FEUZ vs. EWK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEUZ (First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF) and EWK (iShares MSCI Belgium ETF) are both Europe Equities funds - FEUZ tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Eurozone Index while EWK tracks the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEUZ returned 10.35%/yr vs 6.17%/yr for EWK. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEUZ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWK.

Performance

FEUZ vs. EWK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF (FEUZ) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEUZ achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly higher than EWK's 9.09% return. Over the past 10 years, FEUZ has outperformed EWK with an annualized return of 10.35%, while EWK has yielded a comparatively lower 6.17% annualized return.

FEUZ

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 3.37%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 15.72%
• 1Y: 30.90%
• 3Y*: 24.31%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

EWK

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 9.09%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.69%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 6.17%

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

FEUZ vs. EWK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEUZ First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF	11.32%	56.34%	1.64%	17.24%	-19.83%	11.93%	5.04%	22.06%	-20.61%	36.70%
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	9.09%	35.38%	0.14%	7.47%	-13.98%	12.84%	0.04%	25.92%	-20.40%	23.70%

Correlation

The correlation between FEUZ and EWK is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2014	0.71

The correlation between FEUZ and EWK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEUZ vs. EWK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEUZ	EWK
Industrials	27.4%	7.7%
Energy	10.8%	1.1%
Financial Services	10.6%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	2.0%
Utilities	8.3%	3.0%
Basic Materials	7.5%	5.0%
Technology	6.1%	1.7%
Real Estate	6.0%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	25.1%
Healthcare	5.2%	26.1%
Communication Services	3.7%	1.4%

Return for Risk

FEUZ vs. EWK — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEUZ

FEUZ Risk / Return Rank: 51
FEUZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FEUZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
FEUZ Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FEUZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FEUZ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

EWK

EWK Risk / Return Rank: 38
EWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EWK Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EWK Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

FEUZ vs. EWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF (FEUZ) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK). 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.

	FEUZ	EWK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.49	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.10	+0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.28	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	1.47	+1.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.42	5.28	+4.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEUZ vs. EWK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEUZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the EWK Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEUZ and EWK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FEUZ	EWK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.49	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.32	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.32	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.26	+0.18

Drawdowns

FEUZ vs. EWK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEUZ drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, smaller than the maximum EWK drawdown of -74.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEUZ and EWK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEUZ	EWK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-74.10%	+26.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-15.47%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-15.64%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.64%	-35.22%	-3.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.08%	-42.80%	-5.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-3.53%	+2.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.49%	-21.54%	+11.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	4.30%	-1.01%

Volatility

FEUZ vs. EWK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF (FEUZ) has a higher volatility of 6.59% compared to iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) at 5.54%. This indicates that FEUZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEUZ	EWK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	5.54%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.34%	12.75%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.31%	15.29%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.96%	17.86%	+4.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.78%	19.06%	+2.72%

FEUZ vs. EWK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEUZ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EWK's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEUZ vs. EWK - Dividend Comparison

FEUZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than EWK's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	1.59%	1.73%	3.25%	2.09%	2.58%	3.64%	1.66%	2.77%	2.78%	2.91%	1.75%	2.06%
FEUZ First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF	2.37%	2.81%	2.01%	2.95%	3.14%	2.52%	1.46%	1.93%	2.46%	1.29%	2.12%	1.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEUZ and EWK in my portfolio?

FEUZ and EWK have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEUZ or EWK?

FEUZ has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to EWK (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEUZ dropped -48.08% vs EWK's -74.10%.

Which ETF is better, FEUZ or EWK?

On 10-year performance, FEUZ leads with 10.35% vs 6.17% for EWK. On fees, EWK is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWK has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEUZ or EWK?

Over the 10-year period, FEUZ has performed better with a 10.35% return vs 6.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEUZ or EWK?

EWK is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEUZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEUZ or EWK?

FEUZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.59% for EWK.

What is the main difference between FEUZ and EWK?

FEUZ tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Eurozone Index, while EWK tracks MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEUZ and 0.49% for EWK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEUZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.49), 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.