FT Top Themes ETF Model Portfolio, 3rd Qtr 2022

Thematic investing focuses on long-term growth opportunities that often transcend traditional market sector classifications. The FT Top Themes ETF Model Portfolio seeks to achieve capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of thematic equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) advised by First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of the trust’s sponsor. The ETFs included in the portfolio have been selected by the First Trust Advisors Model Investment Committee through a dynamic approach.

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 capital appreciation; however, there is no assurance the objective will be met.

Portfolio Selection Process

The portfolio consists of top thematic ideas as determined by the First Trust Advisors Model Investment Committee. These selections seek to diversify risks across multiple themes.

Identify the Universe | We begin with a universe of approximately 20 First Trust Thematic ETFs focused on longer term growth opportunities.

Resulting Portfolio | Typically 5-10 ETFs, with a maximum allocation of 20% to a single ETF and maximum 50% weight in a single sector.

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 which invest in common stocks.

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.

Common stocks are subject to 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.

Companies with exposure to emerging technologies may be exposed to risks that may not fully emerge until the technology is more widely used. Companies that initially develop or adopt a novel technology may not be able to capitalize on it and there is no assurance that a company will derive any significant revenue from it in the future. An emerging technology may constitute a small portion of a company’s overall business and the success of a technology may not significantly affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company. In addition, a company’s stock price may be overvalued by market participants that value the company’s securities based upon expectations of a technology that are never realized.

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. Risks associated with investing in non-U.S. securities may be more pronounced in emerging markets where the securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid, less regulated, and more volatile than the U.S. and developed non-U.S. markets.

Approximately one year after the United Kingdom officially departed the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”), the United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement that became effective on December 31, 2020. It is not currently possible to determine the extent of the impact the Brexit trade agreement may have on the portfolio’s investments and this certainly could negatively impact current and future economic conditions in the United Kingdom and other countries, which could negatively impact the value of the portfolio’s investments.

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.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine which has caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, 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 COVID-19 global pandemic has caused and may continue to cause significant volatility and declines in global financial markets. While the U.S. has resumed “reasonably” normal business activity, many countries continue to impose lockdown measures. Additionally, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against emerging 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 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.

Although this portfolio terminates in approximately 15 months, the strategy is long-term. Investors should consider their ability to pursue investing in successive portfolios, if available. 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.