AFEM vs EMMF
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF vs WisdomTree Emerging Markets Multifactor Fund
Which is better, AFEM or EMMF?
AFEM has been ahead.
EMMF has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. EMMF is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.1%.
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 | EMMF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.48%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $181M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.55% | 1.89% |
| Holdings | 178 | 245 |
| YTD Return | +20.72%Best | +15.74% |
| 1Y Return | +29.92%Best | +23.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.53%Best | +18.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.03%Best | +9.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.0% | -34.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,873Best | $16,061 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.1% | 29.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 14, 2016 | Aug 10, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 10, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.2 years).
AFEM vs EMMF 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
AFEM vs EMMF Performance
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Multifactor Fund (EMMF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% while EMMF returned +23.28%. Year to date, AFEM is up 20.72% versus a gain of 15.74% for EMMF.
Over three years, AFEM compounded at +24.53% per year against +18.89% for EMMF; over five years the annualized figures are +11.03% and +9.94% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, AFEM has the edge at +7.73% annualized vs +6.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 14.2% for EMMF. 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 -36.0% for AFEM and -34.9% for EMMF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. 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 EMMF charges 0.48%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $48 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFEM currently yields 2.55% against 1.89% for EMMF.
Holdings Overlap
36.7% of AFEM's money is in holdings EMMF also owns. 33.6% of EMMF's money is in holdings AFEM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
43 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 209 in EMMF, against full books of 178 and 245.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 12 positions for EMMF that do not appear in our book for AFEM (6.7% of the fund), and 1 for AFEM that do not appear in EMMF (1.5%).
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 AFEM | Weight in EMMF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 005930:KRSamsung Electronics (Equity) | 7.51% | 4.77% | 2.74% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 3.81% | 5.53% | 1.72% |
| 0700:KYTencent Holdings Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.78% | 2.43% | 1.65% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 1.50% | 1.19% | 0.31% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial & Commercial Bank Manufacturing & . Ltd. | 1.78% | 0.72% | 1.06% |
| 3653:TWJentech Precision Industrial Co Ltd | 1.45% | 1.01% | 0.44% |
| 3037:TWUnimicron Technology Corp | 1.78% | 0.34% | 1.44% |
| KBANK:THKasikornbank | 1.52% | 0.41% | 1.11% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.00% | 1.89% | 1.89% |
| TUPRS:TRTupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafine | 1.00% | 0.73% | 0.27% |
36.7% of AFEM is already inside EMMF.
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, AFEM or EMMF?
AFEM has an expense ratio of 0.95% while EMMF charges 0.48%. EMMF is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFEM or EMMF?
Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% vs +23.28% for EMMF, so AFEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), AFEM annualized +7.73% vs +6.67% for EMMF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFEM or EMMF?
AFEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 14.2% for EMMF. Worst drawdown: AFEM -36.0% vs EMMF -34.9%.
Should I hold both AFEM and EMMF?
AFEM and EMMF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 AFEM and EMMF?
36.7% of AFEM's money is in holdings EMMF also owns. 33.6% of EMMF's is in holdings AFEM also owns. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 209 in EMMF.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFEM or EMMF?
AFEM yields 2.55% while EMMF yields 1.89%, so AFEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is EMMF better than AFEM?
EMMF has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. EMMF is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.