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 97 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% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | KSA vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | KSA vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | KSA vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | KSA vs IEMG | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | KSA vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to KSA
KSA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 12. There are 110 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | KSA vs EMEQ | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | KSA vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | KSA vs EVLU | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 90 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | KSA vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 87 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | KSA vs FTHF |
Top Performing KSA Alternatives (YTD)
KSA is at 3.06% YTD. There are 102 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 53.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 53.76% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | KSA vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.68% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | KSA vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.48% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | KSA vs STXE | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 30.73% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | KSA vs EMSF | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.70% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | KSA vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to KSA
KSA has 16.37% 1-year volatility. There are 21 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.64% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | KSA vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | KSA vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | KSA vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | KSA vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | KSA vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to KSA
KSA has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.62%. There are 26 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | KSA vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | KSA vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | KSA vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | KSA vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | KSA vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | KSA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | KSA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | KSA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | KSA vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | KSA vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | KSA vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | KSA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | KSA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | KSA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | KSA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With KSA
Investors most often compare KSA with UAE, SPUS, FLSA. These 20 comparison targets span 14 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