KCAI vs VYM
KraneShares China Alpha Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KCAI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KCAI led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.7%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 32.26% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 42 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.49% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.03%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.6% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $18,090Best | $13,579 |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 28, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 11, 2026 (2 years).
KCAI vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
KraneShares China Alpha Index ETF (KCAI) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KCAI returned +20.03% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, KCAI is up 7.49% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
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 10.2% for VYM. 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 -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.25. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KCAI charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KCAI currently yields 32.26% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 39 holdings in KCAI and 603 in VYM, totalling 99.8% and 99.5% 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 39 positions we hold weights for in KCAI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 42 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KCAI (97.5% of the fund), and 0 for KCAI that do not appear in VYM (0.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KCAI and VYM 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, KCAI or VYM?
KCAI has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KCAI or VYM?
Over the past year KCAI returned +20.03% vs +17.57% for VYM, so KCAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), KCAI annualized +34.50% vs +16.53% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KCAI or VYM?
KCAI has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 10.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KCAI -26.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both KCAI and VYM?
KCAI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, 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, KCAI or VYM?
KCAI yields 32.26% while VYM yields 2.22%, so KCAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KCAI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KCAI led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.