KF vs VTI
The Korea Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KF or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
KF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | KF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.03% |
| AUM | $317M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 52 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +76.09%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +153.82%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +48.02%Best | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.05%Best | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.6% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,914Best | $17,474 |
| Fund Family | The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 29, 1984 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 4, 2026 (25.3 years).
KF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
KF vs VTI Performance
The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF) is an ETF from The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KF returned +153.82% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, KF is up 76.09% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, KF compounded at +48.02% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +19.05% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, KF has the edge at +20.23% annualized vs +8.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.6% compared with 15.3% 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 -77.0% for KF and -56.6% 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of KF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in KF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 52 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 196170:KRAlteogen Inc | 0.61% | 0.00% | 0.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KF 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 performed better, KF or VTI?
Over the past year KF returned +153.82% vs +20.00% for VTI, so KF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), KF annualized +20.23% vs +8.09% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KF or VTI?
KF has been the more volatile fund at 40.6% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: KF -77.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both KF and VTI?
KF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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, KF or VTI?
KF yields 2.02% while VTI yields 1.07%, so KF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KF?
KF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.