FLCH vs. EZA
FLCH (Franklin FTSE China ETF) and EZA (iShares MSCI South Africa ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLCH is a China Equities fund tracking the FTSE China RIC Capped Index, while EZA is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI South Africa Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLCH returned -5.07%/yr vs 9.50%/yr for EZA. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLCH charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EZA.
Performance
FLCH vs. EZA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FLCH achieves a -8.28% return, which is significantly lower than EZA's -2.81% return.
FLCH
- 1D
- 0.83%
- 1M
- -6.11%
- YTD
- -8.28%
- 6M
- -9.10%
- 1Y
- 3.67%
- 3Y*
- 9.03%
- 5Y*
- -5.07%
- 10Y*
- —
EZA
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- -5.12%
- YTD
- -2.81%
- 6M
- 2.77%
- 1Y
- 33.90%
- 3Y*
- 23.45%
- 5Y*
- 9.50%
- 10Y*
- 8.12%
FLCH vs. EZA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF | -8.28% | 32.55% | 18.00% | -11.21% | -22.74% | -20.87% | 30.09% | 24.32% | -19.52% | 1.51% |
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF | -2.81% | 75.20% | 7.16% | 1.51% | -5.18% | 7.91% | -5.19% | 9.83% | -25.24% | 18.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between FLCH and EZA is 0.53, 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 | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017 | 0.60 |
The correlation between FLCH and EZA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.
FLCH vs. EZA - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FLCH
EZA
Consumer Cyclical
Financial Services
Communication Services
Technology
-
Industrials
Basic Materials
Healthcare
Energy
-
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
-
Real Estate
Consumer Cyclical
FLCH
EZA
Financial Services
FLCH
EZA
Communication Services
FLCH
EZA
Technology
FLCH
EZA
-
Industrials
FLCH
EZA
Basic Materials
FLCH
EZA
Healthcare
FLCH
EZA
Energy
FLCH
EZA
-
Consumer Defensive
FLCH
EZA
Utilities
FLCH
EZA
-
Real Estate
FLCH
EZA
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Return for Risk
FLCH vs. EZA — Risk / Return Rank
FLCH
EZA
FLCH vs. EZA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) and iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA). 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.
| FLCH | EZA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.85 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.03 | 1.18 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.12 | 1.31 | -1.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.25 | 3.41 | -3.16 |
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Drawdowns
FLCH vs. EZA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FLCH drawdown since its inception was -62.09%, roughly equal to the maximum EZA drawdown of -64.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLCH and EZA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FLCH | EZA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.09% | -64.64% | +2.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.14% | -23.31% | +6.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.43% | -23.31% | -2.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -55.78% | -34.94% | -20.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -62.25% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -35.34% | -18.05% | -17.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.53% | -16.92% | -13.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.87% | 8.93% | -1.06% |
Volatility
FLCH vs. EZA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) is 5.86%, while iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) has a volatility of 11.34%. This indicates that FLCH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EZA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FLCH | EZA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.86% | 11.34% | -5.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.73% | 27.03% | -13.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.26% | 31.92% | -12.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.60% | 28.86% | +0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.88% | 31.43% | -3.55% |
FLCH vs. EZA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FLCH has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than EZA's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
FLCH vs. EZA - Dividend Comparison
FLCH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, less than EZA's 6.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF | 6.34% | 6.16% | 7.26% | 2.84% | 3.90% | 2.05% | 5.51% | 12.27% | 3.81% | 1.55% | 4.10% | 3.03% |
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF | 2.57% | 2.36% | 2.87% | 3.47% | 2.69% | 1.48% | 0.91% | 1.98% | 1.92% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FLCH and EZA have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EZA has higher volatility (11.34%) compared to FLCH (5.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLCH dropped -62.09% vs EZA's -64.64%.
On 5-year performance, EZA leads with 9.50% vs -5.07% for FLCH. On fees, FLCH is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, FLCH has been the lower-risk option at 5.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, EZA has performed better with a 9.50% return vs -5.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FLCH is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EZA.
EZA has the higher dividend yield at 6.34%, compared with 2.57% for FLCH.
FLCH is categorized as China Equities, while EZA is Emerging Markets Equities. FLCH tracks FTSE China RIC Capped Index, while EZA tracks MSCI South Africa Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLCH and 0.59% for EZA.
EZA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.10), 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.
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