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FPWR vs. FXU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FPWR vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

FPWR (First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds from First Trust. FPWR is actively managed, while FXU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPWR returned 12.54%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for FXU. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FPWR charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

FPWR vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF (FPWR) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPWR achieves a 15.51% return, which is significantly higher than FXU's 12.64% return.

FPWR

1D
1.03%
1M
0.57%
YTD
15.51%
6M
15.06%
1Y
23.37%
3Y*
18.32%
5Y*
12.54%
10Y*
—

FXU

1D
1.11%
1M
3.53%
YTD
12.64%
6M
12.61%
1Y
21.89%
3Y*
19.34%
5Y*
13.31%
10Y*
9.62%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FPWR vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
FPWR
First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF		15.51%16.78%22.60%-3.36%5.28%12.26%8.98%5.66%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		12.64%21.86%22.50%-2.12%3.68%17.67%1.53%3.94%

Correlation

The correlation between FPWR and FXU is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.88

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.90

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2019

0.87

The correlation between FPWR and FXU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

FPWR vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FPWR
FXU

Utilities

51.7%
92.4%

Energy

30.0%
3.6%

Industrials

6.7%
4.0%

Financial Services

1.7%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

FPWR
51.7%
FXU
92.4%

Energy

FPWR
30.0%
FXU
3.6%

Industrials

FPWR
6.7%
FXU
4.0%

Financial Services

FPWR
1.7%
FXU

-

Basic Materials

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Communication Services

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Consumer Cyclical

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Consumer Defensive

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Healthcare

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Real Estate

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Technology

FPWR

-

FXU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with FPWR:
FPWR vs. UTESFPWR vs. BILTFPWR vs. XLUFPWR vs. POWRFPWR vs. GLIXFPWR vs. ELFYFPWR vs. ECLN
Often compared with FXU:
FXU vs. UTESFXU vs. XLUFXU vs. VPUFXU vs. IDUFXU vs. JXIFXU vs. PUIFXU vs. VOO

Return for Risk

FPWR vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FPWR
FPWR Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
FPWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FPWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
FPWR Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
FPWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
FPWR Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
FXU
FXU Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FPWR vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF (FPWR) 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.

FPWRFXUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.24
1.66

+0.58

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.23
2.25

+0.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.28

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.68

2.55

+2.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.75

6.58

+5.17

FPWR vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPWR Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is higher than the FXU Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPWR 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.

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Drawdowns

FPWR vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPWR drawdown since its inception was -32.28%, smaller than the maximum FXU drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPWR and FXU.

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Drawdown Indicators

FPWRFXUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-32.28%

-49.00%

+16.72%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.02%

-8.63%

+3.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.68%

-17.46%

+2.78%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.88%

-21.87%

+1.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.81%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.76%

-1.69%

+0.93%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.97%

-7.63%

+2.66%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

3.33%

-1.34%

Volatility

FPWR vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF (FPWR) is 3.67%, while First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that FPWR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FPWRFXUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.67%

4.87%

-1.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.20%

10.52%

-2.32%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.57%

13.29%

-2.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.21%

16.57%

-2.36%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.35%

18.35%

-1.00%

FPWR vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPWR has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPWR vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

FPWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, more than FXU's 2.12% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FPWR
First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF		1.89%1.97%2.52%2.54%1.72%1.66%1.68%0.71%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		2.12%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

FPWR and FXU have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FXU has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to FPWR (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPWR dropped -32.28% vs FXU's -49.00%.

On 5-year performance, FXU leads with 13.31% vs 12.54% for FPWR. On fees, FXU is cheaper at 0.62% per year. On volatility, FPWR has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, FXU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 12.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FXU is cheaper with a 0.62% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for FPWR.

FPWR has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 2.12% for FXU.

Their fees differ too: 0.96% for FPWR and 0.62% for FXU.

FPWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.66), 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.

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