AFSM: FIRST TRUST ACTIVE FACTOR SMALL CAP ETF
Educational content only. This is not financial advice and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any ETF.
What this ETF is trying to do
The First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) is an exchange-traded fund that invests in small-cap companies. Instead of just following a list, it uses an active approach to pick stocks. As of October 11, 2026, the fund held 283 different companies.
Top Holdings
The fund's portfolio is spread across many businesses. Some of the largest holdings include:
• Par Pacific Holdings Inc (1.17%)
• National Healthcare Corp (0.96%)
• Matson Inc (0.90%)
• Teekay Tankers Ltd Class A (0.84%)
• Penguin Solutions Inc (0.83%)
What the numbers show
The current price of one share is $39.97. To understand how the price has changed, we can look at the price return (which only tracks the share price) and the total return (which includes distributions).
• Year-to-Date: The price return is 21.55%, while the total return is 22.01%.
• One Year: The price return is 24.43%, and the total return is 25.12%.
• Three Year: The price return is 67.18%, and the total return is 70.82%.
For a simple example, the estimated price from roughly one year ago was $32.12. If an investor had put $10,000 into the fund based on that estimated price, the price-only growth (excluding distributions) would be approximately 24.43%.
Income and distribution explanation
This ETF pays out cash to investors, which is called a distribution. It usually does this quarterly. The distribution yield is 0.51%.
It is important for beginners to know that a distribution yield is not the same as a total return. While distributions provide cash income, they are only one part of the overall return.
NAV erosion explanation
"NAV erosion" happens when the actual value of the fund's underlying assets drops over time. StockValueFinder uses an erosion-risk score to measure this.
AFSM has an erosion score of 100, and the label states "No price erosion detected." The erosion severity is rated as "good," and there is no severe erosion-risk flag for this fund.
Pros
• Strong Growth: The fund has shown significant price and total returns over the last one, three, and five years.
• Low Erosion Risk: The erosion-risk measurements suggest the fund's price has remained stable.
• Diversified: It holds 283 different companies.
Cons
• Low Yield: The distribution yield is relatively low at 0.51%, which may not be enough for investors who rely solely on cash income.
Beginner takeaway
AFSM focuses on small-cap stocks and has seen strong price growth over several years. While it provides a small amount of regular cash income, its primary strength in the supplied data is its price return rather than its yield.
Top Holdings
Structured portfolio holdings supplied by the ETF data provider. These figures are not generated by the AI article.
283 holdings available
| # | Holding | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS INC | PARR | 1.17% |
| 2 | NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP | NHC | 0.96% |
| 3 | MATSON INC | MATX | 0.90% |
| 4 | TEEKAY TANKERS LTD CLASS A | TNK | 0.84% |
| 5 | PENGUIN SOLUTIONS INC | PENG | 0.83% |
| 6 | ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO CLASS A | ANF | 0.78% |
| 7 | ETON PHARMACEUTICALS INC | ETON | 0.75% |
| 8 | TRUSTCO BANK CORP N Y | TRST | 0.75% |
| 9 | HERITAGE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC | HRTG | 0.72% |
| 10 | VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC | VIAV | 0.72% |
Show all 283 holdings
1.
PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS INC
PARR
1.17%
2.
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP
NHC
0.96%
3.
MATSON INC
MATX
0.90%
4.
TEEKAY TANKERS LTD CLASS A
TNK
0.84%
5.
PENGUIN SOLUTIONS INC
PENG
0.83%
6.
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO CLASS A
ANF
0.78%
7.
ETON PHARMACEUTICALS INC
ETON
0.75%
8.
TRUSTCO BANK CORP N Y
TRST
0.75%
9.
HERITAGE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC
HRTG
0.72%
10.
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC
VIAV
0.72%
11.
KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES INC
KLIC
0.71%
12.
n/a
KNSA
0.71%
13.
PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS INC
PTGX
0.71%
14.
AMES NATIONAL CORP
ATLO
0.70%
15.
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT INC
AAMI
0.68%
16.
HALOZYME THERAPEUTICS INC
HALO
0.68%
17.
