FLKR vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLKR is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLKR returned 16.65%/yr vs 22.26%/yr for XLK. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLKR charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

FLKR vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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 XLK's 28.09% return.

FLKR

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

XLK

• 1D: 2.15%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 28.09%
• 6M: 25.10%
• 1Y: 55.42%
• 3Y*: 31.33%
• 5Y*: 22.26%
• 10Y*: 25.04%

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

FLKR vs. XLK - 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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	28.09%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FLKR and XLK is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.58

The correlation between FLKR and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLKR vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLKR	XLK
Technology	64.3%	99.7%
Industrials	12.8%	0.1%
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%	0.2%
Utilities	0.3%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FLKR vs. XLK — 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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 77
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 79
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.03	2.53	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	3.06	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.42	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.77	3.50	+4.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.92	11.58	+16.34
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. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLKR Sharpe Ratio is 4.03, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLKR and XLK, 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.03	2.53	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.89	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.41	+0.07

Drawdowns

FLKR vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLKR drawdown since its inception was -50.06%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLKR and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLKR	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.06%	-82.05%	+31.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-15.92%	-7.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-25.66%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-33.56%	-15.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.59%	-7.08%	-7.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.06%	-34.95%	+12.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.40%	4.80%	+1.60%

Volatility

FLKR vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a higher volatility of 26.26% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 10.42%. This indicates that FLKR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLKR	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.26%	10.42%	+15.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.64%	18.32%	+22.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.43%	22.08%	+22.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.12%	25.10%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.11%	24.60%	+3.51%

FLKR vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLKR has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK'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. XLK - Dividend Comparison

FLKR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, more than XLK's 0.41% 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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.41%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLKR and XLK in my portfolio?

FLKR and XLK have a correlation of 0.66, 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 XLK?

FLKR has higher volatility (26.26%) compared to XLK (10.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLKR dropped -50.06% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, FLKR or XLK?

On 5-year performance, XLK leads with 22.26% vs 16.65% for FLKR. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 10.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLKR or XLK?

Over the 5-year period, XLK has performed better with a 22.26% return vs 16.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLKR or XLK?

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

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

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 2.07%, compared with 0.41% for XLK.

What is the main difference between FLKR and XLK?

FLKR is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLKR and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.03 vs 2.53), 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.