What Is the KSTR ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF (KSTR) tracks China's STAR 50 Index and focuses on mainland high-growth technology stocks. Its outlook and how its exposure differs from China-themed ETFs such as KWEB and CQQQ are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF?
The fund tracks the STAR 50 Index, which is composed of the largest companies by market capitalization on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market). Using a representative sampling approach, it covers innovative growth companies across mainland China.
It is suited to investors who want concentrated exposure to mainland China's advanced technology and emerging growth industries and who can tolerate high volatility.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF operated by KraneShares.
How Do You Invest in the KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | SSE STAR 50 Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Irregular (limited distributions) |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.89% |
| Issuer | KraneShares |
The fund tracks the STAR 50 Index, made up of large innovative companies listed on Shanghai's STAR Market, using a representative sampling approach. It has a high weighting in emerging growth industries that the Chinese government is strategically fostering, such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and biotech, giving concentrated exposure to the mainland Chinese technology theme.
- A US-listed ETF that provides dollar-based access to the mainland STAR Market
- Concentrated exposure to China's emerging growth industries
KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $293.6M, and the expense ratio is 0.89% per year.
Compared with broad China ETFs, it has a higher weighting in mainland advanced technology, so its thematic concentration is greater and its volatility tends to be larger as well.
KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe fund has shown volatile performance depending on Chinese policy direction and conditions in the technology industry, and as a mainland growth vehicle it tends to react sensitively to market sentiment. An approach that emphasizes medium- to long-term industry growth over short-term trends is called for.
Fund flows fluctuate with investor sentiment toward China's emerging growth themes, and US-China relations and mainland market access issues affect the supply and demand environment. Interest tends to concentrate when policy momentum comes into focus.
KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is concentrated exposure to mainland China's advanced technology growth, while its weaknesses are high volatility and policy and currency risk.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
Comparable China-themed ETFs include KWEB, which centers on internet platforms, CQQQ, which offers mainland technology stock exposure, ASHR, which focuses on large-cap mainland A-shares, and MCHI, which tracks the broad Chinese market. Unlike these, KSTR stands out for its concentration in a specific market, Shanghai's Science and Technology Innovation Board. To broaden diversification, you can also consider MCHI, and to focus on the internet sector, KWEB.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 XT | iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | $85.00 | +1.5% | $4.0B | 0.46% | 1% | +20.5% |
 KOMP | State Street SPDR S&P Kensho New Economies Composite ETF | $64.31 | +2.2% | $2.5B | 0.20% | 1.59% | -1.9% |
 MOO | VanEck Agribusiness ETF | $80.83 | -0.5% | $1.1B | 0.56% | 2.22% | +9.1% |
 NUKZ | Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF | $58.08 | +2.5% | $618.5M | 0.85% | 1% | -18.1% |
 HAP | VanEck Natural Resources ETF | $74.10 | +0.3% | $325.4M | 0.41% | 1.84% | +29.1% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ACMR | ACM Research Inc | 0.03% | $51.97 | +2.0% | $3.6B | 24.7 | 0.24% |
KraneShares SSE STAR 50 ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in KSTR. Because it is a thematic ETF concentrated in mainland Chinese advanced technology, you should check volatility, policy, and currency factors in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the impact of cumulative costs over a long holding period | Annual fee applies |
| 📊 Thematic Concentration | Check the skew toward mainland advanced technology | High concentration |
| 🌏 Policy Risk | Monitor changes in Chinese regulation and policy | Ongoing monitoring needed |
| 💱 Currency | Check the effect of yuan and dollar conversion | No currency hedge |
Policy changes in the mainland Chinese market and swings in the advanced technology industry are the main drivers of short-term volatility. Because it is a theme-focused product, drawdowns can be larger than those of broad ETFs when market sentiment deteriorates.
It is a thematic ETF suited to investors who want to invest in a concentrated way in China's emerging growth industries. If you want broad diversification, compare it with MCHI, and if you want internet sector concentration, with KWEB, before choosing.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 18, 2026.
Today's 5 AI picks, all free