SCORPIO TANKERS INC
STNG
0.67%
18.
APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT INC
APLE
0.66%
19.
INTERFACE INC
TILE
0.65%
20.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
ECPG
0.64%
21.
FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES INC
FET
0.49%
22.
n/a
HG
0.48%
23.
n/a
AMAL
0.48%
24.
BLUE BIRD CORP
BLBD
0.47%
25.
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP
CRS
0.47%
26.
EMCOR GROUP INC
EME
0.47%
27.
GARRETT MOTION INC ORDINARY SHARES NEW
GTX
0.47%
28.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP
MSGE
0.47%
29.
TWIST BIOSCIENCE CORP
TWST
0.47%
30.
DORIAN LPG LTD
LPG
0.46%
31.
GIGACLOUD TECHNOLOGY INC CLASS A
GCT
0.46%
32.
HERBALIFE LTD
HLF
0.46%
33.
KENNAMETAL INC
KMT
0.46%
34.
SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP INC
SLS
0.46%
35.
H&R BLOCK INC
HRB
0.45%
36.
MAXLINEAR INC
MXL
0.45%
37.
POWELL INDUSTRIES INC
POWL
0.45%
38.
SIRIUSPOINT LTD
SPNT
0.45%
39.
TASKUS INC CLASS A
TASK
0.45%
40.
INMODE LTD
INMD
0.43%
41.
INNOVIVA INC
INVA
0.43%
42.
A10 NETWORKS INC
ATEN
0.42%
43.
FORMFACTOR INC
FORM
0.42%
44.
HARMONIC INC
HLIT
0.42%
45.
INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES INC
IIPR
0.42%
46.
INSIGHT ENTERPRISES INC
NSIT
0.42%
47.
BREAD FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC
BFH
0.41%
48.
CARS.COM INC
CARS
0.41%
49.
GORMAN-RUPP CO
GRC
0.41%
50.
PAGSEGURO DIGITAL LTD CLASS A
PAGS
0.41%
51.
PBF ENERGY INC CLASS A
PBF
0.41%
52.
INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS INC
INSW
0.40%
53.
PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY INC
PTEN
0.40%
54.
PC CONNECTION INC
CNXN
0.40%
55.
SPS COMMERCE INC
SPSC
0.40%
56.
TALOS ENERGY INC ORDINARY SHARES
TALO
0.40%
57.
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC
EAT
0.39%
58.
MACY'S INC
M
0.39%
59.
BANK OF N.T BUTTERFIELD & SON LTD
n/a
0.38%
60.
DHT HOLDINGS INC
DHT
0.38%
61.
FIVE9 INC
FIVN
0.38%
62.
CALUMET INC
CLMT
0.37%
63.
OFG BANCORP
OFG
0.37%
64.
CLIMB BIO INC
CLYM
0.36%
65.
CONMED CORP
CNMD
0.36%
66.
SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS INC
SBH
0.36%
67.
AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION INC
APEI
0.35%
68.
ASTRONICS CORP
ATRO
0.35%
69.
NWPX INFRASTRUCTURE INC
NWPX
0.35%
70.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS INC
ORKA
0.35%
71.
PEDIATRIX MEDICAL GROUP INC
MD
0.35%
72.
VICTORIA'S SECRET & CO
VSXY
0.35%
73.
ADDUS HOMECARE CORP
ADUS
0.34%
74.
ANAPTYSBIO INC
ANAB
0.34%
75.
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
AIT
0.34%
76.
COHU INC
COHU
0.34%
77.
n/a
DK
0.34%
78.
PHOTRONICS INC
PLAB
0.34%
79.
SCHOLASTIC CORP
SCHL
0.34%
80.
FIGS INC CLASS A
FIGS
0.33%
81.
PAGAYA TECHNOLOGIES LTD CLASS A
PGY
0.33%
82.
PHREESIA INC
PHR
0.33%
83.
PUBMATIC INC ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A
PUBM
0.33%
84.
S&T BANCORP INC
STBA
0.33%
85.
UNITED FIRE GROUP INC
UFCS
0.33%
86.
