HELX vs. FLKR

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

HELX (Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF) and FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HELX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while FLKR is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index. HELX is actively managed, while FLKR is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HELX returned -4.45%/yr vs 14.78%/yr for FLKR. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HELX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for FLKR.

Performance

HELX vs. FLKR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HELX achieves a -4.15% return, which is significantly lower than FLKR's 75.41% return.

HELX

• 1D: -2.64%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -6.12%
• 1Y: 31.33%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: -4.45%
• 10Y*: —

FLKR

• 1D: -14.42%
• 1M: -4.78%
• YTD: 75.41%
• 6M: 86.24%
• 1Y: 162.46%
• 3Y*: 41.04%
• 5Y*: 14.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

HELX vs. FLKR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF	-4.15%	26.34%	-5.32%	1.14%	-37.89%	9.80%	85.05%
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	75.41%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	62.14%

Correlation

The correlation between HELX and FLKR is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2020	0.47

HELX vs. FLKR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HELX	FLKR
Healthcare	96.5%	2.5%
Basic Materials	2.7%	2.6%
Technology	0.9%	64.3%
Communication Services	-	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.5%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	7.6%
Industrials	-	12.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

HELX vs. FLKR — Risk / Return Rank

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

HELX

HELX Risk / Return Rank: 41
HELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
HELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
HELX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HELX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 91
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

HELX vs. FLKR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	HELX	FLKR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	3.72	-2.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	3.65	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.54	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	7.10	-5.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	25.78	-21.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HELX vs. FLKR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HELX Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is lower than the FLKR Sharpe Ratio of 3.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HELX and FLKR, 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

	HELX	FLKR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	3.72	-2.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.18	0.51	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.45	-0.22

Drawdowns

HELX vs. FLKR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HELX drawdown since its inception was -58.75%, which is greater than FLKR's maximum drawdown of -50.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HELX and FLKR.

Drawdown Indicators

	HELX	FLKR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.75%	-50.06%	-8.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.01%	-23.03%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.48%	-26.39%	-3.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.75%	-49.51%	-9.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.86%	-19.64%	-20.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.32%	-22.06%	-12.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.97%	6.33%	+0.64%

Volatility

HELX vs. FLKR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) is 7.78%, while Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a volatility of 25.67%. This indicates that HELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLKR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HELX	FLKR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.78%	25.67%	-17.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.67%	40.27%	-23.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.23%	43.98%	-22.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.17%	28.98%	-4.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.42%	28.04%	-0.62%

HELX vs. FLKR - Expense Ratio Comparison

HELX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FLKR's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

HELX vs. FLKR - Dividend Comparison

HELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, less than FLKR's 2.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	2.21%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF	0.41%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.24%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HELX and FLKR in my portfolio?

HELX and FLKR have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HELX or FLKR?

FLKR has higher volatility (25.67%) compared to HELX (7.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HELX dropped -58.75% vs FLKR's -50.06%.

Which ETF is better, HELX or FLKR?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 14.78% vs -4.45% for HELX. On fees, FLKR is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, HELX has been the lower-risk option at 7.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HELX or FLKR?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 14.78% return vs -4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HELX or FLKR?

FLKR is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HELX.

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

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 2.21%, compared with 0.41% for HELX.

What is the main difference between HELX and FLKR?

HELX is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while FLKR is Asia Pacific Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HELX and 0.09% for FLKR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.72 vs 1.48), 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.