EWY vs VOO
iShares MSCI South Korea ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Quick Verdict
VOO has a lower expense ratio. EWY delivered stronger 1-year returns. VOO offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EWY | VOO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03% | |
| AUM | $23.1B | $979.0B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.09% | |
| Holdings | 84 | 509 | |
| YTD Return | +74.74% | +14.48% | |
| 1Y Return | +144.42% | +22.02% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.33% | +21.80% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.10% | +13.36% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.5% | 14.2% | |
| Max Drawdown | -74.0% | -34.3% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | May 9, 2000 | Sep 7, 2010 |
EWY vs VOO Performance
iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EWY returned +144.42% while VOO returned +22.02%. Year to date, EWY is up 74.74% versus a gain of 14.48% for VOO.
Over three years, EWY compounded at +45.33% per year against +21.80% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +18.10% and +13.36% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.61% annualized vs +10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.5% compared with 14.2% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -74.0% for EWY and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWY charges 0.59% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWY currently yields 1.01% against 1.09% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
EWY and VOO share 0 holdings out of 584 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EWY or VOO?
EWY has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $56 per year of difference.
Which performed better, EWY or VOO?
Over the past year EWY returned +144.42% vs +22.02% for VOO, so EWY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWY annualized +10.42% vs +13.61% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, EWY or VOO?
EWY has been the more volatile fund at 30.5% annualized versus 14.2% for VOO. Worst drawdown: EWY -74.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both EWY and VOO?
EWY and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between EWY and VOO?
EWY and VOO share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 584 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWY or VOO?
EWY yields 1.01% while VOO yields 1.09%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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