ASHS vs. DGZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASHS (Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF) and DGZ (DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes) are both exchange-traded funds - ASHS is a China Equities fund tracking the CSI 500 Index, while DGZ is a Inverse Commodities fund tracking the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ASHS returned 3.27%/yr vs -8.68%/yr for DGZ. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. ASHS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for DGZ.

Performance

ASHS vs. DGZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (ASHS) and DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASHS achieves a 15.10% return, which is significantly higher than DGZ's 2.71% return. Over the past 10 years, ASHS has outperformed DGZ with an annualized return of 3.27%, while DGZ has yielded a comparatively lower -8.68% annualized return.

ASHS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 15.10%
• 6M: 23.90%
• 1Y: 57.65%
• 3Y*: 13.41%
• 5Y*: 3.97%
• 10Y*: 3.27%

DGZ

• 1D: 4.82%
• 1M: 16.59%
• YTD: 2.71%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: -15.32%
• 3Y*: -16.62%
• 5Y*: -10.05%
• 10Y*: -8.68%

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

ASHS vs. DGZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASHS Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF	15.10%	39.48%	2.68%	-10.03%	-24.78%	17.66%	28.22%	24.53%	-35.91%	7.90%
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	2.71%	-32.55%	-16.46%	-4.75%	4.93%	1.53%	-20.80%	-13.42%	4.88%	-11.36%

Correlation

The correlation between ASHS and DGZ is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2014	-0.06

The correlation between ASHS and DGZ shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ASHS vs. DGZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASHS

ASHS Risk / Return Rank: 74
ASHS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
ASHS Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ASHS Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ASHS Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ASHS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DGZ

DGZ Risk / Return Rank: 7
DGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
DGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
DGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 8
DGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
DGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

ASHS vs. DGZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (ASHS) and DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ). 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.

	ASHS	DGZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	-0.23	+2.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	0.11	+3.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.01	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.13	-0.40	+4.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.72	-0.70	+14.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASHS vs. DGZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASHS Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the DGZ Sharpe Ratio of -0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASHS and DGZ, 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

	ASHS	DGZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	-0.23	+2.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	-0.29	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	-0.32	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	-0.31	+0.50

Drawdowns

ASHS vs. DGZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASHS drawdown since its inception was -69.90%, smaller than the maximum DGZ drawdown of -86.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASHS and DGZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASHS	DGZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.90%	-86.32%	+16.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.03%	-38.32%	+24.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.13%	-59.54%	+25.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.81%	-61.54%	+13.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.81%	-71.49%	+23.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.57%	-82.41%	+48.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-48.57%	-57.74%	+9.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.21%	21.80%	-17.59%

Volatility

ASHS vs. DGZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (ASHS) is 7.33%, while DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ) has a volatility of 45.00%. This indicates that ASHS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DGZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASHS	DGZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.33%	45.00%	-37.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.00%	54.96%	-37.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	66.38%	-43.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.46%	35.24%	-8.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.57%	27.40%	-1.83%

ASHS vs. DGZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASHS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than DGZ's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASHS vs. DGZ - Dividend Comparison

Neither ASHS nor DGZ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASHS Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.69%	0.65%	1.90%	0.76%	0.43%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	8.34%
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASHS and DGZ in my portfolio?

ASHS and DGZ have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASHS or DGZ?

DGZ has higher volatility (45.00%) compared to ASHS (7.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASHS dropped -69.90% vs DGZ's -86.32%.

Which ETF is better, ASHS or DGZ?

On 10-year performance, ASHS leads with 3.27% vs -8.68% for DGZ. On fees, ASHS is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, ASHS has been the lower-risk option at 7.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASHS or DGZ?

Over the 10-year period, ASHS has performed better with a 3.27% return vs -8.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASHS or DGZ?

ASHS is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for DGZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ASHS or DGZ?

ASHS and DGZ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ASHS and DGZ?

ASHS is categorized as China Equities, while DGZ is Inverse Commodities. ASHS tracks CSI 500 Index, while DGZ tracks Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%). Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ASHS and 0.75% for DGZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASHS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.23), 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.