SPEU vs. EWK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEU (SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF) and EWK (iShares MSCI Belgium ETF) are both Europe Equities funds - SPEU tracks the STOXX Europe Total Market while EWK tracks the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEU returned 9.17%/yr vs 6.17%/yr for EWK. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPEU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWK.

Performance

SPEU vs. EWK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEU achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly lower than EWK's 9.09% return. Over the past 10 years, SPEU has outperformed EWK with an annualized return of 9.17%, while EWK has yielded a comparatively lower 6.17% annualized return.

SPEU

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

EWK

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 9.09%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.69%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 6.17%

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

SPEU vs. EWK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	5.34%	35.80%	1.93%	19.85%	-15.97%	16.20%	6.35%	26.15%	-13.79%	23.80%
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	9.09%	35.38%	0.14%	7.47%	-13.98%	12.84%	0.04%	25.92%	-20.40%	23.70%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEU and EWK is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2002	0.79

The correlation between SPEU and EWK shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEU vs. EWK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEU	EWK
Financial Services	13.3%	16.5%
Healthcare	10.4%	26.1%
Technology	9.2%	1.7%
Industrials	6.1%	7.7%
Energy	5.3%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	25.1%
Basic Materials	3.4%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	10.3%
Utilities	1.5%	3.0%
Communication Services	0.9%	1.4%

Return for Risk

SPEU vs. EWK — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEU

SPEU Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SPEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SPEU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

EWK

EWK Risk / Return Rank: 38
EWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EWK Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EWK Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

SPEU vs. EWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK). 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.

	SPEU	EWK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.49	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.10	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.28	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.47	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	5.28	+0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEU vs. EWK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the EWK Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEU and EWK, 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

	SPEU	EWK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.49	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.32	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.32	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.26	+0.05

Drawdowns

SPEU vs. EWK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEU drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, smaller than the maximum EWK drawdown of -74.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEU and EWK.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEU	EWK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-74.10%	+11.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-15.47%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-15.64%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.70%	-35.22%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.83%	-42.80%	+5.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-3.53%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.85%	-21.54%	+7.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	4.30%	-1.01%

Volatility

SPEU vs. EWK - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) have volatilities of 5.75% and 5.54%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SPEU	EWK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	5.54%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	12.75%	+0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	15.29%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	17.86%	-0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.51%	19.06%	-0.55%

SPEU vs. EWK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than EWK's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPEU vs. EWK - Dividend Comparison

SPEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than EWK's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF	1.59%	1.73%	3.25%	2.09%	2.58%	3.64%	1.66%	2.77%	2.78%	2.91%	1.75%	2.06%
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	3.40%	3.47%	3.29%	2.91%	3.08%	2.67%	2.29%	3.19%	3.99%	2.82%	3.66%	3.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEU and EWK in my portfolio?

SPEU and EWK have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEU or EWK?

SPEU has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to EWK (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEU dropped -62.45% vs EWK's -74.10%.

Which ETF is better, SPEU or EWK?

On 10-year performance, SPEU leads with 9.17% vs 6.17% for EWK. On fees, SPEU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EWK has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPEU or EWK?

Over the 10-year period, SPEU has performed better with a 9.17% return vs 6.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEU or EWK?

SPEU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPEU or EWK?

SPEU has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 1.59% for EWK.

What is the main difference between SPEU and EWK?

SPEU tracks STOXX Europe Total Market, while EWK tracks MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPEU and 0.49% for EWK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.17), 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.