AFEMvsFLAXETF Comparison
ETF 1
AFEM
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF
This fund is part of
Uncategorized Equities
-1.03%
VS
First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM) belongs to the Uncategorized Equities segment. Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is part of the Global Blended Cap segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Technology, Finance and Industrials. AFEM is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.85%, versus 0.19% for FLAX. AFEM is up 26.38% year-to-date (YTD) with +$17M in YTD flows. FLAX performs worse with 23.09% YTD performance, and +$13M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of AFEM and FLAX below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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AFEM vs FLAX performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/11/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | AFEM FLAX | +2.09%-0.49% | +6.56%-3.40% | +26.38%+23.09% | +33.83%+29.34% | +96.88%+85.23% | +68.30%+47.82% |
| Flows | AFEM FLAX | -- | -+$7M | +$17M+$13M | +$21M+$13M | +$22M+$13M | +$16M+$14M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | AFEM FLAX | +16.57%+27.59% | +16.40%+24.39% | +14.83%+18.91% | +15.99%+18.62% |
| Max drawdown | AFEM FLAX | -7.12%-13.41% | -11.02%-13.64% | -14.01%-16.29% | -30.93%-34.66% |
| Max drawdown duration | AFEM FLAX | 48d83d | 50d57d | 222d247d | 938d1077d |
Trading data
AFEM | FLAX | |
Last sale 9/14/2026 at 1:30 PM | $36.06 | |
| Previous close 09/11/2026 | $36.93 | |
| Consolidated volume 09/11/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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AFEM
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexAFEM | FLAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
AFEM | FLAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | – | $36.06 |
| 1D performance | – | -2.36% |
| AuM | $83.68 M | $57.79 M |
| E/R | 0.85% | 0.19% |
Characteristics
AFEM | FLAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | First Trust | Franklin Templeton |
| Benchmark | - | FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index |
| N° of holdings | 3293 | 1374 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | June 14, 2016 | February 6, 2018 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
AFEM
Taiwan
32.46%
India
14.01%
China
13.07%
Other
40.46%
FLAX
Taiwan
28.03%
Republic of Korea
22.14%
China
21.57%
India
14.81%
Other
13.46%
Sectors
AFEM
Technology
39.7%
Finance
19.35%
Industrials
8.37%
Other
32.59%
FLAX
Technology
46.32%
Finance
20.9%
Other
32.78%
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Diversification
AFEM
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
47.18%
FLAX
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
43.63%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
AFEM
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
10.15%
MediaTek, Inc.
6.04%
Unimicron Technology Corp.
4.35%
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
3.61%
Kia Corp.
2.51%
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
2.36%
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
2.33%
Global Unichip Corp.
2.24%
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.
2.23%
Jentech Precision Industrial Co. Ltd.
2.21%
Kasikornbank Public Co. Ltd.
1.94%
Kasikornbank Public Co. Ltd.
1.91%
Lenovo Group Ltd.
1.90%
HDFC Bank Ltd.
1.78%
Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS
1.60%
FLAX
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
15.73%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
7.10%
SK hynix, Inc.
6.11%
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
3.13%
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
2.30%
MediaTek, Inc.
1.49%
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.
1.02%
Delta Electronics, Inc.
0.93%
AIA Group Ltd.
0.91%
China Construction Bank Corp.
0.90%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
0.87%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
0.85%
Reliance Industries Ltd.
0.80%
HDFC Bank Ltd.
0.78%
ICICI Bank Ltd.
0.71%
Frequently asked questions about AFEM and FLAX
How have the AFEM and FLAX ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 11, 2026, AFEM is up 26.38% year-to-date (YTD), while FLAX has returned 23.09%. That puts AFEM better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: AFEM or FLAX?
Year-to-date, the AFEM ETF saw +$17M in flows, compared to +$13M for FLAX.
Which ETF is more volatile: AFEM or FLAX?
Over the past year, AFEM had a volatility of 16.4%, while FLAX experienced 24.39%.
Which ETF is bigger: AFEM or FLAX?
As of September 11, 2026, AFEM holds $83.68 M in assets under management (AUM), while FLAX manages $57.79 M.
What sectors do the AFEM and FLAX ETFs invest in?
AFEM leans toward sectors like Technology, Finance and Industrials. Meanwhile, FLAX focuses on Technology and Finance.
What are the top holdings of the AFEM ETF and FLAX ETF?
AFEM top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., MediaTek, Inc. and Unimicron Technology Corp.. FLAX holds in its top three: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and SK hynix, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: AFEM or FLAX?
AFEM holds 3401 securities with 47.18% of its assets in the top 15. FLAX has 1459 securities and a top 15 weight of 43.63%.
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