FLKR vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 19.64%/yr vs 13.14%/yr for FDT. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

FLKR vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLKR achieves a 112.26% return, which is significantly higher than FDT's 26.48% return.

FLKR

• 1D: 7.15%
• 1M: 17.17%
• YTD: 112.26%
• 6M: 128.12%
• 1Y: 212.42%
• 3Y*: 49.62%
• 5Y*: 19.64%
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: 2.64%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 26.48%
• 6M: 26.98%
• 1Y: 53.96%
• 3Y*: 28.59%
• 5Y*: 13.14%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

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

FLKR vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	112.26%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	42.64%	8.88%	-21.30%	3.00%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	26.48%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and FDT is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.73

The correlation between FLKR and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLKR vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	FDT
Technology	62.9%	12.1%
Industrials	14.6%	32.4%
Financial Services	7.5%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	11.9%
Healthcare	2.4%	1.3%
Communication Services	2.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	1.9%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	2.5%
Energy	0.7%	7.9%
Utilities	0.3%	4.8%
Real Estate	-	5.0%

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. FDT — 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: 97
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 86
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FLKR	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.63	2.75	+1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	3.51	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.49	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.29	4.04	+5.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.27	15.31	+16.96

FLKR vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 4.63, which is higher than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and FDT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, which is greater than FDT's maximum drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-46.10%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-13.41%	-9.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-14.29%	-12.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-32.80%	-16.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.76%	-0.82%	-1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.02%	-10.76%	-11.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.61%	3.54%	+3.07%

Volatility

FLKR vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 26.71% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) at 9.32%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.71%	9.32%	+17.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.52%	17.44%	+25.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.33%	19.76%	+26.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.77%	18.50%	+11.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.47%	18.63%	+9.84%

FLKR vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLKR vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than FDT's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.82%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	1.82%	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 FDT in my portfolio?

FLKR and FDT have a correlation of 0.76, 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 FDT?

FLKR has higher volatility (26.71%) compared to FDT (9.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or FDT?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 19.64% vs 13.14% for FDT. On fees, FLKR is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FDT has been the lower-risk option at 9.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or FDT?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 19.64% return vs 13.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or FDT?

FLKR is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 1.82% for FLKR.

What is the main difference between FLKR and FDT?

FLKR is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FDT is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.63 vs 2.75), 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.