KCAI vs VXUS
KraneShares China Alpha Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KCAI or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KCAI led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | KCAI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 32.81% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 42 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.46% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.36% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 11.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.6% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $18,187Best | $14,843 |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 28, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 28, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2 years).
KCAI vs VXUS 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 years both funds cover.
KCAI vs VXUS Performance
KraneShares China Alpha Index ETF (KCAI) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KCAI returned +25.36% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, KCAI is up 7.46% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KCAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 11.7% for VXUS. 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 -26.6% for KCAI and -13.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.31. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KCAI charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KCAI currently yields 32.81% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.3% of KCAI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of KCAI is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
34 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in KCAI and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 42 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KCAI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300394:SHSuzhou Tfc Optical Communication Co. Ltd. Class A | 3.48% | 0.01% | 3.47% |
| 002463:SHWus Printed Circuit Kunshan Co | 3.40% | 0.01% | 3.39% |
| 600160:SHZhejiang Juhua Co. Ltd. Class A | 3.12% | 0.00% | 3.12% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial And Commercial Bank Of China Ltd Class H | 2.95% | 0.15% | 2.80% |
| 300502:SHEoptolink Technology Inc. Ltd. Class A | 3.07% | 0.02% | 3.05% |
| 601939:SHChina Construction Bank Corp. Class A | 3.04% | 0.00% | 3.04% |
| 601077:SHChongqing Rural Commercial Bank Co Ltd | 3.03% | 0.00% | 3.03% |
| 600919:SHBank of Jiangsu Co. Ltd. Class A | 3.01% | 0.00% | 3.01% |
| 601988:SHBank Of China Ltd | 3.00% | 0.01% | 2.99% |
| 601211:SHGuotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd. Class A | 2.97% | 0.00% | 2.97% |
87.3% of KCAI is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KCAI or VXUS?
KCAI has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KCAI or VXUS?
Over the past year KCAI returned +25.36% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), KCAI annualized +34.86% vs +21.83% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KCAI or VXUS?
KCAI has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 11.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KCAI -26.6% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both KCAI and VXUS?
KCAI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.31, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between KCAI and VXUS?
At least 87.3% of KCAI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 34 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in KCAI and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KCAI or VXUS?
KCAI yields 32.81% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so KCAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KCAI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KCAI led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.