AFDM vs DMXU
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs Xtrackers Bloomberg Developed Markets ex US Equity ETF
Which is better, AFDM or DMXU?
Nearly the same fund. DMXU costs less.
DMXU has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 16.2%.
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 | DMXU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $65M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 3.87% |
| Holdings | 178 | 360 |
| YTD Return | +11.55%Best | +5.39% |
| 1Y Return | +20.58%Best | +10.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.39%Best | +14.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.90%Best | +6.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -32.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,316Best | $13,720 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.1%Best | 16.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Xtrackers ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Sep 5, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.9 years).
AFDM vs DMXU 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
AFDM vs DMXU Performance
First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Xtrackers Bloomberg Developed Markets ex US Equity ETF (DMXU) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% while DMXU returned +10.30%. Year to date, AFDM is up 11.55% versus a gain of 5.39% for DMXU.
Over three years, AFDM compounded at +21.39% per year against +14.70% for DMXU; over five years the annualized figures are +8.90% and +6.53% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, AFDM has the edge at +8.80% annualized vs +8.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 16.2% for DMXU. 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 -35.9% for AFDM and -32.3% for DMXU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 DMXU charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $3 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 3.87% for DMXU.
Holdings Overlap
50.6% of AFDM's money is in holdings DMXU also owns. 19.7% of DMXU's money is in holdings AFDM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
81 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 624 in DMXU, against full books of 178 and 360.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 7 positions for DMXU that do not appear in our book for AFDM (1.3% of the fund), and 5 for AFDM that do not appear in DMXU (3.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AFDM | Weight in DMXU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 2.20% | 2.71% | 0.51% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 1.01% | 0.12% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.75% | 1.25% | 0.50% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 1.69% | 0.30% | 1.39% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 1.17% | 0.71% | 0.46% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 1.13% | 0.62% | 0.51% |
| BHP:AUBHP Group Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.87% | 0.83% | 0.04% |
| TTE:PATotalenergies Se Ordinary Shares | 0.88% | 0.67% | 0.21% |
| CFR:SMCie Financiere Richemo-A Reg | 1.05% | 0.41% | 0.64% |
| BNS:CABank Of Nova Scotia/The Common Stock | 1.00% | 0.42% | 0.58% |
50.6% of AFDM is already inside DMXU.
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, AFDM or DMXU?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while DMXU charges 0.03%. DMXU is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFDM or DMXU?
Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% vs +10.30% for DMXU, so AFDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), AFDM annualized +8.80% vs +8.04% for DMXU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFDM or DMXU?
AFDM has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 16.2% for DMXU. Worst drawdown: AFDM -35.9% vs DMXU -32.3%.
Should I hold both AFDM and DMXU?
AFDM and DMXU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between AFDM and DMXU?
50.6% of AFDM's money is in holdings DMXU also owns. 19.7% of DMXU's is in holdings AFDM also owns. They hold 81 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 624 in DMXU.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or DMXU?
AFDM yields 3.47% while DMXU yields 3.87%, so DMXU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DMXU better than AFDM?
DMXU has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 16.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.