NBCE vs. CNYA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NBCE (Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF) and CNYA (iShares MSCI China A ETF) are both China Equities funds. NBCE is actively managed, while CNYA is passively managed. Over the past year, NBCE returned 62.96% vs 39.08% for CNYA. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NBCE charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CNYA.

Performance

NBCE vs. CNYA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) 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, NBCE achieves a 25.28% return, which is significantly higher than CNYA's 9.25% return.

NBCE

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: 7.84%
• YTD: 25.28%
• 6M: 29.54%
• 1Y: 62.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CNYA

• 1D: 2.38%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 9.25%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 39.08%
• 3Y*: 10.99%
• 5Y*: -0.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

NBCE vs. CNYA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NBCE Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF	25.28%	39.08%	3.35%	-2.22%
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	9.25%	26.48%	10.78%	-2.61%

Correlation

The correlation between NBCE and CNYA is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2023	0.90

The correlation between NBCE and CNYA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

NBCE vs. CNYA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NBCE	CNYA
Technology	28.7%	30.0%
Industrials	17.3%	18.3%
Financial Services	15.2%	17.0%
Basic Materials	13.7%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	6.7%
Healthcare	4.6%	3.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.2%
Utilities	1.7%	3.2%
Communication Services	1.2%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.7%

Return for Risk

NBCE vs. CNYA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBCE

NBCE Risk / Return Rank: 91
NBCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NBCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
NBCE Omega Ratio Rank: 90
NBCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NBCE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

CNYA

CNYA Risk / Return Rank: 73
CNYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
CNYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
CNYA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
CNYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CNYA Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

NBCE vs. CNYA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) 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.

	NBCE	CNYA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.41	2.27	+1.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.34	3.10	+1.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.40	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.84	5.18	+1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.99	15.37	+7.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NBCE vs. CNYA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBCE Sharpe Ratio is 3.41, which is higher than the CNYA Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBCE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NBCE	CNYA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.41	2.27	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.28	+0.73

Drawdowns

NBCE vs. CNYA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBCE drawdown since its inception was -28.42%, smaller than the maximum CNYA drawdown of -49.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBCE and CNYA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBCE	CNYA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.42%	-49.49%	+21.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.23%	-7.59%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-33.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-44.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-13.45%	+12.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.15%	-20.69%	+11.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	2.56%	+0.19%

Volatility

NBCE vs. CNYA - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) has a higher volatility of 7.21% compared to iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA) at 6.44%. This indicates that NBCE'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

	NBCE	CNYA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.21%	6.44%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	12.32%	+1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.58%	17.32%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.06%	23.81%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.06%	23.56%	+0.50%

NBCE vs. CNYA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBCE has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than CNYA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBCE vs. CNYA - Dividend Comparison

NBCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than CNYA's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	1.75%	1.92%	2.51%	4.23%	2.69%	1.11%	1.06%	1.21%	3.92%	0.97%	1.38%
NBCE Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF	1.06%	1.32%	1.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBCE and CNYA in my portfolio?

NBCE and CNYA have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBCE or CNYA?

NBCE has higher volatility (7.21%) compared to CNYA (6.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBCE dropped -28.42% vs CNYA's -49.49%.

Which ETF is better, NBCE or CNYA?

On 1-year performance, NBCE leads with 62.96% vs 39.08% for CNYA. On fees, CNYA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CNYA has been the lower-risk option at 6.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NBCE or CNYA?

Over the 1-year period, NBCE has performed better with a 62.96% return vs 39.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NBCE or CNYA?

CNYA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for NBCE.

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

CNYA has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 1.06% for NBCE.

What is the main difference between NBCE and CNYA?

They also come from different issuers: Neuberger Berman and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for NBCE and 0.60% for CNYA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NBCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 2.27), 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.