PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
FXU vs. EWS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXU vs. EWS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) and EWS (iShares MSCI Singapore ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index, while EWS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Singapore Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXU returned 9.38%/yr vs 7.88%/yr for EWS. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXU charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for EWS.

Performance

FXU vs. EWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXU achieves a 8.19% return, which is significantly higher than EWS's 5.96% return. Over the past 10 years, FXU has outperformed EWS with an annualized return of 9.38%, while EWS has yielded a comparatively lower 7.88% annualized return.

FXU

1D
0.87%
1M
0.66%
YTD
8.19%
6M
8.80%
1Y
17.67%
3Y*
17.64%
5Y*
11.71%
10Y*
9.38%

EWS

1D
0.07%
1M
0.24%
YTD
5.96%
6M
7.68%
1Y
18.15%
3Y*
20.28%
5Y*
8.93%
10Y*
7.88%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FXU vs. EWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		8.19%21.86%22.50%-2.12%3.68%17.67%1.53%11.67%5.43%0.98%
EWS
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF		5.96%31.35%22.10%6.15%-9.80%5.47%-8.47%14.54%-11.34%34.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FXU and EWS is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.14

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

0.29

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

0.30

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

0.29

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007

0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between FXU and EWS has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXU vs. EWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FXU
EWS

Utilities

92.0%
4.7%

Industrials

4.2%
18.1%

Energy

3.7%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

4.2%

Consumer Cyclical

-

3.5%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.6%

Financial Services

-

52.2%

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

8.6%

Technology

-

4.0%

Utilities

FXU
92.0%
EWS
4.7%

Industrials

FXU
4.2%
EWS
18.1%

Energy

FXU
3.7%
EWS

-

Basic Materials

FXU

-

EWS

-

Communication Services

FXU

-

EWS
4.2%

Consumer Cyclical

FXU

-

EWS
3.5%

Consumer Defensive

FXU

-

EWS
4.6%

Financial Services

FXU

-

EWS
52.2%

Healthcare

FXU

-

EWS

-

Real Estate

FXU

-

EWS
8.6%

Technology

FXU

-

EWS
4.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF

Often compared with FXU:
FXU vs. UTESFXU vs. XLUFXU vs. VPUFXU vs. IDUFXU vs. JXIFXU vs. PUIFXU vs. VOO
Often compared with EWS:
EWS vs. EWHEWS vs. EWTEWS vs. EWJEWS vs. ASEAEWS vs. SMINEWS vs. EIDOEWS vs. FLGR

Return for Risk

FXU vs. EWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXU
FXU Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
EWS
EWS Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
EWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWS Omega Ratio Rank: 3535
Omega Ratio Rank
EWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWS Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
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.

FXU vs. EWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS). 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.

FXUEWSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.26
1.15

+0.11

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.75
1.69

+0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.21

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.93

2.24

-0.31

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.17

5.40

-0.23

FXU vs. EWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXU Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the EWS Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXU and EWS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

FXU vs. EWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXU drawdown since its inception was -49.00%, smaller than the maximum EWS drawdown of -75.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXU and EWS.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

FXUEWSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.00%

-75.13%

+26.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.63%

-7.82%

-0.81%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.46%

-16.34%

-1.12%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.87%

-29.06%

+7.19%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.81%

-40.84%

+6.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.57%

-2.77%

-2.80%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.63%

-21.98%

+14.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.22%

3.23%

-0.01%

Volatility

FXU vs. EWS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) have volatilities of 5.01% and 5.05%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

FXUEWSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.01%

5.05%

-0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.33%

12.11%

-1.78%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.30%

15.24%

-1.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.61%

17.34%

-0.73%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.34%

18.04%

+0.30%

FXU vs. EWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXU has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than EWS's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXU vs. EWS - Dividend Comparison

FXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than EWS's 3.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWS
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF		3.87%4.10%4.28%6.50%2.56%6.00%2.68%4.70%4.21%3.46%3.96%4.20%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		2.16%2.29%2.41%2.52%2.03%2.00%3.97%2.34%2.40%3.81%2.62%3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

FXU and EWS have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EWS has higher volatility (5.05%) compared to FXU (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXU dropped -49.00% vs EWS's -75.13%.

On 10-year performance, FXU leads with 9.38% vs 7.88% for EWS. On fees, EWS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FXU has performed better with a 9.38% return vs 7.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EWS is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

EWS has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 2.16% for FXU.

FXU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while EWS is Asia Pacific Equities. FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index, while EWS tracks MSCI Singapore Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXU and 0.50% for EWS.

FXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 1.15), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for FXU and EWS

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer