TEMGX vs. AFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEMGX (Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund) and AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) are both funds - TEMGX is a Global Equities fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index. Over the past 10 years, TEMGX returned 6.33%/yr vs 5.47%/yr for AFK. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TEMGX charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for AFK.

Performance

TEMGX vs. AFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund (TEMGX) 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, TEMGX achieves a 9.37% return, which is significantly higher than AFK's 0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, TEMGX has outperformed AFK with an annualized return of 6.33%, while AFK has yielded a comparatively lower 5.47% annualized return.

TEMGX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.32%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 6M: 9.18%
• 1Y: 18.07%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 0.68%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

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)

TEMGX vs. AFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TEMGX Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund	9.37%	5.43%	3.42%	16.62%	-24.00%	15.06%	13.23%	24.50%	-18.10%	24.94%
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 TEMGX and AFK is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2008	0.57

The correlation between TEMGX and AFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEMGX vs. AFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEMGX

TEMGX Risk / Return Rank: 18
TEMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
TEMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
TEMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
TEMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
TEMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

TEMGX vs. AFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund (TEMGX) 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.

	TEMGX	AFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.60	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	2.07	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.29	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.10	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.76	6.32	-1.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEMGX vs. AFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the AFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMGX 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

	TEMGX	AFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.60	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.25	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.25	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.01	+0.45

Drawdowns

TEMGX vs. AFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMGX drawdown since its inception was -68.70%, which is greater than AFK's maximum drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMGX and AFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMGX	AFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.70%	-62.46%	-6.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.71%	-19.54%	+6.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.84%	-19.54%	-3.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.20%	-38.46%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.61%	-53.33%	+11.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-11.78%	+11.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.95%	-32.04%	+20.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	6.50%	-2.64%

Volatility

TEMGX vs. AFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund (TEMGX) is 4.64%, while VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a volatility of 8.57%. This indicates that TEMGX 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

	TEMGX	AFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	8.57%	-3.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	22.48%	-11.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.59%	25.67%	-11.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	22.09%	-4.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.33%	22.17%	-4.84%

TEMGX vs. AFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMGX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than AFK's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMGX vs. AFK - Dividend Comparison

TEMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, 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%
TEMGX Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund	4.29%	4.69%	2.98%	1.09%	3.14%	10.66%	2.58%	2.16%	9.12%	3.65%	0.33%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEMGX and AFK in my portfolio?

TEMGX and AFK have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEMGX or AFK?

AFK has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to TEMGX (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMGX dropped -68.70% vs AFK's -62.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.26), 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.