FCG vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, 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 5 years, FCG returned 16.52%/yr vs 4.31%/yr for KNG. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

FCG vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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

In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 27.71% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.

FCG

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: -6.03%
• YTD: 27.71%
• 6M: 20.12%
• 1Y: 32.99%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 4.65%

KNG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.20%
• 6M: 2.33%
• 1Y: 7.44%
• 3Y*: 7.06%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

FCG vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	27.71%	-2.28%	4.16%	2.55%	47.24%	98.49%	-23.20%	-15.76%	-26.82%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	2.20%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	24.78%	7.21%	26.64%	-0.84%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and KNG is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between FCG and KNG has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FCG vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCG	KNG
Energy	99.2%	3.0%
Technology	0.8%	4.3%
Basic Materials	-	10.2%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	23.5%
Financial Services	-	12.7%
Healthcare	-	10.1%
Industrials	-	20.3%
Real Estate	-	4.4%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

FCG vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCG

FCG Risk / Return Rank: 36
FCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FCG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FCG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 20
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 19
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

FCG vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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.

	FCG	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	0.73	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.15	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.13	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	0.87	+1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.56	2.25	+3.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCG vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCG and KNG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCG	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	0.73	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.32	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	0.49	-0.60

Drawdowns

FCG vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-35.12%	-62.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-8.61%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.44%	-14.24%	-15.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.33%	-18.20%	-15.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.25%	-5.89%	-68.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.38%	-4.13%	-61.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	3.32%	+2.63%

Volatility

FCG vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) has a higher volatility of 9.60% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.29%. This indicates that FCG'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.

Volatility by Period

	FCG	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.60%	2.29%	+7.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.15%	7.39%	+12.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	10.19%	+16.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.46%	13.59%	+19.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.30%	17.18%	+21.12%

FCG vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than KNG's 8.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	2.15%	2.86%	2.76%	3.25%	3.04%	1.73%	3.82%	2.87%	1.46%	1.56%	1.70%	4.79%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.67%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCG and KNG in my portfolio?

FCG and KNG have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCG or KNG?

FCG has higher volatility (9.60%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, FCG or KNG?

On 5-year performance, FCG leads with 16.52% vs 4.31% for KNG. On fees, FCG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCG or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, FCG has performed better with a 16.52% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or KNG?

FCG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 2.15% for FCG.

What is the main difference between FCG and KNG?

FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while KNG is Dividend. FCG tracks ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FCG and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.73), 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.