FLKR vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 16.65%/yr vs 5.48%/yr for IWM. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

FLKR vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLKR achieves a 86.43% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 15.62% return.

FLKR

• 1D: 6.28%
• 1M: -2.80%
• YTD: 86.43%
• 6M: 95.63%
• 1Y: 177.77%
• 3Y*: 43.23%
• 5Y*: 16.65%
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 15.62%
• 6M: 13.83%
• 1Y: 35.52%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 10.78%

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

FLKR vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	86.43%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	42.64%	8.88%	-21.30%	2.84%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	15.62%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	2.86%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and IWM is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.54

The correlation between FLKR and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLKR vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	IWM
Technology	64.3%	19.5%
Industrials	12.8%	17.2%
Financial Services	7.6%	15.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	7.9%
Basic Materials	2.6%	4.5%
Healthcare	2.5%	16.1%
Communication Services	1.6%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	2.1%
Energy	0.4%	5.8%
Utilities	0.3%	3.0%
Real Estate	-	5.6%

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 94
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 63
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.03	1.83	+2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	2.54	+1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.30	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.77	3.24	+4.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.92	11.44	+16.48
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. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 4.03, which is higher than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and IWM, 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	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.03	1.83	+2.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.24	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.36	+0.11

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-59.05%	+8.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-11.03%	-12.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-27.50%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-31.91%	-17.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.59%	-2.71%	-11.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.06%	-10.76%	-11.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.40%	3.11%	+3.29%

Volatility

FLKR vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 26.26% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 6.52%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.26%	6.52%	+19.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.64%	14.00%	+26.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.43%	19.53%	+24.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.12%	22.58%	+6.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.11%	23.07%	+5.04%

FLKR vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLKR vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, more than IWM's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	2.07%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.89%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLKR and IWM in my portfolio?

FLKR and IWM have a correlation of 0.51, 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 IWM?

FLKR has higher volatility (26.26%) compared to IWM (6.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or IWM?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 16.65% vs 5.48% for IWM. On fees, FLKR is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 6.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or IWM?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 16.65% return vs 5.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or IWM?

FLKR is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWM.

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

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 2.07%, compared with 0.89% for IWM.

What is the main difference between FLKR and IWM?

FLKR is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.03 vs 1.83), 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.