JEPI vs KNG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, KNG yields more: 7.98% (dividend yield) against 7.37% for JEPI. JEPI is cheaper to own at 0.35% a year vs 0.74%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), JEPI returned 10.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and KNG 10.7%.
| Compared | JEPI | KNG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 7.37% | 7.98% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.74% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +9.6% | +16.4% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +11.5% | +12.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +7.4% | +6.1% |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -13.0% | -17.9% |
| Share price since May 2020 | +12% | +27% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | JPMorgan | First Trust |
| Assets | $46.2B | $3.4B |
| Started | 2020 | 2018 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Derivative Income |
Higher yield
KNG
7.98%
Lower cost
JEPI
0.35%
Better total return
JEPI
10.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
JEPI
-13.0%
Key facts: JEPI vs KNG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, JEPI yields 7.37% (dividend yield) and KNG yields 7.98% (dividend yield).
- JEPI's expense ratio is 0.35% and KNG's is 0.74%: $35 vs $74 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JEPI grew to $19,360 (10.8% a year) and $10,000 in KNG to $19,212 (10.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -13.0% for JEPI and -17.9% for KNG.
- 0 of JEPI's top ten holdings are also in KNG's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "JEPI vs KNG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jepi-vs-kng
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
JEPI became
$19,360
10.8% a year
KNG became
$19,212
10.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | JEPI | KNG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.1% | +6.6% |
| 2024 | +12.6% | +6.0% |
| 2023 | +9.8% | +7.5% |
| 2022 | −3.5% | −7.0% |
| 2021 | +21.5% | +24.8% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
JEPI
- MA Mastercard Inc Class A2.0%
- AAPL Apple Inc1.9%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp1.9%
- V Visa Inc Class A1.9%
- NEE NextEra Energy Inc1.8%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson1.8%
- EOG EOG Resources Inc1.8%
- MMM 3M Co1.8%
- JIMXX JPMorgan Prime Money Market IM1.8%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc1.8%
KNG
- ROP Roper Technologies Inc1.9%
- FDS FactSet Research Systems Inc1.8%
- BDX Becton Dickinson & Co1.8%
- IBM International Business Machines Corp1.7%
- EMR Emerson Electric Co1.7%
- CVX Chevron Corp1.7%
- ERIE Erie Indemnity Co Class A1.6%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp1.6%
- MDT Medtronic PLC1.6%
- ADP Automatic Data Processing Inc1.6%
JEPI vs KNG: questions
Is JEPI or KNG better?
It depends on the job. KNG pays more today (7.98% vs 7.37%), JEPI costs less, and JEPI has the better total return over May 2020 to Oct 2026, with JEPI holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, JEPI or KNG?
KNG, at 7.98% against 7.37% for JEPI as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $798 vs $737 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
JEPI. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 10.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 10.7% for KNG. $10,000 became $19,360 vs $19,212.
Which is cheaper, JEPI or KNG?
JEPI, with a 0.35% expense ratio against 0.74%.
Do JEPI and KNG hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. KNG leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
