KOKU vs VXUS
Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KOKU or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KOKU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | KOKU | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $816M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 1,124 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.18% | +15.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.99% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.57%Best | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.60%Best | +9.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.8%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,311Best | $15,535 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 8, 2020 to Sep 8, 2026 (6.4 years).
KOKU 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
KOKU vs VXUS Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF (KOKU) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KOKU returned +18.99% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, KOKU is up 12.18% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, KOKU compounded at +20.57% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.60% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, KOKU has the edge at +17.92% annualized vs +14.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KOKU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.7% 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 -25.8% for KOKU and -29.4% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KOKU charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KOKU currently yields 1.43% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 18.1% of KOKU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
KOKU and VXUS share little of their money.
430 positions in common, counted across the 1,105 positions we hold weights for in KOKU and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 1,124 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KOKU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 0.81% | 1.70% | 0.89% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.40% | 0.72% | 0.32% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.35% | 0.64% | 0.29% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.32% | 0.65% | 0.33% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 0.27% | 0.62% | 0.35% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.29% | 0.59% | 0.30% |
| TD:CAToronto-dominion Bank | 0.24% | 0.45% | 0.21% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.24% | 0.45% | 0.21% |
| ROG:SMRoche Holding Ag - Participation | 0.02% | 0.64% | 0.62% |
| CBA:AUPembina Pipeline Corp Cum Red Pfd Shs -A- Series -9 | 0.22% | 0.42% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KOKU 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, KOKU or VXUS?
KOKU has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KOKU or VXUS?
Over the past year KOKU returned +18.99% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), KOKU annualized +17.92% vs +14.68% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KOKU or VXUS?
KOKU has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.7% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KOKU -25.8% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both KOKU and VXUS?
KOKU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between KOKU and VXUS?
At least 18.1% of KOKU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 430 positions in common, counted across the 1,105 positions we hold weights for in KOKU and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KOKU or VXUS?
KOKU yields 1.43% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KOKU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KOKU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.