Fortress Wealth Group (FWG Holdings) reduced its position in the First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX 0.58%) in the third quarter, selling an estimated $3.3 million based on average prices during the quarter, according to an SEC filing on Thursday.
What Happened
Florida-based Fortress Wealth Group disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 13F filing released on Thursday that it sold 27,140 shares of the First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX 0.58%) during the third quarter. The estimated value of the sale was $3.3 million. The fund reported holding 11,107 shares worth $1.4 million at the end of the period.
What Else to Know
FWG Holdings' sale reduced its FNX position to 0.6% of reportable 13F assets.
Top holdings following the filing:
- NYSEMKT:VUG: $41 million (17.7% of AUM)
- NYSEMKT:VTV: $28.3 million (12.2% of AUM)
- NASDAQ:QQQ: $21.6 million (9.3% of AUM)
- NYSEMKT:FBND: $10.7 million (4.6% of AUM)
- NYSEMKT:SPY: $8.9 million (3.8% of AUM)
As of Friday, FNX shares were priced at $124.39, up 8% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500's nearly 20% gain over the same period.
ETF Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $1.2 billion |
| Yield | 0.9% |
| Price (as of market close Friday) | $124.39 |
| 1-year price change | 8% |
ETF Snapshot
FNX's investment strategy seeks to generate positive alpha by selecting mid-cap stocks from the NASDAQ US 600 Mid Cap Index using the AlphaDEX® methodology. The portfolio is diversified across U.S. mid-cap equities, with holdings determined by a quantitative selection process. The fund operates as an exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a structured, rules-based approach.
Foolish Take
Fortress Wealth Group’s third-quarter reduction in the First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund appears to be part of a broader portfolio recalibration, as opposed to a shift away from equities altogether. The Florida-based wealth advisory sold 27,140 shares valued at roughly $3.3 million, according to an SEC filing released Thursday, leaving a smaller $1.4 million position at quarter-end.
FNX—a mid-cap equity with top holdings ETF Bloom Energy Corporation, Symbiotic and Guardant Health—has trailed the broader S&P 500 over the past year, up just 8% versus the benchmark’s nearly 20% gain. For a firm like Fortress, which emphasizes risk management, diversification, and steady growth, the sale may reflect a tactical rotation toward large-cap or income-generating assets, evident in its top holdings such as VUG, VTV, and FBND.
For long-term investors, FNX remains a disciplined way to access the mid-cap space—but recent performance highlights the challenge of factor-driven strategies in momentum-heavy markets. Fortress’ adjustment suggests a pragmatic tilt toward balance and consistency in an evolving rate and earnings environment.
Glossary
13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC on Form 13F.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a firm or fund.
AlphaDEX® methodology: A proprietary, rules-based investment strategy that selects and weights stocks based on quantitative factors to seek outperformance.
Mid-cap: Companies with a market capitalization typically between $2 billion and $10 billion.
Exchange-traded fund (ETF): An investment fund traded on stock exchanges, holding a diversified portfolio of assets.
Quantitative selection process: An investment approach using mathematical models and data analysis to choose securities.
Factor-driven selection: Choosing investments based on specific characteristics, such as value or growth, identified by statistical analysis.
Systematic approach: An investment method following a predetermined set of rules or models, minimizing human discretion.
Benchmark: A standard index or measure used to compare the performance of a fund or investment.
Dividend yield: The annual dividend income expressed as a percentage of the investment's current price.
