AFLG vs. ILCB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFLG (First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF) and ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - AFLG tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index while ILCB tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFLG returned 12.91%/yr vs 13.45%/yr for ILCB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFLG charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ILCB.

Performance

AFLG vs. ILCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFLG achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly higher than ILCB's 11.12% return.

AFLG

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 12.37%
• 6M: 12.19%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 22.74%
• 5Y*: 12.91%
• 10Y*: —

ILCB

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 11.10%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

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

AFLG vs. ILCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	12.37%	14.23%	27.02%	20.10%	-16.41%	27.29%	10.31%	2.77%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	11.12%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	24.07%	19.40%	4.50%

Correlation

The correlation between AFLG and ILCB is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2019	0.94

The correlation between AFLG and ILCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFLG vs. ILCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFLG	ILCB
Technology	33.6%	35.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.1%
Communication Services	10.1%	11.4%
Financial Services	10.0%	11.7%
Industrials	9.4%	8.6%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	4.8%
Utilities	4.1%	2.3%
Real Estate	3.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	3.6%	1.8%
Energy	3.2%	3.5%

Return for Risk

AFLG vs. ILCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFLG

AFLG Risk / Return Rank: 67
AFLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AFLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AFLG Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AFLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AFLG Martin Ratio Rank: 74

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 69
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

AFLG vs. ILCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) 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.

	AFLG	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.35	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.20	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.42	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.10	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.04	14.24	-0.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFLG vs. ILCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFLG Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the ILCB Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFLG and ILCB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFLG	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.35	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.79	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.64	+0.10

Drawdowns

AFLG vs. ILCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFLG drawdown since its inception was -35.84%, smaller than the maximum ILCB drawdown of -51.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFLG and ILCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFLG	ILCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.84%	-51.53%	+15.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.19%	-9.09%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.49%	-19.05%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.48%	-25.47%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.67%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-6.24%	+0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.97%	-0.19%

Volatility

AFLG vs. ILCB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) have volatilities of 2.86% and 2.88%, 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

	AFLG	ILCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.88%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.81%	9.10%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.47%	12.02%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	17.13%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.20%	18.16%	+1.04%

AFLG vs. ILCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFLG has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFLG vs. ILCB - Dividend Comparison

AFLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than ILCB's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	0.70%	0.84%	0.53%	1.53%	1.52%	0.93%	1.28%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	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

Can I hold both AFLG and ILCB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, AFLG and ILCB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AFLG or ILCB?

ILCB has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to AFLG (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFLG dropped -35.84% vs ILCB's -51.53%.

Which ETF is better, AFLG or ILCB?

On 5-year performance, ILCB leads with 13.45% vs 12.91% for AFLG. On fees, ILCB 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, AFLG or ILCB?

Over the 5-year period, ILCB has performed better with a 13.45% return vs 12.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFLG or ILCB?

ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for AFLG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFLG or ILCB?

ILCB has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.70% for AFLG.

What is the main difference between AFLG and ILCB?

AFLG tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while ILCB tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for AFLG and 0.03% for ILCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 2.19), 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.