KBUF vs VTI
KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KBUF or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KBUF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 4 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -17.98% | +13.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | -19.28% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.6% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,536 | $15,715Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2024 to Sep 23, 2026 (2.6 years).
KBUF vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.6 years both funds cover.
KBUF vs VTI Performance
KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KBUF returned -19.28% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, KBUF is down 17.98% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KBUF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.2% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.6% for KBUF and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KBUF charges 0.97% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $3 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KBUF currently yields 8.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in KBUF and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 90.4% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in KBUF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 4 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KBUF and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KBUF or VTI?
KBUF has an expense ratio of 0.97% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KBUF or VTI?
Over the past year KBUF returned -19.28% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KBUF or VTI?
KBUF has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: KBUF -21.6% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both KBUF and VTI?
KBUF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, KBUF or VTI?
KBUF yields 8.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so KBUF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KBUF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.