AFLG vs BAFE
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF vs Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF
Which is better, AFLG or BAFE?
AFLG has been ahead.
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%.
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 | AFLG | BAFE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.54%Best |
| AUM | $803M | $1.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 0.27% |
| Holdings | 435 | 90 |
| YTD Return | +14.82%Best | +9.97% |
| 1Y Return | +17.70%Best | +12.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.47% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.5%Best | -18.4% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $13,039Best | $12,035 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 45.4% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Brown Advisory |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Nov 18, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
AFLG vs BAFE 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
AFLG vs BAFE Performance
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory. Over the past year AFLG returned +17.70% while BAFE returned +12.65%. Year to date, AFLG is up 14.82% versus a gain of 9.97% for BAFE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 11.2% for AFLG. 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 -17.5% for AFLG and -18.4% for BAFE. 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
AFLG charges 0.55% per year while BAFE charges 0.54%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $54 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFLG currently yields 0.71% against 0.27% for BAFE.
Holdings Overlap
31.3% of AFLG's money is in holdings BAFE also owns. 48.2% of BAFE's money is in holdings AFLG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 42 in BAFE, against full books of 435 and 90.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 21 positions for BAFE that do not appear in our book for AFLG (34.6% of the fund), and 198 for AFLG that do not appear in BAFE (67.0%).
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 AFLG | Weight in BAFE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.85% | 3.84% | 4.01% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.00% | 6.49% | 2.49% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.62% | 3.72% | 1.90% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.58% | 1.90% | 4.68% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.37% | 4.42% | 2.05% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.79% | 4.60% | 3.81% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.03% | 4.22% | 3.19% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.56% | 3.73% | 3.17% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 0.57% | 2.82% | 2.25% |
| KLACKla-tencor | 0.44% | 2.28% | 1.84% |
48.2% of BAFE is already inside AFLG.
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, AFLG or BAFE?
AFLG has an expense ratio of 0.55% while BAFE charges 0.54%. BAFE is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFLG or BAFE?
Over the past year AFLG returned +17.70% vs +12.65% for BAFE, so AFLG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AFLG annualized +14.99% vs +10.24% for BAFE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFLG or BAFE?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 11.2% for AFLG. Worst drawdown: AFLG -17.5% vs BAFE -18.4%.
Should I hold both AFLG and BAFE?
AFLG and BAFE 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 AFLG and BAFE?
48.2% of BAFE's money is in holdings AFLG also owns. 48.2% of BAFE's is in holdings AFLG also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 42 in BAFE.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLG or BAFE?
AFLG yields 0.71% while BAFE yields 0.27%, so AFLG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is BAFE better than AFLG?
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.