AFEM vs NSI
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF vs National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF
Which is better, AFEM or NSI?
AFEM has been ahead.
NSI has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y and the full window. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.4%.
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 | NSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.75%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $43M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.55% | 1.21% |
| Holdings | 178 | 204 |
| YTD Return | +20.72%Best | +8.60% |
| 1Y Return | +29.92%Best | +17.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.53% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.03% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.8%Best | -16.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $18,417Best | $16,304 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.1%Best | 50.4% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | National Security Index |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 14, 2016 | Dec 6, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
AFEM vs NSI 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
AFEM vs NSI Performance
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) is an ETF from National Security Index. Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% while NSI returned +17.93%. Year to date, AFEM is up 20.72% versus a gain of 8.60% for NSI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 12.7% 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 -15.8% for AFEM and -16.6% for NSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFEM charges 0.95% per year while NSI charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $75 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFEM currently yields 2.55% against 1.21% for NSI.
Holdings Overlap
6.0% of AFEM's money is in holdings NSI also owns. 3.6% of NSI's money is in holdings AFEM also owns.
AFEM and NSI share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 99 in NSI, against full books of 178 and 204.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 33 positions for NSI that do not appear in our book for AFEM (24.6% of the fund), and 1 for AFEM that do not appear in NSI (0.4%).
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 AFEM | Weight in NSI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMX:MXAmérica Móvil, Sab De Cv, Class B (Adr) | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.00% |
| BEKE:SHKe Holdings Inc Adr | 0.82% | 0.51% | 0.31% |
| VIPSVipshop Holdings Ltd | 0.75% | 0.30% | 0.45% |
| TLKM:IDPt Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk | 0.76% | 0.23% | 0.53% |
| UGPUltrapar Participacoes S.a. Spon Adr (each Rep One Com Npv) Lvliii | 0.77% | 0.20% | 0.57% |
| TAL:SHTal Education Group | 0.72% | 0.21% | 0.51% |
| SSL:ZASasol Ltd | 0.64% | 0.21% | 0.43% |
| GGBGerdau Sa Sponsored Adr | 0.40% | 0.41% | 0.01% |
| INFY:MBInfosys Ltd.-Adr | 0.00% | 0.61% | 0.61% |
| TIMB:BVTim Sa American Depositary Shares (Each Representing 5 Common Shares) | 0.35% | 0.09% | 0.26% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFEM and NSI 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 NSI?
AFEM has an expense ratio of 0.95% while NSI charges 0.75%. NSI is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFEM or NSI?
Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% vs +17.93% for NSI, so AFEM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFEM or NSI?
NSI has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 12.7% for AFEM. Worst drawdown: AFEM -15.8% vs NSI -16.6%.
Should I hold both AFEM and NSI?
AFEM and NSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 AFEM and NSI?
6.0% of AFEM's money is in holdings NSI also owns. 3.6% of NSI's is in holdings AFEM also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 99 in NSI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFEM or NSI?
AFEM yields 2.55% while NSI yields 1.21%, so AFEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NSI better than AFEM?
NSI has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y and the full window. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.