KEM vs VTI
KraneShares Dynamic Emerging Markets Strategy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KEM or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | KEM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.56% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 3 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $10,994 | $13,599Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 500 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. KEM has data through May 20, 2025 and VTI through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2023 to May 20, 2025 (1.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.5% for KEM. 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 -25.7% for KEM 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KEM charges 0.47% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $3 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KEM currently yields 2.56% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KEM 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, KEM or VTI?
KEM has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, KEM or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.5% for KEM. Worst drawdown: KEM -25.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both KEM and VTI?
KEM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, KEM or VTI?
KEM yields 2.56% while VTI yields 1.03%, so KEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KEM?
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.