ASHS vs. SHYL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ASHS (Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF) and SHYL (Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ASHS is a China Equities fund tracking the CSI 500 Index, while SHYL is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market 0-5 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ASHS returned 4.14%/yr vs 4.95%/yr for SHYL. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ASHS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SHYL.

Performance

ASHS vs. SHYL - 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 Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASHS achieves a 15.30% return, which is significantly higher than SHYL's 1.35% return.

ASHS

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 15.30%
• 6M: 23.86%
• 1Y: 59.58%
• 3Y*: 13.47%
• 5Y*: 4.14%
• 10Y*: 3.28%

SHYL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 1.96%
• 1Y: 6.36%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 4.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

ASHS vs. SHYL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ASHS Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF	15.30%	39.48%	2.68%	-10.03%	-24.78%	17.66%	28.22%	24.53%	-37.56%
SHYL Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	1.35%	7.78%	8.52%	11.39%	-5.21%	4.60%	3.64%	10.16%	-0.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ASHS and SHYL is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2018	0.29

The correlation between ASHS and SHYL shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (3 years) to 0.29 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ASHS vs. SHYL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASHS

ASHS Risk / Return Rank: 76
ASHS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ASHS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ASHS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ASHS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ASHS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SHYL

SHYL Risk / Return Rank: 69
SHYL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SHYL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SHYL Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SHYL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SHYL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. SHYL - 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 Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL). 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	SHYL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	2.00	+0.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.05	+0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.41	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.25	3.95	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.22	15.62	-1.40
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. SHYL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASHS Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is higher than the SHYL Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASHS and SHYL, 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	SHYL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	2.00	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.85	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.72	-0.53

Drawdowns

ASHS vs. SHYL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASHS drawdown since its inception was -69.90%, which is greater than SHYL's maximum drawdown of -19.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASHS and SHYL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASHS	SHYL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.90%	-19.26%	-50.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.03%	-1.59%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.13%	-4.73%	-29.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.81%	-9.60%	-38.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.45%	-0.03%	-33.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-48.57%	-1.54%	-47.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	0.40%	+3.79%

Volatility

ASHS vs. SHYL - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (ASHS) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL) at 0.85%. This indicates that ASHS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHYL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASHS	SHYL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	0.85%	+6.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.00%	2.44%	+14.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	3.19%	+19.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.46%	5.84%	+20.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.58%	6.69%	+18.89%

ASHS vs. SHYL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASHS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SHYL's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASHS vs. SHYL - Dividend Comparison

ASHS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SHYL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.92%.

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%
SHYL Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	6.92%	7.02%	7.26%	6.60%	5.52%	4.65%	6.16%	5.93%	5.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASHS and SHYL in my portfolio?

ASHS and SHYL have a correlation of 0.26, 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 SHYL?

ASHS has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to SHYL (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASHS dropped -69.90% vs SHYL's -19.26%.

Which ETF is better, ASHS or SHYL?

On 5-year performance, SHYL leads with 4.95% vs 4.14% for ASHS. On fees, SHYL is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SHYL has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASHS or SHYL?

Over the 5-year period, SHYL has performed better with a 4.95% return vs 4.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASHS or SHYL?

SHYL is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ASHS.

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

SHYL has the higher dividend yield at 6.92%, compared with 0.00% for ASHS.

What is the main difference between ASHS and SHYL?

ASHS is categorized as China Equities, while SHYL is High Yield Bonds. ASHS tracks CSI 500 Index, while SHYL tracks Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market 0-5 Year Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ASHS and 0.20% for SHYL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASHS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.00), 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.