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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
10/08/2026: FAD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX® Fund (FAD) offers exposure to a diversified basket of growth-oriented US equities by utilizing a systematic, factor-based screening methodology. Its primary strength lies in its disciplined, non-emotional approach to stock selection, which seeks to capture growth performance across all market capitalizations. The fund is ideal for investors looking for a growth tilt in their equity allocation, though it comes with a higher expense ratio and greater sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations compared to broad market indices. Investors should monitor factor-rotation trends and valuation multiples, as the fund is susceptible to cyclical drawdowns when growth sentiment cools. It is best suited for long-term growth investors rather than those seeking low-cost passive market exposure.
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 engineered to target stocks with strong earnings and price appreciation characteristics. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The AlphaDEX methodology incorporates price momentum, making it well-suited for positive growth market cycles. |
| Value investor | Weak fit | The focus on high-growth metrics often results in higher valuation multiples compared to traditional value indices. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | Growth-oriented companies typically reinvest earnings rather than paying significant dividends. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The focus on high-growth, high-volatility stocks makes this fund unsuitable for conservative, risk-averse portfolios. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Growth-oriented investors seeking a systematic approach to portfolio alpha who are comfortable with higher volatility and expense ratios.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term investors looking to tilt their core equity holdings toward growth, rather than as a primary stand-alone index replacement.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Growth stocks are inherently more sensitive to market sentiment and economic cycles. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | The fund is subject to the systemic risks of the broader US equity market. |
| Concentration | Medium | Sector and factor concentration can lead to performance variance compared to the S&P 500. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio compared to passive indices creates a persistent performance hurdle. |
| Liquidity | Low | The underlying holdings are generally large and liquid, minimizing the risk of difficult exits. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | Growth-factor selection focuses on business expansion, which may sometimes prioritize momentum over long-term balance sheet stability. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FAD exhibits volatility characteristic of growth stocks, frequently exceeding the broader market, particularly during risk-off events.
Market Risk
The fund is heavily exposed to systemic risk; as a growth-factor fund, it is especially sensitive to the interest rate environment and tech-sector valuations.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | Multi-Cap US Equities | 98.5 | This provides broad exposure to growth-oriented companies of all sizes across the US equity market. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.5 | A small portion of the portfolio is held in cash to manage daily inflows, outflows, and operational expenses. |
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 10/08/2026 |
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