AFDM vs ILOW
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF
Which is better, AFDM or ILOW?
AFDM has been ahead.
ILOW has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.0%.
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 | ILOW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $1.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 178 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +11.55%Best | +6.00% |
| 1Y Return | +20.58%Best | +8.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.39% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.90% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.6% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4% | -10.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $14,570Best | $13,279 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.1%Best | 21.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | AllianceBernstein L.P. |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Jul 15, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.2 years).
AFDM vs ILOW 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
AFDM vs ILOW Performance
First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P.. Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% while ILOW returned +8.93%. Year to date, AFDM is up 11.55% versus a gain of 6.00% for ILOW.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.6% compared with 10.2% for ILOW. 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 -10.4% for ILOW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. 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 ILOW charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $50 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 1.49% for ILOW.
Holdings Overlap
11.2% of AFDM's money is in holdings ILOW also owns. 25.8% of ILOW's money is in holdings AFDM also owns.
ILOW and AFDM share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 85 in ILOW, against full books of 178 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for ILOW that do not appear in our book for AFDM (4.3% of the fund), and 8 for AFDM that do not appear in ILOW (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 ILOW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 2.20% | 3.12% | 0.92% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 1.71% | 0.58% |
| SCHN:PASchneider Electric Se | 0.25% | 2.40% | 2.15% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 1.17% | 1.31% | 0.14% |
| NN:ASNn Group Nv | 0.78% | 1.55% | 0.77% |
| O39:SIOversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. Shs | 0.15% | 2.15% | 2.00% |
| ABB:MBABB Ltd. - Ordinary Shares | 0.93% | 1.14% | 0.21% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 0.88% | 1.19% | 0.31% |
| NWG:LNNatWest Group PLC | 0.68% | 1.39% | 0.71% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.18% | 1.84% | 1.66% |
25.8% of ILOW is already inside AFDM.
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 ILOW?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while ILOW charges 0.50%. ILOW is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFDM or ILOW?
Over the past year AFDM returned +20.58% vs +8.93% for ILOW, so AFDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AFDM annualized +18.66% vs +13.76% for ILOW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFDM or ILOW?
AFDM has been the more volatile fund at 10.6% annualized versus 10.2% for ILOW. Worst drawdown: AFDM -13.4% vs ILOW -10.4%.
Should I hold both AFDM and ILOW?
AFDM and ILOW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 ILOW?
25.8% of ILOW's money is in holdings AFDM also owns. 25.8% of ILOW's is in holdings AFDM also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 85 in ILOW.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or ILOW?
AFDM yields 3.47% while ILOW yields 1.49%, so AFDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ILOW better than AFDM?
ILOW has a lower expense ratio. AFDM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.