AFEM vs QLVE
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF vs Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, AFEM or QLVE?
AFEM has been ahead.
QLVE has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.5%.
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 | QLVE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $17M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.55% | 3.02% |
| Holdings | 178 | 169 |
| YTD Return | +20.72%Best | +12.55% |
| 1Y Return | +29.92%Best | +18.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.53%Best | +17.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.03%Best | +7.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.0% | -30.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,873Best | $14,403 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.1%Best | 38.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 14, 2016 | Jul 15, 2019 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.2 years).
AFEM vs QLVE 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 7.2 years both funds cover.
AFEM vs QLVE Performance
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLVE) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management. Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% while QLVE returned +18.18%. Year to date, AFEM is up 20.72% versus a gain of 12.55% for QLVE.
Over three years, AFEM compounded at +24.53% per year against +17.74% for QLVE; over five years the annualized figures are +11.03% and +7.57% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AFEM has the edge at +9.32% annualized vs +6.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 13.1% for QLVE. 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 -30.0% for QLVE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 QLVE charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFEM currently yields 2.55% against 3.02% for QLVE.
Holdings Overlap
25.6% of AFEM's money is in holdings QLVE also owns. 27.9% of QLVE's money is in holdings AFEM also owns.
QLVE and AFEM share little of their money.
24 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 135 in QLVE, against full books of 178 and 169.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for QLVE that do not appear in our book for AFEM (1.1% of the fund), and 3 for AFEM that do not appear in QLVE (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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AFEM | Weight in QLVE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 005930:KRSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 7.51% | 6.81% | 0.70% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc | 3.81% | 4.82% | 1.01% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial And Commercial Bank Of China Ltd Class H | 1.78% | 2.26% | 0.48% |
| 0700:KYTencent Holdings Ltd Ordinary Shares | 0.78% | 2.55% | 1.77% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc | 1.50% | 1.56% | 0.06% |
| 000270:KRKia Motors Corp | 1.68% | 0.85% | 0.83% |
| PETR3:BVPetroleo Brasileiro Sa - Petrobras | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.00% |
| BBSE3:BVBb Seguridade Participacoes Sa | 0.74% | 0.89% | 0.15% |
| TUPRS:TRTupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafine | 1.00% | 0.61% | 0.39% |
| 138040:KRMeritz Financial Group Inc | 1.00% | 0.31% | 0.69% |
27.9% of QLVE is already inside AFEM.
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 QLVE?
AFEM has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QLVE charges 0.18%. QLVE is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFEM or QLVE?
Over the past year AFEM returned +29.92% vs +18.18% for QLVE, so AFEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AFEM annualized +9.32% vs +6.26% for QLVE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFEM or QLVE?
AFEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 13.1% for QLVE. Worst drawdown: AFEM -36.0% vs QLVE -30.0%.
Should I hold both AFEM and QLVE?
AFEM and QLVE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 QLVE?
27.9% of QLVE's money is in holdings AFEM also owns. 27.9% of QLVE's is in holdings AFEM also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 178 positions we hold weights for in AFEM and 135 in QLVE.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFEM or QLVE?
AFEM yields 2.55% while QLVE yields 3.02%, so QLVE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QLVE better than AFEM?
QLVE has a lower expense ratio. AFEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. AFEM is less concentrated, with 36.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.