AFLG vs NUDG
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF vs Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF
Which is better, AFLG or NUDG?
AFLG has been ahead.
AFLG has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y.
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 | AFLG | NUDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55%Best | 0.61% |
| AUM | $906M | $5.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 0.48% |
| Holdings | 434 | 43 |
| YTD Return | +12.32%Best | +4.96% |
| 1Y Return | +12.88% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.11% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.08% | - |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Jun 2, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
AFLG vs NUDG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AFLG vs NUDG Performance
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF (NUDG) is an ETF from Nuveen. Year to date, AFLG is up 12.32% versus a gain of 4.96% for NUDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFLG charges 0.55% per year while NUDG charges 0.61%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $61 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFLG currently yields 0.71% against 0.48% for NUDG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.7% of AFLG's money is in holdings NUDG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NUDG, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
AFLG and NUDG share little of their money.
14 positions in common, counted across the 216 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 41 in NUDG, against full books of 434 and 43.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AFLG | Weight in NUDG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.79% | 6.53% | 0.26% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.26% | 7.58% | 3.32% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.36% | 4.72% | 2.36% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 0.21% | 3.98% | 3.77% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 1.03% | 2.00% | 0.97% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.58% | 2.34% | 1.76% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 0.37% | 2.25% | 1.88% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.42% | 1.90% | 1.48% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 0.21% | 2.11% | 1.90% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.42% | 1.89% | 1.47% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFLG and NUDG 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, AFLG or NUDG?
AFLG has an expense ratio of 0.55% while NUDG charges 0.61%. AFLG is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AFLG and NUDG?
At least 17.7% of AFLG's money is in holdings NUDG also owns. Our book for NUDG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 216 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 41 in NUDG.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLG or NUDG?
AFLG yields 0.71% while NUDG yields 0.48%, so AFLG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUDG better than AFLG?
AFLG has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.