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AIA vs. VWO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AIA vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P Asia 50 Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIA returned 14.96%/yr vs 8.97%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

AIA vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIA achieves a 43.04% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 10.55% return. Over the past 10 years, AIA has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 14.96%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 8.97% annualized return.

AIA

1D
-7.46%
1M
3.93%
YTD
43.04%
6M
46.22%
1Y
80.75%
3Y*
36.18%
5Y*
11.29%
10Y*
14.96%

VWO

1D
-3.07%
1M
0.76%
YTD
10.55%
6M
10.67%
1Y
27.03%
3Y*
17.42%
5Y*
5.09%
10Y*
8.97%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIA vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AIA
iShares Asia 50 ETF		43.04%47.79%20.26%4.32%-24.08%-10.91%33.73%22.21%-14.22%45.00%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		10.55%25.60%10.59%9.25%-17.98%1.26%15.17%20.75%-14.76%31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between AIA and VWO is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.89

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.91

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.92

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.91

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2007

0.89

The correlation between AIA and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIA vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AIA
VWO

Technology

63.8%
31.6%

Financial Services

16.4%
16.8%

Consumer Cyclical

8.6%
8.7%

Communication Services

7.4%
5.8%

Industrials

2.0%
6.8%

Healthcare

0.8%
3.4%

Energy

0.6%
3.6%

Real Estate

0.5%
1.8%

Basic Materials

-

7.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.1%

Utilities

-

2.4%

Technology

AIA
63.8%
VWO
31.6%

Financial Services

AIA
16.4%
VWO
16.8%

Consumer Cyclical

AIA
8.6%
VWO
8.7%

Communication Services

AIA
7.4%
VWO
5.8%

Industrials

AIA
2.0%
VWO
6.8%

Healthcare

AIA
0.8%
VWO
3.4%

Energy

AIA
0.6%
VWO
3.6%

Real Estate

AIA
0.5%
VWO
1.8%

Basic Materials

AIA

-

VWO
7.0%

Consumer Defensive

AIA

-

VWO
3.1%

Utilities

AIA

-

VWO
2.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Asia 50 ETF

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with AIA:
AIA vs. EEMAAIA vs. SPYAIA vs. VPLAIA vs. IOOAIA vs. GMFAIA vs. IEMGAIA vs. EPP
Often compared with VWO:
VWO vs. VEAVWO vs. IEMGVWO vs. VXUSVWO vs. EEMVWO vs. VOOVWO vs. VTIVWO vs. VEMAX

Return for Risk

AIA vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AIA
AIA Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 8484
Omega Ratio Rank
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9292
Calmar Ratio Rank
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
Martin Ratio Rank
VWO
VWO Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

AIA vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AIAVWODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.75
1.60

+1.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.20
2.22

+0.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.30

+0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.74

2.43

+3.31

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

19.64

8.56

+11.08

AIA vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIA Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIA and VWO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AIA vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIA drawdown since its inception was -60.89%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIA and VWO.

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Drawdown Indicators

AIAVWODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.89%

-67.68%

+6.79%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.15%

-11.17%

-2.98%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.64%

-17.37%

-4.27%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-50.11%

-32.60%

-17.51%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-54.64%

-36.39%

-18.25%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.46%

-3.07%

-4.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.64%

-15.79%

-0.85%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.13%

3.17%

+0.96%

Volatility

AIA vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) has a higher volatility of 16.92% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 7.37%. This indicates that AIA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AIAVWODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.92%

7.37%

+9.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

26.32%

14.62%

+11.70%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

29.51%

16.94%

+12.57%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.34%

17.58%

+8.76%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.93%

19.18%

+4.75%

AIA vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIA vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

AIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, less than VWO's 2.33% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AIA
iShares Asia 50 ETF		1.54%2.50%2.78%2.07%2.59%1.54%1.11%2.24%2.49%1.45%2.29%2.88%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		2.33%2.79%3.20%3.52%4.11%2.63%1.91%3.23%2.88%2.30%2.52%3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

AIA and VWO have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AIA has higher volatility (16.92%) compared to VWO (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIA dropped -60.89% vs VWO's -67.68%.

On 10-year performance, AIA leads with 14.96% vs 8.97% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VWO has been the lower-risk option at 7.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, AIA has performed better with a 14.96% return vs 8.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AIA.

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 1.54% for AIA.

AIA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. AIA tracks S&P Asia 50 Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for AIA and 0.08% for VWO.

AIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.60), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

Portfolio Optimizer

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