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FDM vs. KNG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDM vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FDM (First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Select Microcap 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, FDM returned 9.37%/yr vs 5.39%/yr for KNG. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDM charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

FDM vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDM achieves a 13.86% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 4.84% return.

FDM

1D
0.76%
1M
4.64%
YTD
13.86%
6M
12.43%
1Y
30.56%
3Y*
19.96%
5Y*
9.37%
10Y*
12.29%

KNG

1D
0.65%
1M
2.07%
YTD
4.84%
6M
4.41%
1Y
10.46%
3Y*
7.42%
5Y*
5.39%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDM vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
FDM
First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund		13.86%18.64%13.00%12.76%-11.61%35.08%-4.04%27.45%-12.65%
KNG
FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF		4.84%6.63%5.99%7.48%-7.03%24.78%7.21%26.64%-1.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FDM and KNG is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.64

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018

0.69

The correlation between FDM and KNG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDM vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDM
KNG

Financial Services

42.2%
12.8%

Industrials

14.9%
20.2%

Consumer Cyclical

10.4%
5.3%

Technology

6.8%
4.6%

Healthcare

6.2%
10.2%

Energy

4.6%
2.9%

Basic Materials

4.5%
10.2%

Consumer Defensive

4.5%
23.6%

Communication Services

3.3%

-

Real Estate

1.4%
4.6%

Utilities

1.0%
5.7%

Financial Services

FDM
42.2%
KNG
12.8%

Industrials

FDM
14.9%
KNG
20.2%

Consumer Cyclical

FDM
10.4%
KNG
5.3%

Technology

FDM
6.8%
KNG
4.6%

Healthcare

FDM
6.2%
KNG
10.2%

Energy

FDM
4.6%
KNG
2.9%

Basic Materials

FDM
4.5%
KNG
10.2%

Consumer Defensive

FDM
4.5%
KNG
23.6%

Communication Services

FDM
3.3%
KNG

-

Real Estate

FDM
1.4%
KNG
4.6%

Utilities

FDM
1.0%
KNG
5.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund

FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF

Often compared with FDM:
FDM vs. IWCFDM vs. PVIVXFDM vs. DFSCXFDM vs. JMCRXFDM vs. VBFDM vs. SPYFDM vs. SCHD
Often compared with KNG:
KNG vs. NOBLKNG vs. SCHDKNG vs. JEPIKNG vs. DIVOKNG vs. SPYKNG vs. KNGLXKNG vs. DGT

Return for Risk

FDM vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDM
FDM Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
KNG
KNG Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FDM vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) 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.

FDMKNGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.63
1.01

+0.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
1.55

+0.83

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.18

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.30

1.22

+2.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.96

3.07

+6.89

FDM vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDM 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.

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Drawdowns

FDM vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDM drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDM and KNG.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDMKNGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-63.45%

-35.12%

-28.33%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.30%

-8.61%

-0.69%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-23.47%

-14.24%

-9.23%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-23.74%

-18.20%

-5.54%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-47.76%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-3.46%

+3.46%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.32%

-4.13%

-7.19%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.08%

3.42%

-0.34%

Volatility

FDM vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) has a higher volatility of 4.79% compared to FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 3.00%. This indicates that FDM'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

FDMKNGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.79%

3.00%

+1.79%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.23%

7.59%

+5.64%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.84%

10.41%

+8.43%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.40%

13.58%

+7.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.36%

17.15%

+6.21%

FDM vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FDM vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

FDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than KNG's 8.45% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FDM
First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund		1.21%1.43%1.56%1.81%1.80%1.08%1.68%1.37%1.26%0.97%1.13%1.45%
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%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDM and KNG have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDM has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to KNG (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDM dropped -63.45% vs KNG's -35.12%.

On 5-year performance, FDM leads with 9.37% vs 5.39% for KNG. On fees, FDM is cheaper at 0.60% per year. 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 5-year period, FDM has performed better with a 9.37% return vs 5.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.45%, compared with 1.21% for FDM.

FDM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while KNG is Dividend. FDM tracks Dow Jones Select Microcap Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FDM and 0.75% for KNG.

FDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 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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