KSTR vs. ECNS
KSTR (KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF) and ECNS (iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KSTR is a China Equities fund tracking the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while ECNS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI China Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KSTR returned 1.33%/yr vs -7.59%/yr for ECNS. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KSTR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for ECNS.
Performance
KSTR vs. ECNS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KSTR achieves a 51.37% return, which is significantly higher than ECNS's -8.11% return.
KSTR
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- 10.13%
- YTD
- 51.37%
- 6M
- 53.01%
- 1Y
- 113.73%
- 3Y*
- 23.99%
- 5Y*
- 1.33%
- 10Y*
- —
ECNS
- 1D
- 0.38%
- 1M
- -4.88%
- YTD
- -8.11%
- 6M
- -9.36%
- 1Y
- 5.33%
- 3Y*
- 7.60%
- 5Y*
- -7.59%
- 10Y*
- 1.74%
KSTR vs. ECNS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF | 51.37% | 42.82% | 6.12% | -17.93% | -38.51% | -2.01% |
ECNS iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF | -8.11% | 36.49% | 5.64% | -23.05% | -24.58% | -12.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between KSTR and ECNS is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2021 | 0.53 |
The correlation between KSTR and ECNS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.
KSTR vs. ECNS - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
KSTR
ECNS
Technology
Industrials
Healthcare
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Financial Services
-
Real Estate
-
Utilities
-
Technology
KSTR
ECNS
Industrials
KSTR
ECNS
Healthcare
KSTR
ECNS
Consumer Cyclical
KSTR
ECNS
Energy
KSTR
ECNS
Basic Materials
KSTR
ECNS
Communication Services
KSTR
-
ECNS
Consumer Defensive
KSTR
-
ECNS
Financial Services
KSTR
-
ECNS
Real Estate
KSTR
-
ECNS
Utilities
KSTR
-
ECNS
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Return for Risk
KSTR vs. ECNS — Risk / Return Rank
KSTR
ECNS
KSTR vs. ECNS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) and iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS). 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 | ECNS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.06 | +0.42 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.46 | 0.25 | +6.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.95 | 0.53 | +15.42 |
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Drawdowns
KSTR vs. ECNS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KSTR drawdown since its inception was -66.46%, roughly equal to the maximum ECNS drawdown of -63.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSTR and ECNS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| KSTR | ECNS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.46% | -63.43% | -3.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.70% | -21.48% | +3.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.55% | -31.72% | -9.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -66.46% | -59.61% | -6.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -63.43% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -40.85% | +40.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -38.49% | -29.41% | -9.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.16% | 10.14% | -2.98% |
Volatility
KSTR vs. ECNS - Volatility Comparison
KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) has a higher volatility of 16.21% compared to iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) at 5.50%. This indicates that KSTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ECNS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| KSTR | ECNS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.21% | 5.50% | +10.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.50% | 13.46% | +15.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 37.25% | 20.63% | +16.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 38.58% | 29.43% | +9.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.87% | 25.91% | +11.96% |
KSTR vs. ECNS - Expense Ratio Comparison
KSTR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than ECNS's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
KSTR vs. ECNS - Dividend Comparison
KSTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ECNS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.40%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECNS iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF | 6.40% | 6.20% | 5.98% | 4.89% | 3.54% | 4.87% | 3.59% | 3.23% | 6.16% | 3.18% | 4.29% | 3.58% |
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
KSTR and ECNS have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KSTR has higher volatility (16.21%) compared to ECNS (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSTR dropped -66.46% vs ECNS's -63.43%.
On 5-year performance, KSTR leads with 1.33% vs -7.59% for ECNS. On fees, ECNS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ECNS has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, KSTR has performed better with a 1.33% return vs -7.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ECNS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for KSTR.
ECNS has the higher dividend yield at 6.40%, compared with 0.00% for KSTR.
KSTR is categorized as China Equities, while ECNS is Asia Pacific Equities. KSTR tracks SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while ECNS tracks MSCI China Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for KSTR and 0.59% for ECNS.
KSTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.08 vs 0.26), 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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