ASIA vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASIA (Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. ASIA is actively managed, while EWY is passively managed. Over the past year, ASIA returned 66.09% vs 251.82% for EWY. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ASIA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

ASIA vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) 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, ASIA achieves a 33.47% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 119.05% return.

ASIA

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 11.70%
• YTD: 33.47%
• 6M: 38.00%
• 1Y: 66.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

ASIA vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ASIA Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF	33.47%	32.06%	3.41%	0.01%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	119.05%	95.33%	-20.48%	10.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ASIA and EWY is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2023	0.74

The correlation between ASIA and EWY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ASIA vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ASIA	EWY
Technology	46.6%	52.4%
Financial Services	17.6%	9.6%
Industrials	11.6%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	5.7%
Communication Services	5.1%	2.9%
Healthcare	4.0%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.9%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	2.0%
Energy	2.1%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	1.7%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

ASIA vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASIA

ASIA Risk / Return Rank: 86
ASIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
ASIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ASIA Omega Ratio Rank: 88
ASIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
ASIA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

ASIA vs. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) 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.

	ASIA	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.08	6.02	-2.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	5.31	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.74	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	10.99	-6.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.09	40.91	-23.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASIA vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASIA Sharpe Ratio is 3.08, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 6.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASIA 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

	ASIA	EWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08	6.02	-2.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	0.33	+0.91

Drawdowns

ASIA vs. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASIA drawdown since its inception was -23.95%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASIA and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASIA	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-74.14%	+50.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.47%	-23.08%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-48.55%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.35%	-1.73%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.85%	-20.13%	+15.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	6.19%	-2.31%

Volatility

ASIA vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) is 9.93%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 20.32%. This indicates that ASIA 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

	ASIA	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.93%	20.32%	-10.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.57%	37.41%	-18.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.56%	42.10%	-20.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	28.83%	-8.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	27.37%	-7.13%

ASIA vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASIA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASIA vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

ASIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than EWY's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASIA Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF	0.78%	1.05%	0.58%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 ASIA and EWY in my portfolio?

ASIA and EWY have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASIA or EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (20.32%) compared to ASIA (9.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASIA dropped -23.95% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, ASIA or EWY?

On 1-year performance, EWY leads with 251.82% vs 66.09% for ASIA. On fees, EWY is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ASIA has been the lower-risk option at 9.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASIA or EWY?

Over the 1-year period, EWY has performed better with a 251.82% return vs 66.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASIA or EWY?

EWY is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ASIA.

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

EWY has the higher dividend yield at 0.96%, compared with 0.78% for ASIA.

What is the main difference between ASIA and EWY?

They also come from different issuers: Matthews and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ASIA and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.02 vs 3.08), 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.