What is the difference between EWH and FXI?

EWH focuses on the Hong Kong market, while FXI targets China's large-cap sector. Although both funds belong to the Greater China Region category, they track different economic exposures. EWH launched in March 1996, offering a lower expense ratio and higher dividend yield. In contrast, FXI was established in October 2004 with significantly larger net assets. Investors should note that these funds represent distinct geographic and market segments within the broader Chinese economy, rather than being interchangeable substitutes.

What does the expense ratio mean?

The expense ratio represents the annual fee charged by the fund provider to manage the ETF. EWH has an expense ratio of 0.50%, while FXI charges 0.74%. This creates a difference of 0.24 percentage points. Over time, these fees reduce the investor's returns, as they are deducted directly from the fund's assets. Lower expense ratios generally allow more of the fund's gross performance to reach the investor, although other factors like tracking error and liquidity also play important roles in overall efficiency.

How do ETFs track their respective indices?

Exchange-traded funds are designed to mirror the performance of a specific underlying index. However, for both EWH and FXI, the specific index tracked is currently listed as not available in the provided data. Typically, these funds use sampling or full replication methods to match their benchmarks. Without access to the specific index tracking details for EWH or the methodology for FXI, investors cannot verify how closely each fund matches its intended target. Users should consult official fund documentation for precise tracking information.

Which fund has larger net assets?

FXI manages significantly larger net assets, holding $4.1 billion compared to EWH's $1.1 billion. Larger asset bases can sometimes indicate greater liquidity and broader adoption by institutional investors. However, EWH's smaller size does not necessarily hinder its ability to trade, though it may result in wider bid-ask spreads depending on market conditions. When comparing these two funds, the substantial difference in size is a key structural factor, alongside their distinct geographic focuses on China's large caps versus Hong Kong's market.

What is the fee difference between EWH and FXI?

EWH charges an annual expense ratio of 0.50%, whereas FXI charges 0.74%. This means FXI costs 0.24 percentage points more per year. In practical terms, on a $10,000 investment, EWH would incur $50 in annual fees compared to $74 for FXI. While this difference might seem small annually, it compounds over time, affecting net returns. Investors evaluating these funds should consider the lower cost of EWH as a factor, while also weighing the potential benefits of FXI's larger asset base and different market exposure.

How do the top holdings compare?

The top holdings for these two funds show little overlap. EWH lists FUTU as its top holding with a weight of only 1.62%, while FXI's top holdings are not currently available. There are no shared top-10 holdings between the two funds. This lack of overlap reinforces that they target different segments of the market. EWH provides exposure through specific companies like FUTU, while FXI's composition remains opaque due to missing data. Investors should verify that the funds' actual portfolios align with their expectations for geographic diversification.

What type of investing goal is each fund typically associated with?

EWH is often associated with investors seeking exposure to the Hong Kong financial hub, potentially with an income focus given its higher dividend yield of 4.55%. FXI targets those wanting direct access to China's large-cap economy, which may appeal to growth-oriented investors despite its lower yield of 1.95%. These associations are neutral descriptions based on fund data. Neither fund is recommended; the choice depends on whether an investor prioritises the specific economic drivers of Hong Kong versus mainland China's large corporations, and their respective yield profiles.

What geographic markets do EWH and FXI cover?

EWH focuses on the Hong Kong market, while FXI targets China's large-cap sector. Both are categorised under Greater China Region, reflecting their geographical proximity and economic ties. However, they offer distinct investment approaches due to differing regulatory environments, currency exposures, and industry compositions. Hong Kong's market, represented by EWH, often includes financial and real estate sectors, whereas mainland China's large caps, targeted by FXI, may include state-owned enterprises and technology giants. Understanding these regional nuances is crucial for interpreting how each fund behaves during varying market cycles.

Why might dividend yields differ between the two?

EWH offers a dividend yield of 4.55%, while FXI provides 1.95%. This difference reflects the distinct characteristics of the underlying markets. Hong Kong-based companies often have different payout policies compared to mainland China's large-cap firms. Sector composition plays a major role; mature industries in one region may distribute more cash to shareholders than growth-focused sectors in another. These yields are not static and can change with market prices and corporate decisions. Investors should understand that higher yield does not automatically mean better performance, as it depends on the sustainability of the payments.

