ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

ASIA.AX (BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF) and VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ASIA.AX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Asia Ex-Japan Technology & Internet Tigers Index, while VAE.AX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ASIA.AX returned 12.06%/yr vs 6.68%/yr for VAE.AX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ASIA.AX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VAE.AX.

Performance

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASIA.AX achieves a 33.55% return, which is significantly higher than VAE.AX's 9.78% return.

ASIA.AX

• 1D: -5.73%
• 1M: -15.00%
• 6M: 22.71%
• YTD: 33.55%
• 1Y: 60.17%
• 3Y*: 37.53%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: —

VAE.AX

• 1D: -3.98%
• 1M: -9.64%
• 6M: 4.02%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 1Y: 20.17%
• 3Y*: 18.38%
• 5Y*: 6.68%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

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

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ASIA.AX BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF	33.55%	43.48%	34.52%	10.84%	-26.08%	-15.49%	62.13%	36.05%	-14.17%
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	9.78%	23.98%	22.74%	3.18%	-14.06%	0.49%	12.05%	17.01%	-4.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ASIA.AX and VAE.AX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2018	0.81

The correlation between ASIA.AX and VAE.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASIA.AX

ASIA.AX Risk / Return Rank: 72
ASIA.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
ASIA.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ASIA.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ASIA.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ASIA.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VAE.AX

VAE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX). 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.

	ASIA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.05	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	1.50	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.20	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	1.69	+1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.90	5.46	+5.44

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASIA.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASIA.AX and VAE.AX, 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

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASIA.AX drawdown since its inception was -59.62%, which is greater than VAE.AX's maximum drawdown of -31.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASIA.AX and VAE.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASIA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.62%	-31.55%	-28.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.67%	-11.47%	-7.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.67%	-11.47%	-7.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.14%	-28.59%	-21.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.55%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.67%	-11.47%	-7.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.86%	-7.70%	-14.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.41%	3.61%	+1.80%

Volatility

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Volatility Comparison

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA.AX) has a higher volatility of 16.03% compared to Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) at 9.15%. This indicates that ASIA.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAE.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASIA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.03%	9.15%	+6.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.65%	16.99%	+13.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.59%	18.42%	+15.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.81%	15.53%	+12.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.27%	14.83%	+11.44%

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASIA.AX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VAE.AX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASIA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Dividend Comparison

ASIA.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, more than VAE.AX's 1.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ASIA.AX BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF	1.65%	0.61%	0.29%	0.05%	1.16%	4.15%	1.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	1.23%	2.29%	3.07%	1.93%	0.73%	0.58%	1.00%	1.83%	2.59%	1.44%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASIA.AX and VAE.AX in my portfolio?

ASIA.AX and VAE.AX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ASIA.AX or VAE.AX?

On fees, VAE.AX is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASIA.AX or VAE.AX?

VAE.AX is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for ASIA.AX.

What is the main difference between ASIA.AX and VAE.AX?

ASIA.AX is categorized as Technology Equities, while VAE.AX is Asia Pacific Equities. ASIA.AX tracks Solactive Asia Ex-Japan Technology & Internet Tigers Index, while VAE.AX tracks FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index. They also come from different issuers: BetaShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for ASIA.AX and 0.40% for VAE.AX.