FLAX vs. VPL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLAX (Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - FLAX tracks the FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index while VPL tracks the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLAX returned 7.95%/yr vs 10.36%/yr for VPL. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLAX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

FLAX vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FLAX having a 29.31% return and VPL slightly higher at 30.29%.

FLAX

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 10.05%
• YTD: 29.31%
• 6M: 32.11%
• 1Y: 58.93%
• 3Y*: 25.00%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: —

VPL

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 10.45%
• YTD: 30.29%
• 6M: 33.07%
• 1Y: 53.61%
• 3Y*: 23.02%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FLAX vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	29.31%	33.72%	9.82%	6.27%	-18.88%	-3.54%	24.17%	17.19%	-12.02%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	30.29%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-10.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FLAX and VPL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2018	0.75

The correlation between FLAX and VPL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLAX vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLAX	VPL
Technology	39.7%	22.6%
Financial Services	17.2%	19.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	9.6%
Industrials	9.2%	20.5%
Communication Services	6.5%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.2%	7.3%
Healthcare	3.3%	5.0%
Energy	3.0%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	3.5%
Utilities	2.1%	1.6%
Real Estate	2.0%	4.3%

Return for Risk

FLAX vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FLAX

FLAX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 80
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FLAX vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FLAX	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.11	2.76	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	3.60	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.49	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	4.04	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.96	15.95	+2.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLAX vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.11, which is comparable to the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLAX and VPL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FLAX	VPL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.11	2.76	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.60	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.34	+0.10

Drawdowns

FLAX vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLAX drawdown since its inception was -42.51%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLAX and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLAX	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.51%	-55.49%	+12.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.99%	-13.33%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.29%	-16.35%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.75%	-31.09%	-7.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-0.28%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.41%	-11.63%	-3.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.37%	-0.08%

Volatility

FLAX vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) has a higher volatility of 8.58% compared to Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) at 7.32%. This indicates that FLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLAX	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.58%	7.32%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.54%	16.71%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.07%	19.55%	-0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.02%	17.29%	+1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	17.29%	+2.64%

FLAX vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLAX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VPL's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLAX vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

FLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than VPL's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	1.83%	2.37%	3.12%	2.20%	2.86%	2.38%	1.57%	2.23%	2.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.73%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLAX and VPL in my portfolio?

FLAX and VPL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLAX or VPL?

FLAX has higher volatility (8.58%) compared to VPL (7.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLAX dropped -42.51% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which ETF is better, FLAX or VPL?

On 5-year performance, VPL leads with 10.36% vs 7.95% for FLAX. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VPL has been the lower-risk option at 7.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLAX or VPL?

Over the 5-year period, VPL has performed better with a 10.36% return vs 7.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLAX or VPL?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLAX or VPL?

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 1.83% for FLAX.

What is the main difference between FLAX and VPL?

FLAX tracks FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index, while VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLAX and 0.08% for VPL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.11 vs 2.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.