KSTR vs. AVEM

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

KSTR (KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KSTR is a China Equities fund tracking the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. KSTR is passively managed, while AVEM is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, KSTR returned -0.29%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for AVEM. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KSTR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

KSTR vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSTR achieves a 40.25% return, which is significantly higher than AVEM's 18.11% return.

KSTR

• 1D: -4.74%
• 1M: 3.16%
• 6M: 23.81%
• YTD: 40.25%
• 1Y: 91.35%
• 3Y*: 21.62%
• 5Y*: -0.29%
• 10Y*: —

AVEM

• 1D: -1.75%
• 1M: -6.73%
• 6M: 11.44%
• YTD: 18.11%
• 1Y: 32.54%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 8.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

KSTR vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF	40.25%	42.82%	6.12%	-17.93%	-38.51%	-2.01%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	18.11%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	-2.27%

Correlation

The correlation between KSTR and AVEM is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2021	0.45

The correlation between KSTR and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

KSTR vs. AVEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KSTR	AVEM
Technology	86.3%	39.5%
Industrials	6.6%	8.1%
Healthcare	5.7%	2.5%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	8.2%
Energy	0.9%	4.3%
Basic Materials	0.6%	7.3%
Communication Services	-	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.8%
Financial Services	-	18.6%
Real Estate	-	1.5%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

KSTR vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

KSTR

KSTR Risk / Return Rank: 83
KSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
KSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
KSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
KSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
KSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 80

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 54
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

KSTR vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	KSTR	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	1.41	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	1.91	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.27	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.75	2.49	+2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.14	8.46	+3.68

KSTR vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSTR and AVEM, 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

KSTR vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSTR drawdown since its inception was -66.46%, which is greater than AVEM's maximum drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSTR and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSTR	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.46%	-36.05%	-30.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.32%	-13.13%	-6.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.55%	-18.02%	-23.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.31%	-31.97%	-34.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.32%	-9.77%	-9.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.10%	-10.01%	-28.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.55%	3.86%	+3.69%

Volatility

KSTR vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) has a higher volatility of 21.06% compared to Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) at 9.91%. This indicates that KSTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KSTR	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.06%	9.91%	+11.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.82%	21.14%	+12.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.64%	23.17%	+18.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.43%	19.21%	+20.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.52%	21.00%	+17.52%

KSTR vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSTR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSTR vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

KSTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AVEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.94%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSTR and AVEM in my portfolio?

KSTR and AVEM have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KSTR or AVEM?

KSTR has higher volatility (21.06%) compared to AVEM (9.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSTR dropped -66.46% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, KSTR or AVEM?

On 5-year performance, AVEM leads with 8.90% vs -0.29% for KSTR. On fees, AVEM is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, AVEM has been the lower-risk option at 9.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KSTR or AVEM?

Over the 5-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 8.90% return vs -0.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KSTR or AVEM?

AVEM is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for KSTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KSTR or AVEM?

AVEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 0.00% for KSTR.

What is the main difference between KSTR and AVEM?

KSTR is categorized as China Equities, while AVEM is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for KSTR and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KSTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.41), 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.