KNGZ vs VXUS
First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KNGZ or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KNGZ led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y.
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 | KNGZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $67M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.43% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 198 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.29%Best | +13.03% |
| 1Y Return | +22.57%Best | +20.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.49% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.61%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,557Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 14, 2026 (9.2 years).
KNGZ 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
KNGZ vs VXUS Performance
First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF (KNGZ) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KNGZ returned +22.57% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, KNGZ is up 19.29% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, KNGZ compounded at +17.49% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.61% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, KNGZ has the edge at +10.21% annualized vs +7.59%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KNGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 15.4% 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 -37.5% for KNGZ and -39.9% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KNGZ charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KNGZ currently yields 2.43% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of KNGZ'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in KNGZ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 198 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KNGZ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.70% | 0.05% | 0.65% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KNGZ and VXUS 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, KNGZ or VXUS?
KNGZ has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KNGZ or VXUS?
Over the past year KNGZ returned +22.57% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so KNGZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), KNGZ annualized +10.21% vs +7.59% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KNGZ or VXUS?
KNGZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KNGZ -37.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both KNGZ and VXUS?
KNGZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, KNGZ or VXUS?
KNGZ yields 2.43% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KNGZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KNGZ led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.