So, this is an article that talks about a special kind of investment called an ETF, which is a way to buy a bunch of different things at once, like a basket of stocks. This particular ETF is called the First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF, and it focuses on companies that work with materials, like metals and chemicals. The article explains how this ETF is different from other ETFs because it uses a smart beta strategy, which means it tries to pick stocks that can do better than the average ETF. It also talks about how much money the ETF has, what kind of stocks it has, how well it has done in the past, and how risky it is compared to other ETFs. The article ends by suggesting some other ETFs that might be good alternatives for people who want to invest in materials. Read from source...

- The article's main thesis is that the First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF (FXZ) is a strong ETF right now, but it does not provide any clear evidence or reasoning to support this claim.
- The article uses vague and subjective terms, such as "smart beta", "alpha", and "risk-return performance", without explaining what they mean or how they are measured.
- The article focuses on the fund's annual operating expenses, which are relatively low, but does not consider other factors, such as the fund's performance, volatility, diversification, or tax efficiency, that may be more important for investors.
- The article compares the fund to other ETFs in the same category, but does not provide any meaningful or relevant comparisons, such as their historical returns, risk-adjusted performance, or fees.
- The article mentions the fund's top holdings, but does not analyze their quality, valuation, or growth potential, or how they contribute to the fund's overall exposure and risk profile.
- The article quotes some analyst ratings, but does not explain how they are derived, what they mean, or how they change over time.
- The article does not address any potential drawbacks, risks, or limitations of the fund, or how they may affect investors' goals and expectations.

The sentiment of the article is positive. The author is discussing the performance and features of the First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF and presents it as a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Materials ETFs segment of the market. The author also provides some alternatives for investors to consider.

The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF (FXZ) is a smart beta ETF that seeks to outperform the traditional market cap-weighted index by applying a fundamental screening methodology. The ETF offers exposure to the materials sector and has a concentration of about 39 holdings. The annual operating expenses for FXZ are 0.62%, which is in line with most peer products in the space. The ETF has a beta of 1.20 and a standard deviation of 24.45% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium-risk choice in the materials sector. The ETF has lost about -6.48% year-to-date and is up approximately 2.79% over the last 12 months. Alternatives to FXZ include the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) and the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR), which have lower fees but may not provide the same exposure to the materials sector as FXZ. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification needs when deciding whether to invest in FXZ or its alternatives.