KNGZ vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNGZ (First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - KNGZ is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Sector-Neutral Dividend Aristocrats Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KNGZ returned 9.28%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for FDL. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KNGZ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

KNGZ vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF (KNGZ) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KNGZ achieves a 16.69% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.

KNGZ

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 8.04%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 16.73%
• 1Y: 31.60%
• 3Y*: 17.67%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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

KNGZ vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KNGZ First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF	16.69%	14.27%	11.05%	9.77%	-7.55%	28.99%	5.51%	27.34%	-7.11%	9.90%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between KNGZ and FDL is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017	0.69

The correlation between KNGZ and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

KNGZ vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KNGZ	FDL
Financial Services	14.9%	15.1%
Industrials	14.9%	3.8%
Technology	14.9%	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.9%	3.8%
Healthcare	11.9%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	14.7%
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Utilities	5.9%	6.5%
Communication Services	5.0%	10.6%
Energy	4.0%	27.3%
Basic Materials	3.0%	0.3%

Return for Risk

KNGZ vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNGZ

KNGZ Risk / Return Rank: 69
KNGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
KNGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
KNGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 68
KNGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
KNGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 70
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

KNGZ vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF (KNGZ) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

	KNGZ	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.25	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	5.56	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	13.56	-2.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNGZ vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNGZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNGZ and FDL, 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

	KNGZ	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.88	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.45	+0.16

Drawdowns

KNGZ vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNGZ drawdown since its inception was -37.44%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNGZ and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNGZ	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.44%	-65.93%	+28.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-4.27%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.70%	-12.24%	-7.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.71%	-16.46%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	-2.18%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-9.66%	+4.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	1.75%	+1.04%

Volatility

KNGZ vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF (KNGZ) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that KNGZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNGZ	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	2.85%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	7.87%	+2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.58%	11.28%	+2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	14.31%	+1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	17.11%	+1.76%

KNGZ vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNGZ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNGZ vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

KNGZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.68%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
KNGZ First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF	2.33%	2.70%	2.55%	3.10%	2.52%	1.95%	2.44%	2.85%	4.09%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNGZ and FDL in my portfolio?

KNGZ and FDL have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNGZ or FDL?

KNGZ has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNGZ dropped -37.44% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, KNGZ or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.51% vs 9.28% for KNGZ. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNGZ or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.51% return vs 9.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNGZ or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for KNGZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KNGZ or FDL?

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 2.33% for KNGZ.

What is the main difference between KNGZ and FDL?

KNGZ is categorized as S&P 500, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. KNGZ tracks S&P 500 Sector-Neutral Dividend Aristocrats Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for KNGZ and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KNGZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.11), 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.