VPL vs. FLKR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and FLKR (Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while FLKR is a South Korea Equities fund tracking the FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VPL returned 9.33%/yr vs 14.07%/yr for FLKR. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for FLKR.

Performance

VPL vs. FLKR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 20.61% return, which is significantly lower than FLKR's 61.37% return.

VPL

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: -2.62%
• 6M: 10.34%
• YTD: 20.61%
• 1Y: 37.66%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 9.52%
• ALL TIME*: 6.48%

FLKR

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -12.85%
• 6M: 29.07%
• YTD: 61.37%
• 1Y: 124.39%
• 3Y*: 35.68%
• 5Y*: 14.07%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.21%

*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)
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	$43.49M	$47.84M	$51.57M
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	$40.49M	$47.90M	$62.42M

VPL vs. FLKR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	20.61%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	2.76%
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	61.37%	91.91%	-18.84%	19.16%	-27.50%	-7.54%	42.64%	8.88%	-21.30%	3.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and FLKR 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.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.76

The correlation between VPL and FLKR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPL vs. FLKR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPL	FLKR
Technology	31.6%	50.8%
Financial Services	17.8%	12.3%
Industrials	17.4%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	7.1%
Basic Materials	6.5%	2.9%
Communication Services	4.4%	2.5%
Healthcare	4.3%	3.6%
Real Estate	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	2.2%
Utilities	1.3%	0.5%
Energy	1.1%	0.7%

Return for Risk

VPL vs. FLKR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 72
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

FLKR

FLKR Risk / Return Rank: 85
FLKR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FLKR Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FLKR Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FLKR Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FLKR Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

VPL vs. FLKR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR). 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.

	VPL	FLKR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.21	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.56	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.36	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	3.46	-0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.65	12.27	-3.62

VPL vs. FLKR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the FLKR Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL and FLKR, 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

VPL vs. FLKR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, which is greater than FLKR's maximum drawdown of -50.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and FLKR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	FLKR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-50.06%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-34.17%	+20.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-34.17%	+17.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-47.97%	+16.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.69%	-28.42%	+18.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.59%	-21.96%	+10.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	9.61%	-5.24%

Volatility

VPL vs. FLKR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) is 9.21%, while Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR) has a volatility of 21.39%. This indicates that VPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLKR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPL	FLKR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.21%	21.39%	-12.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.74%	50.33%	-28.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.77%	53.42%	-29.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.34%	32.16%	-13.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	29.79%	-12.06%

VPL vs. FLKR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FLKR's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPL vs. FLKR - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, less than FLKR's 2.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLKR Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF	2.86%	3.87%	7.08%	2.28%	3.13%	2.12%	0.99%	2.09%	1.86%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.77%	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 VPL and FLKR in my portfolio?

VPL and FLKR 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, VPL or FLKR?

FLKR has higher volatility (21.39%) compared to VPL (9.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs FLKR's -50.06%.

Which ETF is better, VPL or FLKR?

On 5-year performance, FLKR leads with 14.07% vs 9.33% 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, VPL or FLKR?

Over the 5-year period, FLKR has performed better with a 14.07% return vs 9.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPL or FLKR?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for FLKR.

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

FLKR has the higher dividend yield at 2.86%, compared with 2.77% for VPL.

What is the main difference between VPL and FLKR?

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FLKR is South Korea Equities. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while FLKR tracks FTSE South Korea RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.09% for FLKR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLKR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.59), 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.