What is smart beta and how do First Trust ETFs use it?

Smart beta ETFs use alternative weighting or selection methodologies instead of traditional market-cap weighting to target specific investment factors or outcomes. First Trust's smart beta ETFs may weight stocks by fundamentals like revenue or dividends, screen for quality metrics, or use multi-factor scoring systems. The goal is to capture specific return drivers or reduce concentrated risk while maintaining the transparency and liquidity benefits of the ETF structure.

Are First Trust ETFs more expensive than index ETFs?

First Trust ETFs generally have higher expense ratios than basic market-cap-weighted index ETFs because their strategies involve more complex screening, weighting, and rebalancing. However, they are typically cheaper than traditional actively managed funds. Investors should evaluate whether the specific strategy and potential for differentiated returns justify the incremental cost compared to simpler, cheaper index alternatives.

What types of investors use First Trust ETFs?

First Trust ETFs appeal to investors and financial advisors seeking more targeted exposure than basic index funds provide. They are popular with advisors building customized portfolios who want specific factor tilts, thematic exposure, or alternative weighting methodologies. Income-focused investors also use First Trust's dividend and covered call ETFs. The firm's products tend to attract investors who are comfortable paying somewhat higher fees for a more refined investment approach.

First Trust ETFs

284 ETFs · AUM: $241.06B

First Trust Advisors is known for its smart beta and thematic ETF strategies that go beyond traditional market-cap-weighted indexing. The firm offers a wide range of ETFs built on proprietary index methodologies designed to capture specific investment factors, themes, or market segments. First Trust's approach often incorporates fundamental screening, sector rotation, or unique weighting schemes to differentiate its products from plain-vanilla index funds, appealing to investors who want more targeted or actively designed exposure.

Among First Trust's most popular ETFs, FDN focuses on internet commerce and services companies, providing concentrated exposure to digital economy leaders. FTEC offers broad technology sector exposure at a competitive expense ratio. FV uses a multi-factor approach to select U.S. large-cap value stocks, combining value screening with quality and momentum factors. First Trust's lineup also includes a substantial range of fixed income, dividend, and sector-specific ETFs that use active or enhanced index strategies.

