QQEW vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQEW is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQEW returned 8.78%/yr vs 4.31%/yr for KNG. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

QQEW vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 14.51%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

KNG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.20%
• 6M: 2.33%
• 1Y: 7.44%
• 3Y*: 7.06%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

QQEW vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	12.15%	14.22%	7.00%	33.31%	-24.59%	17.75%	37.30%	35.87%	-5.94%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	2.20%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	24.78%	7.21%	26.64%	-0.84%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and KNG is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between QQEW and KNG has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QQEW vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQEW	KNG
Technology	55.9%	4.3%
Healthcare	14.7%	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	5.5%
Communication Services	10.3%	-
Industrials	3.3%	20.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	23.5%
Real Estate	1.6%	4.4%
Basic Materials	-	10.2%
Energy	-	3.0%
Financial Services	-	12.7%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 31
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 28

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 20
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 19
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

QQEW vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG). 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.

	QQEW	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	0.73	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	1.15	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.13	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	0.87	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	2.25	+1.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQEW vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and KNG, 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

	QQEW	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	0.73	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.32	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.49	+0.04

Drawdowns

QQEW vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-35.12%	-23.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-8.61%	-7.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.43%	-14.24%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	-18.20%	-13.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-5.89%	+4.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-4.13%	-4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	3.32%	+1.81%

Volatility

QQEW vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) has a higher volatility of 5.54% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.29%. This indicates that QQEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than KNG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	2.29%	+3.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	7.39%	+6.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	10.19%	+6.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	13.59%	+7.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	17.18%	+3.69%

QQEW vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQEW vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than KNG's 8.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.67%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.28%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQEW and KNG in my portfolio?

QQEW and KNG have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQEW or KNG?

QQEW has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQEW dropped -58.16% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, QQEW or KNG?

On 5-year performance, QQEW leads with 8.78% vs 4.31% for KNG. On fees, QQEW is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQEW or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, QQEW has performed better with a 8.78% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQEW or KNG?

QQEW is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 0.28% for QQEW.

What is the main difference between QQEW and KNG?

QQEW is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while KNG is Dividend. QQEW tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.73), 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.