DLFE vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DLFE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DLFE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Both are passively managed. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DLFE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

DLFE vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) and FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DLFE

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KNG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 4.06%
• 1Y: 9.82%
• 3Y*: 7.72%
• 5Y*: 4.64%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DLFE vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DLFE FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February	4.27%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	-3.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DLFE and KNG is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2026	0.49

Return for Risk

DLFE vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 26
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 25
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 23

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DLFE vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) and FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DLFE	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.96	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.98	0.50	+1.48

Drawdowns

DLFE vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLFE drawdown since its inception was -5.03%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLFE and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLFE	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-35.12%	+30.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.61%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.20%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-4.41%	+3.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	-4.13%	+3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.34%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DLFE	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.33%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.45%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.01%	10.24%	-2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.01%	13.60%	-5.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.01%	17.18%	-9.17%

DLFE vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DLFE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

DLFE vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

DLFE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.54%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DLFE FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.54%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DLFE and KNG in my portfolio?

DLFE and KNG have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DLFE or KNG?

On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DLFE or KNG?

KNG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DLFE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DLFE or KNG?

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.54%, compared with 0.00% for DLFE.

What is the main difference between DLFE and KNG?

DLFE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while KNG is Dividend. DLFE tracks SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DLFE and 0.75% for KNG.