Is ASIA a good ETF?
ASIA is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF from BetaShares. It tracks the Solactive Asia ex-Japan Technology & Internet Tigers Index. We classify it under Asia and Tech. With about $1.33 billion in assets it is a large, highly liquid fund.
On a total-return basis, ASIA has delivered 15.05% a year over 5 years (ranked 14th of 188 ETFs we track), 37.25% a year over 3 years (ranked 2nd of 226 ETFs we track), and 63.39% a year over 1 year (ranked 6th of 308 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 3 years, where it sits in the top 1% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.67% is on the higher side. For comparison, similar ETFs average around 0.53%. If cost is your priority, IAA (0.29%) and TECH (0.45%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a moderate 1.94% yield.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been high (annualised standard deviation around 27.91%), meaning a bumpy ride with deep drawdowns. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.52 is reasonable — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Strengths
- Top-1% returns over 3 years (2nd of 226 ETFs we track).
Things to watch
- Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.53%.
- Cheaper alternatives exist: IAA and TECH.
- High volatility (27.91% over 5 years) — expect deep drawdowns.
What ASIA's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Equities across Asian markets (often ex-Japan, frequently weighted to China, India, Taiwan and Korea). Exposure to faster-growing economies, with extra political, currency and governance risk.
- Market regime
- Tends to lead during global risk-on phases and when the US dollar is weak; lags badly in risk-off, flight-to-safety episodes.
- In a portfolio
- Best used as a satellite position to add growth and diversification, not as a core holding. Long horizon and tolerance for big swings required.
Concentrated in technology and high-growth innovation. The highest long-run growth potential on offer, paired with the deepest drawdowns.
- Market regime
- Very sensitive to interest rates and sentiment: powers ahead when money is cheap and optimism is high, and falls hardest when rates rise or risk appetite sours. Low dividends, high volatility.
- In a portfolio
- A long-horizon, high-conviction holding for investors with a strong stomach. Size the position so a 40-50% drawdown wouldn't derail your plan.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.