iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with KSA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to KSA
KSA charges 0.74% annually. There are 54 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 216.60M | Sep 2025 | KSA vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 159.90B | Mar 2005 | KSA vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.74B | Jan 2010 | KSA vs SCHE | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.11% | 17.83B | Mar 2007 | KSA vs SPEM | |
| Xtrackers Emerging Markets Carbon Reduction and Cl... | 0.15% | 58.19M | Dec 2018 | KSA vs EMCR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to KSA
KSA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 12. There are 58 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 93.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 93 | 72.25M | Jan 2025 | KSA vs GEME | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 93 | 103.78M | Jun 2011 | KSA vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 92 | — | Sep 2024 | KSA vs EVLU | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 91 | 24.61B | Jul 2017 | KSA vs EMXC | |
| Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF | 91 | 119.41M | Feb 2015 | KSA vs ROAM |
Top Performing KSA Alternatives (YTD)
KSA is at 4.97% YTD. There are 54 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 41.72%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 41.72% | 24.61B | Jul 2017 | KSA vs EMXC | |
| Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 40.25% | 15.51M | Feb 2012 | KSA vs EEMO | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 39.11% | 237.62M | Dec 2007 | KSA vs PIE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 38.52% | 72.25M | Jan 2025 | KSA vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 38.32% | 1.98B | Sep 2015 | KSA vs XCEM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to KSA
KSA has 16.68% 1-year volatility. There are 24 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.54%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 7.54% | — | Jun 2025 | KSA vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.09% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | KSA vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.21% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | KSA vs EMDV | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.19% | 1.25B | Feb 2011 | KSA vs EDIV | |
| J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Eq... | 12.96% | 390.16M | Jan 2015 | KSA vs JPEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to KSA
KSA has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.62%. There are 27 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.49%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | -6.49% | 1.28B | Feb 2012 | KSA vs DVYE | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | KSA vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.78B | Jul 2007 | KSA vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 742.62M | May 2008 | KSA vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | KSA vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $855B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.51% | 91.90B | May 2020 | KSA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -25.48% | 58.12B | Jan 2024 | KSA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 70 | 10.85% | 854.92B | May 2000 | KSA vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 16 | -0.27% | 42.90B | Jul 2002 | KSA vs TLT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 97 | 104.57% | 38.37B | Jul 2001 | KSA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 71 | 8.76% | 40.46B | Jun 2014 | KSA vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 47 | 2.78% | 36.82B | Apr 2006 | KSA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 32 | 2.98% | 69.92B | Jan 2005 | KSA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 62 | 17.07% | 80.93B | May 2000 | KSA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 66 | 12.13% | 32.93B | Mar 2008 | KSA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With KSA
Investors most often compare KSA with UAE, SPUS, FLSA. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare KSA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare KSA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair KSA with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to KSA.
Explore KSA Diversifiers