FLTW vs. EWT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FLTW (Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF) and EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - FLTW tracks the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index while EWT tracks the MSCI Taiwan 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLTW returned 23.20%/yr vs 19.78%/yr for EWT. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FLTW charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWT.

Performance

FLTW vs. EWT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) and iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLTW achieves a 79.72% return, which is significantly higher than EWT's 75.55% return.

FLTW

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: 15.81%
• YTD: 79.72%
• 6M: 83.89%
• 1Y: 124.51%
• 3Y*: 44.92%
• 5Y*: 23.20%
• 10Y*: —

EWT

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 15.17%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 79.95%
• 1Y: 112.72%
• 3Y*: 40.33%
• 5Y*: 19.78%
• 10Y*: 20.65%

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

FLTW vs. EWT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	79.72%	32.00%	16.68%	30.05%	-27.51%	29.46%	29.77%	31.23%	-9.32%	-1.28%
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	75.55%	28.38%	16.11%	23.97%	-28.90%	26.18%	31.50%	33.36%	-9.90%	-1.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FLTW and EWT is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.93

The correlation between FLTW and EWT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLTW vs. EWT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLTW	EWT
Technology	78.7%	76.9%
Financial Services	11.2%	12.0%
Industrials	3.3%	3.1%
Basic Materials	2.5%	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	1.6%
Communication Services	1.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	1.0%
Healthcare	0.6%	1.0%
Energy	0.1%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FLTW vs. EWT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLTW

FLTW Risk / Return Rank: 96
FLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 95
FLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 96

EWT

EWT Risk / Return Rank: 96
EWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWT Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

FLTW vs. EWT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) and iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT). 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.

	FLTW	EWT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.41	4.17	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.66	4.59	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.66	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.52	10.78	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	34.60	31.81	+2.80

FLTW vs. EWT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLTW Sharpe Ratio is 4.41, which is comparable to the EWT Sharpe Ratio of 4.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLTW and EWT, 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

FLTW vs. EWT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLTW drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, smaller than the maximum EWT drawdown of -64.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLTW and EWT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLTW	EWT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-64.37%	+26.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.87%	-10.51%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.45%	-25.66%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-38.88%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.88%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-19.20%	+10.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	3.56%	+0.05%

Volatility

FLTW vs. EWT - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) has a higher volatility of 14.69% compared to iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) at 13.45%. This indicates that FLTW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLTW	EWT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.69%	13.45%	+1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.19%	23.07%	+1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.45%	27.26%	+1.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.07%	23.14%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.11%	21.86%	+0.25%

FLTW vs. EWT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLTW has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than EWT's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLTW vs. EWT - Dividend Comparison

FLTW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than EWT's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	2.53%	4.43%	3.32%	8.12%	18.82%	0.55%	1.83%	2.49%	3.16%	2.81%	2.39%	3.12%
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	1.33%	2.51%	1.89%	2.85%	3.16%	2.31%	2.14%	3.00%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLTW and EWT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, FLTW and EWT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FLTW or EWT?

FLTW has higher volatility (14.69%) compared to EWT (13.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLTW dropped -38.00% vs EWT's -64.37%.

Which ETF is better, FLTW or EWT?

On 5-year performance, FLTW leads with 23.20% vs 19.78% for EWT. On fees, FLTW is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, EWT has been the lower-risk option at 13.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLTW or EWT?

Over the 5-year period, FLTW has performed better with a 23.20% return vs 19.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLTW or EWT?

FLTW is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLTW or EWT?

EWT has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.33% for FLTW.

What is the main difference between FLTW and EWT?

FLTW tracks FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index, while EWT tracks MSCI Taiwan 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLTW and 0.59% for EWT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLTW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.41 vs 4.17), 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.