KOKU vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

KOKU (Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KOKU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI Kokusai Index (World ex Japan), while ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KOKU returned 11.69%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KOKU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

KOKU vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF (KOKU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KOKU achieves a 7.33% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 8.76% return.

KOKU

• 1D: -2.72%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 7.81%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 20.15%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.31%
• 1Y: 25.86%
• 3Y*: 21.07%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: 14.67%

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

KOKU vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
KOKU Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF	7.33%	21.45%	19.45%	24.23%	-17.83%	23.84%	40.42%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	8.76%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	43.84%

Correlation

The correlation between KOKU and ITOT is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2020	0.94

The correlation between KOKU and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

KOKU vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KOKU	ITOT
Technology	28.9%	33.8%
Financial Services	15.6%	12.1%
Industrials	10.5%	9.5%
Communication Services	9.3%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.9%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.7%
Energy	4.4%	3.7%
Basic Materials	3.3%	2.1%
Utilities	2.8%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.4%

Return for Risk

KOKU vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

KOKU

KOKU Risk / Return Rank: 60
KOKU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
KOKU Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
KOKU Omega Ratio Rank: 59
KOKU Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
KOKU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 64
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

KOKU vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF (KOKU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	KOKU	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.08	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.80	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.37	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	2.92	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.67	13.34	-1.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KOKU vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KOKU Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KOKU and ITOT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KOKU	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.08	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.70	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	0.57	+0.50

Drawdowns

KOKU vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KOKU drawdown since its inception was -25.77%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KOKU and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	KOKU	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.77%	-55.20%	+29.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-8.90%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.73%	-19.44%	+1.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.77%	-25.36%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.95%	-2.95%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.82%	-6.97%	+2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.94%	+0.07%

Volatility

KOKU vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF (KOKU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 4.06% and 3.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KOKU	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	3.93%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.84%	9.56%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.49%	12.51%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	17.39%	-0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.84%	18.28%	-1.44%

KOKU vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

KOKU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

KOKU vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

KOKU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, more than ITOT's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
KOKU Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF	1.39%	1.48%	1.63%	1.76%	1.98%	1.89%	0.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KOKU and ITOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, KOKU and ITOT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, KOKU or ITOT?

KOKU has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to ITOT (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KOKU dropped -25.77% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, KOKU or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.18% vs 11.69% for KOKU. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ITOT has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KOKU or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.18% return vs 11.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KOKU or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for KOKU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KOKU or ITOT?

KOKU has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 1.00% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between KOKU and ITOT?

KOKU is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ITOT is Large Cap Blend Equities. KOKU tracks MSCI Kokusai Index (World ex Japan), while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Deutsche Bank and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for KOKU and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.89), 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.