PICK vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PICK (iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PICK is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold & Silver Investable Market Index, while EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PICK returned 17.70%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for EWY. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PICK charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

PICK vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) 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, PICK achieves a 26.76% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 103.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PICK having a 17.70% annualized return and EWY not far behind at 16.84%.

PICK

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: -3.57%
• YTD: 26.76%
• 6M: 32.91%
• 1Y: 77.81%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 11.31%
• 10Y*: 17.70%

EWY

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 103.10%
• 6M: 117.85%
• 1Y: 198.25%
• 3Y*: 46.46%
• 5Y*: 18.80%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

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

PICK vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PICK iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF	26.76%	51.89%	-16.37%	9.69%	2.54%	22.61%	27.46%	16.47%	-18.65%	38.42%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	103.10%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PICK and EWY is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.61

The correlation between PICK and EWY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

PICK vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PICK	EWY
Basic Materials	96.6%	2.0%
Industrials	1.1%	20.4%
Technology	1.0%	52.4%
Energy	0.6%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	1.7%
Financial Services	0.1%	9.6%
Communication Services	-	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.7%
Healthcare	-	3.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

PICK vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PICK

PICK Risk / Return Rank: 85
PICK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PICK Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PICK Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PICK Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PICK Martin Ratio Rank: 85

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
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.

PICK vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) 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.

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.

	PICK	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	4.29	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	4.08	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.59	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	8.65	-4.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.40	30.24	-14.84

PICK vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PICK Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 4.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PICK 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.

Drawdowns

PICK vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PICK drawdown since its inception was -68.87%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PICK and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PICK	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.87%	-74.14%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-23.08%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.52%	-27.36%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-48.55%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.72%	-49.73%	-2.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.59%	-8.88%	+3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.08%	-20.11%	-3.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.07%	6.59%	-1.52%

Volatility

PICK vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) is 13.70%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 25.64%. This indicates that PICK 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

	PICK	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.70%	25.64%	-11.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.93%	42.65%	-16.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.74%	46.51%	-16.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.11%	30.15%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.46%	28.06%	+0.40%

PICK vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PICK has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

PICK vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

PICK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, more than EWY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.03%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
PICK iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers ETF	2.27%	2.88%	3.26%	4.19%	6.93%	5.89%	2.27%	5.51%	4.77%	2.41%	1.15%	15.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PICK and EWY in my portfolio?

PICK and EWY have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PICK or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (25.64%) compared to PICK (13.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PICK dropped -68.87% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, PICK or EWY?

On 10-year performance, PICK leads with 17.70% vs 16.84% for EWY. On fees, PICK is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, PICK has been the lower-risk option at 13.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PICK or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, PICK has performed better with a 17.70% return vs 16.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PICK or EWY?

PICK is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

PICK has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 1.03% for EWY.

What is the main difference between PICK and EWY?

PICK is categorized as Materials, while EWY is Asia Pacific Equities. PICK tracks MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold & Silver Investable Market Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for PICK and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 2.63), 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.