KEMX vs VYM
KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KEMX or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KEMX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $134M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.66% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 295 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +38.39%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +65.56%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.29%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.64%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,952Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.4 years).
KEMX 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 7.4 years both funds cover.
KEMX vs VYM Performance
KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (KEMX) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KEMX returned +65.56% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, KEMX is up 38.39% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, KEMX compounded at +29.29% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.64% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, KEMX has the edge at +13.68% annualized vs +11.26%.
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 15.3% 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 -38.8% for KEMX and -35.7% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KEMX charges 0.24% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $4 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KEMX currently yields 2.66% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.0% of KEMX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings KEMX also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 282 positions we hold weights for in KEMX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 295 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KEMX (97.1% of the fund), and 2 for KEMX that do not appear in VYM (0.8%).
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 KEMX 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, KEMX or VYM?
KEMX has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KEMX or VYM?
Over the past year KEMX returned +65.56% vs +20.84% for VYM, so KEMX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), KEMX annualized +13.68% vs +11.26% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KEMX or VYM?
KEMX has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KEMX -38.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both KEMX and VYM?
KEMX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 VYM?
KEMX yields 2.66% while VYM yields 2.24%, so KEMX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KEMX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KEMX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.