- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Fund Details
Upturn AI Summary
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX® Fund(FXD)
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)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FXD
09/28/2026: FXD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX® Fund (FXD) provides exposure to US consumer discretionary companies using a unique quantitative methodology that tilts toward growth and value factors. This approach helps reduce the extreme concentration in mega-cap stocks typical of market-cap-weighted competitors, offering a more balanced sector representation. It is well-suited for investors seeking active sector-specific exposure, though they should be mindful of its higher expense ratio and the inherent cyclical risks of the consumer discretionary sector. Investors should monitor consumer spending data and interest rate shifts as primary catalysts for the fund's performance.
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 AlphaDEX methodology emphasizes growth factors in its stock selection process. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The fund can capture momentum trends when market conditions favor consumer discretionary stocks. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While it includes value factors, the consumer discretionary sector is often characterized by higher valuations. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | This sector is primarily focused on capital appreciation rather than dividend income. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Consumer discretionary stocks are cyclical and tend to be more volatile than defensive sectors. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking targeted exposure to the consumer discretionary sector who prefer a factor-based, non-cap-weighted approach to manage concentration risk.
Suitability
Best for long-term investors or tactical traders looking for systematic sector exposure rather than passive market-cap tracking.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Consumer discretionary stocks are highly cyclical and susceptible to economic downturns. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | The fund is fully exposed to the fluctuations of the US equity market within the consumer sector. |
| Concentration | Medium | While better diversified than cap-weighted funds, it remains focused on a single economic sector. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio and active factor strategy increase the hurdle for benchmark outperformance. |
| Liquidity | Low | The underlying securities are generally large-cap and highly liquid. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The fund relies on the strength of consumer spending and corporate earnings within the sector. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FXD exhibits high volatility due to its concentration in cyclical stocks that react sharply to economic news.
Market Risk
The fund is subject to systemic market risk and specific sector risks related to consumer demand and spending cycles.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | US Consumer Discretionary Stocks | 99 | This provides broad exposure to companies that sell non-essential goods and services, such as apparel, retailers, and restaurants. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1 | This represents residual cash held for operational purposes or pending investment rebalancing. |
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 15.76% | Avg. Invested days 68 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Sep 28, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $245.82M |
| Issuer | First Trust |
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% |
| Distribution Yield | 0.62% |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | -5.14% |
| 1 Year | -5.15% |
| 3 Year | +9.44% |
| 5 Year | +1.83% |
| 10 Year | +7.11% |
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 1Y Volatility | 11.38% |
| 3Y Volatility | 18.03% |
| 3Y Sharpe Ratio | 0.31 |
Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Morningstar Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Sustainability Rating | 2 / 5 |
| Benchmark | MSCI ACWI NR USD |
Market Cap Distribution
| Cap Size | Weight |
|---|---|
| Small Cap | 52.10% |
| Mid Cap | 35.61% |
| Micro Cap | 6.06% |
| Large Cap | 5.13% |
| Mega Cap | 0.98% |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Consumer Cyclicals | 68.83% |
| Communication Services | 10.74% |
| Industrials | 9.13% |
| Consumer Defensive | 6.34% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Portfolio P/E | 13.92x |
| Portfolio P/B | 2.03x |
| Portfolio P/S | 0.76x |
| Holdings Turnover | 0.0% |
Top Holdings
| Holding | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dillard's | 2.02% |
| Fox Class A | 1.94% |
| The Gap | 1.88% |
| SharkNinja | 1.88% |
| LYFT | 1.63% |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.

