IDX vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IDX (VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - IDX tracks the MVIS Indonesia Index while EWY tracks the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDX returned -4.45%/yr vs 16.82%/yr for EWY. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

IDX vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF (IDX) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDX achieves a -36.77% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 109.80% return. Over the past 10 years, IDX has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of -4.45%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.82% annualized return.

IDX

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -21.09%
• YTD: -36.77%
• 6M: -37.78%
• 1Y: -27.09%
• 3Y*: -14.02%
• 5Y*: -9.23%
• 10Y*: -4.45%

EWY

• 1D: -4.22%
• 1M: 17.58%
• YTD: 109.80%
• 6M: 127.01%
• 1Y: 225.96%
• 3Y*: 49.84%
• 5Y*: 19.28%
• 10Y*: 16.82%

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

IDX vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDX VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF	-36.77%	13.83%	-9.75%	1.98%	-9.40%	-2.59%	-7.45%	6.26%	-10.46%	19.24%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	109.80%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between IDX and EWY is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2009	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between IDX and EWY has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IDX vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDX	EWY
Basic Materials	25.2%	2.0%
Financial Services	25.1%	9.6%
Energy	12.5%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.0%	1.7%
Communication Services	8.9%	2.9%
Industrials	7.4%	20.4%
Utilities	5.2%	0.4%
Technology	2.6%	52.4%
Healthcare	1.8%	3.5%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	5.7%

Return for Risk

IDX vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDX

IDX Risk / Return Rank: 1
IDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IDX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
IDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
IDX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 96
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
EWY 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.

IDX vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF (IDX) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). 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.

	IDX	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.08	5.38	-6.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.40	4.95	-6.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.81	1.69	-0.87
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.69	9.86	-10.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-2.07	36.63	-38.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDX vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDX Sharpe Ratio is -1.08, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 5.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDX and EWY, 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

	IDX	EWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.08	5.38	-6.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.45	0.67	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.18	0.62	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.33	-0.19

Drawdowns

IDX vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDX drawdown since its inception was -63.14%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDX and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDX	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.14%	-74.14%	+11.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.41%	-23.08%	-16.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.82%	-27.36%	-14.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.77%	-48.55%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.11%	-49.73%	-9.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-57.11%	-5.87%	-51.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.83%	-20.12%	-4.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.07%	6.20%	+6.87%

Volatility

IDX vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF (IDX) is 8.31%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 20.44%. This indicates that IDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDX	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	20.44%	-12.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.03%	37.73%	-15.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.08%	42.37%	-17.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.43%	28.89%	-8.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.31%	27.40%	-3.09%

IDX vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDX vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

IDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, more than EWY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.00%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
IDX VanEck Vectors Indonesia Index ETF	3.29%	2.08%	4.01%	3.62%	3.64%	1.08%	1.66%	2.21%	2.19%	1.85%	1.16%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDX and EWY in my portfolio?

IDX and EWY have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDX or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (20.44%) compared to IDX (8.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDX dropped -63.14% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, IDX or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 16.82% vs -4.45% for IDX. On fees, IDX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, IDX has been the lower-risk option at 8.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDX or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 16.82% return vs -4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDX or EWY?

IDX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDX or EWY?

IDX has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 1.00% for EWY.

What is the main difference between IDX and EWY?

IDX tracks MVIS Indonesia Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for IDX and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.38 vs -1.08), 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.