AFGR vs. ILCB
AFGR (First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF) and ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. AFGR is actively managed, while ILCB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFGR returned 7.22%/yr vs 12.90%/yr for ILCB. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFGR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ILCB.
Performance
AFGR vs. ILCB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AFGR achieves a 1.90% return, which is significantly lower than ILCB's 9.14% return.
AFGR
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 12.07%
- 3Y*
- 19.38%
- 5Y*
- 7.22%
- 10Y*
- —
ILCB
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 9.14%
- 6M
- 9.49%
- 1Y
- 24.20%
- 3Y*
- 21.10%
- 5Y*
- 12.90%
- 10Y*
- 14.93%
AFGR vs. ILCB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFGR First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF | 1.90% | 17.28% | 25.96% | 45.21% | -39.18% | 13.23% | 21.39% |
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF | 9.14% | 17.70% | 24.96% | 26.91% | -19.48% | 24.07% | 18.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between AFGR and ILCB is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2020 | 0.89 |
The correlation between AFGR and ILCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AFGR vs. ILCB — Risk / Return Rank
AFGR
ILCB
AFGR vs. ILCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF (AFGR) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AFGR | ILCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.35 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.61 | 2.67 | -2.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.74 | 11.96 | -10.21 |
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Drawdowns
AFGR vs. ILCB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AFGR drawdown since its inception was -45.97%, smaller than the maximum ILCB drawdown of -51.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFGR and ILCB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AFGR | ILCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.97% | -51.53% | +5.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.89% | -9.09% | -10.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.57% | -19.05% | -7.52% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.97% | -25.47% | -20.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.30% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.84% | -2.44% | -2.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.30% | -6.23% | -8.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.94% | 2.03% | +4.91% |
Volatility
AFGR vs. ILCB - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF (AFGR) has a higher volatility of 5.45% compared to iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) at 4.26%. This indicates that AFGR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ILCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AFGR | ILCB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.45% | 4.26% | +1.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.45% | 9.73% | +4.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.53% | 12.44% | +6.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.97% | 17.18% | +7.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.52% | 18.18% | +6.34% |
AFGR vs. ILCB - Expense Ratio Comparison
AFGR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
AFGR vs. ILCB - Dividend Comparison
AFGR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ILCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFGR First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF | 0.99% | 1.11% | 1.19% | 1.43% | 1.65% | 1.16% | 1.26% | 2.25% | 2.17% | 1.81% | 1.97% | 2.44% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AFGR and ILCB have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AFGR has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to ILCB (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFGR dropped -45.97% vs ILCB's -51.53%.
On 5-year performance, ILCB leads with 12.90% vs 7.22% for AFGR. On fees, ILCB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ILCB has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ILCB has performed better with a 12.90% return vs 7.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AFGR.
ILCB has the higher dividend yield at 0.99%, compared with 0.00% for AFGR.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AFGR and 0.03% for ILCB.
ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.65), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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