ECH vs. AIA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECH (iShares MSCI Chile ETF) and AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ECH is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index, while AIA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P Asia 50. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ECH returned 4.25%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for AIA. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECH charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AIA.

Performance

ECH vs. AIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECH achieves a -1.19% return, which is significantly lower than AIA's 52.67% return. Over the past 10 years, ECH has underperformed AIA with an annualized return of 4.25%, while AIA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.48% annualized return.

ECH

• 1D: -1.65%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: -1.19%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 29.60%
• 3Y*: 14.12%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: 4.25%

AIA

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 18.04%
• YTD: 52.67%
• 6M: 57.46%
• 1Y: 100.69%
• 3Y*: 38.58%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

ECH vs. AIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ECH iShares MSCI Chile ETF	-1.19%	65.41%	-8.67%	9.01%	25.12%	-19.80%	-7.13%	-17.79%	-18.98%	41.79%
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	52.67%	47.79%	20.26%	4.32%	-24.08%	-10.91%	33.73%	22.21%	-14.22%	45.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ECH and AIA is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2007	0.54

The correlation between ECH and AIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

ECH vs. AIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECH	AIA
Financial Services	24.6%	19.3%
Basic Materials	21.0%	-
Industrials	14.4%	2.6%
Utilities	12.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.1%
Real Estate	9.2%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	-
Communication Services	1.6%	8.9%
Energy	-	0.7%
Healthcare	-	0.9%
Technology	-	56.8%

Return for Risk

ECH vs. AIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECH

ECH Risk / Return Rank: 30
ECH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ECH Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ECH Omega Ratio Rank: 31
ECH Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ECH Martin Ratio Rank: 27

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 93
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

ECH vs. AIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). 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.

	ECH	AIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	3.94	-2.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	4.57	-2.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.64	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	7.16	-5.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	26.55	-22.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECH vs. AIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECH Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the AIA Sharpe Ratio of 3.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECH and AIA, 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

	ECH	AIA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	3.94	-2.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.49	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.66	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.32	-0.27

Drawdowns

ECH vs. AIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECH drawdown since its inception was -74.08%, which is greater than AIA's maximum drawdown of -60.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECH and AIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECH	AIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.08%	-60.89%	-13.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.65%	-14.15%	-5.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.59%	-21.64%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.06%	-50.17%	+24.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.89%	-54.64%	-12.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.58%	-1.19%	-25.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.52%	-16.68%	-20.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.76%	3.81%	+3.95%

Volatility

ECH vs. AIA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH) is 7.72%, while iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) has a volatility of 11.22%. This indicates that ECH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECH	AIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.72%	11.22%	-3.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.29%	21.71%	-1.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.85%	25.70%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.51%	25.51%	+2.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.21%	23.55%	+3.66%

ECH vs. AIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECH has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than AIA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECH vs. AIA - Dividend Comparison

ECH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, more than AIA's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.64%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%
ECH iShares MSCI Chile ETF	2.04%	2.01%	3.12%	4.77%	6.73%	5.49%	2.16%	2.47%	2.37%	1.42%	1.85%	2.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECH and AIA in my portfolio?

ECH and AIA have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ECH or AIA?

AIA has higher volatility (11.22%) compared to ECH (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECH dropped -74.08% vs AIA's -60.89%.

Which ETF is better, ECH or AIA?

On 10-year performance, AIA leads with 15.48% vs 4.25% for ECH. On fees, AIA is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ECH has been the lower-risk option at 7.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECH or AIA?

Over the 10-year period, AIA has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 4.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECH or AIA?

AIA is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for ECH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ECH or AIA?

ECH has the higher dividend yield at 2.04%, compared with 1.64% for AIA.

What is the main difference between ECH and AIA?

ECH is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while AIA is Asia Pacific Equities. ECH tracks MSCI Chile Investable Market Index, while AIA tracks S&P Asia 50. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for ECH and 0.50% for AIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.94 vs 1.20), 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.