Korea-listed Nasdaq 100 vs S&P 500 for pension accounts?

This page compares the past 3 years of steady monthly investing into Korea-listed Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 ETFs, using the comparison calculator. It places the growth, diversification, and drawdown differences of two products popular in pension and ISA accounts side by side.

Investment conditions

Asset · Korea-listed Nasdaq 100 ETF vs Korea-listed S&P 500 ETF

Method · Comparison

The key is that growth's recent lead cannot be assumed to persist, and that 'growth concentration' and 'diversification' differ in risk character. The Nasdaq 100 product had larger gains in up-markets but tends to suffer deeper drawdowns in declines, while the S&P 500 product, spread across industries, moves comparatively gently. In the comparison calculator, review each product's ending balance together with its maximum drawdown and recovery period. Because pension accounts often assume long holding periods, whether you can withstand mid-course drawdowns matters all the more.

Open in comparison calculator

Why this period and asset

In tax-advantaged accounts like pension savings, IRP, and ISA, Korea-listed overseas ETFs are popular because they let investors access US indexes in won easily. Among them, a Nasdaq 100 tracker has a very high weight in tech and growth stocks, while an S&P 500 tracker spreads across 500 companies and broader industries. The past three years covered here featured an AI boom and Big Tech leadership, stretches when the more tech-heavy index was often relatively strong. But three years is a short window that strongly reflects the character of one phase, and even a small change in period can shift the gap between the two.

Caveats & limits

This comparison reflects one specific past period of just 3 years, and being short, it is heavily swayed by a particular phase. Changing the start or end date can flip which leads, and past performance does not guarantee the future. Korea-listed overseas ETFs trade in won but hold US assets internally, so they are affected by exchange rates; taxes and tax deferral in pension and ISA accounts depend on account type and rules and may not be reflected here. Trading and management fees also affect outcomes. This page recommends no purchase; it is educational material comparing character.

Data sources & limits

Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.

Frequently asked questions

For a pension account, which is better, Nasdaq 100 or S&P 500?

Neither is always better. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 product was strong in many of the past three years, but growth concentration can also mean deeper drawdowns in declines. Use the comparison calculator to view return and drawdown side by side and judge against your own risk tolerance.

Since these are Korea-listed, do exchange rates not matter?

They trade in won but track US indexes internally, so they are affected by currency movements. As the won-dollar rate moves, the won-based result can differ even for the same index return.

What should I use as the basis for comparison?

Three years is a short window, so the final return alone can skew toward one phase. Review maximum drawdown, time underwater, and recovery period together, and if possible test longer periods as well.

Related scenarios

📋 Los resultados se basan en datos históricos; las rentabilidades pasadas no garantizan rentabilidades futuras.

📋 Este servicio se ofrece con fines educativos para ayudarte a entender la inversión, no como asesoramiento de inversión.

⚠️ La volatilidad y el nivel de riesgo difieren según el activo, por lo que la rentabilidad por sí sola no determina cuál es mejor.