SPXL vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, 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, SPXL returned 19.91%/yr vs 5.81%/yr for KNG. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPXL charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

SPXL vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) and FT 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, SPXL achieves a 14.56% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 7.61% return.

SPXL

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -11.42%
• YTD: 14.56%
• 6M: 10.31%
• 1Y: 48.17%
• 3Y*: 44.34%
• 5Y*: 19.91%
• 10Y*: 30.05%

KNG

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 5.26%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 12.79%
• 3Y*: 7.78%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPXL vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	14.56%	31.94%	63.61%	69.49%	-56.55%	98.75%	9.64%	102.80%	-21.32%
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	7.61%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	24.78%	7.21%	26.64%	-1.56%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXL and KNG is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between SPXL and KNG has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPXL vs. KNG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPXL	KNG
Technology	39.0%	4.6%
Financial Services	11.1%	12.8%
Communication Services	10.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	5.3%
Healthcare	8.3%	10.2%
Industrials	7.8%	20.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	23.6%
Energy	3.1%	2.9%
Utilities	2.1%	5.7%
Real Estate	1.8%	4.6%
Basic Materials	1.7%	10.2%

Return for Risk

SPXL vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 42
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 49

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 35
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 35
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

SPXL vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) and FT 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.

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.

	SPXL	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	1.27	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	1.93	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.22	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	1.54	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.54	3.86	+3.68

SPXL vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXL Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXL 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.

Drawdowns

SPXL vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXL drawdown since its inception was -76.86%, which is greater than KNG's maximum drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXL and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXL	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.86%	-35.12%	-41.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.77%	-8.61%	-18.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.95%	-14.24%	-34.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.80%	-18.20%	-45.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.46%	-0.91%	-11.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.09%	-4.12%	-11.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.67%	3.42%	+3.25%

Volatility

SPXL vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) has a higher volatility of 14.54% compared to FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 3.22%. This indicates that SPXL'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

	SPXL	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.54%	3.22%	+11.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.44%	7.71%	+21.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.26%	10.42%	+26.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.52%	13.59%	+36.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.42%	17.15%	+36.27%

SPXL vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXL has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXL vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

SPXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than KNG's 8.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.29%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.57%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXL and KNG in my portfolio?

SPXL and KNG have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPXL or KNG?

SPXL has higher volatility (14.54%) compared to KNG (3.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXL dropped -76.86% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, SPXL or KNG?

On 5-year performance, SPXL leads with 19.91% vs 5.81% for KNG. On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 3.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXL or KNG?

Over the 5-year period, SPXL has performed better with a 19.91% return vs 5.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXL or KNG?

KNG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for SPXL.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.29%, compared with 0.57% for SPXL.

What is the main difference between SPXL and KNG?

SPXL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while KNG is Dividend. SPXL tracks S&P 500, while KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for SPXL and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.27), 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.