KEMX vs VTI
KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KEMX or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. KEMX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%.
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 | KEMX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $135M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 295 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +33.16%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +49.85%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.51%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.17%Best | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 17.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,563Best | $17,249 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2019 to Sep 16, 2026 (7.4 years).
KEMX 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 7.4 years both funds cover.
KEMX vs VTI Performance
KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (KEMX) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KEMX returned +49.85% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, KEMX is up 33.16% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, KEMX compounded at +27.51% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.17% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.28% annualized vs +13.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KEMX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 17.0% 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 -38.8% for KEMX and -35.0% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KEMX charges 0.24% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $3 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KEMX currently yields 2.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of KEMX's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 276 positions we hold weights for in KEMX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 295 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,149 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for KEMX (97.4% of the fund), and 12 for KEMX that do not appear in VTI (2.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KEMX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KEMX 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, KEMX or VTI?
KEMX has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KEMX or VTI?
Over the past year KEMX returned +49.85% vs +15.41% for VTI, so KEMX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), KEMX annualized +13.03% vs +14.28% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KEMX or VTI?
KEMX has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 17.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: KEMX -38.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both KEMX and VTI?
KEMX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, KEMX or VTI?
KEMX yields 2.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so KEMX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KEMX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. KEMX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.