FXL vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology 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, FXL returned 13.48%/yr vs 4.31%/yr for KNG. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

FXL vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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, FXL achieves a 31.98% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.

FXL

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 17.50%
• YTD: 31.98%
• 6M: 30.18%
• 1Y: 48.07%
• 3Y*: 26.93%
• 5Y*: 13.48%
• 10Y*: 21.15%

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)

FXL vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	31.98%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	18.20%	54.20%	38.66%	-4.01%
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 FXL 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	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between FXL and KNG has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXL vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	KNG
Technology	88.1%	4.3%
Communication Services	5.9%	-
Industrials	4.5%	20.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	5.5%
Financial Services	0.6%	12.7%
Basic Materials	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	23.5%
Energy	-	3.0%
Healthcare	-	10.1%
Real Estate	-	4.4%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

FXL vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FXL vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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.

	FXL	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	0.73	+1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	1.15	+1.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.13	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	0.87	+2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	2.25	+9.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXL vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL 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

	FXL	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	0.73	+1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.32	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.49	+0.07

Drawdowns

FXL vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-35.12%	-26.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-8.61%	-4.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-14.24%	-14.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-18.20%	-20.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-5.89%	+5.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.37%	-4.13%	-7.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	3.32%	+0.71%

Volatility

FXL vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) has a higher volatility of 7.61% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.29%. This indicates that FXL'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

	FXL	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	2.29%	+5.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	7.39%	+10.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	10.19%	+12.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	13.59%	+11.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.28%	17.18%	+8.10%

FXL vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	0.00%	0.01%	0.11%	0.41%	0.34%	0.11%	0.04%	0.37%	0.32%	0.27%	1.12%	0.36%
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 FXL and KNG in my portfolio?

FXL 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.

Which is riskier, FXL or KNG?

FXL has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or KNG?

On 5-year performance, FXL leads with 13.48% vs 4.31% for KNG. On fees, FXL is cheaper at 0.61% 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, FXL or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, FXL has performed better with a 13.48% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or KNG?

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

What is the main difference between FXL and KNG?

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while KNG is Dividend. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.