FLKR vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 19.48%/yr vs 9.11%/yr for VPU. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VPU.

Performance

FLKR vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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 VPU's 3.18% return.

FLKR

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

VPU

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -5.40%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 13.61%
• 5Y*: 9.11%
• 10Y*: 9.02%

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

FLKR vs. VPU - 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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.18%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	-3.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and VPU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.23

FLKR vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	VPU
Technology	64.3%	-
Industrials	12.8%	0.2%
Financial Services	7.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	-
Healthcare	2.5%	-
Communication Services	1.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Energy	0.4%	0.5%
Utilities	0.3%	99.3%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. VPU — 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

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 20
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.83	0.67	+5.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.23	1.00	+4.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	1.12	+0.61
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.42	1.08	+9.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	38.67	2.43	+36.24
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. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 5.83, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and VPU, 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	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83	0.67	+5.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.54	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.53	+0.02

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-46.31%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-8.90%	-14.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-17.34%	-9.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-25.15%	-24.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-7.26%	+5.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.07%	-7.78%	-14.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.20%	3.96%	+2.24%

Volatility

FLKR vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 20.21% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 5.35%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.21%	5.35%	+14.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.52%	11.36%	+25.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.18%	14.30%	+26.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.19%	17.05%	+11.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.56%	19.12%	+8.44%

FLKR vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VPU's 0.10% 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. VPU - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, less than VPU's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.69%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLKR and VPU in my portfolio?

FLKR and VPU have a correlation of 0.17, 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 VPU?

FLKR has higher volatility (20.21%) compared to VPU (5.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or VPU?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 19.48% vs 9.11% for VPU. On fees, FLKR is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 5.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or VPU?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 19.48% return vs 9.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or VPU?

FLKR is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VPU.

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

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 1.80% for FLKR.

What is the main difference between FLKR and VPU?

FLKR is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.10% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.83 vs 0.67), 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.