PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
EZA vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EZA vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

EZA (iShares MSCI South Africa ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EZA is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI South Africa 25/50 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EZA returned 6.10%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EZA charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

EZA vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EZA achieves a -4.45% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, EZA has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 6.10%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% annualized return.

EZA

1D
1.12%
1M
0.52%
6M
-10.25%
YTD
-4.45%
1Y
29.77%
3Y*
22.32%
5Y*
10.53%
10Y*
6.10%
ALL TIME*
9.18%

VTI

1D
1.53%
1M
1.38%
6M
9.81%
YTD
12.18%
1Y
23.70%
3Y*
20.38%
5Y*
12.06%
10Y*
14.66%
ALL TIME*
9.64%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EZA

iShares MSCI South Africa ETF
$14.25M$11.53M$14.26M

VTI

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
$1.08B$1.16B$1.24B

EZA vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EZA
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF		-4.45%75.20%7.16%1.51%-5.18%7.91%-5.19%9.83%-25.24%36.03%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		12.18%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between EZA and VTI is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.51

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.52

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2003

0.60

The correlation between EZA and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

EZA vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EZA
VTI

Financial Services

36.0%
11.8%

Basic Materials

34.7%
1.9%

Consumer Cyclical

14.6%
9.4%

Communication Services

7.3%
9.1%

Consumer Defensive

2.9%
4.3%

Real Estate

1.8%
2.3%

Industrials

1.6%
10.2%

Healthcare

1.1%
9.7%

Energy

-

3.2%

Technology

-

36.1%

Utilities

-

2.2%

Financial Services

EZA
36.0%
VTI
11.8%

Basic Materials

EZA
34.7%
VTI
1.9%

Consumer Cyclical

EZA
14.6%
VTI
9.4%

Communication Services

EZA
7.3%
VTI
9.1%

Consumer Defensive

EZA
2.9%
VTI
4.3%

Real Estate

EZA
1.8%
VTI
2.3%

Industrials

EZA
1.6%
VTI
10.2%

Healthcare

EZA
1.1%
VTI
9.7%

Energy

EZA

-

VTI
3.2%

Technology

EZA

-

VTI
36.1%

Utilities

EZA

-

VTI
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI South Africa ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with EZA:
EZA vs. AFKEZA vs. KSAEZA vs. SPYEZA vs. INDAEZA vs. SCHDEZA vs. PAF.LEZA vs. EWZ
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

EZA vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
EZA
EZA Risk / Return Rank: 3535
Overall Rank
EZA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EZA Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
EZA Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
EZA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3535
Calmar Ratio Rank
EZA Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EZA vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

EZAVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.92
1.82

-0.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.37
2.52

-1.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.32

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.23

2.67

-1.44

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.56

11.50

-8.94

EZA vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EZA Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EZA and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

EZA vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EZA drawdown since its inception was -64.64%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZA and VTI.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

EZAVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-64.64%

-55.45%

-9.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-24.32%

-8.92%

-15.40%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.32%

-19.30%

-5.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.94%

-25.36%

-9.58%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-62.25%

-35.00%

-27.25%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-19.44%

0.00%

-19.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.94%

-7.98%

-8.96%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

11.65%

2.07%

+9.58%

Volatility

EZA vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) has a higher volatility of 7.25% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.78%. This indicates that EZA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

EZAVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.25%

3.78%

+3.47%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

26.03%

10.33%

+15.70%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

32.53%

13.08%

+19.45%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

28.87%

17.53%

+11.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.18%

18.31%

+12.87%

EZA vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EZA has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

EZA vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

EZA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.84%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EZA
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF		7.84%6.16%7.26%2.84%3.90%2.05%5.51%12.27%3.81%1.55%4.10%3.03%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.04%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

EZA and VTI have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EZA has higher volatility (7.25%) compared to VTI (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EZA dropped -64.64% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.66% vs 6.10% for EZA. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.66% return vs 6.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EZA.

EZA has the higher dividend yield at 7.84%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.

EZA is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. EZA tracks MSCI South Africa 25/50 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EZA and 0.03% for VTI.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.92), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for EZA and VTI

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer