AFDM vs FENI
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs Fidelity Enhanced International ETF
Which is better, AFDM or FENI?
AFDM has been ahead.
FENI has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.8%.
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 | FENI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.28%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $11.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 3.05% |
| Holdings | 178 | 883 |
| YTD Return | +11.55%Best | +8.98% |
| 1Y Return | +20.58%Best | +15.83% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.39%Best | +20.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.90% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.5%Best | 11.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4%Best | -14.2% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,240Best | $17,066 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.1%Best | 15.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Fidelity Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Nov 20, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 20, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
AFDM vs FENI 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
AFDM vs FENI Performance
First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Fidelity Enhanced International ETF (FENI) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US). Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% while FENI returned +15.83%. Year to date, AFDM is up 11.55% versus a gain of 8.98% for FENI.
Over three years, AFDM compounded at +21.39% per year against +20.24% for FENI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FENI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.6% compared with 10.5% 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 -13.4% for AFDM and -14.2% for FENI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. 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 FENI charges 0.28%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $28 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 3.05% for FENI.
Holdings Overlap
41.7% of AFDM's money is in holdings FENI also owns. 24.5% of FENI's money is in holdings AFDM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
66 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 423 in FENI, against full books of 178 and 883.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for FENI that do not appear in our book for AFDM (1.8% of the fund), and 5 for AFDM that do not appear in FENI (4.2%).
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 FENI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 2.20% | 3.58% | 1.38% |
| 6098:TKRecruit Holdings Co Ltd | 1.75% | 1.17% | 0.58% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 1.28% | 0.15% |
| RR:LNRolls-Royce Holdings PLC Ord Gbp0.20 | 1.13% | 1.17% | 0.04% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.87% | 1.05% | 0.18% |
| NESN:SMNestle S.A. Ordinary Shares | 0.39% | 1.52% | 1.13% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.75% | 1.07% | 0.32% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.18% | 1.59% | 1.41% |
| BP:LNBp Plc Common Stock Gbp | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.00% |
| TTE:PATotalenergies Se Ordinary Shares | 0.88% | 0.64% | 0.24% |
41.7% of AFDM is already inside FENI.
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 FENI?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while FENI charges 0.28%. FENI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFDM or FENI?
Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% vs +15.83% for FENI, so AFDM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFDM or FENI?
FENI has been the more volatile fund at 11.6% annualized versus 10.5% for AFDM. Worst drawdown: AFDM -13.4% vs FENI -14.2%.
Should I hold both AFDM and FENI?
AFDM and FENI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 FENI?
41.7% of AFDM's money is in holdings FENI also owns. 24.5% of FENI's is in holdings AFDM also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 423 in FENI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or FENI?
AFDM yields 3.47% while FENI yields 3.05%, so AFDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FENI better than AFDM?
FENI has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.