EWZ vs. IHI

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

EWZ (iShares MSCI Brazil ETF) and IHI (iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWZ is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, while IHI is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWZ returned 6.09%/yr vs 8.42%/yr for IHI. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWZ charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IHI.

Performance

EWZ vs. IHI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) and iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWZ achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly higher than IHI's -18.43% return. Over the past 10 years, EWZ has underperformed IHI with an annualized return of 6.09%, while IHI has yielded a comparatively higher 8.42% annualized return.

EWZ

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 5.19%
• 6M: 7.98%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 1Y: 38.07%
• 3Y*: 8.57%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: 6.09%
• ALL TIME*: 6.39%

IHI

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 3.08%
• 6M: -18.01%
• YTD: -18.43%
• 1Y: -15.42%
• 3Y*: -3.77%
• 5Y*: -3.32%
• 10Y*: 8.42%
• ALL TIME*: 9.83%

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

EWZ vs. IHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWZ iShares MSCI Brazil ETF	12.74%	48.81%	-30.41%	32.62%	12.09%	-17.32%	-20.35%	27.67%	-2.52%	23.62%
IHI iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF	-18.43%	6.88%	8.62%	3.24%	-19.80%	21.03%	24.17%	32.75%	15.45%	30.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EWZ and IHI is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between EWZ and IHI has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EWZ vs. IHI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWZ	IHI
Financial Services	34.5%	-
Energy	15.1%	-
Basic Materials	14.5%	-
Utilities	13.5%	-
Industrials	11.6%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Healthcare	2.2%	100.0%
Communication Services	2.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.4%	-
Technology	0.4%	0.3%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EWZ vs. IHI — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWZ

EWZ Risk / Return Rank: 54
EWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
EWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
EWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 57
EWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
EWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 42

IHI

IHI Risk / Return Rank: 4
IHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
IHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
IHI Omega Ratio Rank: 4
IHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
IHI Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

EWZ vs. IHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) and iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI). 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.

	EWZ	IHI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	-0.79	+2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	-1.05	+3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	0.88	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	-0.59	+2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.09	-1.22	+6.31

EWZ vs. IHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the IHI Sharpe Ratio of -0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWZ and IHI, 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

EWZ vs. IHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWZ drawdown since its inception was -77.25%, which is greater than IHI's maximum drawdown of -49.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWZ and IHI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWZ	IHI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.25%	-49.65%	-27.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.27%	-26.11%	+6.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.36%	-26.64%	-4.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.24%	-33.12%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.99%	-33.25%	-23.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.48%	-22.98%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.89%	-8.41%	-27.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.50%	12.70%	-5.20%

Volatility

EWZ vs. IHI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) is 5.63%, while iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI) has a volatility of 9.63%. This indicates that EWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWZ	IHI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	9.63%	-4.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.81%	16.15%	+3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.92%	19.55%	+5.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.55%	19.48%	+8.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.91%	19.98%	+13.93%

EWZ vs. IHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWZ has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IHI's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWZ vs. IHI - Dividend Comparison

EWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, more than IHI's 0.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWZ iShares MSCI Brazil ETF	4.13%	5.19%	8.91%	5.66%	12.59%	9.87%	1.71%	2.54%	2.89%	1.71%	1.81%	4.08%
IHI iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF	0.48%	0.34%	0.46%	0.53%	0.45%	0.25%	0.25%	0.33%	0.26%	0.37%	0.55%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWZ and IHI in my portfolio?

EWZ and IHI have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWZ or IHI?

IHI has higher volatility (9.63%) compared to EWZ (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWZ dropped -77.25% vs IHI's -49.65%.

Which ETF is better, EWZ or IHI?

On 10-year performance, IHI leads with 8.42% vs 6.09% for EWZ. On fees, IHI is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, EWZ has been the lower-risk option at 5.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWZ or IHI?

Over the 10-year period, IHI has performed better with a 8.42% return vs 6.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWZ or IHI?

IHI is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWZ or IHI?

EWZ has the higher dividend yield at 4.13%, compared with 0.48% for IHI.

What is the main difference between EWZ and IHI?

EWZ is categorized as Latin America Equities, while IHI is Health & Biotech Equities. EWZ tracks MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, while IHI tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWZ and 0.38% for IHI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs -0.79), 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.