EMDM vs. KNG
EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 30.82%/yr vs 7.42%/yr for KNG. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.
Performance
EMDM vs. KNG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMDM achieves a 35.53% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 4.84% return.
EMDM
- 1D
- -5.54%
- 1M
- 3.57%
- YTD
- 35.53%
- 6M
- 38.16%
- 1Y
- 81.79%
- 3Y*
- 30.82%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
KNG
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 2.07%
- YTD
- 4.84%
- 6M
- 4.41%
- 1Y
- 10.46%
- 3Y*
- 7.42%
- 5Y*
- 5.39%
- 10Y*
- —
EMDM vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF | 35.53% | 59.68% | -4.93% | 14.75% |
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 4.84% | 6.63% | 5.99% | 6.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMDM and KNG is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023 | 0.41 |
The correlation between EMDM and KNG shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EMDM vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank
EMDM
KNG
EMDM vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and FT 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.
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.
| EMDM | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.54 | 1.18 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.25 | 1.22 | +4.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.82 | 3.07 | +17.76 |
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Drawdowns
EMDM vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and KNG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMDM | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.81% | -35.12% | +16.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.65% | -8.61% | -7.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.81% | -14.24% | -4.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.20% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.54% | -3.46% | -2.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.06% | -4.13% | +0.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.94% | 3.42% | +0.52% |
Volatility
EMDM vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a higher volatility of 13.23% compared to FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 3.00%. This indicates that EMDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KNG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMDM | KNG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.23% | 3.00% | +10.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.83% | 7.59% | +16.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.11% | 10.41% | +15.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.67% | 13.58% | +7.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.67% | 17.15% | +3.52% |
EMDM vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both EMDM and KNG have an expense ratio of 0.75%.
Dividends
EMDM vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison
EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than KNG's 8.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF | 2.63% | 3.57% | 5.87% | 2.16% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF | 8.45% | 8.61% | 9.08% | 5.91% | 4.00% | 3.45% | 3.62% | 4.09% | 3.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMDM and KNG have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EMDM has higher volatility (13.23%) compared to KNG (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs KNG's -35.12%.
On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 30.82% vs 7.42% for KNG. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 30.82% return vs 7.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EMDM and KNG have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.
KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.45%, compared with 2.63% for EMDM.
EMDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while KNG is Dividend. EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series.
EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.01), 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.
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