AFLG vs HELO
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF vs JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF
Which is better, AFLG or HELO?
AFLG has been ahead.
HELO has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.1%.
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 | AFLG | HELO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $803M | $4.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 0.57% |
| Holdings | 435 | 156 |
| YTD Return | +14.82%Best | +4.91% |
| 1Y Return | +17.70%Best | +7.68% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.47%Best | +11.88% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 7.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.5% | -10.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $18,572Best | $14,128 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 40.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | J.P. Morgan Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Sep 28, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
AFLG vs HELO 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 3 years both funds cover.
AFLG vs HELO Performance
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) is an ETF from J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Over the past year AFLG returned +17.70% while HELO returned +7.68%. Year to date, AFLG is up 14.82% versus a gain of 4.91% for HELO.
Over three years, AFLG compounded at +22.47% per year against +11.88% for HELO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 7.3% for HELO. 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 -10.9% for HELO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. 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 HELO charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $50 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFLG currently yields 0.71% against 0.57% for HELO.
Holdings Overlap
47.7% of AFLG's money is in holdings HELO also owns. 57.4% of HELO's money is in holdings AFLG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
52 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 146 in HELO, against full books of 435 and 156.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for HELO that do not appear in our book for AFLG (41.0% of the fund), and 162 for AFLG that do not appear in HELO (50.6%).
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 HELO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.85% | 8.17% | 0.32% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.58% | 7.01% | 0.43% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp_None_0 | 4.00% | 6.29% | 2.29% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc-cl A | 5.62% | 3.16% | 2.46% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.37% | 4.26% | 1.89% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.50% | 2.64% | 0.14% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 0.79% | 2.31% | 1.52% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp | 0.98% | 1.38% | 0.40% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.36% | 1.70% | 1.34% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.62% | 1.40% | 0.78% |
57.4% of HELO 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 HELO?
AFLG has an expense ratio of 0.55% while HELO charges 0.50%. HELO is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFLG or HELO?
Over the past year AFLG returned +17.70% vs +7.68% for HELO, 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 HELO?
AFLG has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 7.3% for HELO. Worst drawdown: AFLG -17.5% vs HELO -10.9%.
Should I hold both AFLG and HELO?
AFLG and HELO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 HELO?
57.4% of HELO's money is in holdings AFLG also owns. 57.4% of HELO's is in holdings AFLG also owns. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 146 in HELO.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLG or HELO?
AFLG yields 0.71% while HELO yields 0.57%, so AFLG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HELO better than AFLG?
HELO has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.