ILDR vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILDR is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. ILDR is actively managed, while KNG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILDR returned 14.40%/yr vs 4.31%/yr for KNG. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

ILDR vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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, ILDR achieves a 21.58% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.

ILDR

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 13.98%
• YTD: 21.58%
• 6M: 21.69%
• 1Y: 47.41%
• 3Y*: 31.44%
• 5Y*: 14.40%
• 10Y*: —

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)

ILDR vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	21.58%	29.22%	29.31%	39.34%	-34.95%	7.29%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	2.20%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	8.46%

Correlation

The correlation between ILDR and KNG is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between ILDR and KNG has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ILDR vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILDR	KNG
Technology	45.2%	4.3%
Healthcare	14.7%	10.1%
Industrials	12.8%	20.3%
Communication Services	10.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	5.5%
Financial Services	3.1%	12.7%
Energy	2.0%	3.0%
Utilities	1.9%	6.1%
Basic Materials	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	23.5%
Real Estate	-	4.4%

Return for Risk

ILDR vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 60
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

ILDR vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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.

	ILDR	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	0.73	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	1.15	+1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.13	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	0.87	+1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.00	2.25	+6.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILDR vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILDR Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILDR 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

	ILDR	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	0.73	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.32	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.49	+0.07

Drawdowns

ILDR vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILDR drawdown since its inception was -44.61%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILDR and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILDR	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.61%	-35.12%	-9.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-8.61%	-9.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-14.24%	-12.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.61%	-18.20%	-26.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-5.89%	+4.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.98%	-4.13%	-10.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	3.32%	+1.96%

Volatility

ILDR vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a higher volatility of 6.23% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.29%. This indicates that ILDR'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

	ILDR	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	2.29%	+3.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.21%	7.39%	+8.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.11%	10.19%	+10.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.07%	13.59%	+12.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	17.18%	+8.84%

ILDR vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ILDR and KNG have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

ILDR vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

ILDR 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
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILDR and KNG in my portfolio?

ILDR and KNG have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILDR or KNG?

ILDR has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, ILDR or KNG?

On 5-year performance, ILDR leads with 14.40% vs 4.31% for KNG. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. 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, ILDR or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, ILDR has performed better with a 14.40% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILDR or KNG?

ILDR and KNG have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

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

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

What is the main difference between ILDR and KNG?

ILDR is categorized as Technology Equities, while KNG is Dividend.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 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.