AFSM vs FSCC
First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF vs Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF
Which is better, AFSM or FSCC?
Each has led over a different period.
FSCC has a lower expense ratio. AFSM led over 1Y, FSCC over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. AFSM is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.8%.
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 | AFSM | FSCC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.36%Best |
| AUM | $130M | $427M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 0.24% |
| Holdings | 657 | 622 |
| YTD Return | +19.57%Best | +10.38% |
| 1Y Return | +23.10%Best | +12.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.42% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.1%Best | -27.2% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $12,872 | $13,065Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.4%Best | 11.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Federated Hermes |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Jul 30, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 31, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.2 years).
AFSM vs FSCC 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
AFSM vs FSCC Performance
First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) is an ETF from Federated Hermes. Over the past year AFSM returned +23.10% while FSCC returned +12.30%. Year to date, AFSM is up 19.57% versus a gain of 10.38% for FSCC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSCC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 16.5% for AFSM. 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 -25.1% for AFSM and -27.2% for FSCC. 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
AFSM charges 0.75% per year while FSCC charges 0.36%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $36 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFSM currently yields 0.52% against 0.24% for FSCC.
Holdings Overlap
27.1% of AFSM's money is in holdings FSCC also owns. 31.1% of FSCC's money is in holdings AFSM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
87 positions in common, counted across the 321 positions we hold weights for in AFSM and 310 in FSCC, against full books of 657 and 622.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 209 positions for FSCC that do not appear in our book for AFSM (66.6% of the fund), and 221 for AFSM that do not appear in FSCC (67.7%).
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 AFSM | Weight in FSCC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSTLPostal Realty Trust Inc- A Common Stock | 0.27% | 1.27% | 1.00% |
| BTSGBrightspring Health | 0.56% | 0.79% | 0.23% |
| SPSCSps Commerce Inc | 0.40% | 0.93% | 0.53% |
| INDV:MBIndivior Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ordinary Shares | 0.31% | 1.02% | 0.71% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 0.47% | 0.85% | 0.38% |
| TALOTalos Energy Inc | 0.40% | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| MCYMercury General Corp | 0.62% | 0.60% | 0.02% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.60% | 0.62% | 0.02% |
| AMALAmalgamated Bank | 0.48% | 0.69% | 0.21% |
| TRMKTrustmark Corp | 0.28% | 0.87% | 0.59% |
31.1% of FSCC is already inside AFSM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFSM or FSCC?
AFSM has an expense ratio of 0.75% while FSCC charges 0.36%. FSCC is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFSM or FSCC?
Over the past year AFSM returned +23.10% vs +12.30% for FSCC, so AFSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AFSM annualized +12.16% vs +12.92% for FSCC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFSM or FSCC?
FSCC has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 16.5% for AFSM. Worst drawdown: AFSM -25.1% vs FSCC -27.2%.
Should I hold both AFSM and FSCC?
AFSM and FSCC 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 AFSM and FSCC?
31.1% of FSCC's money is in holdings AFSM also owns. 31.1% of FSCC's is in holdings AFSM also owns. They hold 87 positions in common, counted across the 321 positions we hold weights for in AFSM and 310 in FSCC.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFSM or FSCC?
AFSM yields 0.52% while FSCC yields 0.24%, so AFSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FSCC better than AFSM?
FSCC has a lower expense ratio. AFSM led over 1Y, FSCC over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. AFSM is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.