ASCI vs. IBHE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASCI (abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF) and IBHE (iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ASCI is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by abrdn, while IBHE is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 2025 Term High Yield and Income Index. ASCI is actively managed, while IBHE is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. ASCI charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for IBHE.

Performance

ASCI vs. IBHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ASCI

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 7.39%
• 6M: 8.24%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBHE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.09%
• 1Y: 2.31%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 3.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

ASCI vs. IBHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	7.39%	1.11%
IBHE iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF	0.00%	0.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ASCI and IBHE is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2025	-0.04

Return for Risk

ASCI vs. IBHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBHE

IBHE Risk / Return Rank: 97
IBHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IBHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
IBHE Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBHE Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

ASCI vs. IBHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHE). 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

	ASCI	IBHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.41	+0.36

Drawdowns

ASCI vs. IBHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASCI drawdown since its inception was -11.22%, smaller than the maximum IBHE drawdown of -26.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASCI and IBHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASCI	IBHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-26.91%	+15.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.22%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-8.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.85%	0.00%	-2.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.39%	-1.42%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.05%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ASCI	IBHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.00%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.39%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.68%	0.78%	+17.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.68%	4.87%	+13.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.68%	11.53%	+7.15%

ASCI vs. IBHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASCI has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than IBHE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASCI vs. IBHE - Dividend Comparison

ASCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than IBHE's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	0.75%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBHE iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF	2.29%	4.53%	6.92%	7.17%	5.77%	4.84%	5.74%	3.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASCI and IBHE in my portfolio?

ASCI and IBHE have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ASCI or IBHE?

On fees, IBHE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASCI or IBHE?

IBHE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ASCI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ASCI or IBHE?

IBHE has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 0.75% for ASCI.

What is the main difference between ASCI and IBHE?

ASCI is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IBHE is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ASCI and 0.35% for IBHE.