Strategic Income Select Closed-End Portfolio, Series 81
The Multi-Sector Approach
The Strategic Income Select Closed-End Portfolio seeks a high rate of current monthly income and to
reduce some of the volatility typically associated with high-income investments. To accomplish this, the
portfolio is diversified across a broad range of closed-end funds. Because different sectors follow
different cycles and react differently to changes in global economies and interest rates, spreading assets
across a spectrum of closed-end funds has the potential to reduce the overall risk of the portfolio.
When selecting closed-end funds for this portfolio, we look at several factors including:
Discount | We favor funds which are trading at a discount to net asset value and we favor those
which are trading at a greater discount relative to their peers.
Consistent Dividend | We favor funds which have a history of paying a consistent dividend.
Expense Ratio | We favor funds which have a lower than average expense ratio relative to
their peers.
Diversification | We limit exposure to individual fund companies/managers.
Liquidity | We favor larger funds and more liquid funds.
Closed-End Features
Portfolio Control
Unlike open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds maintain a relatively
fixed pool of investment capital. This allows portfolio managers to better adhere to their investment
philosophies through greater flexibility and control. In addition, closed-end funds don’t have to manage
fund liquidity to meet potentially large redemptions.
Diversification
The portfolio offers investors diversification by investing in a broad range of
closed-end funds that are further diversified across hundreds of individual securities. Diversification does
not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.
Income Distributions
Closed-end funds are structured to generally provide a more
stable income stream than other managed investment products because they are not subjected to cash
inflows and outflows, which can dilute dividends over time. However, stable income cannot be assured.
Portfolio Objectives
This unit investment trust seeks a high rate of current monthly income, with capital
appreciation as a secondary objective. There is, however, no assurance that the
objectives of the portfolio will be achieved.
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 associated with an investment in a portfolio of
closed-end funds.
Closed-end funds 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 the funds 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, closed-end
funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. Certain
closed-end funds in which the portfolio invests employ the use of leverage, which increases the
volatility of such funds.
Common stocks are subject to certain risks, such as an economic recession and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the stock market.
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.
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.
Options are subject to various risks including that their value may be adversely affected if the market for the option becomes less liquid or smaller. In addition, options will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of
the stock subject to the option, an increase in interest rates, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the common stock and the remaining time to expiration.
The yield on closed-end 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.
Covenant-lite loans contain fewer or no maintenance
covenants and may hinder a funds’ ability to reprice credit risk and mitigate potential loss especially during
a downturn in the credit cycle.
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.
A public health crisis, and the ensuing policies enacted by governments and central banks in response,
could cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets, negatively impacting global
growth prospects.
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
organizational 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.