AFMC vs. OPTZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFMC (First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF) and OPTZ (Optimize Strategy Index ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. AFMC is actively managed, while OPTZ is passively managed. Over the past year, AFMC returned 28.05% vs 61.30% for OPTZ. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFMC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OPTZ.

Performance

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) and Optimize Strategy Index ETF (OPTZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFMC achieves a 16.54% return, which is significantly lower than OPTZ's 31.51% return.

AFMC

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 17.09%
• 1Y: 28.05%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: —

OPTZ

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 12.33%
• YTD: 31.51%
• 6M: 32.28%
• 1Y: 61.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	16.54%	10.23%	10.54%
OPTZ Optimize Strategy Index ETF	31.51%	22.83%	16.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AFMC and OPTZ is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2024	0.87

The correlation between AFMC and OPTZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFMC	OPTZ
Technology	20.8%	50.6%
Industrials	17.5%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	9.5%
Healthcare	12.3%	10.5%
Financial Services	11.2%	9.1%
Real Estate	5.9%	1.5%
Basic Materials	5.6%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.0%
Energy	3.7%	1.5%
Communication Services	1.9%	2.6%
Utilities	1.5%	0.7%

Return for Risk

AFMC vs. OPTZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFMC

AFMC Risk / Return Rank: 61
AFMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
AFMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
AFMC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AFMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AFMC Martin Ratio Rank: 67

OPTZ

OPTZ Risk / Return Rank: 92
OPTZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
OPTZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
OPTZ Omega Ratio Rank: 89
OPTZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
OPTZ Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) and Optimize Strategy Index ETF (OPTZ). 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.

	AFMC	OPTZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	3.41	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	4.49	-1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.57	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	5.80	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	26.36	-13.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFMC Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is lower than the OPTZ Sharpe Ratio of 3.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFMC and OPTZ, 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

	AFMC	OPTZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	3.41	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	1.71	-1.17

Drawdowns

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFMC drawdown since its inception was -42.14%, which is greater than OPTZ's maximum drawdown of -25.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFMC and OPTZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFMC	OPTZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.14%	-25.75%	-16.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.20%	-10.63%	+2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-3.39%	-4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	2.33%	-0.06%

Volatility

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) is 4.71%, while Optimize Strategy Index ETF (OPTZ) has a volatility of 6.09%. This indicates that AFMC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OPTZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFMC	OPTZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	6.09%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	13.52%	-2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.94%	18.09%	-3.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	20.66%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.93%	20.66%	+2.27%

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFMC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than OPTZ's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFMC vs. OPTZ - Dividend Comparison

AFMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, more than OPTZ's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	0.78%	0.96%	0.64%	0.87%	1.42%	0.84%	1.05%	0.29%
OPTZ Optimize Strategy Index ETF	0.44%	0.58%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFMC and OPTZ in my portfolio?

AFMC and OPTZ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFMC or OPTZ?

OPTZ has higher volatility (6.09%) compared to AFMC (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFMC dropped -42.14% vs OPTZ's -25.75%.

Which ETF is better, AFMC or OPTZ?

On 1-year performance, OPTZ leads with 61.30% vs 28.05% for AFMC. On fees, OPTZ is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AFMC has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFMC or OPTZ?

Over the 1-year period, OPTZ has performed better with a 61.30% return vs 28.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFMC or OPTZ?

OPTZ is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AFMC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFMC or OPTZ?

AFMC has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.44% for OPTZ.

What is the main difference between AFMC and OPTZ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Optimize. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AFMC and 0.25% for OPTZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OPTZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 1.89), 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.