GEM vs. AFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GEM returned 10.00%/yr vs 5.47%/yr for AFK. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for AFK.

Performance

GEM vs. AFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) 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, GEM achieves a 27.56% return, which is significantly higher than AFK's 0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, GEM has outperformed AFK with an annualized return of 10.00%, while AFK has yielded a comparatively lower 5.47% annualized return.

GEM

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 9.44%
• YTD: 27.56%
• 6M: 30.41%
• 1Y: 54.83%
• 3Y*: 23.85%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

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)

GEM vs. AFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.56%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	36.43%
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 GEM and AFK is 0.62, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2015	0.63

The correlation between GEM and AFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

GEM vs. AFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GEM	AFK
Financial Services	34.0%	37.7%
Technology	14.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	6.5%
Basic Materials	8.7%	32.5%
Industrials	7.5%	3.7%
Healthcare	5.4%	0.5%
Communication Services	4.5%	12.5%
Utilities	4.3%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	1.6%
Real Estate	1.5%	0.2%
Energy	1.3%	4.7%

Return for Risk

GEM vs. AFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

GEM vs. AFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) 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.

	GEM	AFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	1.60	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.07	+1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.29	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.08	2.10	+1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.81	6.32	+9.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GEM vs. AFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is higher than the AFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEM 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

	GEM	AFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	1.60	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.25	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.25	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.01	+0.52

Drawdowns

GEM vs. AFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, smaller than the maximum AFK drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and AFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEM	AFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.02%	-62.46%	+25.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.50%	-19.54%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-19.54%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.43%	-38.46%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.02%	-53.33%	+16.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-11.78%	+10.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.01%	-32.04%	+20.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	6.50%	-3.02%

Volatility

GEM vs. AFK - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) have volatilities of 8.60% and 8.57%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEM	AFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.60%	8.57%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.96%	22.48%	-5.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.51%	25.67%	-6.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	22.09%	-4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.03%	22.17%	-3.14%

GEM vs. AFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than AFK's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

GEM vs. AFK - Dividend Comparison

GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, 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%
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.80%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEM and AFK in my portfolio?

GEM and AFK have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEM or AFK?

GEM has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to AFK (8.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEM dropped -37.02% vs AFK's -62.46%.

Which ETF is better, GEM or AFK?

On 10-year performance, GEM leads with 10.00% vs 5.47% for AFK. On fees, GEM is cheaper at 0.45% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEM or AFK?

Over the 10-year period, GEM has performed better with a 10.00% return vs 5.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEM or AFK?

GEM is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GEM or AFK?

GEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 1.01% for AFK.

What is the main difference between GEM and AFK?

GEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while AFK is Foreign Large Cap Equities. GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.78% for AFK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 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.