KEM vs SPY
KraneShares Dynamic Emerging Markets Strategy ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, KEM or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KEM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.56% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 3 | 1,515 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 13.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $10,994 | $13,701Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 512 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. KEM has data through May 20, 2025 and SPY through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2023 to May 20, 2025 (1.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 13.5% for KEM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.7% for KEM and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KEM charges 0.47% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $9 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KEM currently yields 2.56% against 0.99% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KEM and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KEM or SPY?
KEM has an expense ratio of 0.47% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, KEM or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 13.5% for KEM. Worst drawdown: KEM -25.7% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both KEM and SPY?
KEM and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, KEM or SPY?
KEM yields 2.56% while SPY yields 0.99%, so KEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than KEM?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.