TPLC vs. FAD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TPLC (Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund) and FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - TPLC tracks the Victory U.S. Large Cap Volatility Weighted BRI Index while FAD tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TPLC returned 8.22%/yr vs 11.25%/yr for FAD. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TPLC charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FAD.

Performance

TPLC vs. FAD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC) 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, TPLC achieves a 8.78% return, which is significantly lower than FAD's 17.25% return.

TPLC

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.66%
• YTD: 8.78%
• 6M: 7.78%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 8.22%
• 10Y*: —

FAD

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 34.52%
• 3Y*: 24.16%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 14.53%

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

TPLC vs. FAD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TPLC Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund	8.78%	7.08%	13.10%	15.17%	-12.58%	26.34%	14.55%	9.83%
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.25%	17.23%	23.85%	19.07%	-24.06%	21.17%	34.92%	6.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TPLC and FAD is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2019	0.87

The correlation between TPLC and FAD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

TPLC vs. FAD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TPLC	FAD
Industrials	23.2%	26.1%
Technology	16.7%	24.1%
Financial Services	11.8%	8.0%
Utilities	11.6%	1.6%
Healthcare	9.3%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	10.8%
Energy	8.2%	1.6%
Basic Materials	5.9%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	2.4%
Real Estate	0.3%	4.1%
Communication Services	0.2%	3.1%

Return for Risk

TPLC vs. FAD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TPLC

TPLC Risk / Return Rank: 32
TPLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
TPLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
TPLC Omega Ratio Rank: 28
TPLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
TPLC Martin Ratio Rank: 38

FAD

FAD Risk / Return Rank: 59
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

TPLC vs. FAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC) 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.

	TPLC	FAD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.10	1.88	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	2.59	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.32	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	3.25	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	12.54	-6.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TPLC vs. FAD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TPLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.10, which is lower than the FAD Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TPLC 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

	TPLC	FAD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.10	1.88	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.55	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.50	+0.06

Drawdowns

TPLC vs. FAD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TPLC drawdown since its inception was -38.02%, smaller than the maximum FAD drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TPLC and FAD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TPLC	FAD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.02%	-54.33%	+16.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-10.66%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.18%	-23.55%	+5.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.63%	-31.99%	+10.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.15%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.29%	-9.64%	+4.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	2.76%	-0.63%

Volatility

TPLC vs. FAD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund (TPLC) is 2.70%, while First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) has a volatility of 6.01%. This indicates that TPLC 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

	TPLC	FAD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	6.01%	-3.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.45%	14.14%	-5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.50%	18.50%	-7.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.14%	20.53%	-4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.89%	21.18%	-1.29%

TPLC vs. FAD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TPLC has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than FAD's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

TPLC vs. FAD - Dividend Comparison

TPLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, 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%
TPLC Timothy Plan Fund Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core Fund	0.84%	0.89%	0.88%	0.89%	1.06%	0.61%	0.81%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TPLC and FAD in my portfolio?

TPLC and FAD have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TPLC or FAD?

FAD has higher volatility (6.01%) compared to TPLC (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TPLC dropped -38.02% vs FAD's -54.33%.

Which ETF is better, TPLC or FAD?

On 5-year performance, FAD leads with 11.25% vs 8.22% for TPLC. On fees, TPLC is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, TPLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TPLC or FAD?

Over the 5-year period, FAD has performed better with a 11.25% return vs 8.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TPLC or FAD?

TPLC is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FAD.

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

TPLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.09% for FAD.

What is the main difference between TPLC and FAD?

TPLC tracks Victory U.S. Large Cap Volatility Weighted BRI Index, while FAD tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Timothy Plan and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for TPLC and 0.63% for FAD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.10), 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.