KNO vs. BOAT

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

KNO (AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF) and BOAT (SonicShares Global Shipping ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KNO is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AXS, while BOAT is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Shipping Index. KNO is actively managed, while BOAT is passively managed. Over the past year, KNO returned 24.74% vs 49.92% for BOAT. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KNO charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BOAT.

Performance

KNO vs. BOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KNO achieves a 20.49% return, which is significantly lower than BOAT's 40.93% return.

KNO

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: -3.74%
• 6M: 13.93%
• YTD: 20.49%
• 1Y: 24.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.32%

BOAT

• 1D: -1.99%
• 1M: 11.10%
• 6M: 29.88%
• YTD: 40.93%
• 1Y: 49.92%
• 3Y*: 26.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.21%

*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)
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	$1.07M	$919.74K	$998.91K
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	$25.02K	$27.63K	$35.86K

KNO vs. BOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	20.49%	19.84%	-1.19%
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	40.93%	22.77%	-6.91%

Correlation

The correlation between KNO and BOAT is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2024	0.36

KNO vs. BOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KNO	BOAT
Technology	38.5%	-
Industrials	22.9%	29.2%
Healthcare	13.6%	-
Basic Materials	6.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	-
Energy	4.2%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	-
Financial Services	1.8%	6.6%
Utilities	1.5%	-
Communication Services	1.2%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

KNO vs. BOAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNO

KNO Risk / Return Rank: 62
KNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
KNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
KNO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
KNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
KNO Martin Ratio Rank: 65

BOAT

BOAT Risk / Return Rank: 90
BOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
BOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
BOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

KNO vs. BOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). 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.

	KNO	BOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.43	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.24	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.39	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	4.32	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.88	12.18	-4.30

KNO vs. BOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNO Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the BOAT Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNO and BOAT, 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

KNO vs. BOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNO drawdown since its inception was -15.50%, smaller than the maximum BOAT drawdown of -33.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNO and BOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNO	BOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.50%	-33.94%	+18.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-11.60%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-33.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.13%	-1.99%	-3.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-9.54%	+6.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	4.11%	-0.95%

Volatility

KNO vs. BOAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) is 4.39%, while SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT) has a volatility of 7.60%. This indicates that KNO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNO	BOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	7.60%	-3.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	16.90%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.66%	20.69%	-3.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.27%	25.09%	-7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	25.09%	-7.82%

KNO vs. BOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNO has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than BOAT's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNO vs. BOAT - Dividend Comparison

KNO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than BOAT's 6.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	6.53%	8.08%	13.89%	13.65%	13.57%	1.36%
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	0.90%	1.08%	3.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNO and BOAT in my portfolio?

KNO and BOAT have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNO or BOAT?

BOAT has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to KNO (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNO dropped -15.50% vs BOAT's -33.94%.

Which ETF is better, KNO or BOAT?

On 1-year performance, BOAT leads with 49.92% vs 24.74% for KNO. On fees, BOAT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, KNO has been the lower-risk option at 4.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNO or BOAT?

Over the 1-year period, BOAT has performed better with a 49.92% return vs 24.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNO or BOAT?

BOAT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for KNO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KNO or BOAT?

BOAT has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 0.90% for KNO.

What is the main difference between KNO and BOAT?

KNO is categorized as Global Equities, while BOAT is Industrials Equities. They also come from different issuers: AXS and Tidal Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for KNO and 0.69% for BOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.41), 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.