EWY vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index, while XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWY returned 16.84%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for XAR. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWY charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

EWY vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWY achieves a 103.10% return, which is significantly higher than XAR's 16.10% return. Over the past 10 years, EWY has underperformed XAR with an annualized return of 16.84%, while XAR has yielded a comparatively higher 18.45% annualized return.

EWY

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 103.10%
• 6M: 117.85%
• 1Y: 203.95%
• 3Y*: 46.46%
• 5Y*: 18.80%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 42.07%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

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

EWY vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	103.10%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between EWY and XAR is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2011	0.45

EWY vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWY	XAR
Technology	57.4%	0.8%
Industrials	14.5%	99.1%
Financial Services	9.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	-
Healthcare	3.1%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	-
Energy	0.7%	-
Utilities	0.4%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EWY vs. XAR — 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: 93
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.29	1.50	+2.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.08	2.20	+1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.25	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.65	2.43	+6.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.24	6.81	+23.42

EWY vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWY Sharpe Ratio is 4.29, which is higher than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWY and XAR, 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. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWY drawdown since its inception was -74.14%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWY and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWY	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.14%	-46.37%	-27.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.08%	-17.22%	-5.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-19.73%	-7.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.55%	-32.40%	-16.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.73%	-46.37%	-3.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.88%	-4.32%	-4.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.11%	-6.78%	-13.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.59%	6.13%	+0.46%

Volatility

EWY vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a higher volatility of 25.64% compared to SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) at 11.46%. This indicates that EWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWY	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.64%	11.46%	+14.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.65%	23.56%	+19.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.51%	27.85%	+18.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.15%	23.66%	+6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.06%	24.74%	+3.32%

EWY vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWY has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWY vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

EWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than XAR's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.03%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWY and XAR in my portfolio?

EWY and XAR have a correlation of 0.43, 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 XAR?

EWY has higher volatility (25.64%) compared to XAR (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWY dropped -74.14% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, EWY or XAR?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 18.45% vs 16.84% for EWY. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XAR has been the lower-risk option at 11.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWY or XAR?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 18.45% return vs 16.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWY or XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

EWY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.31% for XAR.

What is the main difference between EWY and XAR?

EWY is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWY and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 1.50), 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.