FAD vs. BBHM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and BBHM (BBH Select Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - FAD tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index while BBHM tracks the Actively Managed. Both are passively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAD charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for BBHM.

Performance

FAD vs. BBHM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) and BBH Select Mid Cap ETF (BBHM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAD achieves a 17.25% return, which is significantly higher than BBHM's 1.78% return.

FAD

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 34.52%
• 3Y*: 24.16%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 14.53%

BBHM

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 1.78%
• 6M: -0.32%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAD vs. BBHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.25%	5.03%
BBHM BBH Select Mid Cap ETF	1.78%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between FAD and BBHM is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

FAD vs. BBHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAD

FAD Risk / Return Rank: 59
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

FAD vs. BBHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) and BBH Select Mid Cap ETF (BBHM). 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.

	FAD	BBHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.54	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAD	BBHM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.50	0.00

Drawdowns

FAD vs. BBHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAD drawdown since its inception was -54.33%, which is greater than BBHM's maximum drawdown of -9.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAD and BBHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAD	BBHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.33%	-9.78%	-44.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.66%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-5.28%	+5.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.64%	-2.71%	-6.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FAD	BBHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.50%	17.46%	+1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.53%	17.46%	+3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.18%	17.46%	+3.72%

FAD vs. BBHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAD has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than BBHM's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAD vs. BBHM - Dividend Comparison

FAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, while BBHM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBHM BBH Select Mid Cap ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.09%	0.09%	0.59%	0.51%	0.60%	0.09%	0.32%	0.48%	0.20%	0.22%	0.64%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAD and BBHM in my portfolio?

FAD and BBHM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FAD or BBHM?

On fees, FAD is cheaper at 0.63% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAD or BBHM?

FAD is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for BBHM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAD or BBHM?

FAD has the higher dividend yield at 0.09%, compared with 0.00% for BBHM.

What is the main difference between FAD and BBHM?

FAD tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index, while BBHM tracks Actively Managed. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and BBH. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FAD and 0.81% for BBHM.