KSTR vs. KARS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

KSTR (KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF) and KARS (KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KSTR is a China Equities fund tracking the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while KARS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KSTR returned 1.10%/yr vs -4.78%/yr for KARS. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KSTR charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for KARS.

Performance

KSTR vs. KARS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) and KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSTR achieves a 47.82% return, which is significantly higher than KARS's 5.04% return.

KSTR

• 1D: -2.34%
• 1M: 7.54%
• YTD: 47.82%
• 6M: 47.90%
• 1Y: 108.41%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 1.10%
• 10Y*: —

KARS

• 1D: -4.28%
• 1M: -9.61%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 4.08%
• 1Y: 49.48%
• 3Y*: 2.98%
• 5Y*: -4.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

KSTR vs. KARS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF	47.82%	42.82%	6.12%	-17.93%	-38.51%	-2.01%
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	5.04%	46.04%	-17.88%	-7.85%	-39.20%	9.68%

Correlation

The correlation between KSTR and KARS is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2021	0.53

The correlation between KSTR and KARS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

KSTR vs. KARS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KSTR	KARS
Technology	86.3%	19.0%
Industrials	6.6%	22.1%
Healthcare	5.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	33.5%
Energy	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.6%	25.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KSTR vs. KARS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KSTR

KSTR Risk / Return Rank: 86
KSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
KSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
KSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
KSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
KSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 81

KARS

KARS Risk / Return Rank: 58
KARS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
KARS Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
KARS Omega Ratio Rank: 51
KARS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
KARS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. KARS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) and KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS). 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	KARS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	1.79	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	2.31	+1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.30	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.16	3.17	+2.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.20	10.99	+4.21

KSTR vs. KARS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is higher than the KARS Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSTR and KARS, 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. KARS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSTR drawdown since its inception was -66.46%, roughly equal to the maximum KARS drawdown of -64.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSTR and KARS.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSTR	KARS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.46%	-64.85%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-15.68%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.55%	-47.79%	+6.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.46%	-64.85%	-1.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-35.97%	+33.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.47%	-28.34%	-10.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.16%	4.51%	+2.65%

Volatility

KSTR vs. KARS - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) has a higher volatility of 16.10% compared to KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS) at 11.59%. This indicates that KSTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KARS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KSTR	KARS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.10%	11.59%	+4.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.62%	21.33%	+7.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.27%	27.82%	+9.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.60%	30.09%	+8.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.87%	29.41%	+8.46%

KSTR vs. KARS - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSTR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than KARS's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSTR vs. KARS - Dividend Comparison

KSTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KARS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KARS KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF	0.17%	0.18%	0.78%	0.88%	1.13%	6.73%	0.14%	1.85%	1.38%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSTR and KARS in my portfolio?

KSTR and KARS have a correlation of 0.54, 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 KARS?

KSTR has higher volatility (16.10%) compared to KARS (11.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSTR dropped -66.46% vs KARS's -64.85%.

Which ETF is better, KSTR or KARS?

On 5-year performance, KSTR leads with 1.10% vs -4.78% for KARS. On fees, KARS is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, KARS has been the lower-risk option at 11.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KSTR or KARS?

Over the 5-year period, KSTR has performed better with a 1.10% return vs -4.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KSTR or KARS?

KARS is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for KSTR.

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

KARS has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for KSTR.

What is the main difference between KSTR and KARS?

KSTR is categorized as China Equities, while KARS is Industrials Equities. KSTR tracks SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while KARS tracks Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for KSTR and 0.72% for KARS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KSTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 1.79), 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.