MID vs. FAD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MID (American Century Mid Cap Growth Impact ETF) and FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. MID is actively managed, while FAD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MID returned 6.40%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for FAD. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MID charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FAD.

Performance

MID vs. FAD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MID achieves a 6.22% return, which is significantly lower than FAD's 17.81% return.

MID

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 4.09%
• YTD: 6.22%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 7.13%
• 3Y*: 14.75%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: —

FAD

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 17.81%
• 6M: 16.71%
• 1Y: 35.19%
• 3Y*: 24.68%
• 5Y*: 11.36%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

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

MID vs. FAD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MID American Century Mid Cap Growth Impact ETF	6.22%	8.22%	19.40%	22.20%	-27.44%	10.39%	29.63%
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.81%	17.23%	23.85%	19.07%	-24.06%	21.17%	28.64%

Correlation

The correlation between MID and FAD is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2020	0.90

The correlation between MID and FAD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

MID vs. FAD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MID	FAD
Industrials	25.5%	26.1%
Technology	21.9%	24.1%
Healthcare	18.7%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.8%
Energy	7.3%	1.6%
Financial Services	6.1%	8.0%
Utilities	4.4%	1.6%
Basic Materials	2.3%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	2.4%
Communication Services	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	4.1%

Return for Risk

MID vs. FAD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MID

MID Risk / Return Rank: 16
MID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
MID Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
MID Omega Ratio Rank: 15
MID Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
MID Martin Ratio Rank: 17

FAD

FAD Risk / Return Rank: 61
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

MID vs. FAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Mid Cap Growth Impact ETF (MID) 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.

	MID	FAD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	1.91	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	2.64	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.33	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.52	3.31	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.53	12.78	-11.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MID vs. FAD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MID Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is lower than the FAD Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MID 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MID	FAD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43	1.91	-1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.56	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.50	-0.09

Drawdowns

MID vs. FAD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MID drawdown since its inception was -40.15%, smaller than the maximum FAD drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MID and FAD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MID	FAD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.15%	-54.33%	+14.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.89%	-10.66%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.92%	-23.55%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.15%	-31.99%	-8.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.43%	-9.64%	-3.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	2.76%	+1.90%

Volatility

MID vs. FAD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Mid Cap Growth Impact ETF (MID) is 4.90%, while First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) has a volatility of 5.82%. This indicates that MID 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.

Volatility by Period

	MID	FAD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	5.82%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	14.15%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.69%	18.49%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	20.53%	+3.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.91%	21.18%	+2.73%

MID vs. FAD - Expense Ratio Comparison

MID has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FAD's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

MID vs. FAD - Dividend Comparison

MID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, more than FAD's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
MID American Century Mid Cap Growth Impact ETF	0.15%	0.18%	0.17%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MID and FAD in my portfolio?

MID and FAD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MID or FAD?

FAD has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to MID (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MID dropped -40.15% vs FAD's -54.33%.

Which ETF is better, MID or FAD?

On 5-year performance, FAD leads with 11.36% vs 6.40% for MID. On fees, MID is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, MID has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MID or FAD?

Over the 5-year period, FAD has performed better with a 11.36% return vs 6.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MID or FAD?

MID is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FAD.

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

MID has the higher dividend yield at 0.15%, compared with 0.09% for FAD.

What is the main difference between MID and FAD?

They also come from different issuers: American Century and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for MID and 0.63% for FAD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 0.43), 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.