First Trust Active Factor International ETF
AFDM - ETF AI Analysis
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First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM)
AFDM, the First Trust Active Factor International ETF, has a solid overall rating driven mainly by strong, diversified holdings like Novartis, which combines robust profitability, a stable balance sheet, and bullish momentum, and major financial names such as Barclays and BNP Paribas that offer strong performance and generally attractive valuations. The rating is held back somewhat by positions like Endesa and Shell, where weaker technical trends and challenges in revenue or cash flow growth introduce some caution, and investors should also note the fund’s meaningful exposure to financials, which can add sector-specific risk.
AFDM vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
- AUM
- 143.89M
- Region
- Developed Markets
- Expense Ratio
- 0.80%
- Beta
- 0.67
- Issuer
- First Trust
- Inception Date
- Apr 13, 2016
- Dividend Yield
- 3.49%
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Index Tracked
- No Underlying Index
AFDM Summary
The First Trust Active Factor International ETF (AFDM) focuses on developed markets outside the U.S., following an actively managed international total market theme rather than a fixed index. It holds a wide mix of companies across countries like Japan, the UK, and France, and sectors such as financials, industrials, and technology. Well-known holdings include ASML Holding and Shell. Someone might invest in this ETF to diversify beyond the U.S. and tap into growth in overseas markets with professional management. A key risk is that international stocks can be volatile and move up or down with global market and currency changes.
How much will it cost me?
This ETF has an expense ratio of 0.80%, which means you’ll pay about $8 per year for every $1,000 you invest. That’s higher than the average ETF cost because it’s actively managed, meaning professionals are selecting and adjusting the investments rather than just tracking a simple index.
What would affect this ETF?
This ETF focuses on developed markets outside the U.S., so it could benefit if global growth strengthens, interest rates stabilize or fall, and major sectors like financials, industrials, and technology see steady demand, helping key holdings such as European banks and semiconductor companies. On the downside, higher international interest rates, slower economic growth in Europe or Japan, currency swings, or new regulations affecting banks, energy firms, or tech companies could weigh on performance, and its active strategy may lag if its regional or sector shifts don’t match market trends.
AFDM Top 10 Holdings
This ETF leans heavily on international growth stories, with Japan’s Recruit Holdings and Advantest acting as key engines, both rising on solid earnings and tech-driven momentum. Dutch chip-equipment giant ASML has been a strong long-term contributor, though its recent performance has been a bit mixed, suggesting it may be catching its breath. On the flip side, UK bank Barclays and France’s BNP Paribas have been lagging, modestly dragging on returns and highlighting the fund’s meaningful financials exposure. Overall, it’s a developed-markets ex-U.S. mix, tilted toward tech and banks across Europe and Japan.
| Name | Company Name | Weight % | Market Value | Market Cap | Yearly Gain | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 NL:ASML | ASML Holding NV | 1.86% | $2.66M | EUR 525.92B | 51.88% | 76Outperform |
 JP:6098 | Recruit Holdings Co | 1.73% | $2.47M | JPY 23.17T | 113.65% | 67Neutral |
 GB:BARC | Barclays | 1.60% | $2.29M | GBP 57.44B | 0.96% | 78Outperform |
 FR:BNP | BNP Paribas | 1.57% | $2.24M | EUR 105.69B | 37.33% | 77Outperform |
 JP:6857 | Advantest | 1.55% | $2.21M | JPY 20.92T | 48.09% | 75Outperform |
 IT:UNI | Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA | 1.43% | $2.05M | EUR 22.02B | 36.27% | 72Outperform |
 CH:NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.28% | $1.82M | CHF 245.70B | 26.78% | 80Outperform |
 TSE:TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 1.25% | $1.78M | CAD 298.52B | 54.46% | 74Outperform |
 GB:SHEL | Shell (UK) | 1.18% | $1.69M | GBP 207.54B | 30.08% | 73Outperform |
 ES:ELE | Endesa SA | 1.09% | $1.56M | EUR 45.74B | 43.58% | 63Neutral |
AFDM Technical Analysis
Price Trends
Market Momentum
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AFDM, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 88.83 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 88.83, below the 50-day MA of 89.38, and above the 200-day MA of 86.61, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.17 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 49.42 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.31 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for AFDM.
AFDM Peer Comparison
Comparison Results
| Name | Price | Price Target | AUM | Expense Ratio | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFDM | $88.83 | $95.00(6.95% Upside) | $143.89M | 0.80% | 64Neutral |
 FYLD | $39.81 | $43.31(8.78% Upside) | $752.75M | 0.59% | 62Neutral |
 TXUE | $35.54 | $39.32(10.65% Upside) | $604.18M | 0.65% | 65Neutral |
 AVSD | $79.67 | $90.64(13.76% Upside) | $377.10M | 0.23% | 65Neutral |
 DXIV | $71.96 | $83.13(15.52% Upside) | $241.53M | 0.30% | 62Neutral |
 NBIE | $26.68 | $31.06(16.41% Upside) | $243.76M | 0.29% | 70Outperform |
Performance Comparison
| Show on chart | Ticker | Company Name | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFDM | First Trust Active Factor International ETF | 88.83 | 14.14 | 18.94% | |
| FYLD | Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF | 39.81 | 9.12 | 29.73% | |
| TXUE | Thornburg International Equity ETF | 35.54 | 5.39 | 17.89% | |
| AVSD | Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF | 79.67 | 10.40 | 15.01% | |
| DXIV | Dimensional International Vector Equity ETF | 71.96 | 11.66 | 19.35% | |
| NBIE | Neuberger International Core Equity ETF | 26.68 | 1.81 | 7.26% |
This AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.