FLKR vs. IAUM

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 17.20%/yr vs 17.75%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

FLKR vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLKR achieves a 88.17% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's -4.79% return.

FLKR

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -5.67%
• 6M: 69.24%
• YTD: 88.17%
• 1Y: 153.09%
• 3Y*: 45.44%
• 5Y*: 17.20%
• 10Y*: —

IAUM

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -2.36%
• 6M: -8.92%
• YTD: -4.79%
• 1Y: 22.29%
• 3Y*: 28.48%
• 5Y*: 17.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

FLKR vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	88.17%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-15.67%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-4.79%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and IAUM is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021	0.29

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 92
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 26
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	0.86	+2.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	1.22	+1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.18	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.61	0.90	+5.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.76	2.24	+18.53

FLKR vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and IAUM, 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. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -26.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-26.14%	-23.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-26.14%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-26.14%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.14%	-26.14%	-22.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.53%	-23.91%	+7.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.93%	-5.64%	-16.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.32%	10.52%	-3.20%

Volatility

FLKR vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 24.66% compared to iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) at 8.24%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.66%	8.24%	+16.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.71%	23.77%	+22.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.65%	27.48%	+22.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.98%	18.19%	+12.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.12%	18.14%	+10.98%

FLKR vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FLKR and IAUM have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLKR vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	2.45%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLKR and IAUM in my portfolio?

FLKR and IAUM have a correlation of 0.31, 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 IAUM?

FLKR has higher volatility (24.66%) compared to IAUM (8.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs IAUM's -26.14%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or IAUM?

On 5-year performance, IAUM leads with 17.75% vs 17.20% for FLKR. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 8.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or IAUM?

Over the 5-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 17.75% return vs 17.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or IAUM?

FLKR and IAUM have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

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

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 2.45%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between FLKR and IAUM?

FLKR is categorized as South Korea Equities, while IAUM is Gold. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 0.86), 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.