FPA vs. EWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPA (First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund) and EWM (iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - FPA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index while EWM tracks the MSCI Malaysia Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FPA returned 11.25%/yr vs 2.59%/yr for EWM. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FPA charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWM.

Performance

FPA vs. EWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) and iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF (EWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPA achieves a 51.47% return, which is significantly higher than EWM's 2.45% return. Over the past 10 years, FPA has outperformed EWM with an annualized return of 11.25%, while EWM has yielded a comparatively lower 2.59% annualized return.

FPA

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 9.98%
• YTD: 51.47%
• 6M: 51.19%
• 1Y: 82.43%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 13.09%
• 10Y*: 11.25%

EWM

• 1D: -2.37%
• 1M: -5.11%
• YTD: 2.45%
• 6M: 6.54%
• 1Y: 20.74%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 2.59%

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

FPA vs. EWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	51.47%	43.16%	3.95%	9.97%	-14.55%	2.98%	13.43%	8.91%	-21.91%	35.81%
EWM iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF	2.45%	15.74%	19.46%	-3.61%	-6.00%	-7.40%	3.12%	-1.41%	-6.28%	24.25%

Correlation

The correlation between FPA and EWM is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.50

FPA vs. EWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPA	EWM
Industrials	37.1%	11.1%
Technology	16.1%	-
Financial Services	9.6%	46.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	1.1%
Real Estate	6.9%	-
Energy	6.7%	3.9%
Utilities	5.7%	10.8%
Basic Materials	4.9%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	7.3%
Communication Services	2.6%	6.6%
Healthcare	1.0%	3.8%

Return for Risk

FPA vs. EWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPA

FPA Risk / Return Rank: 88
FPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FPA Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FPA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

EWM

EWM Risk / Return Rank: 45
EWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EWM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
EWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
EWM Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

FPA vs. EWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) and iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF (EWM). 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.

	FPA	EWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.24	1.49	+1.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	2.09	+1.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.26	+0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.39	2.65	+2.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.96	8.22	+11.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPA vs. EWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPA Sharpe Ratio is 3.24, which is higher than the EWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPA and EWM, 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

	FPA	EWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.24	1.49	+1.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.33	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.16	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.07	+0.26

Drawdowns

FPA vs. EWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPA drawdown since its inception was -52.91%, smaller than the maximum EWM drawdown of -89.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPA and EWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPA	EWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.91%	-89.19%	+36.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.37%	-7.86%	-7.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.66%	-21.31%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.21%	-22.76%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.91%	-43.81%	-9.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-9.46%	+5.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.49%	-31.82%	+18.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	2.53%	+1.61%

Volatility

FPA vs. EWM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) has a higher volatility of 12.96% compared to iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF (EWM) at 4.15%. This indicates that FPA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPA	EWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.96%	4.15%	+8.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.92%	10.86%	+11.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.55%	13.99%	+11.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.98%	13.70%	+10.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.39%	16.29%	+6.10%

FPA vs. EWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPA has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EWM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPA vs. EWM - Dividend Comparison

FPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.52%, more than EWM's 3.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWM iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF	3.33%	3.41%	3.32%	3.47%	3.00%	6.48%	1.89%	2.91%	3.84%	5.58%	5.97%	37.54%
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	3.52%	4.71%	3.40%	3.02%	4.22%	5.12%	1.59%	3.90%	2.81%	3.15%	2.42%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPA and EWM in my portfolio?

FPA and EWM have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPA or EWM?

FPA has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to EWM (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPA dropped -52.91% vs EWM's -89.19%.

Which ETF is better, FPA or EWM?

On 10-year performance, FPA leads with 11.25% vs 2.59% for EWM. On fees, EWM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWM has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPA or EWM?

Over the 10-year period, FPA has performed better with a 11.25% return vs 2.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPA or EWM?

EWM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FPA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPA or EWM?

FPA has the higher dividend yield at 3.52%, compared with 3.33% for EWM.

What is the main difference between FPA and EWM?

FPA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index, while EWM tracks MSCI Malaysia Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FPA and 0.49% for EWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 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.