AFEM vs DGRE
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF vs WisdomTree Emerging Markets Quality Dividend Growth Fund
Which is better, AFEM or DGRE?
Each has led over a different period.
DGRE has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, DGRE over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.2%.
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 | AFEM | DGRE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.32%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $145M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.55% | 1.39% |
| Holdings | 178 | 282 |
| YTD Return | +20.72% | +22.92%Best |
| 1Y Return | +29.92% | +35.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.53%Best | +22.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.03%Best | +9.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -40.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,873Best | $15,563 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.1%Best | 42.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 14, 2016 | Aug 1, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 15, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.3 years).
AFEM vs DGRE 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
AFEM vs DGRE Performance
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRE) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% while DGRE returned +35.75%. Year to date, AFEM is up 20.72% versus a gain of 22.92% for DGRE.
Over three years, AFEM compounded at +24.53% per year against +22.70% for DGRE; over five years the annualized figures are +11.03% and +9.25% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, AFEM has the edge at +8.63% annualized vs +7.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DGRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 17.1% for AFEM. 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 -45.6% for AFEM and -40.0% for DGRE. 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
AFEM charges 0.95% per year while DGRE charges 0.32%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $32 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFEM currently yields 2.55% against 1.39% for DGRE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 178 holdings in AFEM and 198 in DGRE, totalling 99.6% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 198 in DGRE, against full books of 178 and 282.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 198 positions for DGRE that do not appear in our book for AFEM (99.8% of the fund), and 4 for AFEM that do not appear in DGRE (2.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFEM and DGRE you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFEM or DGRE?
AFEM has an expense ratio of 0.95% while DGRE charges 0.32%. DGRE is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFEM or DGRE?
Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% vs +35.75% for DGRE, so DGRE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), AFEM annualized +8.63% vs +7.63% for DGRE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFEM or DGRE?
DGRE has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 17.1% for AFEM. Worst drawdown: AFEM -45.6% vs DGRE -40.0%.
Should I hold both AFEM and DGRE?
AFEM and DGRE 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFEM or DGRE?
AFEM yields 2.55% while DGRE yields 1.39%, so AFEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DGRE better than AFEM?
DGRE has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, DGRE over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.