KORU vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds - KORU tracks the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index while QLD tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, KORU returned 14.49%/yr vs 36.27%/yr for QLD. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KORU charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

KORU vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KORU achieves a 285.56% return, which is significantly higher than QLD's 29.58% return. Over the past 10 years, KORU has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 14.49%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 36.27% annualized return.

KORU

• 1D: -35.70%
• 1M: -10.30%
• YTD: 285.56%
• 6M: 341.44%
• 1Y: 858.44%
• 3Y*: 100.70%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 14.49%

QLD

• 1D: -6.61%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 29.58%
• 6M: 26.13%
• 1Y: 66.80%
• 3Y*: 43.61%
• 5Y*: 21.41%
• 10Y*: 36.27%

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

KORU vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	285.56%	432.73%	-62.18%	28.61%	-70.16%	-33.86%	48.78%	5.47%	-59.89%	167.08%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	29.58%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between KORU and QLD is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2013	0.57

The correlation between KORU and QLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.69 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KORU vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KORU	QLD
Technology	63.4%	58.7%
Industrials	15.2%	2.6%
Financial Services	7.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	11.4%
Healthcare	2.5%	3.7%
Communication Services	2.1%	14.3%
Basic Materials	1.4%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	6.4%
Energy	0.9%	0.5%
Utilities	0.3%	1.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

KORU vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

KORU

KORU Risk / Return Rank: 93
KORU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
KORU Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
KORU Omega Ratio Rank: 88
KORU Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
KORU Martin Ratio Rank: 97

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 53
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	KORU	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.02	1.88	+4.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	2.33	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.31	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	14.12	2.67	+11.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	41.38	9.05	+32.33

KORU vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KORU Sharpe Ratio is 6.02, which is higher than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KORU and QLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

KORU vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KORU drawdown since its inception was -95.79%, which is greater than QLD's maximum drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KORU and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	KORU	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.79%	-83.13%	-12.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.39%	-25.13%	-36.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.34%	-42.29%	-31.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.34%	-63.68%	-29.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-95.79%	-63.68%	-32.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-44.66%	-9.26%	-35.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.41%	-18.14%	-39.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.91%	7.40%	+13.51%

Volatility

KORU vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU) has a higher volatility of 92.27% compared to ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) at 18.22%. This indicates that KORU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KORU	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	92.27%	18.22%	+74.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	138.63%	28.95%	+109.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	144.16%	35.77%	+108.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	91.40%	45.34%	+46.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	83.03%	44.80%	+38.23%

KORU vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

KORU has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

KORU vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, more than QLD's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.13%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KORU and QLD in my portfolio?

KORU and QLD have a correlation of 0.69, 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 QLD?

KORU has higher volatility (92.27%) compared to QLD (18.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KORU dropped -95.79% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, KORU or QLD?

On 10-year performance, QLD leads with 36.27% vs 14.49% for KORU. On fees, QLD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, QLD has been the lower-risk option at 18.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KORU or QLD?

Over the 10-year period, QLD has performed better with a 36.27% return vs 14.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KORU or QLD?

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

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

KORU has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.13% for QLD.

What is the main difference between KORU and QLD?

KORU tracks MSCI Korea 25-50 Index, while QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for KORU and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KORU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.02 vs 1.88), 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.