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URTH vs. EPP
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

URTH vs. EPP

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and EPP (iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while EPP is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.38%/yr vs 7.79%/yr for EPP. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for EPP.

Performance

URTH vs. EPP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with URTH having a 8.91% return and EPP slightly lower at 8.62%. Over the past 10 years, URTH has outperformed EPP with an annualized return of 13.38%, while EPP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.79% annualized return.

URTH

1D
0.39%
1M
1.20%
YTD
8.91%
6M
9.60%
1Y
24.56%
3Y*
19.60%
5Y*
11.45%
10Y*
13.38%

EPP

1D
0.66%
1M
-0.31%
YTD
8.62%
6M
9.61%
1Y
15.65%
3Y*
12.24%
5Y*
4.53%
10Y*
7.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

URTH vs. EPP - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		8.91%21.36%18.66%23.95%-17.97%22.27%15.78%28.15%-8.56%22.95%
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		8.62%19.70%4.76%5.76%-6.59%4.26%6.04%18.30%-10.78%26.05%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and EPP is 0.78, 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

0.78

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

0.76

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

0.79

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

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012

0.71

The correlation between URTH and EPP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

URTH vs. EPP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
URTH
EPP

Technology

30.5%
1.0%

Financial Services

15.3%
44.9%

Industrials

10.8%
8.5%

Healthcare

8.9%
3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

8.8%
6.2%

Communication Services

8.6%
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
2.9%

Energy

4.0%
2.7%

Basic Materials

3.3%
17.0%

Utilities

2.8%
3.5%

Real Estate

1.7%
7.4%

Technology

URTH
30.5%
EPP
1.0%

Financial Services

URTH
15.3%
EPP
44.9%

Industrials

URTH
10.8%
EPP
8.5%

Healthcare

URTH
8.9%
EPP
3.3%

Consumer Cyclical

URTH
8.8%
EPP
6.2%

Communication Services

URTH
8.6%
EPP
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

URTH
5.0%
EPP
2.9%

Energy

URTH
4.0%
EPP
2.7%

Basic Materials

URTH
3.3%
EPP
17.0%

Utilities

URTH
2.8%
EPP
3.5%

Real Estate

URTH
1.7%
EPP
7.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares MSCI World ETF

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

Often compared with URTH:
URTH vs. VTURTH vs. IWDA.LURTH vs. SPYURTH vs. VOOURTH vs. XWD.TOURTH vs. BRK-BURTH vs. VXUS
Often compared with EPP:
EPP vs. EWTEPP vs. AAXJEPP vs. BBAXEPP vs. EWHEPP vs. AIAEPP vs. EWYEPP vs. VPL

Return for Risk

URTH vs. EPP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
URTH
URTH Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
EPP
EPP Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
EPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
EPP Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
EPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
EPP Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
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.

URTH vs. EPP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP). 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.

URTHEPPDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.85
0.96

+0.89

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.55
1.40

+1.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.18

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.56

1.65

+0.91

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.37

4.95

+6.42

URTH vs. EPP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the EPP Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH and EPP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

URTH vs. EPP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, smaller than the maximum EPP drawdown of -66.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and EPP.

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Drawdown Indicators

URTHEPPDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.01%

-66.01%

+32.00%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.06%

-8.79%

-0.27%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.94%

-19.29%

+2.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.05%

-25.31%

-0.74%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.01%

-39.30%

+5.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.87%

-3.64%

+1.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.37%

-10.61%

+6.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.04%

2.93%

-0.89%

Volatility

URTH vs. EPP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is 4.55%, while iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that URTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EPP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

URTHEPPDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.55%

5.46%

-0.91%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.11%

12.74%

-2.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.57%

15.18%

-2.61%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.26%

17.51%

-1.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.29%

19.14%

-1.85%

URTH vs. EPP - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than EPP's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

URTH vs. EPP - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than EPP's 3.47% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		3.47%3.77%3.81%4.10%4.37%4.58%2.28%3.89%5.00%4.15%3.96%4.90%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		1.36%1.48%1.47%1.70%1.68%1.50%1.52%2.16%2.30%1.88%2.15%2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

URTH and EPP have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EPP has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to URTH (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs EPP's -66.01%.

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.38% vs 7.79% for EPP. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 7.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

URTH is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for EPP.

EPP has the higher dividend yield at 3.47%, compared with 1.36% for URTH.

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while EPP is Asia Pacific Equities. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while EPP tracks MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.48% for EPP.

URTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.96), 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.

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