First Trust Announces Approval of Liquidation of the First Trust TCW Emerging Markets Debt ETF

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust Advisors L.P. (“FTA”) announced today approval of the liquidation of First Trust TCW Emerging Markets Debt ETF (NYSE Arca: EFIX), a series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (the “Fund”).

Based upon the recommendation of FTA, the investment advisor of the Fund, the Board of Trustees of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII determined that it was in the best interests of the Fund to liquidate the Fund. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees approved the liquidation of the Fund pursuant to a plan of liquidation and termination.

Shareholders may sell their holdings in the Fund prior to the end of the trading day on April 8, 2025. Customary brokerage charges may apply to these transactions. The last day the Fund will accept creation and redemption orders is April 8, 2025, and the Fund’s shares will subsequently be de-listed. The Fund will liquidate on or around April 15, 2025. Any person holding shares in the Fund as of the applicable liquidation date will receive a cash redemption amount equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Fund has discharged and/or made reasonable provisions for the payment of all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss on any redemption.

To prepare for the termination and liquidation of the Fund, the Fund’s portfolio managers may increase the Fund’s assets held in cash and similar instruments. As a result, the Fund may deviate from its stated investment strategies and policies and may no longer be managed to meet its investment objective prior to the cessation of trading in Fund shares on NYSE Arca on April 8, 2025. Under such circumstances, the Fund is not expected be able to achieve its investment objective.

FTA is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the Fund’s investment advisor. FTA and its affiliate, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately-held companies that provide a variety of investment services. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $266 billion as of January 31, 2025 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and SMAs. FTA is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. FTA and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois.

The Fund’s daily closing price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com.