NOWL vs. KORU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NOWL (GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF) and KORU (Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares) are both Leveraged Equities funds. NOWL is actively managed, while KORU is passively managed. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NOWL charges 1.50%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for KORU.

Performance

NOWL vs. KORU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) and Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOWL achieves a -71.09% return, which is significantly lower than KORU's 285.56% return.

NOWL

• 1D: 6.15%
• 1M: -17.53%
• YTD: -71.09%
• 6M: -71.60%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

NOWL vs. KORU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NOWL GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF	-71.09%	-43.64%
KORU Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares	285.56%	116.58%

Correlation

The correlation between NOWL and KORU is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2025	0.03

Return for Risk

NOWL vs. KORU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOWL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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

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.

NOWL vs. KORU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) and Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3X Shares (KORU). 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.

	NOWL	KORU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	6.02	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.56	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.53	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	14.12	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	41.38	—

Drawdowns

NOWL vs. KORU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOWL drawdown since its inception was -86.57%, smaller than the maximum KORU drawdown of -95.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOWL and KORU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOWL	KORU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.57%	-95.79%	+9.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-61.39%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-73.34%	—
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	-84.59%	-44.66%	-39.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.22%	-57.41%	+8.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	20.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NOWL	KORU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	92.27%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	138.63%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	103.16%	144.16%	-41.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	103.16%	91.40%	+11.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	103.16%	83.03%	+20.13%

NOWL vs. KORU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOWL has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than KORU's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOWL vs. KORU - Dividend Comparison

NOWL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KORU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
NOWL GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOWL and KORU in my portfolio?

NOWL and KORU have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NOWL or KORU?

On fees, KORU is cheaper at 1.29% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NOWL or KORU?

KORU is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for NOWL.

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

KORU has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for NOWL.

What is the main difference between NOWL and KORU?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for NOWL and 1.29% for KORU.