VanEck Africa Index ETF

AFK

Börsenwert 96,4 Mio. $

Africa's long-term opportunity is broadening, supported by demographics, urbanization, agriculture, energy, and critical minerals. Global competition is creating new opportunities, as countries seek to capture more value from their resources and attract investment.

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund is up 15.7% year to date, maintaining a moderate premium over the U.S. stock market's 14.0% gain via the SPDR S&P 500 ETF. But the return spread is narrowing, and the recent surge in U.S. stocks could be an early sign that international equities will soon fall behind in relative terms.

Global stocks are still outperforming US shares so far in 2026, extending last year's winning run. Using a set of ETFs through yesterday's close (Jan. 21), all the major equity regions of the world are maintaining a healthy lead over the US.

VanEck Africa Index ETF is the only ETF claiming to offer broad African equity exposure, but structural flaws warrant a sell rating. AFK's passive selection rules result in inappropriate holdings, excessive basic materials and bank concentration, and minimal exposure to African consumer spending. The ETF's high expense ratio (0.88%) further undermines its long-term attractiveness despite recent outperformance versus the S&P 500.

A new year is here and Bull vs. Bear is back! VettaFi writers Nick Wodeshick and Nick Peters-Golden discuss whether foreign equities can repeat their strong 2025 in 2026.

2025 was a big year for ex-U.S. equities, as a declining dollar, tariff uncertainty, and domestic concentration risk drove investors abroad. Broad ex-U.S. equities performed well and rewarded those investors, but it was some notable subregions that really delivered.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VanEck announced today the 2025 annual distributions per share for its VanEck equity exchange-traded funds.

Global equities strategies are having a moment this year. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF in isolation looks strong, posting an 18.3% year-to-date gain.

A long-time portfolio manager and MoneyShow contributor, Jonathan Hoenig of Capitalistpig Hedge Fund, suggested during last week's MoneyShow livestream that viewers check out the VanEck Africa Index ETF (AFK). AFK is stair-stepping higher, and now up more than 57% year-to-date. The 50-day moving average is acting as support on pullbacks, while the 200-day is increasing its upward slope. Volume is picking up and RSI is strong. As of late last week, AFK owned 78 stocks. Materials (34.9%) and financials (31.3%) were easily the most heavily weighted by sector. By country, South African stocks made up 34.9% of the fund, with Moroccan names next at 13.6%.

Emerging markets investing has had an overall positive year in 2025. Entering the year, with many U.S. investors underweight foreign equities, some market watchers anticipated big opportunities abroad.