AFDM vs RFDI
First Trust Active Factor International ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, AFDM or RFDI?
RFDI has been ahead.
RFDI led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%.
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 | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83%Tie | 0.83%Tie |
| AUM | $149M | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 178 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Tie | 15.3%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4%Tie | -42.4%Tie |
| $10,000 over 10.4 years | $22,157Tie | $22,157Tie |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.1%Best | 22.7% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2016 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 33 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 RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 14, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFDM and RFDI have been equally volatile, both at 15.3% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -42.4% for AFDM and -42.4% for RFDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. 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 RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $83 annually. On income, AFDM currently yields 3.47% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
47.0% of AFDM's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 71.0% of RFDI's money is in holdings AFDM also owns.
Most of RFDI is already inside AFDM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 57 days apart, AFDM as of Oct 1, 2026 and RFDI as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
88 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 178 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for AFDM (1.3% of the fund), and 2 for AFDM that do not appear in RFDI (2.4%).
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 RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 2.20% | 2.23% | 0.03% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.75% | 3.27% | 2.52% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 1.69% | 1.93% | 0.24% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.58% | 1.87% | 0.29% |
| SHEL:ASShell Plc Common Stock | 1.15% | 2.06% | 0.91% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 2.02% | 0.89% |
| 6098:TKRecruit Holdings Co Ltd | 1.75% | 1.36% | 0.39% |
| UNI:MAUnicaja Banco Sa Common | 1.49% | 1.46% | 0.03% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.87% | 1.99% | 1.12% |
| BBVXFBanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Sa | 0.93% | 1.91% | 0.98% |
71.0% of RFDI 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 RFDI?
AFDM has an expense ratio of 0.83% while RFDI charges 0.83%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which is riskier, AFDM or RFDI?
AFDM and RFDI have been equally volatile, both at 15.3% annualized. Worst drawdown: AFDM -42.4% vs RFDI -42.4%.
Should I hold both AFDM and RFDI?
AFDM and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 RFDI?
71.0% of RFDI's money is in holdings AFDM also owns. 71.0% of RFDI's is in holdings AFDM also owns. They hold 88 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFDM and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFDM or RFDI?
AFDM yields 3.47% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so AFDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than AFDM?
RFDI led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. AFDM is less concentrated, with 15.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.