KNO vs. NZAC

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

KNO (AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF) and NZAC (SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF) are both Global Equities funds. KNO is actively managed, while NZAC is passively managed. Over the past year, KNO returned 29.48% vs 18.48% for NZAC. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KNO charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for NZAC.

Performance

KNO vs. NZAC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KNO achieves a 21.26% return, which is significantly higher than NZAC's 7.42% return.

KNO

• 1D: -1.83%
• 1M: 2.52%
• 6M: 18.30%
• YTD: 21.26%
• 1Y: 29.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NZAC

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 1.58%
• 6M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.42%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 9.64%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

KNO vs. NZAC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	21.26%	19.84%	-1.19%
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF	7.42%	20.55%	4.87%

Correlation

The correlation between KNO and NZAC is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2024	0.81

The correlation between KNO and NZAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KNO vs. NZAC — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNO

KNO Risk / Return Rank: 63
KNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
KNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
KNO Omega Ratio Rank: 63
KNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
KNO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

NZAC

NZAC Risk / Return Rank: 46
NZAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
NZAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
NZAC Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NZAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
NZAC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. NZAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC). 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	NZAC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.36	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	1.94	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.25	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.84	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.13	7.55	+2.58

KNO vs. NZAC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNO Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the NZAC Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNO and NZAC, 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. NZAC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNO drawdown since its inception was -15.50%, smaller than the maximum NZAC drawdown of -33.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNO and NZAC.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNO	NZAC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.50%	-33.72%	+18.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-10.10%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.19%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.53%	-2.10%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-5.30%	+2.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	2.45%	+0.47%

Volatility

KNO vs. NZAC - Volatility Comparison

AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF (KNO) has a higher volatility of 10.15% compared to SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC) at 5.58%. This indicates that KNO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NZAC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNO	NZAC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.15%	5.58%	+4.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.77%	11.45%	+4.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.66%	13.68%	+3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	16.96%	+0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.06%	+0.34%

KNO vs. NZAC - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNO has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than NZAC's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNO vs. NZAC - Dividend Comparison

KNO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than NZAC's 2.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KNO AXS Knowledge Leaders ETF	0.89%	1.08%	3.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF	2.06%	1.90%	1.88%	1.65%	1.81%	1.62%	1.59%	2.17%	2.53%	2.20%	2.00%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNO and NZAC in my portfolio?

KNO and NZAC have a correlation of 0.79, 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 NZAC?

KNO has higher volatility (10.15%) compared to NZAC (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNO dropped -15.50% vs NZAC's -33.72%.

Which ETF is better, KNO or NZAC?

On 1-year performance, KNO leads with 29.48% vs 18.48% for NZAC. On fees, NZAC is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, NZAC has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNO or NZAC?

Over the 1-year period, KNO has performed better with a 29.48% return vs 18.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNO or NZAC?

NZAC is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for KNO.

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

NZAC has the higher dividend yield at 2.06%, compared with 0.89% for KNO.

What is the main difference between KNO and NZAC?

They also come from different issuers: AXS and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for KNO and 0.12% for NZAC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KNO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.36), 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.