Generated October 11, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
DRAM and KMEM are both thematic ETFs focused on memory semiconductor companiesβthe chipmakers driving data storage and AI infrastructure. The critical distinction is scale: DRAM is a large, established fund with $18.8B in assets, while KMEM is a much newer, smaller fund with $28.0M. Both charge identical 0.65% expense ratios and pay no distributions, making them pure capital-appreciation plays on memory chip demand.
How they differ
The largest difference is asset base. DRAM's massive scale suggests a more liquid, lower-cost entry point; KMEM's smaller asset pool may experience wider bid-ask spreads and less reliable order execution.
DRAM carries a published beta of 4.1626, indicating roughly 4Γ the volatility of the broader marketβa significant amplification of price swings. This metric is not available for KMEM.
Both funds launched recently (DRAM in April 2026, KMEM in June 2026), making them among the newest entries in the memory-chip thematic space. The expense ratio tie at 0.65% means fee differences won't drive performance divergenceβthe gap will come from tracking error, bid-ask spreads, and index methodology.
Who each is best for
- DRAM: Investors with high risk tolerance seeking concentrated exposure to memory semiconductors and willing to tolerate extreme volatility.
- KMEM: Investors exploring an alternative memory-chip thematic with potentially different index construction or sector emphasis, who can accept wider spreads and less-established trading patterns.
Key risks to know
- Sector concentration risk: Both funds concentrate exposure to memory chip manufacturers, which means performance swings with a single industry cycle. Memory demand is cyclical and capital-intensive; weakness in data center or consumer spending quickly pressures chip prices and valuations.
- Extreme volatility in DRAM: A beta of 4.1626 means a 10% market decline could produce a 41%+ drop in DRAM, amplifying losses in downturns and whipsaw risk around earnings announcements or supply-chain disruptions specific to memory chips.
- Tracking error from index methodology: Without details on how each fund selects memory stocks (market-cap weighting, equal-weight, qualitative thresholds), performance may diverge from a common memory-chip benchmark. DRAM's scale may support more precise replication; KMEM's smaller size may incur higher cash drag or sampling error. If you're hunting for a newer, potentially differentiated memory-chip strategy and can tolerate wider trading spreads, KMEM warrants considerationβbut its tiny asset pool creates real risk of poor execution or fund closure. Both are aggressive, concentrated bets on a cyclical industry; neither is suitable for income or capital preservation. Past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.