ABM INDUSTRIES INC
ABM
0.32%
87.
CARTER BANKSHARES INC
CARE
0.32%
88.
DANA INC
DAN
0.32%
89.
HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC
HURN
0.32%
90.
TERADATA CORP
TDC
0.32%
91.
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC
CAKE
0.32%
92.
TRAVERE THERAPEUTICS INC ORDINARY SHARES
TVTX
0.32%
93.
CORMEDIX INC
CRMD
0.31%
94.
DAVE INC ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A
DAVE
0.31%
95.
n/a
INDV
0.31%
96.
NMI HOLDINGS INC
NMIH
0.31%
97.
TEEKAY CORP LTD
TK
0.31%
98.
MGIC INVESTMENT CORP
MTG
0.30%
99.
n/a
LFST
0.30%
100.
WSFS FINANCIAL CORP
WSFS
0.30%
101.
ADAPTIVE BIOTECHNOLOGIES CORP
ADPT
0.29%
102.
AMC GLOBAL MEDIA INC CLASS A
AMCX
0.29%
103.
BOISE CASCADE CO
BCC
0.29%
104.
CONSTELLIUM SE CLASS A
n/a
0.29%
105.
HCI GROUP INC
HCI
0.29%
106.
PELAGOS INSURANCE CAPITAL LTD
PLGO
0.29%
107.
RADIAN GROUP INC
RDN
0.29%
108.
AXOGEN INC
AXGN
0.28%
109.
DELUXE CORP
DLX
0.28%
110.
ENACT HOLDINGS INC
ACT
0.28%
111.
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES INC CLASS A
NUS
0.28%
112.
OUTFRONT MEDIA INC
OUT
0.28%
113.
PVH CORP
PVH
0.28%
114.
SEPTERNA INC
SEPN
0.28%
115.
TRUSTMARK CORP
TRMK
0.28%
116.
FIRST BANCORP
FBP
0.27%
117.
LIQUIDIA CORP ORDINARY SHARES
LQDA
0.27%
118.
MARCUS CORP
MCS
0.27%
119.
NATIONAL ENERGY SERVICES REUNITED CORP
NESR
0.27%
120.
POSTAL REALTY TRUST INC
PSTL
0.27%
121.
SMITH & WESSON BRANDS INC
SWBI
0.27%
122.
UROGEN PHARMA LTD
n/a
0.27%
123.
COMMVAULT SYSTEMS INC
CVLT
0.26%
124.
CROCS INC
CROX
0.26%
125.
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
FFBC
0.26%
126.
MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC
MLI
0.26%
127.
STRIDE INC
LRN
0.26%
128.
VONTIER CORP ORDINARY SHARES
VNT
0.26%
129.
BANDWIDTH INC CLASS A
BAND
0.25%
130.
DIGI INTERNATIONAL INC
DGII
0.25%
131.
ESSENT GROUP LTD
ESNT
0.25%
132.
KAISER ALUMINUM CORP
KALU
0.25%
133.
KODIAK GAS SERVICES INC
KGS
0.25%
134.
LIQUIDITY SERVICES INC
LQDT
0.25%
135.
MAXIMUS INC
MMS
0.25%
136.
SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP
SXT
0.25%
137.
YELP INC
YELP
0.25%
138.
APOGEE ENTERPRISES INC
APOG
0.24%
139.
FORESTAR GROUP INC
FOR
0.24%
140.
FORTUNE BRANDS INNOVATIONS INC
FBIN
0.24%
141.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP
PKE
0.24%
142.
RINGCENTRAL INC CLASS A
RNG
0.24%
143.
STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE INC
STRL
0.24%
144.
TACTILE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY INC
TCMD
0.24%
145.
TRINET GROUP INC
TNET
0.24%
146.
AURINIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
AUPH
0.23%
147.
HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
HTLD
0.23%
148.
HECLA MINING CO
HL
0.23%
149.
HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORP
HFWA
0.23%
150.
KYNDRYL HOLDINGS INC ORDINARY SHARES
KD
0.23%
151.
METROPOLITAN BANK HOLDING CORP
MCB
0.23%
152.
n/a
LION
0.23%
153.
NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD
NBR
0.23%
154.
PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORP
PRGS
0.23%
155.
YEXT INC
YEXT
0.23%
156.
ANI PHARMACEUTICALS INC
ANIP
0.22%
157.
AVISTA CORP
AVA
0.22%
158.
CLEAR SECURE INC ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A
YOU
0.22%
159.
CORCEPT THERAPEUTICS INC
CORT
0.22%
160.
ENNIS INC
EBF
0.22%
161.
HNI CORP
HNI
0.22%
162.
MIRUM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
MIRM
0.22%
163.
PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORP
PRDO
0.22%
164.
PHINIA INC
PHIN
0.22%
165.
THE BANCORP INC
TBBK
0.22%
166.
n/a
ASO
0.21%
167.
n/a
KELYA
0.21%
168.
OMNICELL INC
OMCL
0.21%
169.
SSR MINING INC
SSRM
0.21%
170.
ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS INC
UCTT
0.21%
171.
ALKERMES PLC
ALKS
0.20%
172.
ARDMORE SHIPPING CORP
ASC
0.20%
173.
CITY HOLDING CO
CHCO
0.20%
174.
PITNEY BOWES INC
PBI
0.20%
175.
QUALYS INC
QLYS
0.20%
176.
SABRA HEALTH CARE REIT INC
SBRA
0.20%
177.
TFS FINANCIAL CORP
TFSL
0.20%
178.
VISTANCE NETWORKS INC
VISN
0.20%
179.
WAFD INC
WAFD
0.20%
180.
CALEDONIA MINING CORP PLC
CMCL
0.19%
181.
CERTARA INC ORDINARY SHARES
CERT
0.19%
182.
DAKTRONICS INC
DAKT
0.19%
183.
FEDERATED HERMES INC CLASS B
FHI
0.19%
184.
G-III APPAREL GROUP LTD
GIII
0.19%
185.
ITRON INC
ITRI
0.19%
186.
RUSH ENTERPRISES INC CLASS A
RUSHA
0.19%
187.
USANA HEALTH SCIENCES INC
USNA
0.19%
188.
VISHAY PRECISION GROUP INC
VPG
0.19%
189.
EVERQUOTE INC CLASS A
EVER
0.18%
190.
ICHOR HOLDINGS LTD
ICHR
0.18%
191.
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC
LGND
0.18%
192.
n/a
ARQT
0.18%
193.
n/a
GRDN
0.18%
194.
NUTEX HEALTH INC
NUTX
0.18%
195.
PTC THERAPEUTICS INC
PTCT
0.18%
196.
VERACYTE INC
VCYT
0.18%
197.
VICTORY CAPITAL HOLDINGS INC CLASS A
VCTR
0.18%
198.
VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY INC
VSH
0.18%
199.
PACS GROUP INC
PACS
0.17%
200.
SONOS INC
SONO
0.17%
201.
VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS INC
VRTS
0.17%
202.
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS
AEHR
0.16%
203.
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD LTD
CWK
0.16%
204.
EPR PROPERTIES
EPR
0.16%
205.
EURONET WORLDWIDE INC
EEFT
0.16%
206.
GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES INC
ROCK
0.16%
207.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES INC
HE
0.16%
208.
PROGYNY INC
PGNY
0.16%
209.
GLOBUS MEDICAL INC CLASS A
GMED
0.15%
210.
ICF INTERNATIONAL INC
ICFI
0.15%
211.
MIDLAND STATES BANCORP INC
MSBI
0.15%
212.
MYR GROUP INC
MYRG
0.15%
213.
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INC
PEBK
0.15%
214.
THE RMR GROUP INC CLASS A
RMR
0.15%
215.
ASTRANA HEALTH INC
ASTH
0.14%
216.
CALERES INC
CAL
0.14%
217.
GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP INC
GSBC
0.14%
218.
HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES INC
HDSN
0.14%
219.
MORGAN STANLEY INSTL LQUDTY TRS INSTL
MISXX
0.14%
220.
AMPLITUDE INC CLASS A
AMPL
0.13%
221.
