ASIA vs. VPL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ASIA (Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. ASIA is actively managed, while VPL is passively managed. Over the past year, ASIA returned 37.96% vs 38.65% for VPL. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ASIA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

ASIA vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASIA achieves a 18.51% return, which is significantly lower than VPL's 21.47% return.

ASIA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -4.68%
• 6M: 10.28%
• YTD: 18.51%
• 1Y: 37.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.31%

VPL

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -1.92%
• 6M: 11.30%
• YTD: 21.47%
• 1Y: 38.65%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: 9.27%
• 10Y*: 9.50%
• ALL TIME*: 6.52%

*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)
ASIA Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF	$106.79K	$177.13K	$195.99K
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	$39.40M	$44.46M	$59.50M

ASIA vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ASIA Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF	18.51%	32.06%	3.41%	0.01%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	21.47%	32.66%	1.68%	8.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ASIA and VPL is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2023	0.73

The correlation between ASIA and VPL shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.84 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ASIA vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ASIA	VPL
Technology	62.1%	31.6%
Financial Services	15.4%	17.8%
Industrials	7.1%	17.4%
Communication Services	4.6%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	8.8%
Energy	2.4%	1.1%
Healthcare	2.3%	4.3%
Real Estate	1.6%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	3.2%
Basic Materials	1.0%	6.5%
Utilities	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

ASIA vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ASIA

ASIA Risk / Return Rank: 54
ASIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ASIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ASIA Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ASIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ASIA Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 71
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ASIA vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). 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	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.63	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	2.20	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.31	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.91	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	8.80	-2.25

ASIA vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASIA Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASIA and VPL, 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 vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASIA drawdown since its inception was -23.95%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASIA and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASIA	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-55.49%	+31.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.52%	-13.33%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.09%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.51%	-9.04%	-5.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.12%	-11.59%	+6.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.81%	4.40%	+1.41%

Volatility

ASIA vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF (ASIA) has a higher volatility of 9.95% compared to Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) at 9.21%. This indicates that ASIA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASIA	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.95%	9.21%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.02%	21.71%	+3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.46%	23.81%	+3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.24%	18.35%	+3.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.24%	17.73%	+4.51%

ASIA vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASIA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VPL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASIA vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

ASIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than VPL's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASIA Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF	0.88%	1.05%	0.58%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.76%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASIA and VPL in my portfolio?

ASIA and VPL have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VPL?

ASIA has higher volatility (9.95%) compared to VPL (9.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASIA dropped -23.95% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which ETF is better, ASIA or VPL?

On 1-year performance, VPL leads with 38.65% vs 37.96% for ASIA. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VPL has been the lower-risk option at 9.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ASIA or VPL?

Over the 1-year period, VPL has performed better with a 38.65% return vs 37.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASIA or VPL?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ASIA.

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

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 0.88% for ASIA.

What is the main difference between ASIA and VPL?

They also come from different issuers: Matthews and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ASIA and 0.08% for VPL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.39), 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.