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

367 ETFs · AUM: $291.79B

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.

367 ETFs found

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Symbol▼	Fund Name▼	Category	Type	AUM▲	Expense Ratio▼	Price▼	YTD▼
XJUN	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - June	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$139.0M	0.85%	$45.61	+6.31%
FTHF	First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	Technology	Emerging Markets	$141.6M	0.75%	$46.30	+40.81%
YJUN	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - June	Financial Services	Buffer International	$147.1M	0.90%	$26.96	+5.13%
AFDM	First Trust Active Factor International ETF	Financial Services	—	$148.0M	0.80%	$89.56	—
QMMY	FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - May	Technology	—	$153.3M	0.90%	$26.86	+7.20%
FAB	First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Value Technology	$156.8M	0.66%	$103.57	+16.30%
LDSF	First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	Healthcare	Income	$159.1M	0.10%	$18.45	-3.71%
XMAR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$159.6M	0.85%	$43.82	+9.68%
YMAR	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – March	Financial Services	Buffer International	$160.3M	0.90%	$29.09	+7.79%
BUFT	FT Vest Buffered Allocation Defensive ETF	Technology	Multi-Asset Buffer S&P 500	$162.8M	0.20%	$26.53	+7.74%
YDEC	FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	Financial Services	Buffer International	$164.7M	0.90%	$27.93	+6.72%
FID	First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	Financial Services	Multi-Asset Dividend Income International	$166.3M	0.60%	$22.62	+10.05%
RFDI	First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	Financial Services	Active Real Estate International	$166.6M	0.80%	$91.77	—
FYT	First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Small Cap Value Technology	$168.2M	0.70%	$68.41	+20.73%
FFLX	FIRST TRUST FLEXIBLE INCOME ETF	—	—	$168.8M	0.75%	$9.39	—
BUFY	FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF	—	—	$172.2M	0.10%	$23.80	+7.06%
FTXR	First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	Industrials	Technology	$172.4M	0.60%	$41.29	+6.60%
FRI	First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund	Real Estate	Real Estate	$182.8M	0.51%	$29.87	+9.37%
FAN	First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF	Utilities	Clean Energy ESG	$189.3M	0.61%	$22.04	+7.74%
BUFS	FT Vest Laddered Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF	—	Buffer Small Cap	$193.6M	0.10%	$24.68	+8.01%
FICS	First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate International	$198.0M	0.70%	$41.47	+3.49%
XDEC	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - December	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$208.9M	0.85%	$44.09	+7.67%
FCAL	First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF	—	Income Long-Term Bond Municipal Bond	$209.6M	0.49%	$46.78	-5.05%
IFV	First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	Industrials	International	$211.2M	0.30%	$24.11	-2.77%
LQTI	FT Vest Investment Grade & Target Income ETF	Cash & Others	Income Treasury Corporate Bond	$211.2M	0.65%	$18.11	-9.94%
FXG	First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund	Consumer Defensive	Consumer Defensive	$211.5M	0.63%	$61.40	+1.19%
FPXI	First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF	Technology	International	$222.4M	0.70%	$64.36	+8.89%
FEMS	First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	Industrials	Small Cap Emerging Markets Technology	$224.9M	0.80%	$44.55	+5.83%
FNK	First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Mid Cap Value Technology	$226.3M	0.74%	$62.01	+11.47%
AFMC	First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	Technology	Momentum Low Volatility Active Mid Cap Value VIX	$236.2M	0.68%	$40.77	+18.21%
FTXO	First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF	Financial Services	Technology	$238.3M	0.60%	$39.16	+3.69%
FAAR	First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF	Financial Services	Active Long-Term Bond	$246.9M	0.98%	$32.57	+20.27%
FXD	First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund	Consumer Cyclical	Consumer Cyclical	$250.6M	0.60%	$66.82	-2.68%
FAI	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II - First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF	—	—	$255.4M	0.65%	$55.19	+34.31%
GOCT	FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$255.4M	0.85%	$43.20	+9.97%
FDM	First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	Financial Services	Financial Services	$259.9M	0.65%	$89.26	+12.35%
FUMB	First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF	Cash & Others	Income Municipal Bond Inverse	$266.6M	0.29%	$19.98	-0.35%
FJP	First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund	Industrials	Japan Technology	$278.9M	0.80%	$74.91	+11.47%
FMF	First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund	—	Active Income	$296.4M	0.98%	$51.81	+10.29%
GAPR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$296.4M	0.85%	$42.83	+7.22%
GNOV	FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - November	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$299.4M	0.85%	$43.15	+8.74%
EDOW	First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	Technology	Equal Weight	$318.0M	0.50%	$46.42	+12.73%
DAPR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$329.4M	0.85%	$42.03	+6.83%
BUFG	FT Vest Buffered Allocation Growth ETF	Technology	Multi-Asset Buffer S&P 500 Growth	$335.3M	0.20%	$30.16	+9.68%
ILDR	First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	Technology	Technology	$349.6M	0.75%	$38.31	+15.67%
GSEP	FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$363.2M	0.85%	$42.41	+9.60%
FXZ	First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	Basic Materials	Basic Materials	$365.5M	0.64%	$77.02	+18.79%
DJUN	FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - June	—	Buffer S&P 500	$367.7M	0.85%	$50.56	+6.71%
GFEB	FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - February	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$373.4M	0.85%	$45.29	+9.16%
FXN	First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund	Energy	Energy	$381.4M	0.63%	$24.28	+47.36%

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First Trust ETFs

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