ALAI vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ALAI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Alger, while FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index. ALAI is actively managed, while FXU is passively managed. Over the past year, ALAI returned 51.94% vs 17.67% for FXU. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ALAI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

ALAI vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALAI achieves a 20.13% return, which is significantly higher than FXU's 8.19% return.

ALAI

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: 20.13%
• 6M: 20.63%
• 1Y: 51.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FXU

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 17.67%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 11.71%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ALAI vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	20.13%	39.81%	32.38%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	8.19%	21.86%	20.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ALAI and FXU is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2024	0.06

ALAI vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ALAI	FXU
Technology	55.9%	-
Communication Services	20.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.7%	-
Industrials	3.2%	4.2%
Healthcare	2.8%	-
Financial Services	2.3%	-
Utilities	2.0%	92.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.7%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ALAI vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 63
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

FXU

FXU Risk / Return Rank: 39
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALAI vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ALAI	FXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.26	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	1.75	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.21	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.93	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.30	5.17	+3.13

ALAI vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the FXU Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALAI and FXU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ALAI vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALAI drawdown since its inception was -29.36%, smaller than the maximum FXU drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALAI and FXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALAI	FXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.36%	-49.00%	+19.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.48%	-8.63%	-10.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.87%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.13%	-5.57%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-7.63%	+2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.18%	3.22%	+2.96%

Volatility

ALAI vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) has a higher volatility of 9.13% compared to First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) at 5.01%. This indicates that ALAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALAI	FXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.13%	5.01%	+4.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.84%	10.33%	+9.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.96%	13.30%	+11.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.59%	16.61%	+11.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.59%	18.34%	+10.25%

ALAI vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALAI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALAI vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

ALAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than FXU's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.25%	1.50%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	2.16%	2.29%	2.41%	2.52%	2.03%	2.00%	3.97%	2.34%	2.40%	3.81%	2.62%	3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALAI and FXU in my portfolio?

ALAI and FXU have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALAI or FXU?

ALAI has higher volatility (9.13%) compared to FXU (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALAI dropped -29.36% vs FXU's -49.00%.

Which ETF is better, ALAI or FXU?

On 1-year performance, ALAI leads with 51.94% vs 17.67% for FXU. On fees, ALAI is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FXU has been the lower-risk option at 5.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALAI or FXU?

Over the 1-year period, ALAI has performed better with a 51.94% return vs 17.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALAI or FXU?

ALAI is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ALAI or FXU?

FXU has the higher dividend yield at 2.16%, compared with 1.25% for ALAI.

What is the main difference between ALAI and FXU?

ALAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while FXU is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: Alger and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ALAI and 0.62% for FXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.26), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.