KONG vs. SMLV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Formidable Fortress ETF (KONG) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV).

KONG and SMLV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. KONG is an actively managed fund by Formidable Asset Management. It was launched on Jul 22, 2021. SMLV is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Feb 20, 2013.

Performance

KONG vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Formidable Fortress ETF (KONG) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

KONG vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
KONG Formidable Fortress ETF	-3.31%	6.56%	9.67%	12.71%	-9.63%	5.07%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	5.10%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	10.20%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KONG achieves a -3.31% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 5.10% return.

KONG

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: -3.31%
• 6M: -3.01%
• 1Y: 4.56%
• 3Y*: 6.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMLV

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -3.52%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 14.34%
• 3Y*: 12.30%
• 5Y*: 6.79%
• 10Y*: 9.50%

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

KONG vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

KONG has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio.

KONG

Formidable Fortress ETF

SMLV

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

Return for Risk

KONG vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

KONG

KONG Risk / Return Rank: 23
KONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
KONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
KONG Omega Ratio Rank: 20
KONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
KONG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 42
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

KONG vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Formidable Fortress ETF (KONG) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.

	KONG	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.32	0.78	-0.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.57	1.21	-0.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.16	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	1.31	-0.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	4.41	-2.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KONG vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KONG Sharpe Ratio is 0.32, which is lower than the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KONG and SMLV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KONG	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32	0.78	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.52	-0.24

Correlation

The correlation between KONG and SMLV is 0.73, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

KONG vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

KONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than SMLV's 2.52% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KONG Formidable Fortress ETF	0.38%	0.37%	0.78%	0.69%	0.49%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.52%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Drawdowns

KONG vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KONG drawdown since its inception was -19.98%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KONG and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	KONG	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.98%	-42.45%	+22.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-11.10%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.81%	-4.33%	-1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-5.52%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	3.31%	-1.08%

Volatility

KONG vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Formidable Fortress ETF (KONG) is 4.49%, while SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a volatility of 4.80%. This indicates that KONG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KONG	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.80%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.28%	10.57%	-2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.43%	18.66%	-4.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.72%	18.30%	-3.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.72%	20.96%	-6.24%