CONCENTRIX CORP ORDINARY SHARES
CNXC
0.13%
222.
LEMAITRE VASCULAR INC
LMAT
0.13%
223.
M/I HOMES INC
MHO
0.13%
224.
n/a
JBI
0.13%
225.
RED VIOLET INC ORDINARY SHARES
RDVT
0.13%
226.
ROGERS CORP
ROG
0.13%
227.
UNIVEST FINANCIAL CORP
UVSP
0.13%
228.
BATH & BODY WORKS INC
BBWI
0.12%
229.
BILL HOLDINGS INC ORDINARY SHARES
BILL
0.12%
230.
GREEN PLAINS INC
GPRE
0.12%
231.
LIVANOVA PLC
LIVN
0.12%
232.
MATERION CORP
MTRN
0.12%
233.
PACIRA BIOSCIENCES INC
PCRX
0.12%
234.
STEVEN MADDEN LTD
SHOO
0.12%
235.
SUNCOKE ENERGY INC
SXC
0.12%
236.
SYLVAMO CORP ORDINARY SHARES WHEN ISSUED
SLVM
0.12%
237.
ALERUS FINANCIAL CORP
ALRS
0.11%
238.
AMERICAN STATES WATER CO
AWR
0.11%
239.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS INC
BHE
0.11%
240.
DELCATH SYSTEMS INC
DCTH
0.11%
241.
EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS INC
EBS
0.11%
242.
FIRST BUSEY CORP
BUSE
0.11%
243.
GRIFFON CORP
GFF
0.11%
244.
NAVIGATOR HOLDINGS LTD
NVGS
0.11%
245.
RILEY EXPLORATION PERMIAN INC
REPX
0.11%
246.
THE REALREAL INC
REAL
0.11%
247.
WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES INC CLASS A
WTS
0.11%
248.
WORLD KINECT CORP
WKC
0.11%
249.
ANGI INC CLASS A
ANGI
0.10%
250.
BACKBLAZE INC CLASS A
BLZE
0.10%
251.
CIMPRESS PLC
CMPR
0.10%
252.
GLAUKOS CORP
GKOS
0.10%
253.
INSPIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
INSP
0.10%
254.
JOHN WILEY & SONS INC CLASS A
WLY
0.10%
255.
OMADA HEALTH INC
OMDA
0.10%
256.
n/a
GPOR
0.09%
257.
ZEVRA THERAPEUTICS INC
ZVRA
0.09%
258.
ADEIA INC
ADEA
0.08%
259.
n/a
HYMC
0.08%
260.
STONECO LTD CLASS A
STNE
0.08%
261.
UPBOUND GROUP INC
UPBD
0.08%
262.
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS INC
AEO
0.07%
263.
ASTRONICS CORP CLASS B
ATROB
0.07%
264.
HELEN OF TROY LTD
HELE
0.07%
265.
OTTER TAIL CORP
OTTR
0.07%
266.
CALLAWAY GOLF CO
CALY
0.06%
267.
SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP
SAIC
0.06%
268.
SIGA TECHNOLOGIES INC
SIGA
0.06%
269.
MILLERKNOLL INC
MLKN
0.05%
270.
PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO
PLPC
0.05%
271.
SPECTRUM BRANDS HOLDINGS INC
SPB
0.05%
272.
ENVISTA HOLDINGS CORP ORDINARY SHARES
NVST
0.04%
273.
KORN FERRY
KFY
0.04%
274.
MEDPACE HOLDINGS INC
MEDP
0.04%
275.
PREFERRED BANK
PFBC
0.04%
276.
ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
ACAD
0.03%
277.
PRESTIGE CONSUMER HEALTHCARE INC
PBH
0.03%
278.
THE WESTERN UNION CO
WU
0.03%
279.
EMBECTA CORP
EMBC
0.02%
280.
THE HACKETT GROUP INC
HCKT
0.02%
281.
EZCORP INC REGISTERED SHS -A- NON VTG
EZPW
0.01%
282.
CASH
n/a
0.00%
283.
OMNIAB
n/a
0.00%