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- Upturn Summary
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Upturn AI Summary
First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF(AFMC)
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 AFMC
09/25/2026: AFMC (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
AFMC offers investors active exposure to the U.S. mid-cap equity market using a multi-factor strategy focusing on value, quality, and momentum. Its primary strength is the potential for risk-adjusted outperformance compared to passive indices, backed by the strong institutional reputation of First Trust. Investors typically utilize AFMC as a core mid-cap component or a factor-tilted satellite within a diversified portfolio. Key risks include higher expense ratios compared to passive peers, inherent mid-cap market volatility, and the possibility that the fund's style factors may underperform during certain economic cycles. It is best suited for long-term investors seeking alpha in the mid-cap space who monitor factor efficacy over time.
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 | The fund provides broad mid-cap exposure but is constrained by its multifactor tilt which may underweight pure growth stocks. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The inclusion of momentum as a selection factor makes this fund well-aligned with momentum strategies when those signals are strong. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The active value factor tilt makes this a compelling choice for investors seeking exposure to undervalued mid-cap companies. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | This fund is focused primarily on total return through capital appreciation rather than dividend income generation. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Mid-cap equities carry inherent volatility that exceeds that of large-cap or defensive assets. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors looking for mid-cap exposure who believe in active, factor-based stock selection over passive market-cap indexing.
Suitability
Best for long-term investors willing to pay a premium for active management, rather than active traders or passive index followers.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium / high | Mid-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap benchmarks. |
| Market risk | High | As an equity fund, it is fully exposed to systematic risks affecting the broader stock market. |
| Concentration | Medium | The factor-based selection process may lead to temporary over-concentration in certain sectors. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio requires the manager to generate sufficient alpha to justify the cost. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower trading volume compared to giants like IJH can lead to larger slippage for large trades. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The quality factor approach mitigates risk but does not eliminate exposure to cyclical sector downturns. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
AFMC exhibits volatility consistent with the broader mid-cap market, which is historically higher than large-cap indices.
Market Risk
The primary risk is a general decline in U.S. equity markets, which mid-caps often amplify due to their relative size and sensitivity to domestic economic conditions.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | US Mid-Cap Equities | 98.5 | The fund focuses on mid-sized U.S. companies that sit between small-cap and large-cap stocks. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.5 | This small buffer is maintained for daily liquidity needs and operational flexibility. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 26.92% | Avg. Invested days 79 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  5.0 | ETF Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/25/2026 |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Sep 26, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $215.80M |
| Issuer | First Trust |
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% |
| Distribution Yield | 0.69% |
| Inception | Dec 3, 2019 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | +16.10% |
| 1 Year | +17.76% |
| 3 Year | +19.97% |
| 5 Year | +10.34% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% |
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 1Y Volatility | 12.45% |
| 3Y Volatility | 16.34% |
| 3Y Sharpe Ratio | 0.84 |
Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Morningstar Rating | ★★★★★ |
Market Cap Distribution
| Cap Size | Weight |
|---|---|
| Small Cap | 66.57% |
| Mid Cap | 21.75% |
| Micro Cap | 9.42% |
| Large Cap | 1.65% |
| Mega Cap | 0.50% |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Industrials | 20.04% |
| Technology | 19.55% |
| Financial Services | 14.04% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 13.79% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Portfolio P/E | 13.56x |
| Portfolio P/B | 2.26x |
| Portfolio P/S | 1.15x |
| Holdings Turnover | 49.0% |
Top Holdings
| Holding | Weight |
|---|---|
| Reliance Steel & Aluminum | 1.65% |
| Matson | 1.38% |
| HF Sinclair | 1.37% |
| BorgWarner | 1.12% |
| Mueller Industries | 1.11% |
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.
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