KNGZ ETF — First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF

First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF (KNGZ)

Updated October 2, 2026.

KNGZ is an ETF. its distribution rate is 2.55%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.58%, its expense ratio is 0.50%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 96/100 (Safe). Total return is 165.2% over the past 9.3 years, 99.7 points behind SPY at 264.9%.

At the current 2.55% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $255 per year, or about $63.75 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Dividend Aristocrats ETF tracks an index of S&P 500 companies that have demonstrated stable or increasing dividend payments, with the fund investing at least 90% of its assets in these index constituents. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly, with an expense ratio of 0.50%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking exposure to large-cap dividend-paying stocks with a history of dividend growth.

KNGZ performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 165.2% over the past 9.3 years, 99.7 points behind SPY at 264.9%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 18.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.4%.

KNGZ key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

96 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.45%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/20/2017

Expense ratio

0.50%

Distribution rate

2.55%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.58%

Last close

$41.14 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$65,263,330

Average volume

2000.0

Last dividend

$0.262

Last ex-dividend date

09/24/2026

Last payment date

09/30/2026 (as of 2026-09-30)

Beta

0.9

P/E ratio

18.1351

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.55%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.58%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

KNGZ risks and drawbacks

KNGZ's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.4%.

Who may consider KNGZ — and who may not

KNGZ may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (KNGZ pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

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