FLKR vs. VPU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a South Korea 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 15.43%/yr vs 8.54%/yr for VPU. Their 0.21 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

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 76.23% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 4.34% 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%

VPU

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -3.54%
• 6M: 2.73%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 1Y: 3.80%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: 8.92%
• ALL TIME*: 9.69%

*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
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	$50.50M	$44.54M	$44.64M

FLKR vs. VPU - 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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	4.34%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	-3.28%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and VPU is 0.11, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.21

The correlation between FLKR and VPU shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.21 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLKR vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	VPU
Technology	50.8%	-
Industrials	17.1%	0.2%
Financial Services	12.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	-
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.9%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	-
Energy	0.7%	0.5%
Utilities	0.5%	98.9%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. VPU — 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

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 15
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. 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.

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	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	0.26	+2.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	0.46	+2.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.05	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	0.43	+3.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	0.88	+13.31

FLKR vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. 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.

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	-34.17%	-8.90%	-25.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.17%	-12.95%	-21.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.45%	-25.15%	-22.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.83%	-6.21%	-15.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.96%	-7.76%	-14.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.85%	4.36%	+5.49%

Volatility

FLKR vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 21.75% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 3.71%. 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	21.75%	3.71%	+18.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.70%	11.71%	+38.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.70%	14.72%	+38.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.31%	17.06%	+15.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.87%	19.16%	+10.71%

FLKR vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FLKR and VPU 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. VPU - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than VPU's 2.71% 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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.71%	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 0.11, 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 (21.75%) compared to VPU (3.71%). 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 15.43% vs 8.54% for VPU. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. 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 15.43% return vs 8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or VPU?

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

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

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 2.62% for FLKR.

What is the main difference between FLKR and VPU?

FLKR is categorized as South Korea 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 0.26), 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.