AFLG vs CGUS
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF vs Capital Group Core Equity ETF
Which is better, AFLG or CGUS?
Nearly the same fund. CGUS costs less.
CGUS has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and 3Y, CGUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%.
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 | CGUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.33%Best |
| AUM | $803M | $12.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 0.83% |
| Holdings | 435 | 75 |
| YTD Return | +15.28%Best | +12.40% |
| 1Y Return | +17.84%Best | +15.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.61%Best | +21.90% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9%Best | -21.9% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $18,710 | $19,142Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 43.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Capital Group (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Feb 22, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Oct 15, 2026 (4.6 years).
AFLG vs CGUS 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
AFLG vs CGUS Performance
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) is an ETF from Capital Group (US). Over the past year AFLG returned +17.84% while CGUS returned +15.55%. Year to date, AFLG is up 15.28% versus a gain of 12.40% for CGUS.
Over three years, AFLG compounded at +22.61% per year against +21.90% for CGUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.7% for CGUS. 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 -20.9% for AFLG and -21.9% for CGUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. 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 CGUS charges 0.33%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $33 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFLG currently yields 0.71% against 0.83% for CGUS.
Holdings Overlap
36.7% of AFLG's money is in holdings CGUS also owns. 54.6% of CGUS's money is in holdings AFLG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
23 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 68 in CGUS, against full books of 435 and 75.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 35 positions for CGUS that do not appear in our book for AFLG (33.5% of the fund), and 190 for AFLG that do not appear in CGUS (61.5%).
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 AFLG | Weight in CGUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.85% | 7.90% | 0.05% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.00% | 7.05% | 3.05% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.58% | 2.53% | 4.05% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.62% | 3.14% | 2.48% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.50% | 5.26% | 2.76% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.37% | 4.75% | 2.38% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.79% | 4.55% | 3.76% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.21% | 3.68% | 3.47% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 0.75% | 2.08% | 1.33% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.88% | 1.87% | 0.99% |
54.6% of CGUS 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 CGUS?
AFLG has an expense ratio of 0.55% while CGUS charges 0.33%. CGUS is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFLG or CGUS?
Over the past year AFLG returned +17.84% vs +15.55% for CGUS, so AFLG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFLG or CGUS?
AFLG has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.7% for CGUS. Worst drawdown: AFLG -20.9% vs CGUS -21.9%.
Should I hold both AFLG and CGUS?
AFLG and CGUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 CGUS?
54.6% of CGUS's money is in holdings AFLG also owns. 54.6% of CGUS's is in holdings AFLG also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 68 in CGUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLG or CGUS?
AFLG yields 0.71% while CGUS yields 0.83%, so CGUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is CGUS better than AFLG?
CGUS has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and 3Y, CGUS over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.