MKOR vs SPY
Matthews Korea Active ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MKOR or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MKOR led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | MKOR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $139M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.45% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 53 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +77.22%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +121.84%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.81%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.5% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $26,356Best | $17,741 |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 17, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.2 years).
MKOR 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
MKOR vs SPY Performance
Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MKOR returned +121.84% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, MKOR is up 77.22% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, MKOR compounded at +40.81% per year against +21.18% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MKOR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.5% compared with 12.8% 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 -29.4% for MKOR and -18.8% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MKOR charges 0.79% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $9 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MKOR currently yields 1.45% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 51 holdings in MKOR and 504 in SPY, totalling 93.3% 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 51 positions we hold weights for in MKOR and 504 in SPY, against full books of 53 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MKOR 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, MKOR or SPY?
MKOR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MKOR or SPY?
Over the past year MKOR returned +121.84% vs +17.51% for SPY, so MKOR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MKOR or SPY?
MKOR has been the more volatile fund at 36.5% annualized versus 12.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MKOR -29.4% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both MKOR and SPY?
MKOR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, MKOR or SPY?
MKOR yields 1.45% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MKOR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MKOR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MKOR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.