KDEF vs. VNM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

KDEF (PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF) and VNM (VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KDEF is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the The Korea Defence Industry Index, while VNM is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MVIS Vietnam Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, KDEF returned -8.83% vs 6.68% for VNM. Their 0.16 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KDEF charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for VNM.

Performance

KDEF vs. VNM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) and VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KDEF achieves a -17.97% return, which is significantly lower than VNM's -11.01% return.

KDEF

• 1D: -5.87%
• 1M: -16.92%
• 6M: -37.55%
• YTD: -17.97%
• 1Y: -8.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 47.27%

VNM

• 1D: -2.25%
• 1M: -8.17%
• 6M: -10.96%
• YTD: -11.01%
• 1Y: 6.68%
• 3Y*: 6.61%
• 5Y*: -1.43%
• 10Y*: 2.83%
• ALL TIME*: -1.14%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	$2.93M	$2.70M	$5.83M
VNM VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF	$13.26M	$11.33M	$11.60M

KDEF vs. VNM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	-17.97%	116.28%
VNM VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF	-11.01%	65.39%

Correlation

The correlation between KDEF and VNM is 0.17, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2025	0.16

KDEF vs. VNM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KDEF	VNM
Industrials	89.9%	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	2.2%
Technology	2.1%	2.5%
Healthcare	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	7.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	14.3%
Energy	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	32.7%
Real Estate	-	24.8%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

KDEF vs. VNM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KDEF

KDEF Risk / Return Rank: 8
KDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
KDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
KDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
KDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
KDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VNM

VNM Risk / Return Rank: 17
VNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VNM Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VNM Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KDEF vs. VNM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) and VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	KDEF	VNM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.22	0.24	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	0.54	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.06	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.24	0.36	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.65	0.79	-1.44

KDEF vs. VNM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KDEF Sharpe Ratio is -0.22, which is lower than the VNM Sharpe Ratio of 0.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KDEF and VNM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

KDEF vs. VNM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KDEF drawdown since its inception was -48.41%, smaller than the maximum VNM drawdown of -63.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KDEF and VNM.

Drawdown Indicators

	KDEF	VNM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.41%	-63.19%	+14.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.41%	-17.47%	-30.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-31.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-49.95%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.43%	-30.69%	-14.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-37.73%	+28.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.58%	7.94%	+9.64%

Volatility

KDEF vs. VNM - Volatility Comparison

PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) has a higher volatility of 20.91% compared to VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) at 8.13%. This indicates that KDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KDEF	VNM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.91%	8.13%	+12.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.62%	18.42%	+25.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.45%	26.66%	+24.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.20%	24.46%	+25.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.20%	23.51%	+26.69%

KDEF vs. VNM - Expense Ratio Comparison

KDEF has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than VNM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

KDEF vs. VNM - Dividend Comparison

KDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.38%, more than VNM's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	8.38%	5.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VNM VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF	0.22%	0.20%	0.00%	5.21%	0.96%	0.49%	0.40%	0.76%	0.83%	1.14%	2.44%	3.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KDEF and VNM in my portfolio?

KDEF and VNM have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KDEF or VNM?

KDEF has higher volatility (20.91%) compared to VNM (8.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KDEF dropped -48.41% vs VNM's -63.19%.

Which ETF is better, KDEF or VNM?

On 1-year performance, VNM leads with 6.68% vs -8.83% for KDEF. On fees, KDEF is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, VNM has been the lower-risk option at 8.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KDEF or VNM?

Over the 1-year period, VNM has performed better with a 6.68% return vs -8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KDEF or VNM?

KDEF is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for VNM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KDEF or VNM?

KDEF has the higher dividend yield at 8.38%, compared with 0.22% for VNM.

What is the main difference between KDEF and VNM?

KDEF is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while VNM is Asia Pacific Equities. KDEF tracks The Korea Defence Industry Index, while VNM tracks MVIS Vietnam Index. They also come from different issuers: PLUS and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for KDEF and 0.68% for VNM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.24 vs -0.22), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.