AFDM vs BKIS
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs BNY Mellon Sustainable International Equity ETF
Which is better, AFDM or BKIS?
Nearly the same fund. BKIS costs less.
BKIS has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | AFDM | BKIS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.70%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 1.13% |
| Holdings | 178 | 42 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.9% | -34.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $10,032Best | $8,929 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | BNY Mellon Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Dec 14, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 712 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. AFDM has data through Oct 14, 2026 and BKIS through Nov 1, 2024.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 15, 2021 to Nov 1, 2024 (2.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BKIS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 18.3% for AFDM. 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 -34.9% for AFDM and -34.0% for BKIS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFDM charges 0.83% per year while BKIS charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $70 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 1.13% for BKIS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFDM and BKIS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFDM or BKIS?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while BKIS charges 0.70%. BKIS is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, AFDM or BKIS?
BKIS has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 18.3% for AFDM. Worst drawdown: AFDM -34.9% vs BKIS -34.0%.
Should I hold both AFDM and BKIS?
AFDM and BKIS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or BKIS?
AFDM yields 3.47% while BKIS yields 1.13%, so AFDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BKIS better than AFDM?
BKIS has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.