KDEF vs VXUS
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KDEF or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KDEF 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 | KDEF | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $110M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 21 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -12.70% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -15.30% | +20.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 55.2% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.6% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $19,539Best | $14,370 |
| Fund Family | PLUS ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 5, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2025 to Sep 24, 2026 (1.6 years).
KDEF 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
KDEF vs VXUS Performance
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) is an ETF from PLUS ETF and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KDEF returned -15.30% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, KDEF is down 12.70% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KDEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 55.2% compared with 12.2% 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 -48.6% for KDEF 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KDEF charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KDEF currently yields 5.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.9% of KDEF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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 KDEF is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
12 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in KDEF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 21 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KDEF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12450:KRHanwha Aerospace Co Ltd | 23.27% | 0.05% | 23.22% |
| 64350:KRHyundai Rotem Co Ltd | 7.37% | 0.02% | 7.35% |
| 079550:KRLig Nex1 Co Ltd | 6.73% | 0.01% | 6.72% |
| 47810:KRKorea Aerospace Industries Ltd | 6.72% | 0.01% | 6.71% |
| 103140:KRPoongsan Corp | 6.10% | 0.00% | 6.10% |
| 064960:KRSnt Motiv Co Ltd | 4.48% | 0.00% | 4.48% |
| 100090:KRSam Kang M&t Co Ltd | 4.03% | 0.00% | 4.03% |
| 32820:KRWoori Technology Inc | 3.51% | 0.00% | 3.51% |
| 11210:KRHyundai Wia Corp | 2.97% | 0.00% | 2.97% |
| 042660:KRHANWHA OCEAN CO LTD | 2.93% | 0.02% | 2.91% |
72.9% of KDEF 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, KDEF or VXUS?
KDEF has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KDEF or VXUS?
Over the past year KDEF returned -15.30% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), KDEF annualized +51.99% vs +25.43% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KDEF or VXUS?
KDEF has been the more volatile fund at 55.2% annualized versus 12.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KDEF -48.6% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both KDEF and VXUS?
KDEF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 KDEF and VXUS?
At least 72.9% of KDEF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in KDEF and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KDEF or VXUS?
KDEF yields 5.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so KDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KDEF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KDEF 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.