Is First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX ETF (FEX) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 12 2024
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX ETF (FEX): Launched in 2007, this smart beta ETF offers exposure to the Large Cap Blend category of the market.
- Smart Beta ETFs: These ETFs track non-cap weighted strategies based on specific fundamental characteristics for potential outperformance.
- Fund Sponsor & Index: Sponsored by First Trust Advisors, FEX seeks to match the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index's performance.
- Cost & Other Expenses: FEX has an expense ratio of 0.60% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.20%.
- Sector Exposure and Top Holdings: The fund has significant allocations to Industrials, Financials, and Information Technology sectors, with top holdings including Super Micro Computer, Nvidia Corporation, and Deckers Outdoor Corporation.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy DECK?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on DECK
Wall Street analysts forecast DECK stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
9 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 111.440
Low
90.00
Averages
124.00
High
161.00
Current: 111.440
Low
90.00
Averages
124.00
High
161.00
About DECK
Deckers Outdoor Corporation designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high-performance activities. Its segments include UGG brand, HOKA brand and Other brands. The UGG brand segment provides premium footwear, apparel and accessories. The HOKA brand segment’s products include running, trail, hiking, fitness, and lifestyle footwear offerings, as well as select apparel and accessories. Its Other brands segment consists of Teva brand, AHNU brand, and Koolaburra brand. Its Teva brand includes a variety of footwear options, from classic sandals and shoes to boots. The Koolaburra brand is a casual footwear fashion line that uses plush materials. Its AHNU brand’s footwear products fuse high-performance technology for everyday wear. Its portfolio of brands includes UGG, HOKA, Teva, and AHNU. It sells its products through domestic and international retailers and international distributors in its wholesale channel.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Sales Growth Overview: In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Deckers reported a 9.6% year-over-year sales increase to $1.11 billion, while earnings per share (EPS) fell 4% to $0.96, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.83, indicating resilience in the market.
- International Market Expansion: International sales surged by 25.5% to $469.5 million, and direct-to-consumer revenue rose 13.2% to $464.4 million, demonstrating the effectiveness of the company's global expansion strategy, particularly in Europe and China.
- Brand Performance Disparity: Hoka's sales jumped 14.5% to $671.2 million, while Ugg's sales increased by 9.2% to $408.6 million, despite a 35.6% decline in other brands, with Ugg remaining the primary revenue source for Deckers, especially during the holiday season.
- Future Outlook: Deckers projects fiscal 2027 sales growth in the high single digits, reaching between $5.86 billion and $5.91 billion, with Hoka sales expected to rise in the low double digits, although gross margin is anticipated to decline to 56.5% due to rising material and freight costs.
See More
- Market Trend Analysis: In the latest Motley Fool Scoreboard episode, analysts discussed market trends for Deckers Outdoor, noting that while the company did not make the list of the top 10 recommended stocks, it still offers valuable investment insights, indicating its potential in a competitive market.
- Return Comparison: According to Motley Fool Stock Advisor, the total average return is 986%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 208%, suggesting that even though Deckers Outdoor is not recommended, investors should still monitor its future performance potential.
- Historical Performance Review: The episode highlighted historical cases like Netflix and Nvidia, which yielded returns of 477,813% and 1,320,088% respectively at the time of recommendation, emphasizing the importance of early investment, and while Deckers Outdoor is not currently recommended, it may still offer substantial returns in the future.
- Community Engagement: Motley Fool encourages investors to join its community for the latest investment advice and market analysis, and although Deckers Outdoor is not on the current recommendation list, its standing in investors' minds remains noteworthy.
See More
- Market Trend Insights: In the latest Motley Fool Scoreboard episode, analysts delve into market trends surrounding Deckers Outdoor, offering valuable insights into future investment opportunities, although the stock price showed a 4.31% increase as of April 8, 2026, the overall market environment remains a point of concern.
- Investment Opportunity Assessment: The episode highlights that Deckers Outdoor's performance is closely tied to market trends, and analysts believe that understanding these trends will aid investors in making more informed decisions, although specific investment recommendations were not detailed in the program.
- Video Content Value: Released on May 26, 2026, the video aims to provide viewers with the latest updates and market analysis regarding Deckers Outdoor, assisting investors in seizing potential investment opportunities.
- Stock Price Dynamics Observation: While the program noted a stock price increase of 4.31%, analysts emphasize that investors should monitor broader market dynamics to make more comprehensive evaluations in future investment decisions.
See More
- Solid Sales Growth: Deckers Outdoor reported $1.11 billion in sales for Q4 2026, marking a 9.6% year-over-year increase, and despite a 4% drop in EPS to $0.96, it surpassed analyst expectations, indicating resilience in the market.
- Divergent Brand Performance: Hoka's sales surged 14.5% to $671.2 million, while Ugg sales rose 9.2% to $408.6 million, although other brands saw a 35.6% decline to $39.5 million, highlighting the effectiveness of Hoka's international expansion strategy.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Deckers projects full-year sales to grow to between $5.86 billion and $5.91 billion for FY 2027, with Hoka expected to achieve low double-digit growth, even as gross margin slightly declines to 56.5% due to rising material and freight costs.
- Increased Valuation Appeal: Despite Hoka's growth slowdown, Deckers' P/E ratio has decreased from over 20 to 14, reflecting its attractiveness as a growth-at-a-reasonable-price stock, making it a suitable investment at current price levels.
See More
- Cash Reserve Analysis: Wolfe Research identified companies with market caps over $250 million and top quintile net cash-to-market cap ratios, indicating strong financial capacity for business development and stock buybacks.
- Deckers Outdoor Performance: Deckers Outdoor boasts a 12% net cash-to-market cap ratio, with shares rising nearly 3% in 2026 after a 49% decline last year, reflecting market confidence in its future growth.
- Airbnb Forecast: Airbnb has an 11% net cash-to-market cap ratio, and despite a 2% drop in stock price this year, analysts expect nearly 20% upside in the next 12 months, indicating optimism about its recovery.
- Okta Growth Potential: Okta's net cash-to-market cap ratio stands at 15%, with shares up over 6% in 2026, and analysts predict an additional 8% increase in the next year, showcasing its competitive position in the market.
See More
- Victoria's Secret Increase: David Einhorn raised his stake in Victoria's Secret by 30% in Q1, making it his eighth-largest position, reflecting confidence in the new management's efforts to reshape the brand and suggesting strong growth potential ahead.
- Crocs Brand Challenges: Einhorn's new investment in Crocs shows steady international sales, but ongoing inventory issues with the HeyDude brand pose challenges; if the company stabilizes this brand, significant upside potential exists for the stock.
- Deckers Outdoor Stake Increase: Einhorn increased his stake in Deckers Outdoor by over 60%, and despite concerns about waning brand popularity, the company's strong revenue growth history positions it as a potential bargain buy given its low valuation.
- Peloton's Strategic Shift: Einhorn's stake in Peloton surged by over 4,000%, and while the company has faced declining revenues for four years, its improved gross margin and focus on the commercial gym market could lead to substantial stock price recovery if revenue growth resumes.
See More











