AFLG vs. ILCG

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

AFLG (First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF) and ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - AFLG tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index while ILCG tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFLG returned 12.64%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for ILCG. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AFLG charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ILCG.

Performance

AFLG vs. ILCG - 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 Growth ETF (ILCG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFLG achieves a 15.37% return, which is significantly higher than ILCG's 12.63% return.

AFLG

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 3.80%
• 6M: 12.49%
• YTD: 15.37%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 21.75%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.17%

ILCG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.12%
• 6M: 15.76%
• YTD: 12.63%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 24.17%
• 5Y*: 12.23%
• 10Y*: 17.54%
• ALL TIME*: 11.74%

*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)
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	$3.21M	$3.12M	$2.75M
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	$5.25M	$6.59M	$9.50M

AFLG vs. ILCG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	15.37%	14.23%	27.02%	20.10%	-16.41%	27.29%	10.31%	2.58%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	12.63%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	4.73%

Correlation

The correlation between AFLG and ILCG is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.86

The correlation between AFLG and ILCG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFLG vs. ILCG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFLG	ILCG
Technology	38.3%	54.1%
Financial Services	9.9%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	9.2%
Communication Services	9.1%	9.7%
Industrials	8.8%	10.9%
Healthcare	6.9%	5.3%
Energy	4.3%	0.7%
Utilities	3.8%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	1.6%
Basic Materials	3.2%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.5%	1.5%

Return for Risk

AFLG vs. ILCG — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFLG

AFLG Risk / Return Rank: 76
AFLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
AFLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
AFLG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
AFLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
AFLG Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 33
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

AFLG vs. ILCG - 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 Growth ETF (ILCG). 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.

	AFLG	ILCG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	0.96	+1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	1.40	+1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.18	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	1.15	+1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.35	3.65	+8.69

AFLG vs. ILCG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFLG Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is higher than the ILCG Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFLG and ILCG, 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

AFLG vs. ILCG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFLG drawdown since its inception was -35.84%, smaller than the maximum ILCG drawdown of -52.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFLG and ILCG.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFLG	ILCG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.84%	-52.98%	+17.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.19%	-15.65%	+7.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.49%	-23.10%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.48%	-35.38%	+11.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.38%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-2.62%	+2.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.60%	-8.19%	+2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	4.93%	-3.03%

Volatility

AFLG vs. ILCG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is 3.22%, while iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) has a volatility of 6.66%. This indicates that AFLG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILCG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFLG	ILCG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	6.66%	-3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.49%	15.75%	-6.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.03%	18.81%	-6.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.88%	22.42%	-6.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.06%	21.72%	-2.66%

AFLG vs. ILCG - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFLG has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFLG vs. ILCG - Dividend Comparison

AFLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, more than ILCG's 0.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	0.69%	0.84%	0.53%	1.53%	1.52%	0.93%	1.28%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.41%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFLG and ILCG in my portfolio?

AFLG and ILCG have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFLG or ILCG?

ILCG has higher volatility (6.66%) compared to AFLG (3.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFLG dropped -35.84% vs ILCG's -52.98%.

Which ETF is better, AFLG or ILCG?

On 5-year performance, AFLG leads with 12.64% vs 12.23% for ILCG. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, AFLG has been the lower-risk option at 3.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFLG or ILCG?

Over the 5-year period, AFLG has performed better with a 12.64% return vs 12.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFLG or ILCG?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for AFLG.

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

AFLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.41% for ILCG.

What is the main difference between AFLG and ILCG?

AFLG tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for AFLG and 0.04% for ILCG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.96), 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.