KWT vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KWT or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KWT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | KWT | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $68M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.58% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 47 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.45% | +15.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.08% | +25.07%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.15% | +20.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.41% | +9.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.4%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,296 | $15,535Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 1, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 3, 2020 to Sep 8, 2026 (6 years).
KWT 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 years both funds cover.
KWT vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Kuwait ETF (KWT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KWT returned +0.08% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, KWT is down 1.45% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Over three years, KWT compounded at +10.15% per year against +20.30% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.41% and +9.21% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, KWT has the edge at +11.88% annualized vs +11.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 13.7% for KWT. 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 -24.4% for KWT 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KWT charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KWT currently yields 5.58% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 53.2% of KWT'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in KWT and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 47 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KWT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFH:KWKuwait Finance House Kscp | 22.21% | 0.07% | 22.14% |
| ZAIN:KWMobile Telecommunications Co Ksc | 4.56% | 0.01% | 4.55% |
| MABANEE:KWMabanee Company | 4.08% | 0.00% | 4.08% |
| NA:CANational Bank Of Canada | 3.07% | 0.14% | 2.93% |
| BOURSA:KWBoursa Kuwait Securities Company | 2.25% | 0.00% | 2.25% |
| TIJK:KWCommercial Real Estate Co Ksc | 2.22% | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| BPCC:KWBoubyan Petrochemicals Co Kscp | 2.07% | 0.00% | 2.07% |
| AGLTYAgility Public Warehousing Co Ksc | 1.84% | 0.00% | 1.84% |
| HUMN:KWHumansoft Holding Co Ksc | 1.72% | 0.00% | 1.72% |
| STC:KWKuwait Telecm Co | 1.67% | 0.05% | 1.62% |
53.2% of KWT 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, KWT or VXUS?
KWT has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KWT or VXUS?
Over the past year KWT returned +0.08% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), KWT annualized +11.88% vs +11.86% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KWT or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 13.7% for KWT. Worst drawdown: KWT -24.4% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both KWT and VXUS?
KWT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 KWT and VXUS?
At least 53.2% of KWT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in KWT and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KWT or VXUS?
KWT yields 5.58% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so KWT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KWT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KWT led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.