KSM vs VSO - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing KSM and VSO. VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year and VSO offers the higher at 4.78%.

Lower fee

VSO 0.3% p.a.

Higher yield

VSO 4.78%

Larger fund

VSO $1.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	KSM K2 Australian Small Cap Hedge Fund - Complex ETF	VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider	—	Vanguard
Tracks index	—	MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index
Categories	AU, Small-Cap, Active	AU, Small-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since	—	2011 (15 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$4m	$1.2bn
Cost & income
Management fee	1.31%	0.3%
Dividend yield	—	4.78%
Franking	0%	65%
Turnover	150%	18%
Tax drag	3.6%	1.06%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	—	-0.1% net
3-year return	—	12.1% net
5-year return	—	5.6% net
10-year return	—	8.7% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	—	13.3%
Volatility (5y)	—	15.8%
Volatility (10y)	—	16.7%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	0.62
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	0.21
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	0.45
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

KSM K2 Australian Small Cap Hedge Fund - Complex ETF

A 1.31% management fee is high and compounds against you over time.

Full KSM analysis →

VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.3% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 4.78% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: VAS and EX20.

Full VSO analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between KSM vs VSO?

KSM and VSO are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VSO carries the lower management fee (0.3%). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - KSM vs VSO?

VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year, versus KSM 1.31%.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VSO pays the higher at 4.78%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VSO is the larger fund by assets ($1.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

KSM vs SMLL KSM vs FSML KSM vs MVE VSO vs SMLL VSO vs FSML VSO vs MVW VSO vs VAS VSO vs EX20

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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.