FDT vs. KNG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US 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, FDT returned 11.25%/yr vs 5.84%/yr for KNG. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDT charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

FDT vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) and FT 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, FDT achieves a 14.80% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 8.48% return.

FDT

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -6.84%
• 6M: 8.73%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 1Y: 34.70%
• 3Y*: 23.70%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

KNG

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 2.62%
• 6M: 5.35%
• YTD: 8.48%
• 1Y: 11.29%
• 3Y*: 7.56%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDT vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	14.80%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-20.05%
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.48%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	24.78%	7.21%	26.64%	-1.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FDT and KNG is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between FDT and KNG has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDT vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDT	KNG
Industrials	32.4%	20.2%
Technology	12.1%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.9%	5.3%
Financial Services	9.9%	12.8%
Basic Materials	9.4%	10.2%
Energy	7.9%	2.9%
Real Estate	5.0%	4.6%
Utilities	4.8%	5.7%
Communication Services	2.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	23.6%
Healthcare	1.3%	10.2%

Return for Risk

FDT vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 64
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 63

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 34
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 34
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

FDT vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) 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.

	FDT	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.08	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	1.65	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.19	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	1.32	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.93	3.30	+5.62

FDT vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDT Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDT 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.

Drawdowns

FDT vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDT	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.10%	-35.12%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-8.61%	-4.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-14.24%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.80%	-18.20%	-14.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.98%	-1.01%	-8.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-4.11%	-6.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.90%	3.43%	+0.47%

Volatility

FDT vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a higher volatility of 8.14% compared to FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 3.43%. This indicates that FDT'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

	FDT	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	3.43%	+4.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.41%	7.80%	+10.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.52%	10.52%	+10.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.61%	13.60%	+5.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	17.13%	+1.40%

FDT vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDT has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDT vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, less than KNG's 8.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.91%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.22%	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 FDT and KNG in my portfolio?

FDT and KNG have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDT or KNG?

FDT has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to KNG (3.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDT dropped -46.10% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, FDT or KNG?

On 5-year performance, FDT leads with 11.25% vs 5.84% for KNG. On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 3.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDT or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, FDT has performed better with a 11.25% return vs 5.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDT or KNG?

KNG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.22%, compared with 2.91% for FDT.

What is the main difference between FDT and KNG?

FDT is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while KNG is Dividend. FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDT and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.08), 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.