IFN vs. KF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IFN (The India Fund) and KF (The Korea Fund Inc) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IFN returned 6.15%/yr vs 17.44%/yr for KF. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IFN charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for KF.

Performance

IFN vs. KF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The India Fund (IFN) and The Korea Fund Inc (KF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFN achieves a -14.22% return, which is significantly lower than KF's 115.17% return. Over the past 10 years, IFN has underperformed KF with an annualized return of 6.15%, while KF has yielded a comparatively higher 17.44% annualized return.

IFN

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: -5.19%
• YTD: -14.22%
• 6M: -16.23%
• 1Y: -21.15%
• 3Y*: 1.33%
• 5Y*: 0.87%
• 10Y*: 6.15%

KF

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 31.15%
• YTD: 115.17%
• 6M: 123.73%
• 1Y: 245.02%
• 3Y*: 50.84%
• 5Y*: 20.90%
• 10Y*: 17.44%

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

IFN vs. KF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IFN The India Fund	-14.22%	0.42%	-2.26%	36.48%	-15.85%	22.31%	12.25%	11.27%	-5.33%	37.15%
KF The Korea Fund Inc	115.17%	99.36%	-19.29%	12.34%	-30.02%	8.44%	37.14%	6.83%	-19.26%	42.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IFN and KF is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 1994	0.42

The correlation between IFN and KF shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (3 years) to 0.44 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IFN vs. KF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFN

IFN Risk / Return Rank: 0
IFN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
IFN Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
IFN Omega Ratio Rank: 0
IFN Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
IFN Martin Ratio Rank: 0

KF

KF Risk / Return Rank: 98
KF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
KF Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
KF Omega Ratio Rank: 95
KF Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
KF Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

IFN vs. KF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The India Fund (IFN) and The Korea Fund Inc (KF). 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.

	IFN	KF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.30	6.15	-7.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.91	5.41	-7.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.80	-1.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.82	9.99	-10.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.84	37.54	-39.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFN vs. KF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFN Sharpe Ratio is -1.30, which is lower than the KF Sharpe Ratio of 6.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFN and KF, 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

	IFN	KF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.30	6.15	-7.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.77	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.68	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.23	0.00

Drawdowns

IFN vs. KF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFN drawdown since its inception was -71.52%, smaller than the maximum KF drawdown of -85.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFN and KF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFN	KF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.52%	-85.25%	+13.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.05%	-25.42%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.53%	-28.04%	-3.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.53%	-47.62%	+16.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.48%	-52.91%	+11.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.27%	-0.57%	-27.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.88%	-37.90%	+12.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.69%	6.77%	+4.92%

Volatility

IFN vs. KF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The India Fund (IFN) is 5.52%, while The Korea Fund Inc (KF) has a volatility of 20.45%. This indicates that IFN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFN	KF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	20.45%	-14.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.36%	35.78%	-22.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.36%	40.18%	-23.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	27.36%	-9.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.90%	25.91%	-7.01%

IFN vs. KF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFN has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than KF's 0.02% 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

IFN vs. KF - Dividend Comparison

IFN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.78%, more than KF's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFN The India Fund	19.78%	16.09%	14.60%	8.97%	21.47%	15.21%	9.77%	11.57%	22.25%	12.11%	7.97%	8.02%
KF The Korea Fund Inc	0.56%	1.20%	2.46%	0.00%	15.93%	26.50%	1.30%	0.24%	18.67%	9.75%	1.03%	13.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFN and KF in my portfolio?

IFN and KF have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFN or KF?

KF has higher volatility (20.45%) compared to IFN (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFN dropped -71.52% vs KF's -85.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.15 vs -1.30), 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.