KYN vs VXUS
Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KYN or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KYN led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 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 | KYN | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 10.00% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.95% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 36 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +23.45%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +26.47%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.78%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.22%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -95.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,577Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2004 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
KYN 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.
KYN vs VXUS Performance
Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (KYN) is an ETF from Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KYN returned +26.47% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, KYN is up 23.45% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, KYN compounded at +28.78% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +24.22% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs -1.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.0% 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 -95.1% for KYN 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KYN charges 10.00% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $1000 vs $5 annually, a gap of $995 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KYN currently yields 5.95% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.9% of KYN'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.
KYN and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 243 days apart, KYN as of Nov 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in KYN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 36 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KYN 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, KYN or VXUS?
KYN has an expense ratio of 10.00% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $995 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KYN or VXUS?
Over the past year KYN returned +26.47% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so KYN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), KYN annualized -1.48% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KYN or VXUS?
KYN has been the more volatile fund at 32.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KYN -95.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both KYN and VXUS?
KYN and VXUS 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.
What is the holdings overlap between KYN and VXUS?
At least 15.9% of KYN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in KYN and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KYN or VXUS?
KYN yields 5.95% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so KYN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KYN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KYN led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.