AFK vs. VEA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AFK is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AFK returned 5.25%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for VEA. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

AFK vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a -2.32% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 13.84% return. Over the past 10 years, AFK has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 5.25%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.05% annualized 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%

VEA

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.27%
• 6M: 7.42%
• YTD: 13.84%
• 1Y: 29.71%
• 3Y*: 18.08%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 5.13%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	$3.06M	$2.15M	$2.08M
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	$674.44M	$796.70M	$806.62M

AFK vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	-2.32%	74.71%	12.10%	-12.11%	-17.31%	3.00%	4.26%	9.90%	-19.55%	28.22%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	13.84%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between AFK and VEA is 0.68, 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.	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2008	0.64

The correlation between AFK and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFK vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFK	VEA
Basic Materials	34.5%	6.9%
Financial Services	33.3%	23.1%
Communication Services	11.3%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	7.3%
Energy	6.9%	4.5%
Industrials	3.3%	17.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	5.3%
Healthcare	0.6%	7.9%
Real Estate	0.3%	2.5%
Utilities	0.2%	3.1%
Technology	-	18.4%

Return for Risk

AFK vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 37
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 75
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AFK vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.71	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	2.37	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.31	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	2.53	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	9.44	-6.45

AFK vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFK Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFK and VEA, 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. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, roughly equal to the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFK	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-60.68%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-11.63%	-7.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-13.45%	-6.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.62%	-29.71%	-7.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.33%	-35.73%	-17.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.50%	-2.45%	-12.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.88%	-13.20%	-18.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.74%	3.10%	+5.64%

Volatility

AFK vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have volatilities of 5.45% and 5.40%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFK	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.45%	5.40%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.20%	15.40%	+7.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.08%	17.25%	+9.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	16.84%	+5.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.14%	17.21%	+4.93%

AFK vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFK vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VEA's 2.57% 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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.57%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFK and VEA in my portfolio?

AFK and VEA have a correlation of 0.68, 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 VEA?

AFK has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to VEA (5.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, AFK or VEA?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.05% vs 5.25% for AFK. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFK or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 5.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFK or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.

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

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.04% for AFK.

What is the main difference between AFK and VEA?

AFK is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 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.