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

333 ETFs · AUM: $287.02B

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.

333 ETFs found

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Symbol▼	Fund Name▼	Category	Type	AUM▲	Expense Ratio▼	Price▼	YTD▼
FIIG	First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF	Cash & Others	Floating Rate Income Long-Term Bond Corporate Bond Inverse	$637.7M	0.49%	$20.07	-5.33%
QSPT	FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - September	Technology	Buffer Nasdaq 100 Technology	$653.9M	0.90%	$35.85	+13.10%
MISL	First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF	Industrials	Defense Aerospace & Defense	$701.1M	0.60%	$42.59	-0.49%
QDEC	FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - December	Technology	Buffer Nasdaq 100 Technology	$702.4M	0.90%	$36.24	+11.37%
FXR	First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	Industrials	Industrials	$710.5M	0.60%	$85.08	+6.47%
FCG	First Trust Natural Gas ETF	Energy	Natural Gas Oil & Gas	$714.8M	0.59%	$31.83	+35.97%
QJUN	FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - June	Technology	Buffer Nasdaq 100 Technology	$715.1M	0.90%	$33.51	+5.01%
ROBT	First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF	Technology	Artificial Intelligence Technology	$751.9M	0.65%	$57.43	+10.63%
AFLG	First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF	Technology	Momentum Low Volatility Active Large Cap Value VIX	$768.3M	0.55%	$44.72	+14.27%
FXU	First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	Utilities	Utilities	$788.3M	0.61%	$46.45	+3.20%
FEM	First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	Technology	Emerging Markets Technology	$843.3M	0.80%	$33.42	+22.26%
FDD	First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund	Financial Services	Dividend Europe	$939.3M	0.56%	$20.41	+16.69%
FTQI	First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	Technology	Covered Call Income Nasdaq 100 Technology	$966.5M	0.75%	$22.09	+6.15%
FTXR	First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	Industrials	Technology	$1.00B	0.60%	$43.14	+11.23%
FMHI	First Trust Municipal High Income ETF	Cash & Others	Active Income Municipal Bond	$1.03B	0.49%	$46.26	-3.29%
FTXH	First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	Healthcare	Pharma Technology	$1.05B	0.60%	$40.50	+22.85%
BUFZ	FT Vest Laddered Moderate Buffer ETF	Technology	Buffer Large Cap	$1.06B	0.10%	$28.49	+7.39%
FXO	First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Financial Services	$1.11B	0.60%	$64.87	+7.54%
EIPI	FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF	Energy	Income	$1.11B	1.11%	$22.70	+14.14%
FXH	First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	Healthcare	Healthcare	$1.14B	0.61%	$129.78	+13.92%
FMAR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.18B	0.85%	$53.39	+12.69%
FOCT	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.19B	0.85%	$53.74	+9.77%
FTXL	First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	Technology	Semiconductors Technology	$1.25B	0.60%	$234.47	+81.03%
FNOV	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - November	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.25B	0.85%	$59.98	+9.36%
FSEP	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.26B	0.85%	$56.84	+10.28%
FTGS	First Trust Growth Strength ETF	Technology	Real Estate Growth	$1.28B	0.60%	$38.10	+7.69%
FJUL	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - July	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.29B	0.85%	$61.17	+9.36%
FDEC	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - December	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.31B	0.85%	$55.74	+8.98%
FAUG	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.32B	0.85%	$57.66	+8.84%
FAPR	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.32B	0.85%	$47.72	+7.47%
FTC	First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	Technology	Large Cap Growth Technology	$1.32B	0.58%	$175.74	+10.02%
FNX	First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Mid Cap Technology	$1.37B	0.62%	$142.04	+12.82%
FDT	First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	Industrials	International Technology	$1.37B	0.80%	$97.42	+22.59%
FYX	First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Small Cap Technology	$1.39B	0.58%	$139.73	+23.39%
FTA	First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	Financial Services	Large Cap Value Technology	$1.40B	0.58%	$101.19	+17.47%
FYC	First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	Healthcare	Small Cap Growth Technology	$1.41B	0.70%	$117.05	+21.57%
FJUN	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - June	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.42B	0.85%	$61.17	+7.17%
FFEB	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - February	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.43B	0.85%	$62.40	+10.31%
FMAY	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - May	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.46B	0.85%	$57.31	+7.24%
FJAN	FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January	Technology	Buffer S&P 500	$1.47B	0.85%	$56.48	+9.16%
FPX	First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF	Technology	Diversified	$1.49B	0.57%	$180.85	+10.34%
FSIG	First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF	Cash & Others	Floating Rate Income Corporate Bond Inverse	$1.53B	0.44%	$18.61	-3.02%
FEX	First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	Technology	Large Cap Technology	$1.57B	0.57%	$136.28	+14.92%
BUFQ	FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	Technology	Buffer Nasdaq 100 Large Cap Technology	$1.62B	0.10%	$39.83	+11.05%
HYLS	First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF	Cash & Others	Active Income Corporate Bond High Yield Bond	$1.63B	0.69%	$40.21	-3.94%
FCBRF	First Trust Global Funds PLC - First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity UCITS ETF	—	Cybersecurity Technology	$1.63B	0.60%	—	—
FGD	First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	Financial Services	Dividend	$1.65B	0.55%	$35.47	+17.24%
FIW	First Trust Water ETF	Industrials	Water ESG	$1.77B	0.50%	$105.64	-2.84%
QQEW	First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF	Technology	Equal Weight Nasdaq 100 Technology	$1.84B	0.55%	$157.51	+10.67%
ACYN	FT Vest Laddered Autocallable Barrier & Income ETF	—	—	$1.93B	0.75%	$20.70	—

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First Trust ETFs

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