MKOR vs. VPL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MKOR (Matthews Korea Active ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MKOR is a South Korea Equities fund actively managed by Matthews, while VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. MKOR is actively managed, while VPL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MKOR returned 32.37%/yr vs 19.87%/yr for VPL. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MKOR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

MKOR vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MKOR achieves a 59.13% return, which is significantly higher than VPL's 21.47% return.

MKOR

• 1D: 2.25%
• 1M: -10.44%
• 6M: 28.23%
• YTD: 59.13%
• 1Y: 108.28%
• 3Y*: 32.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.03%

VPL

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -1.92%
• 6M: 11.30%
• YTD: 21.47%
• 1Y: 38.65%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: 9.27%
• 10Y*: 9.50%
• ALL TIME*: 6.52%

*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	$731.81K	$1.04M	$1.49M
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	$39.40M	$44.46M	$59.50M

MKOR vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MKOR Matthews Korea Active ETF	59.13%	70.33%	-15.76%	-2.52%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	21.47%	32.66%	1.68%	3.25%

Correlation

The correlation between MKOR and VPL is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2023	0.73

The correlation between MKOR and VPL shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.84 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MKOR vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MKOR	VPL
Technology	51.5%	31.6%
Industrials	24.6%	17.4%
Financial Services	10.1%	17.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	8.8%
Communication Services	2.4%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	3.2%
Healthcare	1.6%	4.3%
Basic Materials	1.4%	6.5%
Energy	0.7%	1.1%
Utilities	0.6%	1.3%
Real Estate	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

MKOR vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MKOR

MKOR Risk / Return Rank: 86
MKOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
MKOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
MKOR Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MKOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
MKOR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 71
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). 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	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.63	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.20	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.31	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.91	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	8.80	+4.53

MKOR vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MKOR Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is higher than the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MKOR and VPL, 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. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MKOR drawdown since its inception was -29.42%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MKOR and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MKOR	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.42%	-55.49%	+26.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.42%	-13.33%	-16.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.42%	-16.35%	-13.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.09%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.80%	-9.04%	-13.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.66%	-11.59%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.15%	4.40%	+3.75%

Volatility

MKOR vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) has a higher volatility of 16.59% compared to Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) at 9.21%. This indicates that MKOR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MKOR	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.59%	9.21%	+7.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.23%	21.71%	+20.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.23%	23.81%	+21.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.56%	18.35%	+12.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.56%	17.73%	+12.83%

MKOR vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MKOR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VPL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

MKOR vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

MKOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than VPL's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MKOR Matthews Korea Active ETF	1.65%	2.62%	5.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.76%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MKOR and VPL in my portfolio?

MKOR and VPL have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VPL?

MKOR has higher volatility (16.59%) compared to VPL (9.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MKOR dropped -29.42% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which ETF is better, MKOR or VPL?

On 3-year performance, MKOR leads with 32.37% vs 19.87% for VPL. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VPL has been the lower-risk option at 9.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MKOR or VPL?

Over the 3-year period, MKOR has performed better with a 32.37% return vs 19.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MKOR or VPL?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MKOR.

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

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 1.65% for MKOR.

What is the main difference between MKOR and VPL?

MKOR is categorized as South Korea Equities, while VPL is Asia Pacific Equities. They also come from different issuers: Matthews and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for MKOR and 0.08% for VPL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MKOR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.63), 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.