AFK vs. VEXC
AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - AFK tracks the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.
Performance
AFK vs. VEXC - 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 VEXC's 17.29% 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%
VEXC
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- -2.53%
- 6M
- 11.04%
- YTD
- 17.29%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.06M | $2.15M | $2.08M | |
| $2.10M | $2.14M | $2.87M |
AFK vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF | -2.32% | 11.04% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 17.29% | 4.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between AFK and VEXC is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2025 | 0.67 |
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Return for Risk
AFK vs. VEXC — Risk / Return Rank
AFK
VEXC
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
AFK vs. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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 | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.34 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.99 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
AFK vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and VEXC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AFK | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.46% | -12.42% | -50.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.54% | — | — |
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% | -6.04% | -8.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -31.88% | -2.61% | -29.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.74% | — | — |
Volatility
AFK vs. VEXC - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| AFK | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.45% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.20% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.08% | 20.44% | +6.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.45% | 20.44% | +2.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.14% | 20.44% | +1.70% |
AFK vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison
AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
AFK vs. VEXC - Dividend Comparison
AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VEXC's 1.47% 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% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 1.47% | 0.43% | 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 VEXC have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.
VEXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.04% for AFK.
AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.07% for VEXC.
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