EWZS vs SPY
iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EWZS or SPY?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EWZS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $306M | $777.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.74% | 1.00% |
| Holdings | 156 | 1,011 |
| YTD Return | -13.88% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -19.07% | +12.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -3.19% | +21.45%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.04% | +11.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -81.7% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,570 | $17,521Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2010 to Nov 11, 2026 (16.1 years).
EWZS vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.1 years both funds cover.
EWZS vs SPY Performance
iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (EWZS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EWZS returned -19.07% while SPY returned +12.45%. Year to date, EWZS is down 13.88% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, EWZS compounded at -3.19% per year against +21.45% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -3.04% and +11.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.00% annualized vs -3.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWZS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.7% compared with 14.0% for SPY. 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 -81.7% for EWZS and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWZS charges 0.59% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $9 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWZS currently yields 4.74% against 1.00% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 69 holdings in EWZS and 504 in SPY, totalling 107.2% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in EWZS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 156 and 1,011.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWZS and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EWZS or SPY?
EWZS has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWZS or SPY?
Over the past year EWZS returned -19.07% vs +12.45% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EWZS annualized -3.87% vs +13.00% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWZS or SPY?
EWZS has been the more volatile fund at 33.7% annualized versus 14.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EWZS -81.7% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both EWZS and SPY?
EWZS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWZS or SPY?
EWZS yields 4.74% while SPY yields 1.00%, so EWZS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EWZS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.