WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust”), an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) provider and asset manager, today announced its position as the leading provider of actively managed ETFs based on assets under management (“AUM”) and number of funds offered as of July 31, 2017. First Trust, well-known for offering a variety of investment services and products since 1991, began offering ETFs in 2005. Building on its substantial index-based product line, which includes 95 ETFs, First Trust has successfully launched 29 actively managed ETFs since 2012.
“In addition to a robust lineup of passively managed ETFs, First Trust has been highly selective in developing a diversified lineup of actively managed ETFs, focusing on categories where we believe active management offers competitive advantages over passive benchmark indices,” said Ryan Issakainen, CFA, Senior Vice President, Exchange-Traded Fund Strategist at First Trust. The actively managed platform spans several asset classes and strategies, including fixed income, equity, alternatives, multi-asset, managed volatility, risk management and currency hedging. “Whether by active management or passive management, our goal is to provide the highest-quality tools for investment advisors,” Issakainen said.
First Trust ETF Highlights as of July 31, 2017:
- 124 U.S. exchange-listed ETFs (29 actively managed)
- $46.9 billion in ETF AUM
- $9.9 billion in actively managed ETF AUM
- 25.67% actively managed ETF AUM market share (Source: Morningstar)
The actively managed funds combine the transparency, tradability and potential efficiency that is inherent in ETFs with the analysis and security selection of an experienced portfolio manager. First Trust has highly experienced specialized management teams and sub-advisors with expertise in niche areas. First Trust believes the flexibility to strategically adjust portfolios as market conditions change, provides the potential to outperform indexes and seek higher risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Because of these key features, First Trust believes actively managed ETFs will increasingly attract investor attention and they are committed to leading the way with creative investment solutions.
For more information about First Trust, please contact Ryan Issakainen at (630) 765-8689 or RIssakainen@FTAdvisors.com.
About First Trust
First Trust Advisors L.P., along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately held companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset management and financial advisory services, with collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $109 billion as of July 31, 2017, through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds, variable annuities and separately managed accounts. First Trust is based in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information, visit http://www.ftportfolios.com.
You should consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact First Trust Portfolios L.P. at 1-800-621-1675 to obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information about a fund. The prospectus or summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
ETF Characteristics
Investors buying or selling fund shares on the secondary market may incur customary brokerage commissions. Investors who sell fund shares may receive less than the share’s net asset value. Shares may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, unlike mutual funds, shares may only be redeemed directly from a fund by authorized participants, in very large creation/redemption units. If a fund's authorized participants are unable to proceed with creation/redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to the fund's net asset value and possibly face delisting.
Risk Considerations
There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including the potential loss of money. Actively managed ETFs do not seek to replicate a specific index and may not achieve its stated investment objective.
There is no assurance that any funds will achieve their investment objectives. Please be aware that each fund is subject to various risks which, depending on the investment objective, may include risks such as concentration, sector, interest rate, momentum investing, fixed-income or equity investing, commodities and futures, and foreign and emerging markets. For a complete description of relative risks for a specific fund please obtain and carefully read the appropriate First Trust prospectus by visiting www.ftportfolios.com or calling at 1-800-621-1675.
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. First Trust has no knowledge of and has not been provided any information regarding any investor. Financial advisors must determine whether particular investments are appropriate for their clients. First Trust believes the financial advisor is a fiduciary, is capable of evaluating investment risks independently and is responsible for exercising independent judgment with respect to its retirement plan clients.
First Trust Advisors L.P. is the adviser to the funds. First Trust Advisors L.P. is an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., the funds’ distributor.
