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FDD vs. EWU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDD vs. EWU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) and EWU (iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF) are both Europe Equities funds - FDD tracks the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30 while EWU tracks the MSCI United Kingdom Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDD returned 10.75%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for EWU. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDD charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for EWU.

Performance

FDD vs. EWU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDD achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly higher than EWU's 5.10% return. Over the past 10 years, FDD has outperformed EWU with an annualized return of 10.75%, while EWU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.63% annualized return.

FDD

1D
-1.94%
1M
-2.36%
YTD
10.10%
6M
10.41%
1Y
30.12%
3Y*
26.20%
5Y*
11.36%
10Y*
10.75%

EWU

1D
-0.26%
1M
-1.84%
YTD
5.10%
6M
5.10%
1Y
20.29%
3Y*
16.96%
5Y*
10.80%
10Y*
8.63%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDD vs. EWU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		10.10%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-8.98%19.07%
EWU
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF		5.10%34.95%6.74%12.40%-4.39%18.19%-11.80%21.29%-14.30%21.54%

Correlation

The correlation between FDD and EWU is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.84

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.83

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.85

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.85

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2007

0.76

The correlation between FDD and EWU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDD vs. EWU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDD
EWU

Financial Services

52.0%
25.7%

Industrials

13.3%
13.2%

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
3.8%

Energy

10.4%
11.6%

Utilities

6.0%
5.1%

Consumer Defensive

3.6%
13.1%

Real Estate

3.3%
0.6%

Basic Materials

3.1%
9.5%

Communication Services

2.1%
2.3%

Healthcare

-

14.5%

Technology

-

0.7%

Financial Services

FDD
52.0%
EWU
25.7%

Industrials

FDD
13.3%
EWU
13.2%

Consumer Cyclical

FDD
12.3%
EWU
3.8%

Energy

FDD
10.4%
EWU
11.6%

Utilities

FDD
6.0%
EWU
5.1%

Consumer Defensive

FDD
3.6%
EWU
13.1%

Real Estate

FDD
3.3%
EWU
0.6%

Basic Materials

FDD
3.1%
EWU
9.5%

Communication Services

FDD
2.1%
EWU
2.3%

Healthcare

FDD

-

EWU
14.5%

Technology

FDD

-

EWU
0.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF

Often compared with FDD:
FDD vs. EUFNFDD vs. FLAXFDD vs. RFEUFDD vs. VTIFDD vs. IQDFFDD vs. DVYFDD vs. IEUR
Often compared with EWU:
EWU vs. FLGBEWU vs. EWUSEWU vs. SPYEWU vs. FEZEWU vs. FKUEWU vs. BNDWEWU vs. VOO

Return for Risk

FDD vs. EWU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
EWU
EWU Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
EWU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWU Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWU Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
EWU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWU Martin Ratio Rank: 4545
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FDD vs. EWU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). 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.

FDDEWUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.88
1.39

+0.49

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.61
2.00

+0.61

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.24

+0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.22

2.05

+1.17

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.63

7.03

+3.61

FDD vs. EWU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDD Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is higher than the EWU Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDD and EWU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FDD vs. EWU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDD drawdown since its inception was -74.77%, which is greater than EWU's maximum drawdown of -63.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDD and EWU.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDDEWUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.77%

-63.99%

-10.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.39%

-9.92%

+0.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.06%

-12.63%

-0.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.84%

-24.91%

-9.93%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.43%

-43.33%

+1.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.52%

-5.05%

+1.53%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.37%

-14.15%

-21.22%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.84%

2.89%

-0.05%

Volatility

FDD vs. EWU - Volatility Comparison

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) at 4.04%. This indicates that FDD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDDEWUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.51%

4.04%

+1.47%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.16%

12.59%

+0.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.09%

14.69%

+1.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.48%

16.43%

+2.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.86%

18.36%

+1.50%

FDD vs. EWU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDD has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than EWU's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDD vs. EWU - Dividend Comparison

FDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, more than EWU's 3.28% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWU
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF		3.28%3.73%4.16%4.14%3.43%4.35%2.48%4.13%4.98%3.91%3.97%4.11%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		3.59%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDD and EWU have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to EWU (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDD dropped -74.77% vs EWU's -63.99%.

On 10-year performance, FDD leads with 10.75% vs 8.63% for EWU. On fees, EWU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EWU has been the lower-risk option at 4.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FDD has performed better with a 10.75% return vs 8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EWU is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for FDD.

FDD has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 3.28% for EWU.

FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while EWU tracks MSCI United Kingdom Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for FDD and 0.50% for EWU.

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.39), 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.

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