KORU vs. GDE

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) and GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - KORU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index, while GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree. KORU is passively managed, while GDE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, KORU returned 90.94%/yr vs 44.47%/yr for GDE. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KORU charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GDE.

Performance

KORU vs. GDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KORU achieves a 290.75% return, which is significantly higher than GDE's 5.74% return.

KORU

• 1D: 16.30%
• 1M: -24.70%
• YTD: 290.75%
• 6M: 339.95%
• 1Y: 1,038.83%
• 3Y*: 90.94%
• 5Y*: 12.79%
• 10Y*: 13.25%

GDE

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -7.44%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 8.50%
• 1Y: 47.93%
• 3Y*: 44.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KORU vs. GDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	290.75%	432.73%	-62.18%	28.61%	-58.82%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	5.74%	73.76%	44.79%	33.85%	-18.67%

Correlation

The correlation between KORU and GDE is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.55

The correlation between KORU and GDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

KORU vs. GDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KORU	GDE
Technology	52.3%	35.6%
Industrials	20.4%	7.6%
Financial Services	9.5%	12.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	10.1%
Healthcare	3.5%	8.3%
Communication Services	2.9%	12.2%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	5.5%
Energy	1.4%	3.4%
Utilities	0.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

KORU vs. GDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

KORU

KORU Risk / Return Rank: 96
KORU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
KORU Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
KORU Omega Ratio Rank: 92
KORU Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
KORU Martin Ratio Rank: 98

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 49
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

KORU vs. GDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). 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.

	KORU	GDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.91	1.66	+6.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	2.07	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.31	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.10	2.13	+14.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	52.85	6.49	+46.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KORU vs. GDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KORU Sharpe Ratio is 7.91, which is higher than the GDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KORU and GDE, 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

	KORU	GDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.91	1.66	+6.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	1.10	-1.03

Drawdowns

KORU vs. GDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KORU drawdown since its inception was -95.79%, which is greater than GDE's maximum drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KORU and GDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	KORU	GDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.79%	-32.01%	-63.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.39%	-22.66%	-38.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.71%	-22.66%	-51.05%
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	-43.91%	-14.44%	-29.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.51%	-7.90%	-49.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.83%	7.40%	+12.43%

Volatility

KORU vs. GDE - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) has a higher volatility of 82.40% compared to WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) at 8.25%. This indicates that KORU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KORU	GDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	82.40%	8.25%	+74.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	125.52%	25.04%	+100.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	132.99%	29.09%	+103.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	87.63%	26.26%	+61.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.26%	26.26%	+55.00%

KORU vs. GDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

KORU has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than GDE's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

KORU vs. GDE - Dividend Comparison

KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than GDE's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.09%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	0.24%	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 KORU and GDE in my portfolio?

KORU and GDE have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KORU or GDE?

KORU has higher volatility (82.40%) compared to GDE (8.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KORU dropped -95.79% vs GDE's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, KORU or GDE?

On 3-year performance, KORU leads with 90.94% vs 44.47% for GDE. On fees, GDE is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GDE has been the lower-risk option at 8.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KORU or GDE?

Over the 3-year period, KORU has performed better with a 90.94% return vs 44.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KORU or GDE?

GDE is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for KORU.

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

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 0.24% for KORU.

What is the main difference between KORU and GDE?

KORU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while GDE is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for KORU and 0.20% for GDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KORU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.91 vs 1.66), 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.