As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2008
1933 Act Registration No. 333-143964
1940 Act Registration No. 811-21944
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ]
Amendment No. 10 [X]
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (630) 241-4141
W. Scott Jardine, Esq., Secretary
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
First Trust Advisors L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Eric F. Fess, Esq.
Chapman and Cutler LLP
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
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It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 7
This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement comprises
the following papers and contents:
The Facing Sheet
Part A - Prospectus for First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund
Part B - Statement of Additional Information for First Trust ISE Global
Wind Energy Index Fund
Part C - Other Information
Signatures
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 6, 2008
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
FIRST TRUST
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
FIRST TRUST ISE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY
INDEX FUND
_____________, 2008
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
Front Cover
[BLANK PAGE]
First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy
Index Fund
PROSPECTUS
_________, 2008
First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund (the "Fund") is a series of a
registered management investment company that is offering its shares (the
"Shares") through this Prospectus.
The Fund has applied to list and trade its Shares on NYSE Arca, Inc.
("NYSE Arca") under the ticker symbol "FAN," at market prices that may differ
to some degree from the net asset value ("NAV") of the Shares. Unlike
conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous
basis, at NAV, only in large specified blocks consisting of 100,000 Shares
called a "Creation Unit." The Fund's Creation Units are issued and redeemed
for securities, cash or both securities and cash.
EXCEPT WHEN AGGREGATED IN CREATION UNITS, THE SHARES ARE NOT REDEEMABLE
SECURITIES OF THE FUND.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
NOT FDIC INSURED. MAY LOSE VALUE.
NO BANK GUARANTEE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction--First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund................. 3
Who Should Invest in the Fund............................................... 3
Investment Objective, Strategies and Risks.................................. 3
Additional Investment Strategies............................................ 9
Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund................................... 11
Fund Organization........................................................... 12
Management of the Fund...................................................... 12
How to Buy and Sell Shares.................................................. 13
Creations, Redemptions and Transaction Fees................................. 15
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.......................................... 17
Federal Tax Matters......................................................... 18
Distribution Plan........................................................... 20
Net Asset Value............................................................. 21
Fund Service Providers...................................................... 22
Intra-Day Portfolio Calculator.............................................. 22
Index Provider.............................................................. 22
Disclaimers................................................................. 22
Additional Index Information................................................ 23
Other Information........................................................... 24
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INTRODUCTION--
FIRST TRUST ISE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY INDEX FUND
The Fund is a series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II (the "Trust"),
an investment company and an exchange-traded "index fund." The Fund seeks
investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before
the Fund's fees and expenses) of the ISE Global Wind Energy Index (the
"Index") (Symbol: GWE). First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust") is the
investment adviser for the Fund.
WHO SHOULD INVEST IN THE FUND
The Fund is designed for investors who seek a relatively low-cost approach for
investing in a portfolio of equity securities of companies in the Index. The
Fund may be suitable for long-term investment in the market represented by the
Index and may also be used as an asset allocation tool or as a speculative
trading instrument.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and
yield (before the Fund's fees and expenses) of an equity index called the ISE
Global Wind Energy Index.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its assets in common stocks that
comprise the Index or in depositary receipts that may include American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), New York shares or global shares (collectively
"Depositary Receipts") representing securities in the Index. The Fund may
invest the remainder of its assets in securities not included in the Index,
but which First Trust believes will help the Fund track its Index. First Trust
will seek to match the performance of the Index (before the Fund's fees and
expenses). The investment objective and the 90% investment strategy are
non-fundamental policies of the Fund and require 60 days' prior written notice
to shareholders before they can be changed. The Board of Trustees of the Trust
may change non-fundamental policies without receiving shareholder approval.
The Fund, using an "indexing" investment approach, attempts to replicate,
before fees and expenses, the performance of the Index. First Trust seeks a
correlation over extended periods of 0.95 or better (before fees and expenses)
between the Fund's performance and the performance of the Index; a figure of
1.00 would represent perfect correlation. First Trust will regularly monitor
the Fund's tracking accuracy and will use the investment techniques described
below in seeking to maintain an appropriate correlation.
In seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective, the Fund generally will
invest in all of the securities (including applicable Depositary Receipts)
comprising the Index in proportion to their weightings in the Index. However,
under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase
all of those securities in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Fund
may purchase a sample of securities in the Index (or applicable Depositary
Receipts). There may also be instances in which First Trust may choose to
3
overweight certain securities, purchase securities not in the Index which
First Trust believes are appropriate to substitute for certain securities in
the Index, use futures or other derivative instruments, or utilize various
combinations of the above techniques in seeking to track the Index. The Fund
may sell securities (or applicable Depositary Receipts) in anticipation of
their removal from the Index or purchase securities (or applicable Depositary
Receipts) not represented in the Index in anticipation of their addition to
the Index.
INDEX INFORMATION
The Index is developed and owned by the International Securities Exchange, LLC
("ISE" or "Index Provider"), in consultation with Standard & Poor's, a
Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which calculates and maintains
the Index. The Index provides a benchmark for investors interested in tracking
public companies throughout the world that are active in the wind energy
industry based on analysis of the products and services offered by those
companies. The inception date of the Index was June 6, 2008, on which date,
there were 53 stocks that comprised the Index.
This Index is constructed in the following manner:
1. Companies in the Index universe that are identified as providing
goods and services exclusively to the wind energy industry are given
an aggregate weight of 66.67% of the portfolio. Those companies
determined to be significant participants in the wind energy industry
despite not being exclusive to such industry are given an aggregate
weight of 33.33%. This weighting is done to ensure that companies
that are exclusive to the wind energy industry, which generally have
smaller market capitalizations relative to their multi-industry
counterparts, are adequately represented in the Index.
2. The Index uses a quintile-based modified capitalization weighted
methodology for each group of companies. The methodology sets the
weight of each quintile to a multiple of the weight of the lowest
quintile, based on its market capitalization. The resulting linear
weight distribution prevents a few large component stocks from
dominating the Index while allowing smaller companies to adequately
influence Index performance. Index components are reviewed
semi-annually for eligibility, and the weights are re-set according
to that distribution.
The Index has a base date of December 16, 2005 and a base value of 100.
See "Additional Index Information" for additional information regarding the
Index.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk is inherent in all investing. The Shares of the Fund will change in
value, and loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund may not
achieve its objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank
and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
or any other government agency. An investment in the Fund involves risks
similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an
exchange. The following specific risk factors have been identified as the
principal risks of investing in the Fund.
MARKET RISK. One of the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market
risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular security owned by the Fund,
the Shares of the Fund or securities in general may fall in value. Shares are
subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic, political,
regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived
trends in securities prices. Overall securities values could decline generally
or could underperform other investments.
4
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COMPANIES RISK. Companies in the alternative and
transitional energy business can be significantly affected by obsolescence of
existing technology, short product cycles, falling prices and profits,
competition from new market entrants and general economic conditions. This can
be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and
demand of alternative energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of
exploration projects and tax and other government regulations. Alternative and
transitional energy companies could be adversely affected by commodity price
volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls,
increased competition, depletion of resources, technological developments and
labor relations.
Shares in the companies involved in the alternative and transitional energy
business have been significantly more volatile than shares of companies
operating in other more established businesses. Certain valuation methods
currently used to value companies involved in the alternative and transitional
energy business, particularly those companies that have not yet traded
profitably, have not been in widespread use for a significant period of time.
As a result, the use of these valuation methods may serve to further increase
the volatility of certain alternative and transitional energy company share
prices. This sector is relatively nascent and under-researched in comparison
to more established and mature sectors, and should therefore be regarded as
having greater investment risk. Because many alternative energy companies have
been newly created and are unseasoned, the shares of these companies may be
considered to be speculative and subject to extreme volatility and a greatly
increased risk of loss.
