VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

VAPX.AS (Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF) and ICHN.AS (iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAPX.AS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD, while ICHN.AS is a China Equities fund tracking the MSCI China NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VAPX.AS returned 10.86%/yr vs -3.93%/yr for ICHN.AS. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VAPX.AS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for ICHN.AS.

Performance

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a €10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF (VAPX.AS) and iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF (ICHN.AS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VAPX.AS is traded in EUR, while ICHN.AS is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the ICHN.AS values have been converted to EUR using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAPX.AS achieves a 36.92% return, which is significantly higher than ICHN.AS's -6.76% return.

VAPX.AS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -13.69%
• 6M: 28.15%
• YTD: 36.92%
• 1Y: 56.22%
• 3Y*: 21.48%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: 10.16%
• ALL TIME*: 6.43%

ICHN.AS

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 2.65%
• 6M: -9.58%
• YTD: -6.76%
• 1Y: -2.26%
• 3Y*: 8.18%
• 5Y*: -3.93%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.84%

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

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VAPX.AS Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF	36.92%	24.75%	0.85%	6.28%	-6.99%	9.27%	9.10%	4.80%
ICHN.AS iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF	-6.76%	16.06%	26.03%	-14.15%	-17.72%	-16.22%	18.94%	10.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2019	0.58

The correlation between VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAPX.AS

VAPX.AS Risk / Return Rank: 84
VAPX.AS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VAPX.AS Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VAPX.AS Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VAPX.AS Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VAPX.AS Martin Ratio Rank: 83

ICHN.AS

ICHN.AS Risk / Return Rank: 8
ICHN.AS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
ICHN.AS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
ICHN.AS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
ICHN.AS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
ICHN.AS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF (VAPX.AS) and iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF (ICHN.AS). 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.

	VAPX.AS	ICHN.AS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	-0.11	+2.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	-0.01	+2.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.00	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	-0.11	+3.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.14	-0.22	+12.36

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAPX.AS Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the ICHN.AS Sharpe Ratio of -0.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAPX.AS drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, smaller than the maximum ICHN.AS drawdown of -55.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAPX.AS	ICHN.AS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-55.93%	+18.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.17%	-20.58%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.60%	-24.49%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.60%	-44.10%	+24.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.44%	-32.91%	+18.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-28.71%	+19.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.62%	10.15%	-5.53%

Volatility

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF (VAPX.AS) has a higher volatility of 12.75% compared to iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF (ICHN.AS) at 6.57%. This indicates that VAPX.AS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICHN.AS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAPX.AS	ICHN.AS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.75%	6.57%	+6.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.12%	14.91%	+9.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.01%	20.46%	+5.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	27.93%	-9.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	27.11%	-8.77%

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAPX.AS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ICHN.AS's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAPX.AS vs. ICHN.AS - Dividend Comparison

VAPX.AS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, while ICHN.AS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICHN.AS iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAPX.AS Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF	2.03%	2.75%	3.42%	3.54%	4.46%	3.45%	2.06%	3.31%	3.57%	3.16%	2.85%	3.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS in my portfolio?

VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VAPX.AS or ICHN.AS?

On fees, VAPX.AS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VAPX.AS or ICHN.AS?

VAPX.AS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for ICHN.AS.

What is the main difference between VAPX.AS and ICHN.AS?

VAPX.AS is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while ICHN.AS is China Equities. VAPX.AS tracks MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD, while ICHN.AS tracks MSCI China NR USD. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VAPX.AS and 0.40% for ICHN.AS.