ASEA vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASEA (Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - ASEA tracks the FTSE/ASEAN 40 Index while EWY tracks the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ASEA returned 7.64%/yr vs 17.46%/yr for EWY. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ASEA charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

ASEA vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASEA achieves a 9.50% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 119.05% return. Over the past 10 years, ASEA has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of 7.64%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 17.46% annualized return.

ASEA

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 9.50%
• 6M: 12.22%
• 1Y: 26.01%
• 3Y*: 14.54%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

EWY

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 30.18%
• YTD: 119.05%
• 6M: 134.13%
• 1Y: 251.82%
• 3Y*: 51.99%
• 5Y*: 20.31%
• 10Y*: 17.46%

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

ASEA vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASEA Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF	9.50%	19.80%	9.82%	4.88%	5.24%	4.66%	-7.88%	8.34%	-7.58%	35.06%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	119.05%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between ASEA and EWY is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2011	0.62

The correlation between ASEA and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ASEA vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ASEA	EWY
Financial Services	58.6%	9.6%
Industrials	15.4%	20.4%
Communication Services	8.8%	2.9%
Utilities	4.4%	0.4%
Energy	3.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.8%	-
Healthcare	2.3%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	1.7%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.7%
Technology	-	52.4%

Return for Risk

ASEA vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASEA

ASEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
ASEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ASEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ASEA Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ASEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ASEA Martin Ratio Rank: 51

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 96
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

ASEA vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). 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.

	ASEA	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	6.02	-4.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	5.31	-2.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.74	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	10.99	-7.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.72	40.91	-32.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASEA vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 6.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASEA and EWY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ASEA	EWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	6.02	-4.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.71	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.64	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.33	-0.06

Drawdowns

ASEA vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASEA drawdown since its inception was -44.16%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASEA and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASEA	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.16%	-74.14%	+29.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-23.08%	+14.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.20%	-27.36%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.20%	-48.55%	+26.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.16%	-49.73%	+5.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-1.73%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-20.13%	+9.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	6.19%	-3.20%

Volatility

ASEA vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) is 3.40%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 20.32%. This indicates that ASEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASEA	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	20.32%	-16.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	37.41%	-26.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.01%	42.10%	-28.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.66%	28.83%	-14.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	27.37%	-9.78%

ASEA vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASEA has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASEA vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

ASEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, more than EWY's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASEA Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF	3.61%	3.95%	3.61%	3.76%	2.23%	4.19%	2.27%	2.51%	3.08%	1.59%	2.78%	3.64%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	0.96%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASEA and EWY in my portfolio?

ASEA and EWY have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASEA or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (20.32%) compared to ASEA (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASEA dropped -44.16% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, ASEA or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 17.46% vs 7.64% for ASEA. On fees, EWY is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ASEA has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASEA or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 17.46% return vs 7.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASEA or EWY?

EWY is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ASEA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ASEA or EWY?

ASEA has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.96% for EWY.

What is the main difference between ASEA and EWY?

ASEA tracks FTSE/ASEAN 40 Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ASEA and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.02 vs 1.87), 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.