EEA vs EZU
The European Equity Fund, Inc. vs iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF
Which is better, EEA or EZU?
EZU has been ahead.
EZU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EZU is less concentrated, with 31.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.1%.
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 | EEA | EZU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.50% |
| AUM | $83M | $9.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 2.74% |
| Holdings | 63 | 223 |
| YTD Return | -1.31% | +0.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.77% | +6.67%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.00% | +18.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.39% | +8.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.8% | 21.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.1% | -69.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,002 | $15,002Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.1% | 31.0%Best |
| Fund Family | DWS ETF Trust | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 1986 | Jul 25, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2001 to Oct 14, 2026 (25.8 years).
EEA vs EZU 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 25.8 years both funds cover.
EEA vs EZU Performance
The European Equity Fund, Inc. (EEA) is an ETF from DWS ETF Trust and iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year EEA returned +1.77% while EZU returned +6.67%. Year to date, EEA is down 1.31% versus a gain of 0.49% for EZU.
Over three years, EEA compounded at +13.00% per year against +18.55% for EZU; over five years the annualized figures are +5.39% and +8.45% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, EZU has the edge at +5.10% annualized vs +1.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.8% compared with 21.0% for EZU. 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 -74.1% for EEA and -69.8% for EZU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Holdings Overlap
24.6% of EEA's money is in holdings EZU also owns. 16.9% of EZU's money is in holdings EEA also owns.
EEA and EZU share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 93 days apart, EEA as of Jun 30, 2026 and EZU as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
17 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in EEA and 215 in EZU, against full books of 63 and 223.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 9 positions for EZU that do not appear in our book for EEA (3.2% of the fund), and 5 for EEA that do not appear in EZU (9.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEA | Weight in EZU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 2.30% | 3.03% | 0.73% |
| IFX:FFInfineon Technologies AG Infineon Technologies Agnamens Aktien O N | 3.01% | 1.20% | 1.81% |
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 2.52% | 1.66% | 0.86% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 2.40% | 1.74% | 0.66% |
| ISP:MISanpaolo S.P.A | 2.29% | 1.39% | 0.90% |
| INGA:ASIng Groep Nv | 1.27% | 1.34% | 0.07% |
| MC:PALvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se | 1.16% | 1.45% | 0.29% |
| PRY:MIPrysmian Spa Common Stock EUR 0.1 | 1.99% | 0.54% | 1.45% |
| DANO:PADanone SA | 1.55% | 0.56% | 0.99% |
| DHL:SGDeutsche Post Ag | 1.03% | 0.79% | 0.24% |
24.6% of EEA is already inside EZU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which performed better, EEA or EZU?
Over the past year EEA returned +1.77% vs +6.67% for EZU, so EZU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), EEA annualized +1.79% vs +5.10% for EZU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEA or EZU?
EEA has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 21.0% for EZU. Worst drawdown: EEA -74.1% vs EZU -69.8%.
Should I hold both EEA and EZU?
EEA and EZU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EEA and EZU?
24.6% of EEA's money is in holdings EZU also owns. 16.9% of EZU's is in holdings EEA also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in EEA and 215 in EZU.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEA or EZU?
EEA yields 3.09% while EZU yields 2.74%, so EEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is EZU better than EEA?
EZU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EZU is less concentrated, with 31.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.