CAS vs. FXI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CAS (Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF) and FXI (iShares China Large-Cap ETF) are both China Equities funds. CAS is actively managed, while FXI is passively managed. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CAS charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for FXI.

Performance

CAS vs. FXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF (CAS) and iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

CAS

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FXI

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -2.80%
• YTD: -7.36%
• 6M: -8.79%
• 1Y: -0.03%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: -3.22%
• 10Y*: 2.81%

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

CAS vs. FXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
CAS Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF	-1.66%
FXI iShares China Large-Cap ETF	1.37%

Correlation

The correlation between CAS and FXI is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2026	0.20

CAS vs. FXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CAS	FXI
Financial Services	43.4%	34.4%
Basic Materials	-	4.1%
Communication Services	-	12.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	25.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.9%
Energy	-	5.2%
Healthcare	-	2.2%
Industrials	-	3.8%
Real Estate	-	1.1%
Technology	-	9.3%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

CAS vs. FXI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXI

FXI Risk / Return Rank: 9
FXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
FXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
FXI Omega Ratio Rank: 9
FXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
FXI Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

CAS vs. FXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF (CAS) and iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CAS	FXI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	-0.00	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-3.61	0.17	-3.78

Drawdowns

CAS vs. FXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAS drawdown since its inception was -2.59%, smaller than the maximum FXI drawdown of -72.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAS and FXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAS	FXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.59%	-72.68%	+70.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.62%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.72%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-54.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-60.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-27.05%	+25.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.72%	-31.22%	+29.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.28%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CAS	FXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.13%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	14.34%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.83%	19.91%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	31.67%	-10.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.83%	27.66%	-6.83%

CAS vs. FXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAS has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than FXI's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAS vs. FXI - Dividend Comparison

CAS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAS Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FXI iShares China Large-Cap ETF	2.61%	2.42%	1.76%	3.17%	2.61%	1.60%	2.19%	2.74%	2.69%	2.31%	2.69%	2.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAS and FXI in my portfolio?

CAS and FXI have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CAS or FXI?

On fees, FXI is cheaper at 0.74% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CAS or FXI?

FXI is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for CAS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CAS or FXI?

FXI has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 0.00% for CAS.

What is the main difference between CAS and FXI?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for CAS and 0.74% for FXI.