EZA vs. AFK
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK).
EZA and AFK are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EZA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI South Africa Index. It was launched on Feb 7, 2003. AFK is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. It was launched on Jul 10, 2008. Both EZA and AFK are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: EZA or AFK.
Key characteristics
| EZA | AFK | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 20.98% | 19.35% |
| 1Y Return | 26.28% | 19.95% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 4.10% | -5.53% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 4.49% | -0.78% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 1.24% | -2.51% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.22 | 1.04 |
| Sortino Ratio | 1.84 | 1.51 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.21 | 1.18 |
| Calmar Ratio | 0.91 | 0.45 |
| Martin Ratio | 5.85 | 5.78 |
| Ulcer Index | 5.30% | 4.06% |
| Daily Std Dev | 25.16% | 22.41% |
| Max Drawdown | -64.64% | -62.45% |
| Current Drawdown | -9.89% | -39.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between EZA and AFK is 0.69, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Performance
EZA vs. AFK - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, EZA achieves a 20.98% return, which is significantly higher than AFK's 19.35% return. Over the past 10 years, EZA has outperformed AFK with an annualized return of 1.24%, while AFK has yielded a comparatively lower -2.51% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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EZA vs. AFK - Expense Ratio Comparison
EZA has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than AFK's 0.78% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
EZA vs. AFK - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK). 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.
Dividends
EZA vs. AFK - Dividend Comparison
EZA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.28%, more than AFK's 1.90% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF | 2.28% | 2.84% | 3.90% | 2.05% | 5.51% | 12.27% | 3.81% | 1.55% | 4.10% | 3.03% | 2.20% | 2.44% |
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF | 1.90% | 2.27% | 3.59% | 4.17% | 3.91% | 6.34% | 1.71% | 1.99% | 2.67% | 2.16% | 2.92% | 2.68% |
Drawdowns
EZA vs. AFK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EZA drawdown since its inception was -64.64%, roughly equal to the maximum AFK drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZA and AFK. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
EZA vs. AFK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) is 5.00%, while VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that EZA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.