FEX vs. CAIBX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FEX (First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and CAIBX (American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A) are both funds - FEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index, while CAIBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, FEX returned 13.71%/yr vs 7.88%/yr for CAIBX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FEX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CAIBX.

Performance

FEX vs. CAIBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) and American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEX achieves a 17.68% return, which is significantly higher than CAIBX's 7.43% return. Over the past 10 years, FEX has outperformed CAIBX with an annualized return of 13.71%, while CAIBX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.88% annualized return.

FEX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 4.51%
• YTD: 17.68%
• 6M: 16.27%
• 1Y: 31.75%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: 11.87%
• 10Y*: 13.71%

CAIBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 17.79%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 8.82%
• 10Y*: 7.88%

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

FEX vs. CAIBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	17.68%	15.05%	17.07%	14.31%	-11.86%	26.83%	14.28%	26.93%	-9.89%	21.41%
CAIBX American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A	7.43%	20.39%	10.24%	8.95%	-7.14%	14.99%	3.20%	17.23%	-7.28%	13.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FEX and CAIBX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007	0.82

The correlation between FEX and CAIBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FEX vs. CAIBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEX

FEX Risk / Return Rank: 82
FEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FEX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
FEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FEX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

CAIBX

CAIBX Risk / Return Rank: 60
CAIBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
CAIBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
CAIBX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
CAIBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CAIBX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

FEX vs. CAIBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) and American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX). 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.

	FEX	CAIBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.15	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	3.05	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.40	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.12	2.73	+2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.39	10.80	+7.59

FEX vs. CAIBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the CAIBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEX and CAIBX, 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

FEX vs. CAIBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEX drawdown since its inception was -58.81%, which is greater than CAIBX's maximum drawdown of -43.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEX and CAIBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEX	CAIBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.81%	-43.68%	-15.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-6.47%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.58%	-8.89%	-10.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.27%	-17.65%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.51%	-25.28%	-14.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.72%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-3.80%	-4.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	1.63%	+0.10%

Volatility

FEX vs. CAIBX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) has a higher volatility of 4.84% compared to American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX) at 2.56%. This indicates that FEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAIBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEX	CAIBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	2.56%	+2.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	6.63%	+3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.14%	8.23%	+4.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.56%	10.01%	+6.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.63%	10.89%	+7.74%

FEX vs. CAIBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than CAIBX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEX vs. CAIBX - Dividend Comparison

FEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than CAIBX's 7.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAIBX American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A	7.30%	7.71%	5.76%	3.47%	3.43%	3.14%	3.38%	4.10%	3.55%	4.44%	3.52%	3.62%
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.93%	1.10%	1.18%	1.38%	1.61%	0.80%	1.21%	1.32%	1.34%	1.07%	1.29%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEX and CAIBX in my portfolio?

FEX and CAIBX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEX or CAIBX?

FEX has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to CAIBX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEX dropped -58.81% vs CAIBX's -43.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.15), 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.