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- Upturn Summary
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Upturn AI Summary
First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX® Fund(FAD)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FAD
10/23/2026: FAD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
The First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX® Fund (FAD) provides targeted exposure to US growth stocks by utilizing a proprietary multi-cap, factor-based index methodology. Its core strength lies in its ability to systematically select stocks based on growth metrics, offering potential outperformance over traditional market-cap-weighted funds, backed by the reputable First Trust issuer. It serves primarily as a growth-tilted component within a diversified equity portfolio. However, investors must consider the higher expense ratio and lower liquidity compared to mega-cap passive alternatives. FAD is best suited for long-term investors who prioritize a factor-driven strategy over the lowest possible cost, and should monitor for changes in growth factor performance versus broader market conditions.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The fund is specifically designed to isolate and capitalize on growth-oriented equity characteristics. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The AlphaDEX methodology incorporates price-based momentum as a component of its growth selection, favoring assets with positive trends. |
| Value investor | Weak fit | This fund prioritizes growth metrics and price appreciation, which often conflicts with traditional value-based stock selection. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | The fund focuses on growth rather than income generation, making it unsuitable for those seeking stable dividend yield. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | As an equity-focused growth fund, it carries significant market volatility and is not suited for capital preservation goals. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking systematic exposure to growth factors across multiple market capitalizations rather than just the largest mega-cap stocks.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term investors looking to add a growth tilt to their portfolio using a factor-based approach.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium / high | Growth stocks are inherently more sensitive to market sentiment and interest rate changes. |
| Market risk | High | The fund is fully exposed to equity market fluctuations and systematic downturns. |
| Concentration | Medium | While multi-cap in name, the index methodology may lead to periodic sector or style concentrations. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio relative to passive index funds impacts long-term compounding. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower trading volume compared to major benchmarks can result in wider spreads during market stress. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The focus on growth factors may include companies with higher valuations or lower profitability. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FAD exhibits moderate to high historical volatility typical of growth-oriented equity products.
Market Risk
The fund is fully invested in equities, meaning it faces total market risk and correlation with the US economic cycle.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | US Equities (Multi-Cap) | 98.5 | The fund holds a diverse range of US stocks across various market caps, weighted by growth factors rather than traditional market capitalization. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.5 | A small portion of the portfolio is held in cash to manage liquidity and daily transaction requirements. |
Price Behavior
Rolling Over
The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 38.75% | Avg. Invested days 72 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/23/2026 |
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