KSA vs. VEXC
KSA (iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - KSA tracks the MSCI Saudi Arabia Investable Market Index (IMI) 25/50 Index while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KSA charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.
Performance
KSA vs. VEXC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KSA achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than VEXC's 20.21% return.
KSA
- 1D
- -1.27%
- 1M
- -1.32%
- YTD
- 4.97%
- 6M
- 4.43%
- 1Y
- 3.56%
- 3Y*
- 0.52%
- 5Y*
- 1.95%
- 10Y*
- 7.46%
VEXC
- 1D
- -1.20%
- 1M
- 4.95%
- YTD
- 20.21%
- 6M
- 23.59%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
KSA vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
KSA iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF | 4.97% | -8.97% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 20.21% | 4.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between KSA and VEXC is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2025 | 0.45 |
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Return for Risk
KSA vs. VEXC — Risk / Return Rank
KSA
VEXC
KSA vs. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF (KSA) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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.
| KSA | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.31 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.69 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| KSA | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.30 | 2.21 | -1.91 |
Drawdowns
KSA vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KSA drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSA and VEXC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| KSA | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -12.42% | -28.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.62% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.56% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.08% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.69% | -1.20% | -15.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.43% | -2.23% | -9.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.18% | — | — |
Volatility
KSA vs. VEXC - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| KSA | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.70% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.20% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.68% | 18.89% | -2.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.88% | 18.89% | -3.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.04% | 18.89% | +1.15% |
KSA vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison
KSA has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
KSA vs. VEXC - Dividend Comparison
KSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, more than VEXC's 0.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KSA iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF | 2.81% | 2.95% | 3.44% | 2.44% | 1.93% | 1.58% | 1.76% | 2.15% | 2.51% | 2.30% | 3.05% | 0.04% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.74% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
KSA and VEXC have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for KSA.
KSA has the higher dividend yield at 2.81%, compared with 0.74% for VEXC.
KSA tracks MSCI Saudi Arabia Investable Market Index (IMI) 25/50 Index, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for KSA and 0.07% for VEXC.
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