AFDM vs IDYN
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF
Which is better, AFDM or IDYN?
AFDM has been ahead.
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%.
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 | IDYN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.45%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $114M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 1.83% |
| Holdings | 178 | 218 |
| YTD Return | +11.55%Best | +6.01% |
| 1Y Return | +20.58%Best | +12.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.39% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.90% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.3%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.2%Best | -12.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,555Best | $11,889 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.1%Best | 20.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Aug 5, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
AFDM vs IDYN 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AFDM vs IDYN Performance
First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (IDYN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% while IDYN returned +12.58%. Year to date, AFDM is up 11.55% versus a gain of 6.01% for IDYN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 11.3% 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 -10.2% for AFDM and -12.7% for IDYN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFDM charges 0.83% per year while IDYN charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $45 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 1.83% for IDYN.
Holdings Overlap
22.1% of AFDM's money is in holdings IDYN also owns. 20.9% of IDYN's money is in holdings AFDM also owns.
AFDM and IDYN share little of their money.
33 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 203 in IDYN, against full books of 178 and 218.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for IDYN that do not appear in our book for AFDM (3.7% of the fund), and 6 for AFDM that do not appear in IDYN (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 IDYN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 2.20% | 4.17% | 1.97% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 2.62% | 1.49% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.58% | 1.17% | 0.41% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 1.69% | 0.92% | 0.77% |
| 6098:TKRecruit Holdings Co Ltd | 1.75% | 0.81% | 0.94% |
| YAR:OSYara International ASA Shs | 0.64% | 1.71% | 1.07% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.87% | 1.21% | 0.34% |
| 1308:HKSitc International Holdings Co Ltd | 0.74% | 0.94% | 0.20% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.18% | 1.32% | 1.14% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.75% | 0.72% | 0.03% |
22.1% of AFDM is already inside IDYN.
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 IDYN?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while IDYN charges 0.45%. IDYN is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFDM or IDYN?
Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% vs +12.58% for IDYN, so AFDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AFDM annualized +20.88% vs +15.51% for IDYN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFDM or IDYN?
IDYN has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 11.3% for AFDM. Worst drawdown: AFDM -10.2% vs IDYN -12.7%.
Should I hold both AFDM and IDYN?
AFDM and IDYN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AFDM and IDYN?
22.1% of AFDM's money is in holdings IDYN also owns. 20.9% of IDYN's is in holdings AFDM also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 203 in IDYN.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or IDYN?
AFDM yields 3.47% while IDYN yields 1.83%, so AFDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IDYN better than AFDM?
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.