EZU vs. VYMI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EZU (iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EZU is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI EMU Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EZU returned 10.56%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EZU charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

EZU vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EZU achieves a 10.48% return, which is significantly lower than VYMI's 17.41% return. Over the past 10 years, EZU has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 10.56%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 11.09% annualized return.

EZU

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.51%
• 6M: 6.24%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 17.68%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 10.56%
• ALL TIME*: 5.20%

VYMI

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 4.32%
• 6M: 11.07%
• YTD: 17.41%
• 1Y: 34.68%
• 3Y*: 21.98%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: 11.09%
• ALL TIME*: 11.35%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EZU iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF	$63.32M	$57.94M	$77.34M
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	$78.22M	$82.35M	$92.64M

EZU vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EZU iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF	10.48%	40.00%	2.23%	23.44%	-17.25%	13.92%	7.62%	23.27%	-16.76%	27.89%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	17.41%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between EZU and VYMI is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016	0.89

The correlation between EZU and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

EZU vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EZU	VYMI
Financial Services	24.7%	42.4%
Industrials	20.6%	6.1%
Technology	17.3%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	6.0%
Utilities	6.5%	5.2%
Healthcare	5.8%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	6.7%
Basic Materials	3.9%	6.5%
Communication Services	3.8%	3.5%
Energy	3.4%	7.9%
Real Estate	0.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

EZU vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EZU

EZU Risk / Return Rank: 54
EZU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
EZU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
EZU Omega Ratio Rank: 53
EZU Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
EZU Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 91
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

EZU vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	EZU	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	2.63	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	3.59	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.48	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	3.43	-1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.51	13.55	-7.04

EZU vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EZU Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is lower than the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EZU and VYMI, 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

EZU vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EZU drawdown since its inception was -65.32%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZU and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EZU	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.32%	-40.00%	-25.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.06%	-10.14%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.02%	-12.84%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.11%	-24.05%	-12.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.37%	-40.00%	-1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.51%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.12%	-6.23%	-12.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	2.56%	+1.00%

Volatility

EZU vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 3.62%. This indicates that EZU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EZU	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	3.62%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.57%	11.39%	+4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.79%	13.24%	+4.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.98%	14.85%	+5.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.10%	16.55%	+3.55%

EZU vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EZU has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

EZU vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

EZU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, less than VYMI's 3.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EZU iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF	2.65%	2.85%	2.90%	2.56%	2.79%	2.46%	2.13%	2.84%	3.47%	1.91%	3.07%	2.18%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.48%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EZU and VYMI in my portfolio?

EZU and VYMI have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EZU or VYMI?

EZU has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to VYMI (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EZU dropped -65.32% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, EZU or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 11.09% vs 10.56% for EZU. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 3.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EZU or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 11.09% return vs 10.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EZU or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EZU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EZU or VYMI?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 2.65% for EZU.

What is the main difference between EZU and VYMI?

EZU is categorized as Europe Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. EZU tracks MSCI EMU Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EZU and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.31), 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.