FLKR vs. VPL

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 15.43%/yr vs 9.79%/yr for VPL. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

FLKR vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLKR achieves a 76.23% return, which is significantly higher than VPL's 24.90% return.

FLKR

• 1D: 6.64%
• 1M: -4.82%
• 6M: 39.29%
• YTD: 76.23%
• 1Y: 139.26%
• 3Y*: 41.63%
• 5Y*: 15.43%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.32%

VPL

• 1D: 2.82%
• 1M: 0.85%
• 6M: 13.01%
• YTD: 24.90%
• 1Y: 40.16%
• 3Y*: 20.99%
• 5Y*: 9.79%
• 10Y*: 9.80%
• ALL TIME*: 6.65%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	$60.27M	$54.44M	$54.72M
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	$40.53M	$44.18M	$59.20M

FLKR vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	76.23%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	42.64%	8.88%	-21.30%	3.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	24.90%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and VPL is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.77

The correlation between FLKR and VPL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLKR vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	VPL
Technology	50.8%	31.6%
Industrials	17.1%	17.4%
Financial Services	12.3%	17.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	8.8%
Healthcare	3.6%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.9%	6.5%
Communication Services	2.5%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	3.2%
Energy	0.7%	1.1%
Utilities	0.5%	1.3%
Real Estate	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 87
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 67
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FLKR vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

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	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	1.69	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.27	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	3.03	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	9.11	+5.09

FLKR vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is higher than the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR 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.

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-55.49%	+5.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.17%	-13.33%	-20.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.17%	-16.35%	-17.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.45%	-31.09%	-16.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.83%	-6.48%	-15.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.96%	-11.59%	-10.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.85%	4.42%	+5.43%

Volatility

FLKR vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 21.75% compared to Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) at 9.18%. This indicates that FLKR'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

	FLKR	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.75%	9.18%	+12.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.70%	21.88%	+28.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.70%	23.91%	+29.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.31%	18.39%	+13.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.87%	17.75%	+12.12%

FLKR vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% 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

FLKR vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than VPL's 2.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	2.62%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.68%	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 FLKR and VPL in my portfolio?

FLKR and VPL have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VPL?

FLKR has higher volatility (21.75%) compared to VPL (9.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or VPL?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 15.43% vs 9.79% for VPL. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VPL has been the lower-risk option at 9.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or VPL?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 15.43% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or VPL?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for FLKR.

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

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 2.62% for FLKR.

What is the main difference between FLKR and VPL?

FLKR is categorized as South Korea Equities, while VPL is Asia Pacific Equities. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea 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: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.08% for VPL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.69), 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.