RND vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RND (First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select 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 year, RND returned 26.66% vs 8.66% for KNG. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RND charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

RND vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) 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, RND achieves a 6.88% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 3.13% return.

RND

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 6.88%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 26.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KNG

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 3.13%
• 6M: 3.55%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 7.53%
• 5Y*: 4.50%
• 10Y*: —

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

RND vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	6.88%	22.38%	26.88%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	3.13%	6.63%	3.80%

Correlation

The correlation between RND and KNG is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2024	0.29

RND vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RND	KNG
Technology	44.1%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	5.5%
Communication Services	14.2%	-
Healthcare	14.0%	10.1%
Industrials	8.5%	20.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	23.5%
Financial Services	1.1%	12.7%
Basic Materials	0.9%	10.2%
Energy	-	3.0%
Real Estate	-	4.4%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

RND vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RND

RND Risk / Return Rank: 44
RND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
RND Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
RND Omega Ratio Rank: 48
RND Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
RND Martin Ratio Rank: 40

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 24
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 23
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

RND vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) 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.

	RND	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	0.85	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	1.32	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.15	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	1.01	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.23	2.61	+3.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RND vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RND Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RND 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

	RND	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	0.85	+0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.33	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	0.50	+0.81

Drawdowns

RND vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RND drawdown since its inception was -23.52%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RND and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RND	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.52%	-35.12%	+11.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.56%	-8.61%	-6.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.20%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-5.03%	+4.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-4.13%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	3.33%	+0.96%

Volatility

RND vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.26%. This indicates that RND'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

	RND	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	2.26%	+1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	7.44%	+4.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.69%	10.22%	+5.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.13%	13.60%	+7.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.13%	17.18%	+3.95%

RND vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RND has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

RND vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

RND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.59%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.59%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%
RND First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RND and KNG in my portfolio?

RND and KNG have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RND or KNG?

RND has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to KNG (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RND dropped -23.52% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, RND or KNG?

On 1-year performance, RND leads with 26.66% vs 8.66% for KNG. On fees, RND is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 2.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RND or KNG?

Over the 1-year period, RND has performed better with a 26.66% return vs 8.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RND or KNG?

RND is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.59%, compared with 0.00% for RND.

What is the main difference between RND and KNG?

RND is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while KNG is Dividend. RND tracks Bloomberg R&D Leaders Select Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RND and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 0.85), 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.