MetaCap

abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (AEF) vs Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund is the larger company by market cap ($373.9 million vs $360.0 million), about 1.0 times the size. On valuation, abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund trades at a lower trailing P/E (1.9x vs 130.4x for Highland Opportunities and Income Fund). abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund pays a dividend yielding 8.58%, while Highland Opportunities and Income Fund does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Head-to-head

AEF versus HFRO key metrics
MetricAEFHFRO
Share price$9.21$6.52
Market cap$373.94M$360.02M
1-day change-2.75%+0.15%
YTD return+35.29%—
1-year return+45.47%—
5-year return+12.07%—
P/E ratio (TTM)1.94130.40
EPS (TTM)$4.74$0.05
Dividend yield8.58%7.10%
Annual dividend$0.79$0.00
52-week high$10.14$7.74
52-week low$6.26$5.47
Distance from 52-week high-9.17%-15.76%
Average volume101.15K112.19K
Shares outstanding40.60M55.22M
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryFinance/Investors ServicesFinance/Investors Services

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • Highland Opportunities and Income Fund trades at a higher earnings multiple (130.4x vs 1.9x trailing P/E).
  • abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (8.58% vs 7.10%).

About abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund

AEF stock →

abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund, Inc. is a closed ended equity mutual fund and managed by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited.

Finance · Finance/Investors Services

About Highland Opportunities and Income Fund

HFRO stock →

Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Highland Capital Management, L.P. It is managed by Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors, L.P.

Finance · Finance/Investors Services

AEF vs HFRO FAQ

Which is bigger, abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund or Highland Opportunities and Income Fund?

abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (AEF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $373.94M compared with $360.02M for Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO).

Which has the lower P/E ratio, AEF or HFRO?

AEF has the lower trailing P/E at 1.9, versus 130.4 for HFRO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund or Highland Opportunities and Income Fund?

abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund has the higher yield at 8.58%, compared with 7.10% for Highland Opportunities and Income Fund.

Are abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund and Highland Opportunities and Income Fund in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Finance/Investors Services industry within the Finance sector.

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