Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
How It Works 
News - Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Fund Details
Upturn AI Summary
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX® Fund(FXU)
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 FXU
10/23/2026: FXU (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
FXU provides targeted exposure to the U.S. utilities sector using a quantitative AlphaDEX strategy that screens stocks for value and growth factors. Its primary strengths are its systematic, non-biased selection process and its role as a defensive income-generating asset. Investors primarily use this fund to gain utility exposure while avoiding the heavy concentration of traditional market-cap-weighted alternatives. Key risks include interest rate sensitivity, regulatory exposure, and a slightly higher expense ratio than mainstream rivals. It is best suited for long-term investors who prioritize fundamental factor quality over broad-market passive indexing.
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 | Mixed fit | While it filters for growth factors, utilities are inherently defensive and generally lack the high-growth profile sought by aggressive investors. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The AlphaDEX methodology includes a price momentum screen, making it suitable for those who prioritize trend-following within a defensive sector. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The fund's emphasis on value metrics makes it a solid choice for those seeking utility stocks with attractive fundamental valuations. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Strong fit | Utilities are traditionally high-dividend payers, making this fund suitable for investors focused on stable income streams. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | Utility stocks are generally low-beta assets, fitting well into a portfolio designed to minimize volatility. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor for FXU is someone seeking defensive utility exposure with a systematic, factor-based tilt, rather than purely market-cap-weighted performance.
Suitability
It is best suited for long-term investors looking for income and defensive stability, rather than active traders or those seeking high-growth potential.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | Utilities are defensive, but individual stock swings and interest rate sensitivity can create moderate price volatility. |
| Market risk | Medium | General market downturns typically impact all equities, including the utility sector. |
| Concentration | High | The fund is concentrated entirely in the utilities sector, leaving it vulnerable to sector-specific regulatory or economic events. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund is managed efficiently, though the higher expense ratio compared to passive peers slightly impacts long-term net returns. |
| Liquidity | Low | Trading volumes are generally sufficient, though the fund is less liquid than the largest sector ETFs. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | Utility companies are heavily regulated, which limits growth but provides a consistent business model. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FXU generally exhibits moderate volatility, typical of the utility sector, though the AlphaDEX rebalancing can cause slight deviations from the market average.
Market Risk
The fund is subject to systematic risk associated with the U.S. equity market and specific utility sector risks, including interest rate sensitivity and regulatory oversight.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | U.S. Utilities Equities | 99 | This exposure provides concentrated access to the regulated utilities sector, often used for defensive income or low-beta positioning. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1 | Minor cash holdings are maintained for operational liquidity and daily fund rebalancing needs. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 25.48% | Avg. Invested days 55 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/23/2026 |
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.