MKOR vs VXUS
Matthews Korea Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MKOR or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MKOR led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | MKOR | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $143M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.45% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 56 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +82.03%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +114.62%Best | +18.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.09%Best | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.0% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $26,606Best | $16,293 |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 17, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3.2 years).
MKOR 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
MKOR vs VXUS Performance
Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MKOR returned +114.62% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, MKOR is up 82.03% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, MKOR compounded at +45.09% per year against +21.40% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MKOR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.0% compared with 12.3% 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 -29.4% for MKOR and -13.6% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MKOR charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MKOR currently yields 1.45% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 52.4% of MKOR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MKOR as of Sep 15, 2026 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.
35 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MKOR and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 56 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MKOR | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 4.47% | 1.41% | 3.06% |
| 402340:KRSK Square Co. Ltd. | 3.84% | 0.14% | 3.70% |
| 086790:KRHana Financial Group Inc | 3.74% | 0.05% | 3.69% |
| 319660:KRPsk Inc | 3.04% | 0.00% | 3.04% |
| 028260:KRSamsung C&T Corp | 2.82% | 0.04% | 2.78% |
| 028050:KRSamsung E&A Co Ltd | 2.78% | 0.01% | 2.77% |
| 006400:KRSamsung Sdi Ltd | 2.58% | 0.04% | 2.54% |
| 240810:KRWonik Ips Ltd | 2.02% | 0.00% | 2.02% |
| 071050:KRKorea Investment Holdings Co Ltd | 2.00% | 0.01% | 1.99% |
| 267260:KRHd Hyundai Electric Co. Ltd. | 1.99% | 0.02% | 1.97% |
52.4% of MKOR 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, MKOR or VXUS?
MKOR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MKOR or VXUS?
Over the past year MKOR returned +114.62% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so MKOR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MKOR or VXUS?
MKOR has been the more volatile fund at 36.0% annualized versus 12.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MKOR -29.4% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both MKOR and VXUS?
MKOR and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 MKOR and VXUS?
At least 52.4% of MKOR's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MKOR and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, MKOR or VXUS?
MKOR yields 1.45% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MKOR?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MKOR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.