KNG vs. SPDG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) and SPDG (SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds - KNG tracks the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series while SPDG tracks the S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, KNG returned 13.86% vs 25.12% for SPDG. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. KNG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPDG.

Performance

KNG vs. SPDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KNG achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly lower than SPDG's 14.79% return.

KNG

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -0.24%
• 6M: 3.81%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 1Y: 13.86%
• 3Y*: 7.54%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.03%

SPDG

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 6.75%
• YTD: 14.79%
• 1Y: 25.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	$18.79M	$15.77M	$14.65M
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	$47.62K	$41.21K	$36.93K

KNG vs. SPDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	9.32%	6.63%	5.99%	2.58%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	14.79%	11.66%	20.22%	8.09%

Correlation

The correlation between KNG and SPDG is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2023	0.79

The correlation between KNG and SPDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

KNG vs. SPDG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KNG	SPDG
Consumer Defensive	23.4%	5.4%
Industrials	20.8%	9.0%
Financial Services	13.0%	13.3%
Healthcare	10.8%	10.2%
Basic Materials	9.8%	2.2%
Utilities	5.6%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	9.6%
Technology	4.4%	32.4%
Real Estate	4.2%	2.4%
Energy	2.5%	4.1%
Communication Services	-	8.6%

Return for Risk

KNG vs. SPDG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 47
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 47
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 38

SPDG

SPDG Risk / Return Rank: 82
SPDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SPDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SPDG Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SPDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SPDG Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KNG vs. SPDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). 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.

	KNG	SPDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.03	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	2.91	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.36	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	3.03	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.05	9.88	-5.83

KNG vs. SPDG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNG Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the SPDG Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNG and SPDG, 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

KNG vs. SPDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNG drawdown since its inception was -35.12%, which is greater than SPDG's maximum drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNG and SPDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNG	SPDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.12%	-15.67%	-19.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-8.34%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-2.29%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-2.19%	-1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	2.55%	+0.88%

Volatility

KNG vs. SPDG - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) has a higher volatility of 4.32% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) at 3.53%. This indicates that KNG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNG	SPDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	3.53%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.36%	9.54%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.88%	12.45%	-1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.65%	14.10%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.12%	14.10%	+3.02%

KNG vs. SPDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDG's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNG vs. SPDG - Dividend Comparison

KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.22%, more than SPDG's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	2.71%	2.87%	2.61%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNG and SPDG in my portfolio?

KNG and SPDG have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNG or SPDG?

KNG has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to SPDG (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNG dropped -35.12% vs SPDG's -15.67%.

Which ETF is better, KNG or SPDG?

On 1-year performance, SPDG leads with 25.12% vs 13.86% for KNG. On fees, SPDG is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPDG has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNG or SPDG?

Over the 1-year period, SPDG has performed better with a 25.12% return vs 13.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNG or SPDG?

SPDG is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.22%, compared with 2.71% for SPDG.

What is the main difference between KNG and SPDG?

KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series, while SPDG tracks S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for KNG and 0.05% for SPDG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.28), 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.