DIVS vs. KNO

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

DIVS (SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF) and KNO (AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF) are both Global Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DIVS returned 19.20% vs 32.48% for KNO. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DIVS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for KNO.

Performance

DIVS vs. KNO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) and AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIVS achieves a 14.44% return, which is significantly lower than KNO's 25.64% return.

DIVS

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 4.75%
• 6M: 8.56%
• YTD: 14.44%
• 1Y: 19.20%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 9.99%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.40%

KNO

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 1.71%
• 6M: 17.68%
• YTD: 25.64%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.54%

*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)
DIVS SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF	$56.22K	$49.97K	$58.05K
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	$33.95K	$26.25K	$36.90K

DIVS vs. KNO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DIVS SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF	14.44%	11.66%	2.71%
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	25.64%	19.84%	-1.19%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVS and KNO is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2024	0.72

The correlation between DIVS and KNO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

DIVS vs. KNO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVS	KNO
Industrials	25.2%	22.9%
Technology	21.4%	38.5%
Consumer Defensive	21.0%	3.3%
Healthcare	13.6%	13.6%
Financial Services	13.1%	1.8%
Communication Services	3.3%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	5.8%
Basic Materials	-	6.5%
Energy	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

DIVS vs. KNO — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVS

DIVS Risk / Return Rank: 61
DIVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DIVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DIVS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
DIVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DIVS Martin Ratio Rank: 51

KNO

KNO Risk / Return Rank: 70
KNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
KNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
KNO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
KNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
KNO Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

DIVS vs. KNO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) and AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO). 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.

	DIVS	KNO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.81	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.56	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.82	2.80	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	10.14	-3.50

DIVS vs. KNO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVS Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the KNO Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVS and KNO, 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

DIVS vs. KNO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVS drawdown since its inception was -29.55%, which is greater than KNO's maximum drawdown of -15.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVS and KNO.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVS	KNO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.55%	-15.50%	-14.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.62%	-11.67%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.08%	+1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-2.99%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	3.21%	-0.31%

Volatility

DIVS vs. KNO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) is 3.08%, while AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) has a volatility of 5.14%. This indicates that DIVS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KNO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIVS	KNO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	5.14%	-2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.73%	16.18%	-7.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.54%	18.00%	-7.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.08%	17.41%	-4.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.86%	17.41%	+8.45%

DIVS vs. KNO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than KNO's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVS vs. KNO - Dividend Comparison

DIVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, more than KNO's 0.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DIVS SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF	2.72%	2.61%	2.66%	3.14%	5.93%	3.76%
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	0.86%	1.08%	3.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIVS and KNO in my portfolio?

DIVS and KNO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVS or KNO?

KNO has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to DIVS (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVS dropped -29.55% vs KNO's -15.50%.

Which ETF is better, DIVS or KNO?

On 1-year performance, KNO leads with 32.48% vs 19.20% for DIVS. On fees, DIVS is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, DIVS has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVS or KNO?

Over the 1-year period, KNO has performed better with a 32.48% return vs 19.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVS or KNO?

DIVS is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for KNO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIVS or KNO?

DIVS has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.86% for KNO.

What is the main difference between DIVS and KNO?

They also come from different issuers: Guinness Atkinson and AXS. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for DIVS and 0.84% for KNO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.81), 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.