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IWR vs. FAD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IWR vs. FAD

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) and FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - IWR tracks the Russell Midcap Index while FAD tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWR returned 12.41%/yr vs 15.37%/yr for FAD. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWR charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FAD.

Performance

IWR vs. FAD - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWR achieves a 14.90% return, which is significantly lower than FAD's 21.09% return. Over the past 10 years, IWR has underperformed FAD with an annualized return of 12.41%, while FAD has yielded a comparatively higher 15.37% annualized return.

IWR

1D
1.35%
1M
3.20%
YTD
14.90%
6M
13.08%
1Y
23.04%
3Y*
17.47%
5Y*
8.17%
10Y*
12.41%

FAD

1D
1.35%
1M
4.13%
YTD
21.09%
6M
18.09%
1Y
37.04%
3Y*
24.97%
5Y*
10.94%
10Y*
15.37%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IWR vs. FAD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IWR
iShares Russell Midcap ETF		14.90%10.37%15.21%17.05%-17.48%22.44%16.93%30.23%-9.10%18.25%
FAD
First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund		21.09%17.23%23.85%19.07%-24.06%21.17%34.92%26.66%-6.45%25.75%

Correlation

The correlation between IWR and FAD 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

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.91

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007

0.85

The correlation between IWR and FAD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWR vs. FAD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IWR
FAD

Technology

19.6%
27.4%

Industrials

18.1%
25.0%

Financial Services

12.1%
7.8%

Consumer Cyclical

11.1%
10.1%

Healthcare

8.7%
14.8%

Real Estate

6.8%
3.9%

Energy

6.5%
1.3%

Utilities

5.7%
1.5%

Basic Materials

4.2%
2.9%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
2.2%

Communication Services

3.3%
3.1%

Technology

IWR
19.6%
FAD
27.4%

Industrials

IWR
18.1%
FAD
25.0%

Financial Services

IWR
12.1%
FAD
7.8%

Consumer Cyclical

IWR
11.1%
FAD
10.1%

Healthcare

IWR
8.7%
FAD
14.8%

Real Estate

IWR
6.8%
FAD
3.9%

Energy

IWR
6.5%
FAD
1.3%

Utilities

IWR
5.7%
FAD
1.5%

Basic Materials

IWR
4.2%
FAD
2.9%

Consumer Defensive

IWR
3.9%
FAD
2.2%

Communication Services

IWR
3.3%
FAD
3.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Russell Midcap ETF

First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with IWR:
IWR vs. VOIWR vs. IWDIWR vs. SPMDIWR vs. IWNIWR vs. SCHMIWR vs. VXFIWR vs. REGL
Often compared with FAD:
FAD vs. PEXLFAD vs. IUSGFAD vs. SPYFAD vs. XMMOFAD vs. IMCGFAD vs. XMHQFAD vs. VDIGX

Return for Risk

IWR vs. FAD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IWR
IWR Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
IWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWR Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
IWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWR Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
FAD
FAD Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
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.

IWR vs. FAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) and First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD). 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.

IWRFADDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.68
1.90

-0.22

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.39
2.58

-0.19

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.33

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.83

3.49

-0.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.84

13.27

-2.44

IWR vs. FAD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the FAD Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWR and FAD, 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

IWR vs. FAD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWR drawdown since its inception was -58.78%, which is greater than FAD's maximum drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWR and FAD.

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Drawdown Indicators

IWRFADDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.78%

-54.33%

-4.45%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.17%

-10.66%

+2.49%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.09%

-23.55%

+2.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.18%

-31.99%

+5.81%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.59%

-37.25%

-3.34%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.77%

+0.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.79%

-9.62%

+1.83%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.13%

2.80%

-0.67%

Volatility

IWR vs. FAD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) is 4.67%, while First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) has a volatility of 7.61%. This indicates that IWR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IWRFADDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.67%

7.61%

-2.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.51%

15.36%

-4.85%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.83%

19.64%

-5.81%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.30%

20.75%

-2.45%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.36%

21.29%

-1.93%

IWR vs. FAD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWR has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than FAD's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWR vs. FAD - Dividend Comparison

IWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, more than FAD's 0.13% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FAD
First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund		0.13%0.09%0.59%0.51%0.60%0.09%0.32%0.48%0.20%0.22%0.64%0.41%
IWR
iShares Russell Midcap ETF		1.15%1.29%1.27%1.43%1.59%1.04%1.28%1.43%1.98%1.52%1.72%1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

IWR and FAD 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.

FAD has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to IWR (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWR dropped -58.78% vs FAD's -54.33%.

On 10-year performance, FAD leads with 15.37% vs 12.41% for IWR. On fees, IWR is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWR has been the lower-risk option at 4.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FAD has performed better with a 15.37% return vs 12.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWR is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FAD.

IWR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.13% for FAD.

IWR tracks Russell Midcap Index, while FAD tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWR and 0.63% for FAD.

FAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.68), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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