AFMC vs. SCHM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

AFMC (First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. AFMC is actively managed, while SCHM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFMC returned 10.83%/yr vs 7.49%/yr for SCHM. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AFMC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

AFMC vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFMC achieves a 18.05% return, which is significantly higher than SCHM's 16.02% return.

AFMC

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.74%
• 6M: 13.07%
• YTD: 18.05%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 17.45%
• 5Y*: 10.83%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.25%

SCHM

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -3.53%
• 6M: 10.34%
• YTD: 16.02%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 13.82%
• 5Y*: 7.49%
• 10Y*: 10.84%
• ALL TIME*: 11.17%

*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)
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	$1.44M	$1.57M	$1.21M
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	$34.02M	$31.86M	$37.33M

AFMC vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	18.05%	10.23%	19.06%	21.46%	-15.55%	25.75%	5.87%	1.97%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	16.02%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	3.29%

Correlation

The correlation between AFMC and SCHM is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.94

The correlation between AFMC and SCHM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFMC vs. SCHM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFMC	SCHM
Technology	21.7%	22.0%
Industrials	18.3%	21.9%
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	10.9%
Financial Services	11.0%	11.1%
Healthcare	11.0%	11.6%
Real Estate	6.5%	6.5%
Basic Materials	6.1%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.4%
Energy	3.8%	3.2%
Communication Services	1.5%	2.4%
Utilities	1.1%	2.9%

Return for Risk

AFMC vs. SCHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFMC

AFMC Risk / Return Rank: 82
AFMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AFMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AFMC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AFMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AFMC Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

AFMC vs. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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.

	AFMC	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.39	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.06	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.25	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	2.49	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.18	8.79	+3.38

AFMC vs. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFMC Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is higher than the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFMC and SCHM, 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

AFMC vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFMC drawdown since its inception was -42.14%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHM drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFMC and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFMC	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.14%	-42.43%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.20%	-9.32%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-23.27%	+1.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-26.46%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-5.89%	+4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.45%	-5.63%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.64%	-0.39%

Volatility

AFMC vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) is 2.96%, while Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that AFMC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFMC	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	4.50%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	13.07%	-2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	16.71%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.84%	19.68%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	20.49%	+2.25%

AFMC vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFMC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFMC vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

AFMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, less than SCHM's 1.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	0.69%	0.96%	0.64%	0.87%	1.42%	0.84%	1.05%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.27%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFMC and SCHM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, AFMC and SCHM 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, AFMC or SCHM?

SCHM has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to AFMC (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFMC dropped -42.14% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which ETF is better, AFMC or SCHM?

On 5-year performance, AFMC leads with 10.83% vs 7.49% for SCHM. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, AFMC has been the lower-risk option at 2.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFMC or SCHM?

Over the 5-year period, AFMC has performed better with a 10.83% return vs 7.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFMC or SCHM?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AFMC.

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

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.69% for AFMC.

What is the main difference between AFMC and SCHM?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AFMC and 0.04% for SCHM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFMC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.39), 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.