.1%	7.1%
Communication Services	2.7%	4.4%
Basic Materials	2.5%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	5.0%
Energy	0.7%	5.2%
Utilities	0.4%	3.2%
Real Estate	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

EWY vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 96
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.84	1.89	+2.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.39	2.58	+1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.35	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.84	2.52	+7.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	34.39	9.80	+24.59

EWY vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWY Sharpe Ratio is 4.84, which is higher than the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWY and VTIAX, 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. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWY drawdown since its inception was -74.14%, which is greater than VTIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWY and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWY	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.14%	-35.83%	-38.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.08%	-11.28%	-11.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-13.13%	-14.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.55%	-29.52%	-19.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.73%	-35.83%	-13.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.42%	-1.52%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.11%	-8.07%	-12.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.59%	2.91%	+3.68%

Volatility

EWY vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a higher volatility of 26.48% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) at 6.39%. This indicates that EWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWY	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.48%	6.39%	+20.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.04%	12.95%	+30.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.01%	15.10%	+31.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.33%	15.20%	+15.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.15%	15.97%	+12.18%

EWY vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWY has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWY vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

EWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than VTIAX's 2.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	0.96%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.64%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWY and VTIAX in my portfolio?

EWY and VTIAX have a correlation of 0.70, 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 VTIAX?

EWY has higher volatility (26.48%) compared to VTIAX (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWY dropped -74.14% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.84 vs 1.89), 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.