AFK vs. GEME
AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and GEME (Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. AFK is passively managed, while GEME is actively managed. Over the past year, AFK returned 26.56% vs 60.84% for GEME. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GEME.
Performance
AFK vs. GEME - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a -2.32% return, which is significantly lower than GEME's 29.70% return.
AFK
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- 6M
- -6.31%
- YTD
- -2.32%
- 1Y
- 26.56%
- 3Y*
- 19.94%
- 5Y*
- 6.08%
- 10Y*
- 5.25%
- ALL TIME*
- -0.03%
GEME
- 1D
- 1.51%
- 1M
- -0.95%
- 6M
- 16.89%
- YTD
- 29.70%
- 1Y
- 60.84%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 46.39%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.06M | $2.15M | $2.08M | |
| $6.60M | $4.28M | $3.34M |
AFK vs. GEME - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF | -2.32% | 66.22% |
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF | 29.70% | 37.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between AFK and GEME is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2025 | 0.57 |
The correlation between AFK and GEME has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AFK vs. GEME — Risk / Return Rank
AFK
GEME
AFK vs. GEME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME). 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.
| AFK | GEME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.42 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.34 | 4.41 | -3.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.99 | 13.63 | -10.64 |
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Drawdowns
AFK vs. GEME - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than GEME's maximum drawdown of -16.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and GEME.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AFK | GEME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.46% | -16.86% | -45.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.54% | -13.46% | -6.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.54% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.62% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -53.33% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.50% | -7.52% | -6.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -31.88% | -2.72% | -29.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.74% | 4.35% | +4.39% |
Volatility
AFK vs. GEME - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) is 5.45%, while Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) has a volatility of 7.60%. This indicates that AFK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GEME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AFK | GEME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.45% | 7.60% | -2.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.20% | 21.41% | +1.79% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.08% | 24.18% | +2.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.45% | 24.09% | -1.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.14% | 24.09% | -1.95% |
AFK vs. GEME - Expense Ratio Comparison
AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than GEME's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
AFK vs. GEME - Dividend Comparison
AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than GEME's 5.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF | 1.04% | 1.02% | 0.00% | 2.27% | 3.59% | 4.17% | 3.91% | 6.34% | 1.71% | 1.99% | 2.67% | 2.16% |
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF | 5.40% | 7.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AFK and GEME have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GEME has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to AFK (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs GEME's -16.86%.
On 1-year performance, GEME leads with 60.84% vs 26.56% for AFK. On fees, GEME is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, AFK has been the lower-risk option at 5.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GEME has performed better with a 60.84% return vs 26.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GEME is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.
GEME has the higher dividend yield at 5.40%, compared with 1.04% for AFK.
They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Pacific AM. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.75% for GEME.
GEME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 0.97), 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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