CNXT vs. ECNS

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) and iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS).

CNXT and ECNS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. CNXT is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the SME-ChiNext 100 Index. It was launched on Jul 24, 2014. ECNS is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI China Small Cap Index. It was launched on Sep 28, 2010. Both CNXT and ECNS are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

CNXT vs. ECNS - 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 Small-Cap ETF (ECNS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CNXT vs. ECNS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	3.20%	59.31%	12.42%	-21.47%	-35.58%	8.78%	63.30%	42.66%	-39.48%	20.19%
ECNS iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF	1.03%	36.49%	5.64%	-23.05%	-24.58%	2.11%	25.42%	7.84%	-18.27%	27.55%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CNXT achieves a 3.20% return, which is significantly higher than ECNS's 1.03% return. Over the past 10 years, CNXT has outperformed ECNS with an annualized return of 3.87%, while ECNS has yielded a comparatively lower 2.41% annualized return.

CNXT

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -2.00%
• YTD: 3.20%
• 6M: 2.49%
• 1Y: 65.33%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 1.47%
• 10Y*: 3.87%

ECNS

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -6.73%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: -12.80%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 5.23%
• 5Y*: -5.25%
• 10Y*: 2.41%

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

CNXT vs. ECNS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CNXT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ECNS's 0.59% expense ratio.

CNXT

VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF

ECNS

iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

CNXT vs. ECNS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CNXT

CNXT Risk / Return Rank: 90
CNXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
CNXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
CNXT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
CNXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
CNXT Martin Ratio Rank: 92

ECNS

ECNS Risk / Return Rank: 51
ECNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
ECNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
ECNS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ECNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ECNS Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. ECNS - 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 Small-Cap ETF (ECNS). 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.

	CNXT	ECNS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.02	+1.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	1.42	+1.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.21	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	1.59	+2.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.62	3.54	+10.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CNXT vs. ECNS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CNXT Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the ECNS Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CNXT and ECNS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CNXT	ECNS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	1.02	+1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	-0.18	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.09	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.04	+0.13

Correlation

The correlation between CNXT and ECNS is 0.61, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

CNXT vs. ECNS - Dividend Comparison

CNXT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than ECNS's 6.14% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	0.17%	0.18%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	9.22%	0.01%	0.45%	0.00%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%
ECNS iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF	6.14%	6.20%	5.98%	4.89%	3.54%	4.87%	3.59%	3.23%	6.16%	3.18%	4.29%	3.58%

Drawdowns

CNXT vs. ECNS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CNXT drawdown since its inception was -68.98%, which is greater than ECNS's maximum drawdown of -63.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNXT and ECNS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CNXT	ECNS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.98%	-63.43%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.35%	-16.93%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.21%	-59.61%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.30%	-63.43%	+0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.37%	-34.96%	+10.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.41%	-29.33%	-14.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	7.63%	-2.90%

Volatility

CNXT vs. ECNS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) has a higher volatility of 7.46% compared to iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) at 5.98%. This indicates that CNXT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ECNS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CNXT	ECNS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.46%	5.98%	+1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.80%	15.21%	+4.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.89%	25.26%	+6.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.92%	29.43%	+5.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.54%	26.05%	+5.49%