A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX® Fund (FTA) and Invesco BuyBack Achievers ETF (PKW) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FTA | PKW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.15% | +4.96%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.62% | +1.13%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.78% | -0.07%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -6.30% | -4.55%✓ |
| Current Price | $95.89 | $144.69 |
| AUM | $1.34B | $1.70B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.6%✓ | 0.62% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59%✓ | 0.74% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2007-05-08 | 2006-12-20 |
| Holdings Count | 50 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Mid-Cap Value | Mid-Cap Value |
| Beta | 0.60 | 0.81 |
| 52-Week High | $104.38 | $154.49 |
| 52-Week Low | $79.60 | $124.59 |
| 50-Day MA | $101.39 | $149.13 |
| 200-Day MA | $95.10 | $140.08 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTA | PKW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.15% | +4.96%✓ |
| 1 Year | +20.34%✓ | +12.15% |
| 3 Year | +16.18% | +18.23%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.47% | +10.71%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.80% | +13.29%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.27% | 9.95% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.98 | 0.98 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | CTSH | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp Class A | 1.31% |
| 2 | ACN | Accenture plc | 1.28% |
| 3 | SMCI | Super Micro Computer Inc | 1.25% |
| 4 | PYPL | PayPal Holdings Inc | 1.12% |
| 5 | COP | ConocoPhillips | 1.08% |
| 6 | PSX | Phillips 66 | 1.07% |
| 7 | VLO | Valero Energy Corporation | 1.07% |
| 8 | T | AT&T Inc. | 1.06% |
| 9 | GPN | Global Payments Inc | 1.03% |
| 10 | TRV | The Travelers Companies Inc | 0.99% |
| 1 | CRM | Salesforce.com Inc | 6.09% |
| 2 | SCHW | Charles Schwab Corp | 5.07% |
| 3 | WFC | Wells Fargo & Company | 4.66% |
| 4 | BAC | Bank of America Corp | 4.64% |
| 5 | C | Citigroup Inc. | 4.47% |
| 6 | VLO | Valero Energy Corporation | 3.65% |
| 7 | MPC | Marathon Petroleum Corp | 3.59% |
| 8 | JCI | Johnson Controls International PLC | 3.21% |
| 9 | ADBE | Adobe Systems Incorporated | 3.04% |
| 10 | TRV | The Travelers Companies Inc | 2.56% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTA | PKW |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.14% | 1.02% |
| Communication Services | 5.75% | 1.73% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.95% | 11.86% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.16% | 2.77% |
| Energy | 14.25% | 9.63% |
| Financial Services | 20.07% | 39.59% |
| Healthcare | 8.84% | 7.86% |
| Industrials | 7.46% | 8.65% |
| Real Estate | 4.42% | 0.40% |
| Technology | 9.67% | 16.49% |
| Utilities | 10.29% | 0.00% |
About FTA
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is designed to select value stocks from the NASDAQ US 500 Large Cap Index TM (the base index) that may generate positive alpha, or risk-adjusted returns, relative to traditional indices through the use of the AlphaDEX® selection methodology.
About PKW
The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the underlying index. The NASDAQ includes common stocks in the underlying index pursuant to a proprietary selection methodology that identifies a universe of BuyBack Achievers TM.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FTA and PKW are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, PKW scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FTA and PKW?
FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX® Fund) and PKW (Invesco BuyBack Achievers ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.34B vs $1.70B), dividend yield (1.59% vs 0.74%), and year-to-date performance (+1.15% vs +4.96%).
Is FTA better than PKW?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FTA and PKW on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTA and PKW should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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