284 ETFs found

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Symbol▼	Fund Name▼	Category	Type	AUM▲	Expense Ratio▼	Price▼	YTD▼
DHDG	FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly 2.5 to 15 Buffer ETF	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$71.4M	0.85%	$33.96	+0.07%
HUSV	First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF	Industrials	Active VIX	$72.5M	0.70%	$39.39	+1.13%
FCEF	First Trust Income Opportunities ETF	Financial Services	Income Value Inverse	$72.6M	3.69%	$22.68	-0.96%
FHDG	FT Vest U.S. Equity Quarterly Dynamic Buffer ETF	—	Buffer S&P 500	$74.8M	0.85%	$33.94	+0.33%
XOCT	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$74.9M	0.85%	$37.35	-0.71%
FNI	First Trust Chindia ETF	Consumer Cyclical	Large Cap China India	$76.3M	0.59%	—	—
AFSM	First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	Healthcare	Momentum Low Volatility Active Small Cap Value VIX	$81.1M	0.75%	$32.20	-1.27%
MMLG	First Trust Multi-Manager Large Growth ETF	Technology	Large Cap Growth Long-Term Bond	$81.1M	0.85%	$32.10	-8.43%
SMAY	FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May	Healthcare	Buffer Small Cap	$84.3M	0.90%	$26.00	+0.28%
FTHF	First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	Technology	Emerging Markets	$86.6M	0.75%	$36.44	+12.69%
HISF	First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	Utilities	Income	$87.0M	0.83%	$44.49	-1.37%
DEED	First Trust Securitized Plus ETF	—	Mortgage Long-Term Bond	$91.5M	0.66%	$21.53	-0.09%
CRPT	First Trust SkyBridge Crypto Industry and Digital Economy ETF	Financial Services	Bitcoin Cryptocurrency	$97.1M	0.85%	$13.26	-14.67%
YMAR	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – March	Financial Services	Buffer International	$98.9M	0.90%	$27.30	+1.42%
XSEP	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$98.9M	0.85%	$42.03	-0.61%
FVC	First Trust Dorsey Wright Dynamic Focus 5 ETF	Technology	Diversified	$99.1M	0.87%	$35.04	-3.69%
MGOV	First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	—	Mortgage Floating Rate Treasury Long-Term Bond	$104.0M	0.50%	$20.42	-0.12%
MARM	FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$104.1M	0.85%	$33.29	+0.68%
FCVT	First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF	Cash & Others	Convertible Active	$108.5M	0.95%	$44.49	+3.11%
DALI	First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI Equity ETF	Industrials	Technology	$109.9M	0.90%	$27.90	-2.10%
SNOV	FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November	Healthcare	Buffer Small Cap	$110.6M	0.90%	$24.67	-0.06%
FKU	First Trust United Kingdom AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Technology	$112.9M	0.80%	$51.10	+1.16%
FCA	First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	Basic Materials	China Technology	$118.1M	0.80%	$32.96	+17.62%
FGM	First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund	Industrials	Technology	$119.2M	0.80%	$59.09	-2.60%
YSEP	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September	Financial Services	Buffer International	$121.6M	0.90%	$26.09	+0.79%
LEGR	First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF	Financial Services	Cryptocurrency Technology	$122.5M	0.65%	$57.64	-2.62%
BUFS	FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF	—	Buffer Small Cap	$128.2M	1.01%	$22.88	+0.39%
FAB	First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Value Technology	$131.7M	0.66%	$93.25	+4.49%
AFMC	First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	Technology	Momentum Low Volatility Active Mid Cap Value VIX	$132.5M	0.68%	$35.17	+2.55%
XJUN	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - June	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$136.6M	0.85%	$42.98	+0.19%
FTRI	First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF	Basic Materials	Income	$138.1M	0.70%	$17.95	+16.89%
YJUN	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - June	Financial Services	Buffer International	$139.1M	0.90%	$25.69	+0.57%
BUFT	FT Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF	Technology	Multi-Asset Buffer S&P 500	$140.1M	1.21%	$24.80	+0.77%
YDEC	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	Financial Services	Buffer International	$143.2M	0.90%	$26.19	+0.46%
FEUZ	First Trust Eurozone AlphaDEX ETF	Industrials	Europe Technology	$145.1M	0.80%	$60.88	+1.03%
RFDI	First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	Financial Services	Active Real Estate International	$147.7M	0.83%	$81.39	+2.02%
FTXN	First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF	Energy	Oil Oil & Gas Technology	$152.7M	0.60%	$36.14	+28.80%
FID	First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	Financial Services	Multi-Asset Dividend Income International	$152.9M	0.60%	$20.85	+1.56%
FYT	First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Small Cap Value Technology	$153.1M	0.70%	$60.09	+6.10%
NFTY	First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	Financial Services	Equal Weight India	$157.6M	0.81%	$52.88	-8.85%
XMAR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$159.3M	0.85%	$40.39	+0.99%
LDSF	First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	Healthcare	Income	$159.5M	0.77%	$18.98	-0.90%
FPXI	First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF	Basic Materials	International	$161.4M	0.70%	$61.80	+6.43%
FRI	First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund	Real Estate	Real Estate	$162.6M	0.49%	$29.19	+7.21%
XDEC	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - December	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$166.4M	0.85%	$40.43	-0.89%
FAAR	First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	Financial Services	Active Long-Term Bond	$170.1M	0.97%	$33.51	+24.94%
QQXT	First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund	Industrials	Nasdaq 100 Technology	$187.4M	0.61%	$98.72	-0.77%
FNK	First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Mid Cap Value Technology	$203.2M	0.74%	$56.45	+1.34%
FCAL	First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF	—	Income Long-Term Bond Municipal Bond	$207.4M	0.49%	$49.47	-0.20%
FICS	First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate International	$217.9M	0.70%	$39.22	-1.27%

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First Trust ETFs

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