MKOR vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MKOR (Matthews Korea Active ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MKOR is a South Korea Equities fund actively managed by Matthews, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. MKOR is actively managed, while VGT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MKOR returned 29.91%/yr vs 26.48%/yr for VGT. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MKOR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

MKOR vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MKOR achieves a 55.62% return, which is significantly higher than VGT's 20.36% return.

MKOR

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -12.41%
• 6M: 23.47%
• YTD: 55.62%
• 1Y: 103.69%
• 3Y*: 29.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.17%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MKOR Matthews Korea Active ETF	$718.06K	$1.21M	$1.53M
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M

MKOR vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MKOR Matthews Korea Active ETF	55.62%	70.33%	-15.76%	-2.52%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	29.30%	8.33%

Correlation

The correlation between MKOR and VGT is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2023	0.59

The correlation between MKOR and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

MKOR vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MKOR	VGT
Technology	51.5%	98.6%
Industrials	24.6%	0.4%
Financial Services	10.1%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	0.1%
Communication Services	2.4%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	-
Healthcare	1.6%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.4%	0.0%
Energy	0.7%	0.3%
Utilities	0.6%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

MKOR vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MKOR

MKOR Risk / Return Rank: 85
MKOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
MKOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
MKOR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
MKOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
MKOR Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MKOR vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	MKOR	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.31	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	1.82	+0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.23	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	1.94	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	5.23	+6.99

MKOR vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MKOR Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MKOR and VGT, 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

MKOR vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MKOR drawdown since its inception was -29.42%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MKOR and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MKOR	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.42%	-54.63%	+25.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.42%	-16.40%	-13.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.42%	-27.23%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.07%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.50%	-9.93%	-14.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.64%	-7.95%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.02%	6.07%	+1.95%

Volatility

MKOR vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) has a higher volatility of 16.44% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 8.42%. This indicates that MKOR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MKOR	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.44%	8.42%	+8.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.19%	20.14%	+22.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.23%	24.28%	+20.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.56%	25.83%	+4.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.56%	24.89%	+5.67%

MKOR vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MKOR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MKOR vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

MKOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MKOR Matthews Korea Active ETF	1.69%	2.62%	5.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MKOR and VGT in my portfolio?

MKOR and VGT 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, MKOR or VGT?

MKOR has higher volatility (16.44%) compared to VGT (8.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MKOR dropped -29.42% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, MKOR or VGT?

On 3-year performance, MKOR leads with 29.91% vs 26.48% for VGT. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VGT has been the lower-risk option at 8.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MKOR or VGT?

Over the 3-year period, MKOR has performed better with a 29.91% return vs 26.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MKOR or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MKOR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MKOR or VGT?

MKOR has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.38% for VGT.

What is the main difference between MKOR and VGT?

MKOR is categorized as South Korea Equities, while VGT is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Matthews and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for MKOR and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MKOR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.31), 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.