XME vs. EWY

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XME is a Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index, while EWY is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XME returned 15.15%/yr vs 13.73%/yr for EWY. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XME charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

XME vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) 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, XME achieves a -5.54% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 67.52% return. Over the past 10 years, XME has outperformed EWY with an annualized return of 15.15%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively lower 13.73% annualized return.

XME

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -16.42%
• 6M: -21.16%
• YTD: -5.54%
• 1Y: 30.48%
• 3Y*: 24.42%
• 5Y*: 19.38%
• 10Y*: 15.15%
• ALL TIME*: 5.32%

EWY

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -25.70%
• 6M: 45.13%
• YTD: 67.52%
• 1Y: 130.03%
• 3Y*: 38.38%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 13.73%
• ALL TIME*: 9.80%

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

XME vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	-5.54%	83.47%	-4.54%	21.51%	13.13%	34.92%	15.95%	14.69%	-26.78%	21.17%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	67.52%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between XME and EWY is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.54

The correlation between XME and EWY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

XME vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XME	EWY
Basic Materials	74.8%	2.2%
Energy	24.0%	0.8%
Technology	2.2%	56.1%
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	2.1%
Industrials	0.4%	14.6%
Communication Services	-	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.9%
Financial Services	-	11.3%
Healthcare	-	3.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

XME vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XME

XME Risk / Return Rank: 30
XME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
XME Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
XME Omega Ratio Rank: 30
XME Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
XME Martin Ratio Rank: 28

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 89
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

XME vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) 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.

	XME	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.53	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	2.78	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.40	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	5.06	-3.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.79	16.04	-13.24

XME vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XME Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XME 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

XME vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XME drawdown since its inception was -85.89%, which is greater than EWY's maximum drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XME and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XME	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.89%	-74.14%	-11.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.37%	-25.85%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	-27.36%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.27%	-47.15%	+9.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.69%	-49.73%	-11.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.37%	-25.70%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.97%	-20.09%	-23.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.94%	8.14%	+2.80%

Volatility

XME vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) is 8.26%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 22.94%. This indicates that XME 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

	XME	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.26%	22.94%	-14.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.01%	48.48%	-20.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.42%	51.71%	-15.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.67%	31.91%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.86%	28.90%	+3.96%

XME vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XME has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

XME vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

XME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than EWY's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.25%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	0.38%	0.38%	0.65%	1.00%	1.64%	0.70%	0.99%	2.43%	2.23%	1.15%	1.02%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XME and EWY in my portfolio?

XME and EWY have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XME or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (22.94%) compared to XME (8.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XME dropped -85.89% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, XME or EWY?

On 10-year performance, XME leads with 15.15% vs 13.73% for EWY. On fees, XME is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XME has been the lower-risk option at 8.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XME or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, XME has performed better with a 15.15% return vs 13.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XME or EWY?

XME is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

EWY has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.38% for XME.

What is the main difference between XME and EWY?

XME is categorized as Materials, while EWY is South Korea Equities. XME tracks S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XME and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.84), 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.