ASCI: abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF
ETF Education Report: abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI)
What this ETF is trying to do
The abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ticker: ASCI) is an exchange-traded fund that focuses on small companies located outside of the United States. Because it is an "active" ETF, managers are involved in making decisions about which companies to include.
What the numbers show
As of October 6, 2026, the current price of one share is $37.20.
When looking at how the fund has performed this year, we look at two different numbers:
• Year-to-Date (YTD) Price Return: This measures only the change in the share price. The YTD price return is approximately 7.86%.
• Year-to-Date (YTD) Total Return: This measures the share price change plus any distributions. The YTD total return is also approximately 7.86%.
Please note that data for one-year and three-year returns was not supplied.
Top Holdings
This ETF holds a total of 54 different companies. The list below shows the Top Holdings (the largest companies in the fund). Please remember that holdings can change over time.
• Diploma PLC: 4.98%
• Asics Corp: 3.66%
• Hill & Smith PLC: 3.55%
• Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co Ltd: 3.48%
• Welspun Corp Ltd: 3.44%
• Misumi Group Inc: 3.35%
• Als Ltd: 3.17%
• SSC Government MM GVMXX: 3.11%
• Fagron SA: 3.09%
• Sinbon Electronics Co Ltd: 2.93%
Income and distribution explanation
Some investors look for ETFs that pay out cash, known as distributions. This ETF has a distribution yield of approximately 0.74%. The trailing distributions were $0.2763.
The distribution frequency for this ETF is described as "irregular" or "less frequent," with only one payout recorded in the last 12 months. It is important to remember that a distribution yield tells you how much cash was paid out relative to the price, but it is not the same thing as your total return.
NAV erosion explanation
"NAV erosion" refers to a decline in the Net Asset Value (the actual value of the assets held by the fund). While a falling share price can sometimes be related to erosion, they are not the same thing. For this ETF, there is no severe erosion-risk flag present. The erosion score was not provided due to insufficient verified price history.
Pros
• The fund has shown a positive YTD total return of approximately 7.86%.
• It provides exposure to international small-cap companies.
Cons
• The distribution frequency is irregular.
• Total return data for longer periods (one year or three years) was not supplied.
Beginner takeaway
ASCI is an international small-cap fund that has seen positive price movement so far this year. While it does pay distributions, the yield is relatively low and the payments do not happen on a regular schedule. Always remember to look at both price changes and distributions when studying an ETF.
Top Holdings
Structured portfolio holdings supplied by the ETF data provider. These figures are not generated by the AI article.
| # | Holding | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIPLOMA PLC | n/a | 4.98% |
| 2 | ASICS CORP | n/a | 3.66% |
| 3 | HILL & SMITH PLC | n/a | 3.55% |
| 4 | JAPAN ELEVATOR SERVICE HOLDINGS CO LTD | n/a | 3.48% |
| 5 | WELSPUN CORP LTD | n/a | 3.44% |
| 6 | MISUMI GROUP INC | n/a | 3.35% |
| 7 | ALS LTD | n/a | 3.17% |
| 8 | SSC GOVERNMENT MM GVMXX | n/a | 3.11% |
| 9 | FAGRON SA | n/a | 3.09% |
| 10 | SINBON ELECTRONICS CO LTD | n/a | 2.93% |