First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) belongs to the Materials category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FXZ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FXZ
FXZ charges 0.67% annually. There are 15 ETFs in the Materials category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 0.08% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | FXZ vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 0.09% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | FXZ vs VAW | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | FXZ vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 20.22M | Apr 2010 | FXZ vs PSCM | |
| SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.35% | 3.89B | Jun 2006 | FXZ vs XME |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FXZ
FXZ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 70. There are 2 ETFs in the Materials category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 87.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 87 | 168.64M | Oct 2006 | FXZ vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 77 | 2.17B | Jan 2012 | FXZ vs PICK | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 61 | 20.22M | Apr 2010 | FXZ vs PSCM | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 55 | 1.16B | Jun 2000 | FXZ vs IYM | |
| iShares Global Materials ETF | 51 | 338.67M | Sep 2006 | FXZ vs MXI |
Top Performing FXZ Alternatives (YTD)
FXZ is at 18.92% YTD. There is 1 ETF in the Materials category with a higher YTD return, going as high as 24.30%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 24.30% | 168.64M | Oct 2006 | FXZ vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 16.18% | 2.17B | Jan 2012 | FXZ vs PICK | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 15.29% | 177.61M | Nov 2006 | FXZ vs RSPM | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 15.12% | — | Jul 2025 | FXZ vs DVXB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 15.02% | 20.22M | Apr 2010 | FXZ vs PSCM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FXZ
FXZ has 22.84% 1-year volatility. There are 9 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.82% | 7.92M | Jul 2025 | FXZ vs XLBI | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.72% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | FXZ vs XLB | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.65% | 266.77M | Jun 2008 | FXZ vs WOOD | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.65% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | FXZ vs FMAT | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | 18.68% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | FXZ vs VAW |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FXZ
FXZ has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.75%. There are 3 ETFs in the Materials category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -10.62%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | -10.62% | 7.92M | Jul 2025 | FXZ vs XLBI | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | -12.32% | 177.61M | Nov 2006 | FXZ vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.47B | Dec 1998 | FXZ vs XLB | |
| Vanguard Materials ETF | -13.42% | 4.50B | Jan 2004 | FXZ vs VAW | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | FXZ vs FMAT |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 16 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $25B.
Often Compared With FXZ
Investors most often compare FXZ with FXR, URNM, COPX. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FXZ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FXZ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FXZ with funds that move differently
First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FXZ.
Explore FXZ Diversifiers