How do ETF dividends and distributions work?

ETFs like EWH and FXI collect dividends from their underlying holdings and pass them on to shareholders. EWH currently lists a yield of 4.55%, and FXI lists 1.95%. These distributions may be paid out or reinvested, depending on the account settings. It is important to note that yields are annualised and based on recent history, not guarantees of future income. Since the specific index tracking and full holdings for FXI are not available, investors should monitor official announcements for changes to distribution frequencies and amounts for both funds.

Where can I find missing data for these funds?

Several key data points are marked as not available for both funds. For EWH, the specific index tracked and sector weights are missing. Similarly, FXI lacks details on its top holdings, index tracking, and sector weights. Investors seeking complete information should refer directly to the issuer's official website or regulatory filings from iShares. Relying solely on third-party aggregators can lead to incomplete pictures. Before making any investment decisions, it is prudent to obtain the latest prospectus documents to understand exactly what these funds hold and how they are managed.

EWH vs FXI

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in October 2026.

This page compares EWH and FXI by examining fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its respective market. EWH, launched in 1996 with an expense ratio of 0.50% and a dividend yield of 4.55%, focuses on Hong Kong. FXI, established in 2004 with a 0.74% expense ratio and a 1.95% yield, targets China's large-cap market. Both funds serve the Greater China Region with distinct investment approaches. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares EWH and FXI by examining fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its respective market. EWH, launched in 1996 with an expense ratio of 0.50% and a dividend yield of 4.55...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

EWH

Metric

FXI

0.50%

Expense Ratio

0.74%

4.55%

Dividend Yield

1.95%

$1.14B

Net Assets

$4.10B

35

Holdings

60

Mar 12, 1996

Inception Date

Oct 5, 2004

–

Index Tracked

–

Greater China Region

Fund Category

Greater China Region

EWH costs about $24.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

EWH

Pros

EWH has a lower expense ratio of 0.50% than FXI.
EWH offers a higher dividend yield of 4.55% compared to FXI.
EWH has a longer track record with an inception date in March 1996.

Considerations

EWH has smaller net assets of $1.1 billion than FXI.
The top holding of FUTU is concentrated at only 1.62% weight.
Specific index tracking details for EWH are currently not available.

FXI

Pros

FXI manages significantly larger net assets of $4.1 billion.
FXI provides a moderate dividend yield of 1.95% for income.
FXI has a longer track record for its inception date in October 2004.

Considerations

FXI has a higher expense ratio of 0.74% than EWH.
The specific top holdings for FXI are listed as not available.
Information regarding FXI's index tracking methodology is not available.

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About EWH and FXI

EWH (EWH)

iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF (ticker EWH) offers investors a single, tradable security that seeks to track the performance of the MSCI Hong Kong Index, providing diversified exposure to large- and mid-cap Hong Kong-listed companies across sectors such as financials, property and consumer goods. As an ETF, it represents a basket of stocks rather than a single company; market capitalisation is not directly applicable in the same way as for individual equities — assess assets under management and average trading volume for liquidity cues. EWH can be used to gain market-level exposure to Hong Kong’s economy and to express a view on regional opportunities, but it carries risks including sector concentration, sensitivity to Mainland China policy and currency or geopolitical volatility. This is educational information only and not personalised financial advice; consider your objectives and seek independent advice where appropriate.

FXI (FXI)

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) provides investors with liquid, broad exposure to large-cap Chinese equities through a single, exchange-traded product. FXI primarily tracks a benchmark of major China-based companies — often H‑shares, Red Chips and other large listings — offering a straightforward way to access prominent names in sectors such as financials, telecommunications and energy. As an ETF, FXI can be bought and sold on an exchange like a share, and its price moves with the underlying index and market sentiment. Investors should note this is a China-focused, large-cap play, so performance depends heavily on Chinese economic conditions, policy, currency movements and geopolitics. Fees, tracking error and concentration risk in the largest holdings can affect returns. This summary is for educational purposes only and not personalised financial advice; values can rise or fall and you could lose capital. Consider your investment horizon, diversification needs and tolerance for emerging-market and country-specific risks before investing.

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