AFOS vs. AIA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) and AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFOS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by ARS Investment Partners, while AIA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P Asia 50. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFOS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AIA.

Performance

AFOS vs. AIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFOS achieves a 32.24% return, which is significantly lower than AIA's 49.51% return.

AFOS

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 7.26%
• YTD: 32.24%
• 6M: 36.70%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIA

• 1D: -2.07%
• 1M: 12.56%
• YTD: 49.51%
• 6M: 54.95%
• 1Y: 92.58%
• 3Y*: 37.82%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 15.10%

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

AFOS vs. AIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.24%	36.15%
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	49.51%	21.42%

Correlation

The correlation between AFOS and AIA is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.74

Return for Risk

AFOS vs. AIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 92
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

AFOS vs. AIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFOS	AIA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.35	0.32	+4.03

Drawdowns

AFOS vs. AIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFOS drawdown since its inception was -11.52%, smaller than the maximum AIA drawdown of -60.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFOS and AIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFOS	AIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.52%	-60.89%	+49.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.15%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.64%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-50.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-54.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-3.24%	+3.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.37%	-16.67%	+15.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.81%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AFOS	AIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.39%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	21.85%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.14%	25.81%	-5.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.14%	25.53%	-5.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	23.56%	-3.42%

AFOS vs. AIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFOS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than AIA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFOS vs. AIA - Dividend Comparison

AFOS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than AIA's 1.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.67%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFOS and AIA in my portfolio?

AFOS and AIA have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AFOS or AIA?

On fees, AFOS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFOS or AIA?

AFOS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AIA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFOS or AIA?

AIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between AFOS and AIA?

AFOS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AIA is Asia Pacific Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARS Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for AFOS and 0.50% for AIA.