AFK vs. RBIL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and RBIL (F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while RBIL is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Ultrashort TIPS 1-13 Months Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AFK returned 38.88% vs 3.95% for RBIL. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for RBIL.

Performance

AFK vs. RBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a 0.15% return, which is significantly lower than RBIL's 2.31% return.

AFK

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 38.88%
• 3Y*: 23.55%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 5.95%

RBIL

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 2.31%
• 6M: 2.35%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFK vs. RBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	0.15%	60.59%
RBIL F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF	2.31%	2.85%

Correlation

The correlation between AFK and RBIL is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2025	-0.20

Return for Risk

AFK vs. RBIL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 40
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 42
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 37

RBIL

RBIL Risk / Return Rank: 97
RBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
RBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
RBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 98
RBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFK vs. RBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL). 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	RBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	4.18	-2.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	6.39	-4.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	2.06	-0.80
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	7.59	-5.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.54	44.07	-38.53

AFK vs. RBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFK Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the RBIL Sharpe Ratio of 4.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFK and RBIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFK vs. RBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than RBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and RBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFK	RBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-0.52%	-61.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-0.52%	-19.02%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.34%	-0.51%	-11.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.98%	-0.07%	-31.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.03%	0.09%	+6.94%

Volatility

AFK vs. RBIL - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a higher volatility of 9.17% compared to F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF (RBIL) at 0.36%. This indicates that AFK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFK	RBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.17%	0.36%	+8.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.65%	0.85%	+22.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.83%	0.95%	+25.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.36%	1.07%	+21.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.20%	1.07%	+21.13%

AFK vs. RBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than RBIL's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFK vs. RBIL - Dividend Comparison

AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than RBIL's 4.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	1.01%	1.02%	0.00%	2.27%	3.59%	4.17%	3.91%	6.34%	1.71%	1.99%	2.67%	2.16%
RBIL F/m Ultrashort Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) ETF	4.38%	3.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFK and RBIL in my portfolio?

AFK and RBIL have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFK or RBIL?

AFK has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to RBIL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs RBIL's -0.52%.

Which ETF is better, AFK or RBIL?

On 1-year performance, AFK leads with 38.88% vs 3.95% for RBIL. On fees, RBIL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, RBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFK or RBIL?

Over the 1-year period, AFK has performed better with a 38.88% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFK or RBIL?

RBIL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFK or RBIL?

RBIL has the higher dividend yield at 4.38%, compared with 1.01% for AFK.

What is the main difference between AFK and RBIL?

AFK is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while RBIL is Inflation-Protected Bonds. AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while RBIL tracks Bloomberg US Ultrashort TIPS 1-13 Months Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and F/m. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.17% for RBIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.18 vs 1.46), 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.