ASEA vs. FLCH

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

ASEA (Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF) and FLCH (Franklin FTSE China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ASEA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE/ASEAN 40 Index, while FLCH is a China Equities fund tracking the FTSE China RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ASEA returned 12.90%/yr vs -3.87%/yr for FLCH. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ASEA charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FLCH.

Performance

ASEA vs. FLCH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASEA achieves a 16.39% return, which is significantly higher than FLCH's -10.17% return.

ASEA

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 7.14%
• 6M: 9.57%
• YTD: 16.39%
• 1Y: 28.24%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 7.65%
• ALL TIME*: 5.30%

FLCH

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 4.49%
• 6M: -13.97%
• YTD: -10.17%
• 1Y: -6.50%
• 3Y*: 7.74%
• 5Y*: -3.87%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.09%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ASEA Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF	$593.31K	$523.08K	$605.79K
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	$3.91M	$4.48M	$3.36M

ASEA vs. FLCH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASEA Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF	16.39%	19.80%	9.82%	4.88%	5.24%	4.66%	-7.88%	8.34%	-7.58%	8.23%
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	-10.17%	32.55%	18.00%	-11.21%	-22.74%	-20.87%	30.09%	24.32%	-19.52%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ASEA and FLCH is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.50

The correlation between ASEA and FLCH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.41 to 0.50 - a consistent structural relationship.

ASEA vs. FLCH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ASEA	FLCH
Financial Services	60.3%	19.0%
Industrials	15.6%	8.2%
Communication Services	8.0%	16.2%
Utilities	4.3%	2.0%
Energy	3.2%	3.4%
Real Estate	2.8%	1.6%
Healthcare	2.2%	6.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	3.2%
Basic Materials	1.5%	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	23.2%
Technology	-	10.5%

Return for Risk

ASEA vs. FLCH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASEA

ASEA Risk / Return Rank: 80
ASEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ASEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ASEA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
ASEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ASEA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

FLCH

FLCH Risk / Return Rank: 8
FLCH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Omega Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FLCH Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. FLCH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) and Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH). 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.

	ASEA	FLCH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	-0.34	+2.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	-0.36	+3.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	0.96	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	-0.32	+3.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.85	-0.68	+9.53

ASEA vs. FLCH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the FLCH Sharpe Ratio of -0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASEA and FLCH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ASEA vs. FLCH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASEA drawdown since its inception was -44.16%, smaller than the maximum FLCH drawdown of -62.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASEA and FLCH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASEA	FLCH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.16%	-62.09%	+17.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-21.48%	+13.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.20%	-25.43%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.20%	-50.38%	+28.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-36.68%	+35.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-30.62%	+20.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	10.01%	-6.88%

Volatility

ASEA vs. FLCH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) is 3.50%, while Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) has a volatility of 5.99%. This indicates that ASEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLCH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASEA	FLCH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	5.99%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.74%	13.93%	-2.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.59%	19.83%	-5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.72%	29.58%	-14.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.49%	27.80%	-10.31%

ASEA vs. FLCH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASEA has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FLCH's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASEA vs. FLCH - Dividend Comparison

ASEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, more than FLCH's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASEA Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF	3.71%	3.95%	3.61%	3.76%	2.23%	4.19%	2.27%	2.51%	3.08%	1.59%	2.78%	3.64%
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	2.41%	2.36%	2.87%	3.47%	2.69%	1.48%	0.91%	1.98%	1.92%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASEA and FLCH in my portfolio?

ASEA and FLCH have a correlation of 0.44, 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 FLCH?

FLCH has higher volatility (5.99%) compared to ASEA (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASEA dropped -44.16% vs FLCH's -62.09%.

Which ETF is better, ASEA or FLCH?

On 5-year performance, ASEA leads with 12.90% vs -3.87% for FLCH. On fees, FLCH is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, ASEA has been the lower-risk option at 3.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASEA or FLCH?

Over the 5-year period, ASEA has performed better with a 12.90% return vs -3.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASEA or FLCH?

FLCH is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ASEA.

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

ASEA has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 2.41% for FLCH.

What is the main difference between ASEA and FLCH?

ASEA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FLCH is China Equities. ASEA tracks FTSE/ASEAN 40 Index, while FLCH tracks FTSE China RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ASEA and 0.19% for FLCH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs -0.34), 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.