KNG vs VTI
FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, KNG or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KNG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 139 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.86% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.35% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.18% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.57% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,504 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2018 to Sep 10, 2026 (8.5 years).
KNG vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 8.5 years both funds cover.
KNG vs VTI Performance
FT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KNG returned +5.35% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, KNG is up 2.86% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, KNG compounded at +6.18% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.57% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.88% annualized vs +6.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.5% for KNG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -35.1% for KNG and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KNG charges 0.74% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $3 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KNG currently yields 8.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.5% of KNG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of KNG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
61 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in KNG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 139 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KNG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 1.42% | 0.84% | 0.58% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.38% | 0.78% | 0.60% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.45% | 0.68% | 0.77% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.38% | 0.67% | 0.71% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.37% | 0.61% | 0.76% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 1.61% | 0.36% | 1.25% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.49% | 0.38% | 1.11% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.39% | 0.47% | 0.92% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 1.36% | 0.43% | 0.93% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 1.64% | 0.11% | 1.53% |
88.5% of KNG is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KNG or VTI?
KNG has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KNG or VTI?
Over the past year KNG returned +5.35% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), KNG annualized +6.77% vs +13.88% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KNG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.5% for KNG. Worst drawdown: KNG -35.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both KNG and VTI?
KNG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between KNG and VTI?
At least 88.5% of KNG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 61 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in KNG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, KNG or VTI?
KNG yields 8.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so KNG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than KNG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.