KNO vs VXUS
AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, KNO or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KNO led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | KNO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.88% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 70 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | +20.20%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +25.55%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.5% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $14,312 | $14,323Best |
| Fund Family | Knowledge Leaders Capital, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 7, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.2 years).
KNO vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.2 years both funds cover.
KNO vs VXUS Performance
AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) is an ETF from Knowledge Leaders Capital, LLC and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KNO returned +25.55% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, KNO is up 20.20% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KNO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 11.8% for VXUS. 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 -15.5% for KNO and -13.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KNO charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KNO currently yields 0.88% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.5% of KNO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
KNO and VXUS share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in KNO and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 70 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KNO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMSN:FFEms-chemie Holding Ag Common Stock Chf.01 | 2.92% | 0.01% | 2.91% |
| GEBN:SMGeberit Ag-reg Sedol B1wgg93 | 2.76% | 0.05% | 2.71% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 0.98% | 1.42% | 0.44% |
| ARGX:ASArgenx | 1.67% | 0.14% | 1.53% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.09% | 0.67% | 0.42% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.91% | 0.62% | 0.29% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.41% | 0.00% | 1.41% |
| 4684:JPObic Co Ltd | 1.31% | 0.02% | 1.29% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 1.02% | 0.29% | 0.73% |
| LIFCO.B:STLifco Ab, Class 'B' | 1.24% | 0.02% | 1.22% |
24.5% of KNO is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KNO or VXUS?
KNO has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KNO or VXUS?
Over the past year KNO returned +25.55% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so KNO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), KNO annualized +17.70% vs +17.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KNO or VXUS?
KNO has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 11.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: KNO -15.5% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both KNO and VXUS?
KNO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between KNO and VXUS?
At least 24.5% of KNO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in KNO and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, KNO or VXUS?
KNO yields 0.88% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than KNO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. KNO led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.