ISUL vs. KORU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ISUL (GraniteShares 2X Long ISRG Daily ETF) and KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds. ISUL is actively managed, while KORU is passively managed. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISUL charges 1.50%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for KORU.

Performance

ISUL vs. KORU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares 2X Long ISRG Daily ETF (ISUL) and Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISUL achieves a -53.66% return, which is significantly lower than KORU's 499.60% return.

ISUL

• 1D: -2.21%
• 1M: -17.13%
• YTD: -53.66%
• 6M: -55.94%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KORU

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 39.50%
• YTD: 499.60%
• 6M: 608.55%
• 1Y: 1,446.22%
• 3Y*: 132.53%
• 5Y*: 22.39%
• 10Y*: 19.66%

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

ISUL vs. KORU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ISUL GraniteShares 2X Long ISRG Daily ETF	-53.66%	55.46%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	499.60%	47.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ISUL and KORU is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2025	0.31

Return for Risk

ISUL vs. KORU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISUL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

KORU

KORU Risk / Return Rank: 96
KORU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
KORU Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
KORU Omega Ratio Rank: 93
KORU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
KORU 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.

ISUL vs. KORU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares 2X Long ISRG Daily ETF (ISUL) and Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). 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.

	ISUL	KORU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	10.51	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	4.29	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.62	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	23.83	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	70.47	—

Drawdowns

ISUL vs. KORU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISUL drawdown since its inception was -57.53%, smaller than the maximum KORU drawdown of -95.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISUL and KORU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISUL	KORU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.53%	-95.79%	+38.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-61.39%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-73.34%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-93.34%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-95.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-57.53%	-13.94%	-43.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.06%	-57.42%	+31.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	20.72%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ISUL	KORU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	80.74%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	130.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.96%	139.56%	-73.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	65.96%	89.97%	-24.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	65.96%	82.47%	-16.51%

ISUL vs. KORU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISUL has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than KORU's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISUL vs. KORU - Dividend Comparison

ISUL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISUL GraniteShares 2X Long ISRG Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	0.15%	0.89%	4.10%	2.55%	0.48%	0.76%	0.01%	0.93%	1.40%	3.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISUL and KORU in my portfolio?

ISUL and KORU have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ISUL or KORU?

On fees, KORU is cheaper at 1.29% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISUL or KORU?

KORU is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for ISUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISUL or KORU?

KORU has the higher dividend yield at 0.15%, compared with 0.00% for ISUL.

What is the main difference between ISUL and KORU?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for ISUL and 1.29% for KORU.