What Is the AFLG ETF? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF is an actively managed fund that invests in US large-cap stocks using multiple factors, seeking to outperform the market. The key points to check are its fees, factor exposure, and growth outlook, and comparing it with passive large-cap ETFs is the main selection criterion. Its trading ticker is AFLG.
SubscribeWhat Is the First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF?
This is an active multifactor ETF that uses a quantitative model to select US large-cap stocks with factor exposure such as value, momentum, quality, and low volatility, and adds active risk management. It seeks to outperform the market.
It suits investors who want to differentiate from the market through a US large-cap strategy that incorporates multiple factors.
It is an ETF managed by First Trust using an active management approach.
How Does the First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | Active (does not track a benchmark) |
| Management Style | Active (multifactor) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | As needed (at manager's discretion) |
| Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.55% |
A quantitative multifactor model selects US large-cap stocks with factor exposure such as value, momentum, quality, and low volatility. Because it adds active risk management and seeks to outperform the market, its performance pattern differs from that of a simple market-cap-weighted index.
- Quantitative selection that combines multiple factors
- Management with added active risk control
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) are $929.0M, and the total expense ratio is 0.55% per year.
Unlike market-cap-weighted large-cap ETFs, it incorporates multiple factors, so its performance can diverge from the market, and because of active management its fees tend to be somewhat higher than those of passive large-cap ETFs.
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe performance of multifactor strategies varies depending on when the factors they use are favored by the market. Combining multiple factors tends to produce smoother results than a single factor, but relative performance gaps can appear when a particular style strongly leads the market.
Money tends to flow into multifactor ETFs when interest in factor investing rises, and fund flows vary with market style rotation and the fund's performance.
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is that it combines multiple factors to seek market-beating performance, while its weaknesses are factor-driven deviations and fees that are higher than those of passive funds.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Alternative and Related ETFs
DYNF, THRO, JMEE, and others shown in the table are active ETFs that use factor rotation, theme rotation, or enhanced strategies. To invest in a single factor, you can also compare momentum fund MTUM, quality fund QUAL, and multifactor fund VFMF, which combines several factors. These funds differ in the factors they use, their management approach, and their fees, so it is best to choose according to your investment style.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 DYNF | iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF | $67.35 | -2.0% | $42.7B | 0.26% | 0.83% | +11.1% |
 THRO | iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF | $43.05 | -2.1% | $7.5B | 0.57% | 0.3% | +11.6% |
 ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | $80.75 | -6.1% | $6.5B | 0.75% | - | -5.8% |
 JMEE | JPMorgan Small & Mid Cap Enhanced Equity ETF | $74.81 | -1.3% | $3.0B | 0.24% | 0.97% | +18.7% |
 PSC | Principal U.S. Small-Cap ETF | $68.37 | -1.7% | $2.8B | 0.38% | 0.59% | +21.2% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.22% | $204.64 | -4.2% | $4.93T | 25.9 | 0.38% |
| GOOG | Alphabet Inc | 0.12% | $278.22 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.5 | 0.31% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 0.18% | $344.63 | -1.2% | $5.03T | 39.5 | 0.32% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc | 0.06% | $279.84 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.6 | 0.31% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp | 0.04% | $521.91 | -1.6% | $3.88T | 27.3 | 0.74% |
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the points to review before investing in AFLG. As a multifactor large-cap ETF, it is important to check factor exposure, performance deviation, fee level, and management approach in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative impact of active management fees | Somewhat high |
| 📊 Factor Exposure | Check which factors are combined | Multiple factors |
| 📈 Performance Deviation | Possibility of performance gaps versus the market | May fluctuate |
| 🔍 Management Approach | Check quantitative model-based selection | Active |
Depending on the factors it uses, performance can differ from the market-cap-weighted market, and relative performance gaps can appear when a particular style strongly leads the market. The higher fees that come with active management should also be considered.
This is a multifactor ETF suited to investors who expect differentiation from a US large-cap strategy that incorporates multiple factors. If you value low-cost diversification, a passive large-cap ETF may be the better choice, while AFLG can be an alternative if you want multifactor management.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 4, 2026.
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