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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)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FXD
09/11/2026: FXD (1-star) is a SELL. SELL for 3 days. Simulated Profits (-5.37%). Updated daily EoD!
The First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX® Fund (FXD) offers targeted exposure to the US consumer discretionary sector using a proprietary quantitative methodology that tilts toward stocks with strong growth and value characteristics. Its primary strength lies in its rules-based selection process, which offers an alternative to market-cap-weighted indices for investors seeking potential alpha. The fund is best used as a tactical sector allocation within a broader portfolio. However, investors should be mindful of the higher expense ratio compared to passive peers and the inherent cyclical risks associated with the discretionary sector. It is most suitable for long-term investors who believe in the efficacy of factor-based quantitative strategies.
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 intentionally tilts toward growth-oriented stocks with favorable fundamental momentum. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The quantitative screens often capture stocks currently exhibiting positive price and fundamental momentum. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The fund incorporates value factors alongside growth to identify potential mispricings within the discretionary sector. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | This fund focuses on capital appreciation rather than consistent yield or dividend growth. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Exposure to consumer discretionary stocks is inherently cyclical and subject to high market volatility. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is someone seeking targeted exposure to the consumer discretionary sector who prefers a rules-based, factor-driven approach over pure market-cap weighting.
Suitability
FXD is best suited for long-term investors looking to complement a core holding with a tactical, factor-tilted sector allocation.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Consumer discretionary stocks are highly sensitive to economic cycles and investor sentiment. |
| Market risk | High | Broad economic downturns typically lead to significant drawdowns in this sector. |
| Concentration | Medium | While diversified across sub-industries, the fund is limited to a single sector. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The quantitative strategy involves higher fees than passive alternatives. |
| Liquidity | Low | The underlying holdings are primarily large and mid-cap stocks, ensuring good market liquidity. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The sector includes both high-quality innovators and cyclical retailers facing stiff competition. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FXD exhibits high volatility typical of the discretionary sector, exacerbated by its factor-tilted holdings.
Market Risk
The fund is highly vulnerable to systemic economic shocks and changes in the US consumer spending cycle.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | US Consumer Discretionary Equities | 99 | This exposure provides broad access to the US consumer spending cycle through a factor-tilted lens. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1 | A small cash buffer is maintained for daily liquidity and operational requirements. |
Price Behavior
Flat / Range-Bound
The stock price has been trading within a narrow range with minimal directional movement.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 14.96% | Avg. Invested days 68 | Today’s Advisory SELL |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | ETF Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/11/2026 |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Sep 13, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $251.66M |
| Issuer | First Trust |
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% |
| Distribution Yield | 0.62% |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | -2.82% |
| 1 Year | -5.06% |
| 3 Year | +8.41% |
| 5 Year | +2.66% |
| 10 Year | +7.59% |
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 | 52.63% |
| Mid Cap | 35.19% |
| Micro Cap | 5.94% |
| Large Cap | 5.18% |
| Mega Cap | 0.96% |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Consumer Cyclicals | 68.86% |
| Communication Services | 11.13% |
| Industrials | 8.98% |
| Consumer Defensive | 6.11% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Portfolio P/E | 13.9x |
| Portfolio P/B | 2.04x |
| Portfolio P/S | 0.75x |
| Holdings Turnover | 0.0% |
Top Holdings
| Holding | Weight |
|---|---|
| Fox Class A | 2.00% |
| Dillard's | 1.89% |
| The Gap | 1.79% |
| SharkNinja | 1.71% |
| Versant Media Group | 1.66% |
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.
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