CNXT vs. CNYA

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

CNXT (VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF) and CNYA (iShares MSCI China A ETF) are both China Equities funds - CNXT tracks the SME-ChiNext 100 Index while CNYA tracks the MSCI China A Inclusion Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CNXT returned 7.66%/yr vs 6.74%/yr for CNYA. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CNXT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CNYA.

Performance

CNXT vs. CNYA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) and iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CNXT achieves a 41.99% return, which is significantly higher than CNYA's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, CNXT has outperformed CNYA with an annualized return of 7.66%, while CNYA has yielded a comparatively lower 6.74% annualized return.

CNXT

• 1D: 3.88%
• 1M: 8.35%
• YTD: 41.99%
• 6M: 39.66%
• 1Y: 119.78%
• 3Y*: 30.77%
• 5Y*: 5.14%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

CNYA

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 35.33%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: -0.39%
• 10Y*: 6.74%

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

CNXT vs. CNYA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	41.99%	59.31%	12.42%	-21.47%	-35.58%	8.78%	63.30%	42.66%	-39.48%	20.19%
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	10.91%	26.48%	10.78%	-13.76%	-26.51%	3.53%	41.54%	35.95%	-26.56%	30.99%

Correlation

The correlation between CNXT and CNYA is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2016	0.84

The correlation between CNXT and CNYA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

CNXT vs. CNYA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CNXT	CNYA
Industrials	42.4%	15.4%
Technology	39.9%	31.7%
Basic Materials	4.7%	11.2%
Healthcare	3.8%	3.9%
Financial Services	3.4%	17.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	6.8%
Communication Services	1.0%	1.3%
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	5.2%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

CNXT vs. CNYA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CNXT

CNXT Risk / Return Rank: 95
CNXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
CNXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
CNXT Omega Ratio Rank: 93
CNXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
CNXT Martin Ratio Rank: 96

CNYA

CNYA Risk / Return Rank: 74
CNYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
CNYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
CNYA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
CNYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CNYA Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

CNXT vs. CNYA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) and iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA). 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.

	CNXT	CNYA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.73	1.94	+1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	2.66	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.35	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.87	4.68	+5.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.07	12.82	+16.25

CNXT vs. CNYA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CNXT Sharpe Ratio is 3.73, which is higher than the CNYA Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CNXT and CNYA, 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

CNXT vs. CNYA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CNXT drawdown since its inception was -68.98%, which is greater than CNYA's maximum drawdown of -49.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNXT and CNYA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CNXT	CNYA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.98%	-49.49%	-19.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.21%	-7.59%	-4.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.60%	-33.35%	-15.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.21%	-44.65%	-16.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.30%	-49.49%	-13.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-12.14%	+12.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.74%	-20.64%	-22.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	2.76%	+1.38%

Volatility

CNXT vs. CNYA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) has a higher volatility of 12.73% compared to iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA) at 7.38%. This indicates that CNXT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CNYA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CNXT	CNYA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.73%	7.38%	+5.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.50%	13.62%	+8.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.39%	18.33%	+14.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.55%	23.92%	+11.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.78%	23.52%	+8.26%

CNXT vs. CNYA - Expense Ratio Comparison

CNXT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than CNYA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CNXT vs. CNYA - Dividend Comparison

CNXT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than CNYA's 1.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	0.13%	0.18%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	9.22%	0.01%	0.45%	0.00%	0.19%	0.00%
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	1.69%	1.92%	2.51%	4.23%	2.69%	1.11%	1.06%	1.21%	3.92%	0.97%	1.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CNXT and CNYA in my portfolio?

CNXT and CNYA have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CNXT or CNYA?

CNXT has higher volatility (12.73%) compared to CNYA (7.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CNXT dropped -68.98% vs CNYA's -49.49%.

Which ETF is better, CNXT or CNYA?

On 10-year performance, CNXT leads with 7.66% vs 6.74% for CNYA. On fees, CNYA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CNYA has been the lower-risk option at 7.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CNXT or CNYA?

Over the 10-year period, CNXT has performed better with a 7.66% return vs 6.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CNXT or CNYA?

CNYA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for CNXT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CNXT or CNYA?

CNYA has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.13% for CNXT.

What is the main difference between CNXT and CNYA?

CNXT tracks SME-ChiNext 100 Index, while CNYA tracks MSCI China A Inclusion Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for CNXT and 0.60% for CNYA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CNXT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.73 vs 1.94), 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.