Grow it · ETFs

IKO vs VAE

Compare fees, returns, income and risk for these 2 ASX-listed ETFs side by side.

At a glance

Comparing IKO and VAE. VAE has the lower management fee at 0.4% a year, IKO has the higher 10 years return at 14.7% a year, and IKO offers the higher at 5.84%.
Lower fee
VAE 0.4% p.a.
Higher 10 years return
IKO 14.7% p.a.
Higher yield
IKO 5.84%
Higher risk-adjusted
VAE Sharpe 0.67 (10y)
Lower volatility
VAE 12.5% (10y)
Larger fund
VAE $760m

Side-by-side comparison

Metric IKO
iShares MSCI South Korea ETF
VAE
Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider
iShares
Vanguard
Tracks index
FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index
Categories
Asia
Asia, EM, Market-Cap
Listed since
2015 (11 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$201m
$760m
Cost & income
Management fee
0.45%
0.4%
Dividend yield
5.84%
1.4%
Franking
0%
0%
Turnover
5%
Tax drag 1.87% 0.57%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
114.2%
net
24.1%
net
3-year return
37%
net
17.7%
net
5-year return
17%
net
8.9%
net
10-year return
14.7%
net
10.2%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
40.2%
14.2%
Volatility (5y)
34.3%
14.4%
Volatility (10y)
26.6%
12.5%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
0.87
0.94
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.53
0.44
Sharpe ratio (10y)
0.56
0.67
Bid/ask spread

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

IKO iShares MSCI South Korea ETF
  • Top-0% returns over 1 year (1st of 308 ETFs we track).
  • High 5.84% income yield — good for investors who want regular cash flow.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: IAA and VAE.
VAE Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF
  • Top-11% returns over 1 year (33rd of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.4% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.3%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between IKO vs VAE?

IKO and VAE are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VAE carries the lower management fee (0.4%). Over 10 years, IKO has delivered the higher total return (14.7% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - IKO vs VAE?

VAE has the lower management fee at 0.4% a year, versus IKO 0.45%.

Which has performed higher - IKO vs VAE?

Over the past 10 years, IKO has delivered the higher total return at 14.7% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

IKO pays the higher at 5.84%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VAE is the larger fund by assets ($760m). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.

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