KDEF ETF — PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF)
KDEF is an ETF. As of September 3, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.85%, its trailing-12-month yield is 7.08%, its expense ratio is 0.65%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 50/100 (Caution). Total return is 110.6% over the past 1.6 years, 80.4 points ahead of SPY at 30.2%.
At the current 1.85% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $185 per year, or $15.42 per month on an equivalent basis.
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF is an ETF that tracks the Korea Defense Industry Index, which comprises South Korean companies involved in defense and aerospace. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate and has a low expense ratio of 0.65%. It appeals to investors seeking exposure to South Korea's defense sector through a passively managed, index-tracking strategy.
KDEF dividend yield and income
Data as of September 3, 2026.
The distribution rate (1.85%) is the latest posted forward yield. Trailing-12-month yield (7.08%) is the last year of payments divided by the current price. The last dividend was $2.963. The last ex-dividend date was 12/30/2025. It was paid on 12/31/2025. At 1.85%, $10,000 would generate about $185 a year ($15.42 monthly-equivalent).
| Ex-date | Amount | Change from previous payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-30 | $2.963 | — |
| 2025 total | $2.963 | — |
KDEF dividend growth
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 3Y | 0.0% |
| 5Y | 0.0% |
KDEF holdings and sector exposure
Holdings are not available for this snapshot.
KDEF performance versus SPY
Data as of September 3, 2026.
Total return is 110.6% over the past 1.6 years, 80.4 points ahead of SPY at 30.2%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 48.6%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| Since inception (1.6 years) | 110.6% | 60.50% |
KDEF key facts
Data as of September 3, 2026.
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 50 · Caution
- Issuer
- Exchange Traded Concepts
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 02/05/2025
- Expense ratio
- 0.65%
- Distribution rate
- 1.85%
- Trailing yield
- 7.08%
- Last close
- $41.85
- NAV
- $39.97
- Premium / discount
- 4.70% premium
- AUM
- $112,938,246
- Average volume
- 34493.0
- Last dividend
- $2.963
- Last ex-dividend date
- 12/30/2025
- Last payment date
- 12/31/2025
- Beta
- 1.7288
- P/E ratio
- 17.6741
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (1.85%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (7.08%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of September 3, 2026.
Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield
Sources and review
Data as of September 3, 2026.
Primary sources: Exchange Traded Concepts; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
KDEF risks and drawbacks
KDEF's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 48.6%.
Who may consider KDEF — and who may not
It is a weaker fit for investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
What is KDEF's expense ratio?
KDEF's expense ratio is 0.65%.
What is KDEF's dividend yield?
KDEF currently yields 1.85%, with a 0.65% expense ratio.
When does KDEF pay a dividend?
The last dividend was $2.963. The last ex-dividend date was 12/30/2025. It was paid on 12/31/2025.
How has KDEF performed?
Total return is 110.6% over the past 1.6 years, 80.4 points ahead of SPY at 30.2%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 48.6%.
Is KDEF a good investment?
KDEF's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 50 (Caution). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. It currently yields 1.85%. Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
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