ILOW vs RFDI
AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, ILOW or RFDI?
RFDI has been ahead.
ILOW has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ILOW is less concentrated, with 21.0% 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 | ILOW | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $1.8B | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 102 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 10.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.4%Best | -13.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $13,869 | $15,207Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.0%Best | 22.7% |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2024 | 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. ILOW has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.4% compared with 9.9% for ILOW. 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 -10.4% for ILOW and -13.4% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILOW charges 0.50% per year while RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $83 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILOW currently yields 1.49% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
19.1% of ILOW's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 15.7% of RFDI's money is in holdings ILOW also owns.
ILOW and RFDI share little of their money.
15 positions in common, counted across the 85 positions we hold weights for in ILOW and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 102 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for ILOW (4.7% of the fund), and 3 for ILOW that do not appear in RFDI (4.3%).
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 ILOW | Weight in RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 3.12% | 2.23% | 0.89% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.71% | 2.02% | 0.31% |
| ABB:MBABB Ltd. - Ordinary Shares | 1.14% | 1.78% | 0.64% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 1.19% | 1.66% | 0.47% |
| NWG:LNNatWest Group PLC | 1.39% | 1.40% | 0.01% |
| CS:PAAxa Sa | 1.50% | 0.91% | 0.59% |
| BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco Plc Common Stock GBP 25 | 1.20% | 1.03% | 0.17% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.84% | 0.35% | 1.49% |
| RKT:LNReckitt Benckiser Group | 0.94% | 1.12% | 0.18% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.37% | 0.50% | 0.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ILOW and RFDI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ILOW or RFDI?
ILOW has an expense ratio of 0.50% while RFDI charges 0.83%. ILOW is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ILOW or RFDI?
RFDI has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 9.9% for ILOW. Worst drawdown: ILOW -10.4% vs RFDI -13.4%.
Should I hold both ILOW and RFDI?
ILOW and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 ILOW and RFDI?
19.1% of ILOW's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 15.7% of RFDI's is in holdings ILOW also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 85 positions we hold weights for in ILOW and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILOW or RFDI?
ILOW yields 1.49% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so RFDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than ILOW?
ILOW has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ILOW is less concentrated, with 21.0% 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.