LKOR vs. SKOR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LKOR (FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund) and SKOR (FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Northern Trust - LKOR tracks the Northern Trust US Long Corporate Bond Quality Value Index while SKOR tracks the NorthernTrustUS Corporate Bond Quality Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LKOR returned 2.45%/yr vs 2.85%/yr for SKOR. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.22% expense ratio.

Performance

LKOR vs. SKOR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR) and FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund (SKOR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LKOR achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly higher than SKOR's 0.33% return. Over the past 10 years, LKOR has underperformed SKOR with an annualized return of 2.45%, while SKOR has yielded a comparatively higher 2.85% annualized return.

LKOR

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: -0.19%
• 1Y: 7.57%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: -1.59%
• 10Y*: 2.45%

SKOR

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.33%
• 6M: 0.53%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: 5.88%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 2.85%

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

LKOR vs. SKOR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund	0.74%	7.04%	-1.02%	11.64%	-25.55%	-1.51%	16.00%	23.97%	-7.61%	13.87%
SKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund	0.33%	7.99%	4.42%	7.64%	-9.88%	-1.40%	8.84%	10.69%	-1.25%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between LKOR and SKOR is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2015	0.71

The correlation between LKOR and SKOR shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LKOR vs. SKOR — Risk / Return Rank

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

LKOR

LKOR Risk / Return Rank: 26
LKOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
LKOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
LKOR Omega Ratio Rank: 24
LKOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
LKOR Martin Ratio Rank: 25

SKOR

SKOR Risk / Return Rank: 56
SKOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SKOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SKOR Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SKOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
SKOR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

LKOR vs. SKOR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR) and FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund (SKOR). 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.

	LKOR	SKOR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.95	-1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	2.91	-1.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.36	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	2.54	-1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.43	9.09	-5.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LKOR vs. SKOR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LKOR Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the SKOR Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LKOR and SKOR, 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

	LKOR	SKOR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	1.95	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12	0.41	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	0.58	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.63	-0.38

Drawdowns

LKOR vs. SKOR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LKOR drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than SKOR's maximum drawdown of -15.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LKOR and SKOR.

Drawdown Indicators

	LKOR	SKOR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-15.98%	-18.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	-2.09%	-3.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.74%	-3.11%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.78%	-15.13%	-19.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-15.98%	-18.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.63%	-0.78%	-12.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.36%	-2.65%	-7.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	0.58%	+1.63%

Volatility

LKOR vs. SKOR - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR) has a higher volatility of 2.41% compared to FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund (SKOR) at 0.85%. This indicates that LKOR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SKOR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LKOR	SKOR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	0.85%	+1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.76%	1.99%	+3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.00%	2.72%	+5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.90%	4.42%	+8.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.22%	4.90%	+8.32%

LKOR vs. SKOR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both LKOR and SKOR have an expense ratio of 0.22%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LKOR vs. SKOR - Dividend Comparison

LKOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, more than SKOR's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund	5.72%	5.57%	5.52%	4.90%	4.71%	4.73%	6.56%	3.71%	4.21%	3.77%	5.53%	1.22%
SKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored US Corporate Bond Index Fund	4.67%	4.70%	4.90%	3.90%	2.57%	2.55%	3.38%	3.53%	2.85%	2.46%	2.74%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LKOR and SKOR in my portfolio?

LKOR and SKOR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LKOR or SKOR?

LKOR has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to SKOR (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LKOR dropped -34.78% vs SKOR's -15.98%.

Which ETF is better, LKOR or SKOR?

On 10-year performance, SKOR leads with 2.85% vs 2.45% for LKOR. Both ETFs have the same 0.22% expense ratio. On volatility, SKOR has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LKOR or SKOR?

Over the 10-year period, SKOR has performed better with a 2.85% return vs 2.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LKOR or SKOR?

LKOR and SKOR have the same expense ratio: 0.22% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LKOR or SKOR?

LKOR has the higher dividend yield at 5.72%, compared with 4.67% for SKOR.

What is the main difference between LKOR and SKOR?

LKOR tracks Northern Trust US Long Corporate Bond Quality Value Index, while SKOR tracks NorthernTrustUS Corporate Bond Quality Value Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SKOR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.95), 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.