485BXT 1 adex_style485bxt.txt POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2016 ================================================================================ 1933 Act Registration No. 333-140895 1940 Act Registration No. 811-22019 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ] Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ [ ] Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 [X] and/or REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ] Amendment No. 33 [X] FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED ALPHADEX(R) FUND (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (800) 621-1675 W. Scott Jardine, Esq., Secretary First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) Copy to: Eric F. Fess, Esq. Chapman and Cutler LLP 111 West Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): [ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) [X] on April 7, 2016 pursuant to paragraph (b) [ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) [ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box: [X] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 30 This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement comprises the following papers and contents: The Facing Sheet The sole purpose of this filing is to delay the effectiveness of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, as it relates to First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX(R) Fund, First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX(R) Fund and First Trust Mega Cap AlphaDEX(R) Fund (the "Funds"), each a series of the Registrant, until April 7, 2016. Parts A, B and C of the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 under the Securities Act of 1933 as it relates to the Funds, filed on April 4, 2016, are incorporated by reference herein. Signatures SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Wheaton, and State of Illinois, on the 5th day of April, 2016. FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED ALPHADEX(R) FUND By: /s/ James M. Dykas --------------------------------- James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: SIGNATURE TITLE DATE President and Chief April 5, 2016 /s/ James M. Dykas Executive Officer ---------------------------- James M. Dykas Treasurer, Chief Financial April 5, 2016 Officer and /s/ Donald P. Swade Chief Accounting Officer ---------------------------- Donald P. Swade ) James A. Bowen* Trustee ) ) ) Richard E. Erickson* Trustee ) ) BY: /s/ W. Scott Jardine ) ----------------------- Thomas R. Kadlec* Trustee ) W. Scott Jardine ) Attorney-In-Fact ) April 5, 2016 Robert F. Keith* Trustee ) ) ) Niel B. Nielson * Trustee ) ) * Original powers of attorney authorizing W. Scott Jardine, James M. Dykas, Eric F. Fess and Kristi A. Maher to execute Registrant's Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for each of the trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, were previously executed, filed as an exhibit and are incorporated by reference herein.