ROBT vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROBT (First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF) and KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics 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, ROBT returned 2.38%/yr vs 4.31%/yr for KNG. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ROBT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

ROBT vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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, ROBT achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 2.20% return.

ROBT

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 13.18%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 6M: 12.64%
• 1Y: 30.71%
• 3Y*: 10.10%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: —

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)

ROBT vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	14.22%	15.16%	-0.41%	27.77%	-34.94%	9.91%	46.18%	34.28%	-11.94%
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 ROBT and KNG is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between ROBT and KNG has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ROBT vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBT	KNG
Technology	57.0%	4.3%
Industrials	20.4%	20.3%
Healthcare	7.4%	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	5.5%
Communication Services	4.1%	-
Financial Services	1.6%	12.7%
Energy	1.5%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	23.5%
Basic Materials	-	10.2%
Real Estate	-	4.4%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

ROBT vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBT

ROBT Risk / Return Rank: 32
ROBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ROBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
ROBT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ROBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ROBT 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.

ROBT vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) 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.

	ROBT	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	0.73	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.15	+0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.13	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	0.87	+0.56
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.

ROBT vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBT Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBT 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

	ROBT	KNG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	0.73	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.32	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.49	-0.14

Drawdowns

ROBT vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBT drawdown since its inception was -44.47%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBT and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBT	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.47%	-35.12%	-9.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.66%	-8.61%	-13.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	-14.24%	-13.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	-18.20%	-25.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-5.89%	+4.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.97%	-4.13%	-11.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.53%	3.32%	+4.21%

Volatility

ROBT vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) has a higher volatility of 6.46% compared to FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 2.29%. This indicates that ROBT'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

	ROBT	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.46%	2.29%	+4.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.51%	7.39%	+10.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.32%	10.19%	+13.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.18%	13.59%	+11.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.48%	17.18%	+8.30%

ROBT vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBT vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.68%	0.23%	0.35%	0.06%	0.17%	0.42%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROBT and KNG in my portfolio?

ROBT and KNG have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBT or KNG?

ROBT has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBT dropped -44.47% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, ROBT or KNG?

On 5-year performance, KNG leads with 4.31% vs 2.38% for ROBT. On fees, ROBT is cheaper at 0.65% 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, ROBT or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, KNG has performed better with a 4.31% return vs 2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBT or KNG?

ROBT is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 0.00% for ROBT.

What is the main difference between ROBT and KNG?

ROBT is categorized as Technology Equities, while KNG is Dividend. ROBT tracks Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ROBT and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROBT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 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.