AFEM ETF — First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF

First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF (AFEM)

Updated October 6, 2026.

AFEM is an ETF. its distribution rate is 2.70%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.50%, its expense ratio is 0.85%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 70/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 179.4% over the past 10.3 years, 164.3 points behind SPY at 343.7%.

At the current 2.70% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $270 per year, or about $67.50 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

First Trust Active Factor Emerging Markets ETF is the continuing fund following the rename from RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF), effective 2026-09-14. See RFEM for the fund's history prior to the rename.

AFEM performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-06.

Total return is 179.4% over the past 10.3 years, 164.3 points behind SPY at 343.7%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 32.7%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.6%.

AFEM key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

70 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.89%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/14/2016

Expense ratio

0.85%

Distribution rate

2.70%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.50%

Last close

$99.61 (as of 2026-10-06)

AUM

$83,100,216

Average volume

3669.0

Last dividend

$0.673

Last ex-dividend date

09/24/2026

Last payment date

09/30/2026 (as of 2026-09-30)

Beta

0.89

P/E ratio

14.8506

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.70%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.50%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

AFEM risks and drawbacks

AFEM's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 11.6%.

Who may consider AFEM — and who may not

AFEM may suit someone looking for moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (AFEM pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from First Trust.