FT Strategic Fixed Income ETF, Series 15
The FT Strategic Fixed Income ETF Portfolio is a unit investment trust which seeks to provide
investors with income and diversification across fixed income asset classes. To accomplish this, the
portfolio invests in a broad range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which are further diversified
among U.S. and foreign fixed income securities.
The portfolio consists of actively-managed fixed income First Trust® ETFs advised by First Trust
Advisors L.P. (FTA), an affiliate of the trust’s sponsor. The ETFs included in the portfolio are actively
managed and have been selected by the First Trust Advisors Model Investment Committee through a
dynamic approach. Asset classes in the portfolio include, but are not limited to, convertible securities,
government bonds, high-yield bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, mortgage-backed
securities, preferred securities, senior loans, and ultra-short maturity bonds. The fixed-income ETFs
selected for the portfolio are based on the following factors:
- A minimum market capitalization of $50,000,000
- At least six months of trading history
- Current valuations
- Underlying fund holdings’ credit ratings
- Fund exposure to different fixed-income asset types
What is an ETF
ETFs offer investors the opportunity to buy and sell an entire basket of securities with a single
transaction throughout the trading day. ETFs combine the characteristics of a mutual fund with
the convenience and trading flexibility of stocks. Below is a list of other ETF features.
Diversification |
ETFs hold a basket of securities which helps to mitigate single security risk. It
is important to note that diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.
Transparency |
ETF holdings are available daily so investors know what they own.
Tax Efficiency |
The ETF structure allows for increased tax efficiency.
Fully Invested |
Unlike a traditional mutual fund, ETFs do not need to hold cash in order to
satisfy investor redemptions which allows them to better adhere to their investment objective.
Portfolio Objective
This unit investment trust seeks a high rate of current monthly income by investing in a diversified
portfolio of fixed income ETFs; however, there is no assurance the objective will be met.
| Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
You should consider the portfolio's investment objectives, risks, and
charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial professional
or call First Trust Portfolios, L.P. at 1.800.621.1675 to request a prospectus,
which contains this and other information about the portfolio. Read it carefully
before you invest.
Risk Considerations
An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made
with an understanding of the risks involved with owning ETFs and fixed income securities.
ETFs are subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the fund’s investment objective,
and to manage the fund’s portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of
market turmoil and as investors’ perceptions regarding ETFs or their underlying investments change. Unlike
open-end funds, which trade at prices based on a current determination of the fund’s net asset value, ETFs
frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market.
Certain of the funds held by the trust invest in derivatives such as swap agreements to gain inverse exposure
to its target index. As such, the funds will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects
to receive from counterparties to derivatives and repurchase agreements entered into by the funds. If a
counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the
value of the trust’s investment in the funds may decline.
Certain of the funds invest in floating-rate securities. A floating-rate security is an instrument in which the
interest rate payable on the obligation fluctuates on a periodic basis based upon changes in an interest
rate benchmark. As a result, the yield on such a security will generally decline in a falling interest rate
environment, causing the trust to experience a reduction in the income it receives from such securities.
Certain of the funds invest in high-yield securities or “junk” bonds. Investing in high-yield securities should be
viewed as speculative and you should review your ability to assume the risks associated with investments
which utilize such securities. High-yield securities are subject to numerous risks, including higher interest
rates, economic recession, deterioration of the junk bond market, possible downgrades and defaults of
interest and/or principal. High-yield security prices tend to fluctuate more than higher rated securities and
are affected by short-term credit developments to a greater degree.
All of the funds invest in investment grade securities. Investment grade securities are subject to numerous
risks including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the investment grade security
market or investors’ perception thereof, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal.
Certain of the funds invest in limited duration bonds. Limited duration bonds are subject to interest rate risk,
which is the risk that the value of a security will fall if interest rates increase. While limited duration bonds
are generally subject to less interest rate sensitivity than longer duration bonds, there can be no assurance
that interest rates will not rise during the life of the trust.
Certain of the funds invest in mortgage-backed securities. Rising interest rates tend to extend the
duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates, and may
reduce the market value of the securities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment
risk, the risk that borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected, particularly when interest
rates decline.
Certain of the funds invest in preferred securities. Preferred securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates
and the market price generally falls with rising interest rates. Preferred securities are more likely to be called
for redemption in a declining interest rate environment. Preferred securities are typically subordinated to
bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income,
and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.
Certain of the funds invest in senior loans. The yield on funds which invest in senior loans will generally
decline in a falling interest rate environment and increase in a rising interest rate environment. Senior loans
are generally below investment grade quality (“junk” bonds). An investment in senior loans involves the risk
that the borrowers may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due.
Certain of the funds invest in covenant-lite loans which contain fewer or no maintenance covenants and
may hinder the funds’ ability to reprice credit risk and mitigate potential loss especially during a downturn
in the credit cycle.
Certain of the funds invest in U.S. Treasury obligations which are subject to numerous risks including higher
interest rates, economic recession and deterioration of the bond market or investors’ perceptions thereof.
Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political risks,
withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting non-
U.S. issuers.
As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the trust has become
more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity.
Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility
within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain investments as well as performance.
The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the potential impacts of any future public health crisis, may cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against future variants of the disease.
It is important to note that an investment can be made in the underlying funds directly rather than through
the trust. These direct investments can be made without paying the trust’s sales charge, operating expenses
and organization costs.
The value of the securities held by the trust may be subject to steep declines or increased volatility due to
changes in performance or perception of the issuers.
This UIT is a buy and hold strategy and investors should consider their ability to hold the trust until maturity. There may be tax consequences unless units are purchased in an IRA or other qualified plan.
For a discussion of additional risks of investing in the trust see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus.