IWFL vs. KORU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IWFL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN) and KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds - IWFL tracks the Russell 1000 Growth (200%) while KORU tracks the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IWFL returned 20.43%/yr vs 24.81%/yr for KORU. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWFL charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for KORU.

Performance

IWFL vs. KORU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN (IWFL) 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, IWFL achieves a 12.54% return, which is significantly lower than KORU's 574.61% return.

IWFL

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 12.28%
• YTD: 12.54%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 48.76%
• 3Y*: 39.45%
• 5Y*: 20.43%
• 10Y*: —

KORU

• 1D: -3.17%
• 1M: 103.23%
• YTD: 574.61%
• 6M: 732.27%
• 1Y: 2,236.72%
• 3Y*: 134.36%
• 5Y*: 24.81%
• 10Y*: 19.90%

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

IWFL vs. KORU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IWFL ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN	12.54%	18.54%	61.94%	84.47%	-55.71%	46.03%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	574.61%	432.73%	-62.18%	28.61%	-70.16%	-45.24%

Correlation

The correlation between IWFL and KORU is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2021	0.58

The correlation between IWFL and KORU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWFL vs. KORU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWFL

IWFL Risk / Return Rank: 37
IWFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IWFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
IWFL Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IWFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IWFL Martin Ratio Rank: 32

KORU

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

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.

IWFL vs. KORU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN (IWFL) 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.

	IWFL	KORU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	18.26	-16.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	5.25	-3.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.73	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	38.64	-37.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.86	122.74	-117.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWFL vs. KORU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWFL Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the KORU Sharpe Ratio of 18.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWFL and KORU, 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

	IWFL	KORU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	18.26	-16.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.29	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.13	+0.29

Drawdowns

IWFL vs. KORU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWFL drawdown since its inception was -59.29%, smaller than the maximum KORU drawdown of -95.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWFL and KORU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWFL	KORU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.29%	-95.79%	+36.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.80%	-61.39%	+28.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.84%	-73.71%	+26.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.29%	-93.35%	+34.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-95.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-3.17%	+2.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.95%	-57.55%	+37.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.28%	19.33%	-9.05%

Volatility

IWFL vs. KORU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN (IWFL) is 6.11%, while Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) has a volatility of 59.91%. This indicates that IWFL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KORU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWFL	KORU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.11%	59.91%	-53.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.11%	110.67%	-85.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.98%	124.16%	-92.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.68%	85.10%	-38.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.29%	79.92%	-33.63%

IWFL vs. KORU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWFL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than KORU's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWFL vs. KORU - Dividend Comparison

IWFL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWFL ETRACS 2x Leveraged US Growth Factor TR ETN	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	0.14%	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 IWFL and KORU in my portfolio?

IWFL and KORU have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWFL or KORU?

KORU has higher volatility (59.91%) compared to IWFL (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWFL dropped -59.29% vs KORU's -95.79%.

Which ETF is better, IWFL or KORU?

On 5-year performance, KORU leads with 24.81% vs 20.43% for IWFL. On fees, IWFL is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, IWFL has been the lower-risk option at 6.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWFL or KORU?

Over the 5-year period, KORU has performed better with a 24.81% return vs 20.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWFL or KORU?

IWFL is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for KORU.

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

KORU has the higher dividend yield at 0.14%, compared with 0.00% for IWFL.

What is the main difference between IWFL and KORU?

IWFL tracks Russell 1000 Growth (200%), while KORU tracks MSCI Korea 25-50 Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for IWFL and 1.29% for KORU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KORU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (18.26 vs 1.53), 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.