AFK vs VYM
VanEck Africa Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AFK or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AFK led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | AFK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $95M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 73 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.93% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.95%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.38%Best | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,923 | $17,901Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2019 to Sep 21, 2026 (6.8 years).
AFK vs VYM 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
AFK vs VYM Performance
VanEck Africa Index ETF (AFK) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFK returned +22.95% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, AFK is up 9.93% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, AFK compounded at +28.38% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.75% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.12% annualized vs +8.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 15.7% for VYM. 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 -43.2% for AFK and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFK charges 0.76% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $4 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFK currently yields 0.91% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.7% of AFK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings AFK also owns.
AFK and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in AFK and 557 in VYM, against full books of 73 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AFK (96.7% of the fund), and 4 for AFK that do not appear in VYM (2.6%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFK and VYM 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, AFK or VYM?
AFK has an expense ratio of 0.76% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFK or VYM?
Over the past year AFK returned +22.95% vs +15.94% for VYM, so AFK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AFK annualized +8.62% vs +11.12% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFK or VYM?
AFK has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 15.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AFK -43.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AFK and VYM?
AFK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 AFK and VYM?
2.7% of AFK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings AFK also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in AFK and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFK or VYM?
AFK yields 0.91% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AFK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AFK led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.