ILIT vs. EPU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ILIT (Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF) and EPU (iShares MSCI Peru ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILIT is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while EPU is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Peru Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ILIT returned -6.55%/yr vs 46.58%/yr for EPU. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILIT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EPU.

Performance

ILIT vs. EPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) and iShares MSCI Peru ETF (EPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILIT achieves a 15.18% return, which is significantly lower than EPU's 18.54% return.

ILIT

• 1D: -4.36%
• 1M: -10.78%
• YTD: 15.18%
• 6M: 12.51%
• 1Y: 147.87%
• 3Y*: -6.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EPU

• 1D: -3.70%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 18.54%
• 6M: 17.84%
• 1Y: 83.34%
• 3Y*: 46.58%
• 5Y*: 29.75%
• 10Y*: 14.73%

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

ILIT vs. EPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	15.18%	81.51%	-45.14%	-28.86%
EPU iShares MSCI Peru ETF	18.54%	86.87%	21.73%	14.77%

Correlation

The correlation between ILIT and EPU is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023	0.53

The correlation between ILIT and EPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILIT vs. EPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILIT	EPU
Basic Materials	85.0%	54.2%
Industrials	10.8%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	3.7%	4.1%
Technology	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.0%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	27.9%
Healthcare	-	0.9%
Real Estate	-	3.0%
Utilities	-	2.8%

Return for Risk

ILIT vs. EPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILIT

ILIT Risk / Return Rank: 83
ILIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
ILIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ILIT Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ILIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ILIT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

EPU

EPU Risk / Return Rank: 76
EPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
EPU Omega Ratio Rank: 75
EPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
EPU Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

ILIT vs. EPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) and iShares MSCI Peru ETF (EPU). 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.

	ILIT	EPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	2.68	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.07	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.58	4.02	+1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.54	11.51	+4.04

ILIT vs. EPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILIT Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is comparable to the EPU Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILIT and EPU, 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

ILIT vs. EPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILIT drawdown since its inception was -73.69%, which is greater than EPU's maximum drawdown of -60.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILIT and EPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILIT	EPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.69%	-60.62%	-13.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.68%	-20.85%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.69%	-20.85%	-52.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.59%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.65%	-8.61%	-16.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.39%	-18.79%	-26.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.55%	7.27%	+2.28%

Volatility

ILIT vs. EPU - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) has a higher volatility of 15.14% compared to iShares MSCI Peru ETF (EPU) at 12.75%. This indicates that ILIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILIT	EPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.14%	12.75%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.33%	27.23%	+8.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.74%	31.33%	+19.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.02%	25.12%	+16.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	42.02%	23.66%	+18.36%

ILIT vs. EPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILIT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than EPU's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILIT vs. EPU - Dividend Comparison

ILIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than EPU's 2.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPU iShares MSCI Peru ETF	2.02%	1.63%	5.78%	4.17%	5.56%	3.13%	1.91%	2.67%	1.53%	3.30%	0.85%	1.90%
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	1.79%	2.27%	6.48%	0.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILIT and EPU in my portfolio?

ILIT and EPU have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILIT or EPU?

ILIT has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to EPU (12.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILIT dropped -73.69% vs EPU's -60.62%.

Which ETF is better, ILIT or EPU?

On 3-year performance, EPU leads with 46.58% vs -6.55% for ILIT. On fees, ILIT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, EPU has been the lower-risk option at 12.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILIT or EPU?

Over the 3-year period, EPU has performed better with a 46.58% return vs -6.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILIT or EPU?

ILIT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EPU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILIT or EPU?

EPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.02%, compared with 1.79% for ILIT.

What is the main difference between ILIT and EPU?

ILIT is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while EPU is Mid Cap Blend Equities. ILIT tracks STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while EPU tracks MSCI All Peru Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ILIT and 0.59% for EPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.67), 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.