PLUS Korea Defense Industry ETF (KDEF) Performance
KDEF total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −22.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −25.6% total return
- Since first price
- +71.3% since 2025
KDEF trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | KDEF total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −17.2% | −17.2% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −15.8% | −15.8% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −45.1% | −45.1% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −22.4% | −22.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | −25.6% | −30.3% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionFeb 5, 2025 | +71.3% | +60.5% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: KDEF vs SPY
From Feb 5, 2025: KDEF grew to $17,128, SPY to $12,825.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
KDEF returns by calendar year
2026 is year to date.
KDEF annual returns table
| Year | KDEF | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −22.4% | −48.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
KDEF largest drawdowns
Now 47.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | −48.6% | Jul 29, 2026 | not yet | 3 months | 6 months so far |
| Sep 16, 2025 | −22.5% | Dec 1, 2025 | Jan 6, 2026 | 2 months | 4 months |
| Mar 17, 2025 | −20.9% | Apr 7, 2025 | Apr 22, 2025 | 21 days | 36 days |
| Mar 3, 2026 | −20.5% | Mar 30, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | 27 days | 59 days |
| Jun 23, 2025 | −11.8% | Aug 20, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | 58 days | 2 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
KDEF risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2025 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +45.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 55.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.88 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.55 |
| Best month | +31.4% |
| Worst month | −22.5% |
| Best 12 months | +165.2% |
| Worst 12 months | −11.1% |
| Positive months | 63% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
KDEF rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 9 | −25.0% | +5.7% | +165.2% | 67% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2025. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
KDEF performance overview
PLUS Korea Defense Industry ETF (KDEF) returned −25.6% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Feb 5, 2025 it has returned +71.3%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −48.6%, from May 5, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026; the fund has not yet regained that high. Volatility has been 55.1% a year.
Related: KDEF chart, KDEF holdings, KDEF dividends. See the KDEF overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
KDEF performance FAQ
What is the KDEF return over the past year?
KDEF returned −25.6% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 30.3%.
How much would $10,000 invested in KDEF be worth?
$10,000 invested in KDEF at its first recorded close on February 5, 2025 would be worth about $17,128 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of KDEF?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −48.6% between May 5, 2026 and July 29, 2026. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 47.9% below its peak.
How volatile is KDEF?
Over the past history KDEF had an annualized volatility of 55.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.88 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).