KDEF vs. RKLB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KDEF (PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the The Korea Defence Industry Index, while RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past year, KDEF returned 40.06% vs 329.27% for RKLB. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

KDEF vs. RKLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KDEF achieves a 6.06% return, which is significantly lower than RKLB's 64.42% return.

KDEF

• 1D: -2.40%
• 1M: -26.87%
• YTD: 6.06%
• 6M: 18.05%
• 1Y: 40.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RKLB

• 1D: -6.99%
• 1M: 42.82%
• YTD: 64.42%
• 6M: 156.48%
• 1Y: 329.27%
• 3Y*: 186.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KDEF vs. RKLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	6.06%	117.16%
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	64.42%	143.92%

Correlation

The correlation between KDEF and RKLB is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2025	0.21

Return for Risk

KDEF vs. RKLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

KDEF

KDEF Risk / Return Rank: 26
KDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
KDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
KDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 25
KDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
KDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 29

RKLB

RKLB Risk / Return Rank: 93
RKLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
RKLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RKLB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
RKLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RKLB 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.

KDEF vs. RKLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB). 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.

	KDEF	RKLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	3.61	-2.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	3.37	-1.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.41	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	7.71	-6.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.15	18.10	-13.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KDEF vs. RKLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KDEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the RKLB Sharpe Ratio of 3.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KDEF and RKLB, 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

	KDEF	RKLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	3.61	-2.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.90	0.76	+1.14

Drawdowns

KDEF vs. RKLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KDEF drawdown since its inception was -29.45%, smaller than the maximum RKLB drawdown of -82.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KDEF and RKLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	KDEF	RKLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.45%	-82.96%	+53.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.45%	-43.01%	+13.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-55.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.45%	-23.65%	-5.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.45%	-51.47%	+45.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.69%	18.29%	-8.60%

Volatility

KDEF vs. RKLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) is 15.76%, while Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a volatility of 42.00%. This indicates that KDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RKLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KDEF	RKLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.76%	42.00%	-26.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.50%	72.36%	-35.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.63%	92.02%	-47.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.54%	81.45%	-34.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.54%	81.45%	-34.91%

Dividends

KDEF vs. RKLB - Dividend Comparison

KDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.48%, while RKLB has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	6.48%	5.06%
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KDEF and RKLB in my portfolio?

KDEF and RKLB have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KDEF or RKLB?

RKLB has higher volatility (42.00%) compared to KDEF (15.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KDEF dropped -29.45% vs RKLB's -82.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 0.90), 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.