FEDDX vs. AFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEDDX (Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund) and AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) are both funds - FEDDX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. Over the past 10 years, FEDDX returned 10.95%/yr vs 5.47%/yr for AFK. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEDDX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for AFK.

Performance

FEDDX vs. AFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (FEDDX) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEDDX achieves a 20.05% return, which is significantly higher than AFK's 0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, FEDDX has outperformed AFK with an annualized return of 10.95%, while AFK has yielded a comparatively lower 5.47% annualized return.

FEDDX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 20.05%
• 6M: 22.07%
• 1Y: 40.71%
• 3Y*: 18.98%
• 5Y*: 8.76%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

AFK

• 1D: -2.60%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 6M: 9.04%
• 1Y: 40.92%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 5.59%
• 10Y*: 5.47%

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

FEDDX vs. AFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEDDX Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund	20.05%	31.90%	-3.68%	20.76%	-11.83%	6.65%	16.96%	19.60%	-18.90%	36.59%
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	0.79%	74.71%	12.10%	-12.11%	-17.31%	3.00%	4.26%	9.90%	-19.55%	28.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FEDDX and AFK is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2011	0.61

The correlation between FEDDX and AFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEDDX vs. AFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEDDX	AFK
Industrials	24.7%	3.7%
Financial Services	19.2%	37.7%
Technology	13.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.2%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.5%	1.6%
Healthcare	6.4%	0.5%
Basic Materials	6.3%	32.5%
Energy	3.6%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	2.1%	12.5%
Utilities	1.1%	0.2%

Return for Risk

FEDDX vs. AFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEDDX

FEDDX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FEDDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FEDDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FEDDX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FEDDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FEDDX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 42
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 45
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

FEDDX vs. AFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (FEDDX) 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.

	FEDDX	AFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.13	1.60	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.02	2.07	+1.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.29	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	2.10	+2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.61	6.32	+10.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEDDX vs. AFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEDDX Sharpe Ratio is 3.13, which is higher than the AFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEDDX and AFK, 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

	FEDDX	AFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.13	1.60	+1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.25	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.25	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.01	+0.57

Drawdowns

FEDDX vs. AFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEDDX drawdown since its inception was -42.95%, smaller than the maximum AFK drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEDDX and AFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEDDX	AFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.95%	-62.46%	+19.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.54%	-19.54%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.29%	-19.54%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.45%	-38.46%	+11.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.95%	-53.33%	+10.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-11.78%	+10.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-32.04%	+23.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	6.50%	-4.02%

Volatility

FEDDX vs. AFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (FEDDX) is 4.39%, while VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a volatility of 8.57%. This indicates that FEDDX 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.

Volatility by Period

	FEDDX	AFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	8.57%	-4.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.65%	22.48%	-11.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.20%	25.67%	-12.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	22.09%	-7.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.74%	22.17%	-6.43%

FEDDX vs. AFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEDDX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than AFK's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEDDX vs. AFK - Dividend Comparison

FEDDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than AFK's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	1.01%	1.02%	0.00%	2.27%	3.59%	4.17%	3.91%	6.34%	1.71%	1.99%	2.67%	2.16%
FEDDX Fidelity Emerging Markets Discovery Fund	3.87%	4.65%	3.99%	2.05%	1.69%	11.90%	0.59%	1.05%	1.88%	1.50%	1.36%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEDDX and AFK in my portfolio?

FEDDX and AFK have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEDDX or AFK?

AFK has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to FEDDX (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEDDX dropped -42.95% vs AFK's -62.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEDDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.13 vs 1.60), 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.