FLKR vs. AIA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - FLKR tracks the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index while AIA tracks the S&P Asia 50. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 19.48%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for AIA. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AIA.

Performance

FLKR vs. AIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLKR achieves a 114.41% return, which is significantly higher than AIA's 52.67% return.

FLKR

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 29.00%
• YTD: 114.41%
• 6M: 130.14%
• 1Y: 238.40%
• 3Y*: 51.14%
• 5Y*: 19.48%
• 10Y*: —

AIA

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 18.04%
• YTD: 52.67%
• 6M: 57.46%
• 1Y: 100.69%
• 3Y*: 38.58%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

FLKR vs. AIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	114.41%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	42.64%	8.88%	-21.30%	2.84%
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	52.67%	47.79%	20.26%	4.32%	-24.08%	-10.91%	33.73%	22.21%	-14.22%	1.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and AIA is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.78

The correlation between FLKR and AIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLKR vs. AIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	AIA
Technology	64.3%	56.8%
Industrials	12.8%	2.6%
Financial Services	7.6%	19.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	10.1%
Basic Materials	2.6%	-
Healthcare	2.5%	0.9%
Communication Services	1.6%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Energy	0.4%	0.7%
Utilities	0.3%	-
Real Estate	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. AIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 96
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 95
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 93
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

FLKR vs. AIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA). 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.

	FLKR	AIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.83	3.94	+1.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.23	4.57	+0.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	1.64	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.42	7.16	+3.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	38.67	26.55	+12.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLKR vs. AIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 5.83, which is higher than the AIA Sharpe Ratio of 3.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and AIA, 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

	FLKR	AIA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83	3.94	+1.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.49	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.32	+0.23

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. AIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, smaller than the maximum AIA drawdown of -60.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and AIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	AIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-60.89%	+10.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-14.15%	-8.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-21.64%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-50.17%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-54.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-1.19%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.07%	-16.68%	-5.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.20%	3.81%	+2.39%

Volatility

FLKR vs. AIA - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 20.21% compared to iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) at 11.22%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	AIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.21%	11.22%	+8.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.52%	21.71%	+14.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.18%	25.70%	+15.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.19%	25.51%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.56%	23.55%	+4.01%

FLKR vs. AIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than AIA's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLKR vs. AIA - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, more than AIA's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.64%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	1.80%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLKR and AIA in my portfolio?

FLKR and AIA have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLKR or AIA?

FLKR has higher volatility (20.21%) compared to AIA (11.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs AIA's -60.89%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or AIA?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 19.48% vs 12.42% for AIA. On fees, FLKR is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, AIA has been the lower-risk option at 11.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or AIA?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 19.48% return vs 12.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or AIA?

FLKR is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AIA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLKR or AIA?

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 1.64% for AIA.

What is the main difference between FLKR and AIA?

FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while AIA tracks S&P Asia 50. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.50% for AIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.83 vs 3.94), 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.