PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ECNS vs. CNXT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ECNS vs. CNXT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ECNS (iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF) and CNXT (VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ECNS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI China Small Cap Index, while CNXT is a China Equities fund tracking the SME-ChiNext 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ECNS returned 1.55%/yr vs 7.44%/yr for CNXT. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECNS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for CNXT.

Performance

ECNS vs. CNXT - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECNS achieves a -9.88% return, which is significantly lower than CNXT's 36.42% return. Over the past 10 years, ECNS has underperformed CNXT with an annualized return of 1.55%, while CNXT has yielded a comparatively higher 7.44% annualized return.

ECNS

1D
-1.92%
1M
-6.71%
YTD
-9.88%
6M
-11.17%
1Y
1.85%
3Y*
6.91%
5Y*
-8.08%
10Y*
1.55%

CNXT

1D
-4.05%
1M
7.53%
YTD
36.42%
6M
34.79%
1Y
122.39%
3Y*
28.78%
5Y*
4.73%
10Y*
7.44%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ECNS vs. CNXT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ECNS
iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF		-9.88%36.49%5.64%-23.05%-24.58%2.11%25.42%7.84%-18.27%27.55%
CNXT
VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF		36.42%59.31%12.42%-21.47%-35.58%8.78%63.30%42.66%-39.48%20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between ECNS and CNXT is 0.59, 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

0.59

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.66

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.63

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2014

0.61

The correlation between ECNS and CNXT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

ECNS vs. CNXT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ECNS
CNXT

Healthcare

19.9%
3.8%

Industrials

18.0%
42.4%

Technology

12.6%
39.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
0.7%

Real Estate

8.7%

-

Basic Materials

8.4%
4.7%

Communication Services

6.5%
1.0%

Financial Services

4.6%
3.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
1.4%

Energy

3.2%

-

Utilities

2.4%

-

Healthcare

ECNS
19.9%
CNXT
3.8%

Industrials

ECNS
18.0%
CNXT
42.4%

Technology

ECNS
12.6%
CNXT
39.9%

Consumer Cyclical

ECNS
9.3%
CNXT
0.7%

Real Estate

ECNS
8.7%
CNXT

-

Basic Materials

ECNS
8.4%
CNXT
4.7%

Communication Services

ECNS
6.5%
CNXT
1.0%

Financial Services

ECNS
4.6%
CNXT
3.4%

Consumer Defensive

ECNS
4.2%
CNXT
1.4%

Energy

ECNS
3.2%
CNXT

-

Utilities

ECNS
2.4%
CNXT

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF

Often compared with ECNS:
ECNS vs. ASHSECNS vs. MCHIECNS vs. DFAEECNS vs. CQQQECNS vs. FLCHECNS vs. EWTECNS vs. SCHF
Often compared with CNXT:
CNXT vs. KSTRCNXT vs. CXSECNXT vs. FXICNXT vs. VOOCNXT vs. CWEBCNXT vs. YINNCNXT vs. CHIQ

Return for Risk

ECNS vs. CNXT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ECNS
ECNS Risk / Return Rank: 1010
Overall Rank
ECNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1010
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ECNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
Sortino Ratio Rank
ECNS Omega Ratio Rank: 1010
Omega Ratio Rank
ECNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
Calmar Ratio Rank
ECNS Martin Ratio Rank: 99
Martin Ratio Rank
CNXT
CNXT Risk / Return Rank: 9494
Overall Rank
CNXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CNXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
CNXT Omega Ratio Rank: 9090
Omega Ratio Rank
CNXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
CNXT Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ECNS vs. CNXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

ECNSCNXTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.09
3.81

-3.72

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.26
4.38

-4.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.03

1.56

-0.52

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.08

10.08

-10.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.18

29.76

-29.58

ECNS vs. CNXT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECNS Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the CNXT Sharpe Ratio of 3.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECNS and CNXT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

ECNS vs. CNXT - Drawdown Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

ECNSCNXTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-63.43%

-68.98%

+5.55%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-22.70%

-12.21%

-10.49%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-31.72%

-48.60%

+16.88%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-59.61%

-61.21%

+1.60%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-63.43%

-63.30%

-0.13%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-41.99%

-4.05%

-37.94%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-29.41%

-42.76%

+13.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

10.24%

4.13%

+6.11%

Volatility

ECNS vs. CNXT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) is 5.69%, while VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) has a volatility of 12.58%. This indicates that ECNS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CNXT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ECNSCNXTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.69%

12.58%

-6.89%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.59%

22.32%

-8.73%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.68%

32.27%

-11.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.44%

35.52%

-6.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.90%

31.77%

-5.87%

ECNS vs. CNXT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ECNS vs. CNXT - Dividend Comparison

ECNS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.53%, more than CNXT's 0.13% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%0.00%
ECNS
iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF		6.53%6.20%5.98%4.89%3.54%4.87%3.59%3.23%6.16%3.18%4.29%3.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

ECNS and CNXT have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

CNXT has higher volatility (12.58%) compared to ECNS (5.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECNS dropped -63.43% vs CNXT's -68.98%.

On 10-year performance, CNXT leads with 7.44% vs 1.55% for ECNS. On fees, ECNS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ECNS has been the lower-risk option at 5.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, CNXT has performed better with a 7.44% return vs 1.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ECNS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for CNXT.

ECNS has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 0.13% for CNXT.

ECNS is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while CNXT is China Equities. ECNS tracks MSCI China Small Cap Index, while CNXT tracks SME-ChiNext 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for ECNS and 0.65% for CNXT.

CNXT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.81 vs 0.09), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ECNS and CNXT

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer