KORU vs SPY
Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3X ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, KORU or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. KORU led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KORU | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.32% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.38% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 11 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +121.29%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +375.67%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +80.46%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.02% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 88.6% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -96.0% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,400 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 10, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (13.4 years).
KORU vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 13.4 years both funds cover.
KORU vs SPY Performance
Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3X ETF (KORU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year KORU returned +375.67% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, KORU is up 121.29% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, KORU compounded at +80.46% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +9.02% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs +1.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KORU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 88.6% compared with 14.4% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -96.0% for KORU and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KORU charges 1.32% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $132 vs $9 annually, a gap of $123 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KORU currently yields 0.38% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in KORU and 504 in SPY, totalling 102.5% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in KORU and 504 in SPY, against full books of 11 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KORU and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KORU or SPY?
KORU has an expense ratio of 1.32% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $123 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KORU or SPY?
Over the past year KORU returned +375.67% vs +17.51% for SPY, so KORU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), KORU annualized +1.05% vs +13.05% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KORU or SPY?
KORU has been the more volatile fund at 88.6% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: KORU -96.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both KORU and SPY?
KORU and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, KORU or SPY?
KORU yields 0.38% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than KORU?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. KORU led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.