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KSA vs. STXE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

KSA vs. STXE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

KSA (iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - KSA tracks the MSCI Saudi Arabia IMI 25/50 Index while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, KSA returned -0.88%/yr vs 23.32%/yr for STXE. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KSA charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.

Performance

KSA vs. STXE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSA achieves a 3.06% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 31.48% return.

KSA

1D
0.11%
1M
-1.12%
6M
-5.86%
YTD
3.06%
1Y
1.77%
3Y*
-0.88%
5Y*
1.13%
10Y*
7.99%
ALL TIME*
6.02%

STXE

1D
2.93%
1M
-5.07%
6M
18.30%
YTD
31.48%
1Y
56.34%
3Y*
23.32%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
22.35%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

KSA

iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF
$20.82M$19.40M$19.77M

STXE

Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF
$412.67K$566.81K$571.67K

KSA vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023
KSA
iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF		3.06%-8.20%-0.19%11.42%
STXE
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF		31.48%34.23%2.09%12.38%

Correlation

The correlation between KSA and STXE is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.33

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.44

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023

0.45

The correlation between KSA and STXE shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KSA vs. STXE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
KSA
STXE

Financial Services

41.1%
15.7%

Basic Materials

13.0%
6.2%

Energy

12.7%
3.5%

Communication Services

8.2%
3.2%

Healthcare

4.7%
0.6%

Utilities

4.6%
1.1%

Consumer Cyclical

4.3%
1.4%

Consumer Defensive

3.8%
1.7%

Industrials

3.5%
5.0%

Real Estate

2.5%
0.4%

Technology

1.7%
40.3%

Financial Services

KSA
41.1%
STXE
15.7%

Basic Materials

KSA
13.0%
STXE
6.2%

Energy

KSA
12.7%
STXE
3.5%

Communication Services

KSA
8.2%
STXE
3.2%

Healthcare

KSA
4.7%
STXE
0.6%

Utilities

KSA
4.6%
STXE
1.1%

Consumer Cyclical

KSA
4.3%
STXE
1.4%

Consumer Defensive

KSA
3.8%
STXE
1.7%

Industrials

KSA
3.5%
STXE
5.0%

Real Estate

KSA
2.5%
STXE
0.4%

Technology

KSA
1.7%
STXE
40.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF

Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF

Often compared with KSA:
KSA vs. UAEKSA vs. SPUSKSA vs. FLSAKSA vs. QATKSA vs. SPWOKSA vs. HLALKSA vs. EZA
Often compared with STXE:
STXE vs. EWSSTXE vs. EMXCSTXE vs. EWYSTXE vs. SCHFSTXE vs. STXTSTXE vs. VEUSTXE vs. KEMX

Return for Risk

KSA vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
KSA
KSA Risk / Return Rank: 1212
Overall Rank
KSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1212
Sharpe Ratio Rank
KSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 1212
Sortino Ratio Rank
KSA Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
KSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 1313
Calmar Ratio Rank
KSA Martin Ratio Rank: 1212
Martin Ratio Rank
STXE
STXE Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

KSA vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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.

KSASTXEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.07
1.86

-1.80

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.24
2.40

-2.16

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.03

1.34

-0.31

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.10

2.73

-2.63

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.20

10.29

-10.09

KSA vs. STXE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSA Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is lower than the STXE Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSA and STXE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

KSA vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSA drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -20.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSA and STXE.

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Drawdown Indicators

KSASTXEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.56%

-20.38%

-20.18%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.62%

-20.38%

+8.76%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.28%

-20.38%

+5.10%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.08%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.56%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-18.20%

-14.59%

-3.61%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.51%

-3.95%

-7.56%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.53%

5.39%

+0.14%

Volatility

KSA vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) is 2.83%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 13.05%. This indicates that KSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

KSASTXEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.83%

13.05%

-10.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.45%

28.09%

-16.64%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.37%

29.83%

-13.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.95%

20.17%

-4.22%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.98%

20.17%

-0.19%

KSA vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSA has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSA vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison

KSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than STXE's 1.91% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
KSA
iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF		2.79%2.95%3.44%2.44%1.93%1.58%1.76%2.15%2.51%2.30%3.05%0.04%
STXE
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF		1.91%2.66%3.22%1.08%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

KSA and STXE have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

STXE has higher volatility (13.05%) compared to KSA (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSA dropped -40.56% vs STXE's -20.38%.

On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 23.32% vs -0.88% for KSA. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, KSA has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 23.32% return vs -0.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for KSA.

KSA has the higher dividend yield at 2.79%, compared with 1.91% for STXE.

KSA tracks MSCI Saudi Arabia IMI 25/50 Index, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for KSA and 0.32% for STXE.

STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.07), 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.

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