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

Page 6 of 8

Symbol▼	Fund Name▼	Category	Type	AUM▼	Expense Ratio▼	Price▼	YTD▼
CAAA	First Trust AAA CMBS ETF	—	Mortgage Long-Term Bond	$34.6M	0.30%	$19.73	-3.73%
RSSE	FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September	—	Buffer Equal Weight S&P 500	$32.8M	0.85%	$23.80	+11.42%
RNLC	First Trust Large Cap US Equity Select ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate Dividend Large Cap	$32.7M	0.60%	$36.26	—
XISE	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - September	Technology	Covered Call Buffer Income	$32.6M	0.85%	$30.38	-0.07%
FPWR	First Trust EIP Power Solutions ETF	Utilities	Dividend Income	$32.2M	0.96%	$36.26	+9.54%
RSDE	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	—	—	$32.1M	0.85%	$24.02	+10.36%
OCTM	FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - October	—	—	$31.7M	0.85%	$34.42	+5.31%
FTXD	First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF	Consumer Cyclical	Infrastructure Technology	$30.8M	0.60%	$33.16	—
FDNI	First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF	Consumer Cyclical	Internet International	$30.4M	0.65%	$25.92	-23.31%
FCA	First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	China Technology	$29.0M	0.80%	$23.91	-14.99%
FSGS	First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF	Technology	Growth	$28.9M	0.60%	$33.04	+8.61%
FMTL	First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF	—	—	$28.7M	0.65%	$33.36	+14.36%
RCTR	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II - First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	—	—	$28.2M	0.70%	$31.49	-2.89%
RNSC	First Trust Small Cap US Equity Select ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate Dividend Small Cap	$27.1M	0.60%	$32.31	—
NOVM	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - November	—	—	$26.6M	0.85%	$34.38	+4.64%
FTBI	First Trust Balanced Income ETF	—	Multi-Asset Income	$26.5M	0.25%	$21.28	-0.29%
XNOV	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - November	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$26.4M	0.85%	$40.61	+7.26%
RNDV	First Trust US Equity Dividend Select ETF	Technology	Real Estate Dividend	$26.0M	0.50%	$27.17	—
XAUG	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - August	—	—	$25.9M	0.85%	$39.94	+6.66%
XIMR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March	Technology	—	$25.8M	0.85%	$31.33	+0.45%
FTKI	First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF	Technology	Covered Call Income Small Cap	$25.2M	0.86%	$19.50	+3.40%
FMNY	First Trust New York Municipal High Income ETF	Cash & Others	Income Long-Term Bond Municipal Bond	$25.0M	0.49%	$25.13	-5.75%
DQSE	FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Dual Directional Buffer ETF - September	—	—	$24.5M	0.90%	$30.55	—
FFR	First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Markets Real Estate Index Fund	Real Estate	Real Estate Europe	$24.0M	0.60%	$1.11	—
XIDE	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December	Technology	Covered Call Buffer Income	$22.7M	0.85%	$30.34	+0.58%
APXM	FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer	—	—	$21.7M	0.85%	$32.22	+3.96%
FMK	First Trust Mega Cap AlphaDEX Fund	Technology	Large Cap Technology	$21.1M	0.70%	—	—
DFII	FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF	—	Bitcoin Income	$20.7M	0.85%	$14.15	-20.27%
DLNV	FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - November	—	Buffer S&P 500 Value Inverse	$20.4M	0.85%	$33.99	+9.16%
UXOC	FT Vest U.S. Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - October	—	—	$20.2M	0.85%	$40.54	+13.89%
MFLX	First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	Cash & Others	Income Municipal Bond	$20.1M	0.49%	$16.12	-5.18%
MARB	First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	Cash & Others	Inverse	$19.9M	1.69%	$21.09	—
RNDM	First Trust Developed International Equity Select ETF	Cash & Others	Low Volatility Real Estate International VIX	$19.5M	0.65%	$50.35	—
XMAY	FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - May	Technology	—	$19.5M	0.85%	$37.02	+6.50%
ECLN	First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	Utilities	Dividend Income	$19.4M	0.96%	$32.31	—
BUFX	FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	—	—	$19.3M	0.10%	$22.74	+7.37%
DLAG	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - August	—	—	$18.6M	0.85%	$33.95	+8.61%
TUSA	First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate Dividend	$17.9M	0.70%	$46.12	—
RNEM	First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	Financial Services	Emerging Markets Technology	$17.0M	0.75%	$56.72	+2.59%
MCEF	First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	Financial Services	Income Municipal Bond	$17.0M	0.66%	$17.29	—
TSEP	FT Vest Emerging Market Buffer	—	—	$17.0M	0.95%	$26.06	+9.31%
FTXG	First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF	Consumer Defensive	Technology	$16.6M	0.60%	$22.48	+7.33%
DQJN	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Dual Directional Buffer ETF - June	—	—	$16.5M	0.90%	$29.86	—
SHRY	First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF	Technology	Financial Services	$16.3M	0.60%	$47.52	+13.28%
RNMC	First Trust Mid Cap US Equity Select ETF	Financial Services	Real Estate Dividend Mid Cap	$16.3M	0.60%	$31.68	—
TDEC	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December	—	—	$16.3M	0.95%	$26.95	+11.88%
TMAR	First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March	—	—	$15.7M	0.95%	$26.14	+13.96%
FONE	First Trust IndXX NextG ETG	Technology	5G Technology	$15.3M	0.70%	—	—
NTRL	First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF	Cash & Others	Cash & Others	$14.7M	0.95%	$21.12	—
HDMV	First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed International ETF	Financial Services	Active International VIX	$14.5M	0.80%	$37.05	+4.66%

PreviousPage 6 of 8Next

First Trust ETFs

Frequently Asked Questions