FTA: FIRST TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE ALPHADEX FUND
What this ETF is trying to do
The First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is an ETF designed to invest in large-company stocks that are considered "value" stocks. It aims to provide investors with a mix of share-price growth and regular cash income.
What the numbers show
The data shows that FTA has seen positive growth over several timeframes. As of October 9, 2026, the current price is $97.46.
There are two ways to look at the returns:
• Price Return: This measures only the change in the share price. The one-year price return is 17.55%, and the three-year price return is 51.59%.
• Total Return: This reflects the overall return, including the cash distributions paid to investors. The one-year total return is 19.78%, and the three-year total return is 60.95%.
For a simple example, if an investor had put $10,000 into the fund roughly one year ago (when the estimated price was $82.91), the price-only growth would have increased that amount based on the 17.55% price return.
Income and distribution explanation
FTA pays out cash to its investors, usually on a quarterly basis. Over the last 12 months, it has made four payouts. The distribution yield is approximately 1.80%.
It is important for beginners to remember that a distribution yield is not the same as a total return. While the yield provides cash income, the total return tells you how the investment performed overall when you combine that cash with the change in the share price.
NAV erosion explanation
"NAV erosion" happens when the actual value of the assets inside a fund drops over time. The supplied data is sufficient to evaluate price erosion, but it does not include enough historical NAV-per-share data to confirm or rule out NAV erosion.
However, based on price-based evidence, the fund has an erosion score of 100, and the label states "No price erosion detected." The severe erosion-risk flag is also false.
Top Holdings
The fund holds 189 different assets. Because the list is partial, we only see the Top Holdings. As of October 12, 2026, the largest holdings include:
• CTSH: 1.41%
• Accenture PLC Class A: 1.29%
• ConocoPhillips: 1.08%
• Super Micro Computer Inc: 1.08%
• AT&T Inc: 1.06%
Pros
• Strong positive total returns over one and three years.
• No price erosion detected according to the erosion score.
• Provides regular quarterly income.
Cons
• The distribution yield is relatively low compared to some high-income funds.
• The fund's value depends on the performance of large-cap value stocks.
Beginner takeaway
FTA is a fund for investors who want exposure to large value companies. It has shown a history of both increasing its share price and paying out regular dividends. While it provides income, its primary strength in the recent data has been its total return.
Top Holdings
Structured portfolio holdings supplied by the ETF data provider. These figures are not generated by the AI article.
| # | Holding | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | n/a | CTSH | 1.41% |
| 2 | ACCENTURE PLC CLASS A | ACN | 1.29% |
| 3 | CONOCOPHILLIPS | COP | 1.08% |
| 4 | SUPER MICRO COMPUTER INC | SMCI | 1.08% |
| 5 | AT&T INC | T | 1.06% |
| 6 | GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC | GPN | 1.06% |
| 7 | PAYPAL HOLDINGS INC | PYPL | 1.03% |
| 8 | GENERAL MILLS INC | GIS | 1.00% |
| 9 | VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC | VZ | 1.00% |
| 10 | PHILLIPS 66 | PSX | 0.99% |