KSTR vs VXUS
KraneShares China Technology & Semiconductor STAR 50 Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KSTR or VXUS?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KSTR led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 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 | KSTR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $410M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 53 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +21.94%Best | +13.64% |
| 1Y Return | +27.81%Best | +20.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.45%Best | +19.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.46% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,232 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 27, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.6 years).
KSTR 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
KSTR vs VXUS Performance
KraneShares China Technology & Semiconductor STAR 50 Index ETF (KSTR) is an ETF from KraneShares and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KSTR returned +27.81% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, KSTR is up 21.94% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, KSTR compounded at +23.45% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +0.46% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.77% annualized vs -0.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KSTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.0% compared with 15.0% 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 -66.5% for KSTR 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KSTR charges 0.89% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $5 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KSTR currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 91.2% of KSTR'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.
Most of KSTR is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
45 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in KSTR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 53 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KSTR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 688256:SHCambricon Technologies-A | 8.92% | 0.01% | 8.91% |
| 688012:SHAdvanced Micro Fabrication A | 8.16% | 0.01% | 8.15% |
| 688041:SHHygon Information Technology Ltd A | 7.54% | 0.01% | 7.53% |
| 688008:SHMontage Technology Co Ltd-A | 7.51% | 0.01% | 7.50% |
| 688498:SHYuanjie Semiconductor Tech A | 5.61% | 0.00% | 5.61% |
| 688072:SHPiotech Inc A | 4.92% | 0.00% | 4.92% |
| 688120:SHHwatsing Technology Co Ltd-A | 3.79% | 0.00% | 3.79% |
| 688361:SHSkyverse Techn-A | 3.29% | 0.00% | 3.29% |
| 688525:SHBiwin Storage Technology Ca Common Stock | 3.26% | 0.00% | 3.26% |
| 688521:SHVerisilicon Microelectroni-A | 3.09% | 0.00% | 3.09% |
91.2% of KSTR is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KSTR or VXUS?
KSTR has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KSTR or VXUS?
Over the past year KSTR returned +27.81% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so KSTR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), KSTR annualized -0.83% vs +4.77% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KSTR or VXUS?
KSTR has been the more volatile fund at 37.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KSTR -66.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both KSTR and VXUS?
KSTR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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 KSTR and VXUS?
At least 91.2% of KSTR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in KSTR and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KSTR or VXUS?
KSTR yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KSTR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KSTR led over 1Y and 3Y, VXUS over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.