TSEP vs. KNG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TSEP (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September) and KNG (FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TSEP is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series. TSEP is actively managed, while KNG is passively managed. Over the past year, TSEP returned 20.83% vs 10.46% for KNG. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TSEP charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for KNG.

Performance

TSEP vs. KNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) 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, TSEP achieves a 8.33% return, which is significantly higher than KNG's 4.84% return.

TSEP

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 8.33%
• 6M: 9.08%
• 1Y: 20.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KNG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 6M: 4.41%
• 1Y: 10.46%
• 3Y*: 7.42%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

TSEP vs. KNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	8.33%	20.91%	-1.99%
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	4.84%	6.63%	-4.45%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEP and KNG is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2024	0.32

Return for Risk

TSEP vs. KNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSEP

TSEP Risk / Return Rank: 70
TSEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
TSEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TSEP Omega Ratio Rank: 76
TSEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
TSEP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 27
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 26
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

TSEP vs. KNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) 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.

	TSEP	KNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.01	+1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	1.55	+1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.18	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	1.22	+1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	3.07	+8.70

TSEP vs. KNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEP Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the KNG Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEP 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

TSEP vs. KNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEP drawdown since its inception was -9.83%, smaller than the maximum KNG drawdown of -35.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEP and KNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEP	KNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-35.12%	+25.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.25%	-8.61%	+1.36%
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	-1.41%	-3.46%	+2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.66%	-4.13%	+2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	3.42%	-1.65%

Volatility

TSEP vs. KNG - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September (TSEP) has a higher volatility of 3.17% compared to FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) at 3.00%. This indicates that TSEP'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

	TSEP	KNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.17%	3.00%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.40%	7.59%	+0.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.35%	10.41%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.41%	13.58%	-2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.41%	17.15%	-5.74%

TSEP vs. KNG - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSEP has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than KNG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSEP vs. KNG - Dividend Comparison

TSEP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KNG FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.45%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%
TSEP FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEP and KNG in my portfolio?

TSEP and KNG have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSEP or KNG?

TSEP has higher volatility (3.17%) compared to KNG (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEP dropped -9.83% vs KNG's -35.12%.

Which ETF is better, TSEP or KNG?

On 1-year performance, TSEP leads with 20.83% vs 10.46% for KNG. On fees, KNG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEP or KNG?

Over the 1-year period, TSEP has performed better with a 20.83% return vs 10.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEP or KNG?

KNG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TSEP.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.45%, compared with 0.00% for TSEP.

What is the main difference between TSEP and KNG?

TSEP is categorized as Defined Outcome, while KNG is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TSEP and 0.75% for KNG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.01), 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.