FTC vs. IWF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTC (First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FTC tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index while IWF tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTC returned 14.85%/yr vs 18.49%/yr for IWF. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IWF.

Performance

FTC vs. IWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTC achieves a 17.25% return, which is significantly higher than IWF's 7.11% return. Over the past 10 years, FTC has underperformed IWF with an annualized return of 14.85%, while IWF has yielded a comparatively higher 18.49% annualized return.

FTC

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 9.21%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 29.07%
• 3Y*: 25.57%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

IWF

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 24.80%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

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

FTC vs. IWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.25%	15.89%	26.60%	20.72%	-23.28%	24.43%	33.35%	28.07%	-6.03%	25.32%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.11%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%

Correlation

The correlation between FTC and IWF is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2007	0.88

The correlation between FTC and IWF shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTC vs. IWF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTC	IWF
Technology	31.3%	53.2%
Industrials	29.7%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.7%
Healthcare	9.0%	7.0%
Financial Services	6.7%	4.9%
Basic Materials	3.3%	0.3%
Communication Services	2.5%	12.3%
Utilities	2.2%	1.1%
Real Estate	2.2%	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	2.5%
Energy	0.9%	0.4%

Return for Risk

FTC vs. IWF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTC

FTC Risk / Return Rank: 50
FTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
FTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FTC Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FTC Martin Ratio Rank: 60

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

FTC vs. IWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). 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.

	FTC	IWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.67	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.29	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.29	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	1.58	+1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	5.28	+5.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTC vs. IWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the IWF Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTC and IWF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTC	IWF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.67	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.72	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.88	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.40	+0.13

Drawdowns

FTC vs. IWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTC drawdown since its inception was -54.05%, smaller than the maximum IWF drawdown of -64.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTC and IWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTC	IWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.05%	-64.25%	+10.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-16.27%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-23.36%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.18%	-32.72%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.66%	-32.72%	-1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-1.66%	+1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-22.08%	+12.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	4.86%	-2.17%

Volatility

FTC vs. IWF - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) has a higher volatility of 6.65% compared to iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) at 3.61%. This indicates that FTC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTC	IWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.65%	3.61%	+3.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.24%	11.66%	+2.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.02%	15.44%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.85%	21.40%	-1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.45%	20.97%	-0.52%

FTC vs. IWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IWF's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTC vs. IWF - Dividend Comparison

FTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than IWF's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.18%	0.20%	0.32%	0.65%	0.90%	0.00%	0.40%	0.64%	0.35%	0.40%	0.86%	0.52%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTC and IWF in my portfolio?

FTC and IWF have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTC or IWF?

FTC has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to IWF (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTC dropped -54.05% vs IWF's -64.25%.

Which ETF is better, FTC or IWF?

On 10-year performance, IWF leads with 18.49% vs 14.85% for FTC. On fees, IWF is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IWF has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTC or IWF?

Over the 10-year period, IWF has performed better with a 18.49% return vs 14.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTC or IWF?

IWF is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTC or IWF?

IWF has the higher dividend yield at 0.33%, compared with 0.18% for FTC.

What is the main difference between FTC and IWF?

FTC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index, while IWF tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTC and 0.18% for IWF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.62), 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.