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VPL vs. EPP
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPL vs. EPP

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and EPP (iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - VPL tracks the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index while EPP tracks the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPL returned 9.52%/yr vs 7.34%/yr for EPP. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for EPP.

Performance

VPL vs. EPP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 20.61% return, which is significantly higher than EPP's 13.66% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has outperformed EPP with an annualized return of 9.52%, while EPP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.34% annualized return.

VPL

1D
-1.01%
1M
-2.62%
6M
10.34%
YTD
20.61%
1Y
37.66%
3Y*
18.88%
5Y*
9.33%
10Y*
9.52%
ALL TIME*
6.48%

EPP

1D
-1.26%
1M
5.83%
6M
7.04%
YTD
13.66%
1Y
19.08%
3Y*
13.55%
5Y*
6.35%
10Y*
7.34%
ALL TIME*
9.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EPP

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF
$14.47M$15.53M$19.44M

VPL

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF
$40.49M$47.90M$62.42M

VPL vs. EPP - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		20.61%32.66%1.68%15.58%-15.20%1.10%16.65%18.16%-14.40%28.85%
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		13.66%19.70%4.76%5.76%-6.59%4.26%6.04%18.30%-10.78%26.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and EPP is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.71

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.82

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.84

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005

0.84

The correlation between VPL and EPP shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VPL vs. EPP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VPL
EPP

Technology

31.6%
1.0%

Financial Services

17.8%
45.0%

Industrials

17.4%
8.7%

Consumer Cyclical

8.8%
6.9%

Basic Materials

6.5%
15.8%

Communication Services

4.4%
2.6%

Healthcare

4.3%
3.8%

Real Estate

3.6%
7.2%

Consumer Defensive

3.2%
3.2%

Utilities

1.3%
3.5%

Energy

1.1%
2.5%

Technology

VPL
31.6%
EPP
1.0%

Financial Services

VPL
17.8%
EPP
45.0%

Industrials

VPL
17.4%
EPP
8.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VPL
8.8%
EPP
6.9%

Basic Materials

VPL
6.5%
EPP
15.8%

Communication Services

VPL
4.4%
EPP
2.6%

Healthcare

VPL
4.3%
EPP
3.8%

Real Estate

VPL
3.6%
EPP
7.2%

Consumer Defensive

VPL
3.2%
EPP
3.2%

Utilities

VPL
1.3%
EPP
3.5%

Energy

VPL
1.1%
EPP
2.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

Often compared with VPL:
VPL vs. AAXJVPL vs. VEAVPL vs. VWOVPL vs. VXUSVPL vs. IPACVPL vs. VGKVPL vs. VEU
Often compared with EPP:
EPP vs. AAXJEPP vs. EWTEPP vs. BBAXEPP vs. EWHEPP vs. AIAEPP vs. EWYEPP vs. EWJ

Return for Risk

VPL vs. EPP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VPL
VPL Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
EPP
EPP Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
EPP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EPP Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
EPP Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
EPP Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
EPP Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VPL vs. EPP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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.

VPLEPPDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.59
1.23

+0.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.16
1.77

+0.39

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.22

+0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.84

2.13

+0.70

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.65

5.94

+2.71

VPL vs. EPP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the EPP Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL 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

VPL vs. EPP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, smaller than the maximum EPP drawdown of -66.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and EPP.

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Drawdown Indicators

VPLEPPDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.49%

-66.01%

+10.52%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.33%

-8.79%

-4.54%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.35%

-19.29%

+2.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-31.09%

-24.55%

-6.54%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.90%

-39.30%

+5.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.69%

-1.26%

-8.43%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.59%

-10.57%

-1.02%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.37%

3.15%

+1.22%

Volatility

VPL vs. EPP - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 9.21% compared to iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) at 3.89%. This indicates that VPL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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

VPLEPPDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

9.21%

3.89%

+5.32%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

21.74%

12.79%

+8.95%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

23.77%

15.30%

+8.47%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.34%

17.52%

+0.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.73%

19.01%

-1.28%

VPL vs. EPP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than EPP's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPL vs. EPP - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, less than EPP's 3.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EPP
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF		3.31%3.77%3.81%4.10%4.37%4.58%2.28%3.89%5.00%4.15%3.96%4.90%
VPL
Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF		2.77%4.01%3.15%3.12%2.75%3.19%1.81%2.84%3.06%2.57%2.65%2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

VPL and EPP have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VPL has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to EPP (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs EPP's -66.01%.

On 10-year performance, VPL leads with 9.52% vs 7.34% for EPP. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, EPP has been the lower-risk option at 3.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VPL has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 7.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for EPP.

EPP has the higher dividend yield at 3.31%, compared with 2.77% for VPL.

VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while EPP tracks MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.48% for EPP.

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.23), 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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