IDYN vs RFDI
iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, IDYN or RFDI?
RFDI has been ahead.
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%.
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 | IDYN | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $114M | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.83% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 218 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.7% | -10.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,389 | $12,870Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 22.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 5, 2025 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IDYN has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 10.9% for RFDI. 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 -12.7% for IDYN and -10.2% for RFDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDYN charges 0.45% per year while RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $83 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDYN currently yields 1.83% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
19.4% of IDYN's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 28.3% of RFDI's money is in holdings IDYN also owns.
RFDI and IDYN share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 218 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for IDYN (4.7% of the fund), and 7 for IDYN that do not appear in RFDI (3.7%).
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 IDYN | Weight in RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 4.17% | 2.23% | 1.94% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 2.62% | 2.02% | 0.60% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.97% | 3.66% | 2.69% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.72% | 3.27% | 2.55% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.21% | 1.99% | 0.78% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 1.17% | 1.87% | 0.70% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 0.92% | 1.93% | 1.01% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 2.15% | 0.50% | 1.65% |
| 8411:JPMizuho Financial Group Inc. Com Stk | 0.95% | 1.65% | 0.70% |
| 6098:TKRecruit Holdings Co Ltd | 0.81% | 1.36% | 0.55% |
28.3% of RFDI is already inside IDYN.
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, IDYN or RFDI?
IDYN has an expense ratio of 0.45% while RFDI charges 0.83%. IDYN is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IDYN or RFDI?
IDYN has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 10.9% for RFDI. Worst drawdown: IDYN -12.7% vs RFDI -10.2%.
Should I hold both IDYN and RFDI?
IDYN and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IDYN and RFDI?
28.3% of RFDI's money is in holdings IDYN also owns. 28.3% of RFDI's is in holdings IDYN also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDYN or RFDI?
IDYN yields 1.83% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so RFDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than IDYN?
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.