Changes in U.S., European and other governments' policies towards alternative
and transitional energy technology also may have an adverse effect on the
Fund's performance. Companies in the alternative and transitional energy
business may have limited operating histories, some of which may never have
traded profitably. Investment in young companies with a short operating
history is generally riskier than investment in companies with a longer
operating history.
The Fund, being composed of securities issued by companies operating in a
limited number of businesses, will carry greater risk and may be more volatile
than a portfolio composed of securities issued by companies operating in a
wide variety of different businesses. The price of crude oil, natural gas,
electricity generated from nuclear power and possibly other as yet
undiscovered energy sources could potentially have a negative impact on the
competitiveness of alternative energies.
INDUSTRIALS COMPANIES RISK. The Fund invests in the securities of companies in
the industrials sector. Many companies in this sector convert unfinished goods
into finished durables used to manufacture other goods or provide services.
Some industries included in this sector are electrical equipment and
components, industrial products, manufactured housing and telecommunications
equipment. General risks of these companies include the general state of the
economy, intense competition, consolidation, domestic and international
politics, excess capacity and consumer demand and spending trends. In
addition, they may also be significantly affected by overall capital spending
levels, economic cycles, technical obsolescence, delays in modernization,
labor relations, government regulations and e-commerce initiatives.
UTILITIES COMPANIES RISK. The Fund invests in the securities of companies in
the utilities sector. General problems of issuers in the utilities sector
include the imposition of rate caps, increased competition due to
deregulation, the difficulty in obtaining an adequate return on invested
capital or in financing large construction projects, the limitations on
operations and increased costs and delays attributable to environmental
considerations and the capital market's ability to absorb utility debt. In
addition, taxes, government regulation, international politics, price and
supply fluctuations, volatile interest rates and energy conservation may cause
difficulties for utilities. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain
of these problems in varying degrees.
5
NON-U.S. SECURITIES RISK. The Fund invests in securities of non-U.S. issuers.
Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers, which are generally denominated
in non-U.S. currencies, may involve certain risks not typically associated
with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Some of these risks may include,
but are not limited to, the following: (i) there may be less publicly
available information about non-U.S. issuers or markets due to less rigorous
disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) non-U.S.
markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. market;
(iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or
controls on the value of the Fund's investments; (iv) the economies of
non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a
downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or
diplomatic events; (vi) certain non-U.S. countries may impose restrictions on
the ability of non-U.S. issuers to make payments of principal and interest to
investors located in the United States due to blockage of non-U.S. currency
exchanges or otherwise; and (vii) withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may
decrease the Fund's return. These risks may be more pronounced to the extent
that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located
in one region.
INDEX TRACKING RISK. You should anticipate that the value of the Shares will
decline, more or less, in correlation with any decline in the value of the
Index.
NON-CORRELATION RISK. The Fund's return may not match the return of the Index
for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses not
applicable to the Index, and may incur costs in buying and selling securities,
especially when rebalancing the Fund's portfolio holdings to reflect changes
in the composition of the Index. In addition, the Fund's portfolio holdings
may not exactly replicate the securities included in the Index or the ratios
between the securities included in the Index.
The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows
into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and
expenses. If the Fund utilizes a sampling approach or purchases futures or
other derivative positions, its return may not correlate as well with the
return of the Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the stocks in
the Index with the same weightings as the Index. While First Trust seeks to
have a correlation over extended periods of 0.95 or better, before fees and
expenses, between the Fund's performance and the performance of the Index,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to achieve such a
correlation. Accordingly, the Fund's performance may correlate to a lesser
extent and may possibly vary substantially from the performance of the Index.
REPLICATION MANAGEMENT RISK. The Fund is also exposed to additional market
risk due to its policy of investing principally in the securities included in
the Index. As a result of this policy, securities held by the Fund will
generally not be bought or sold in response to market fluctuations and the
securities may be issued by companies concentrated in a particular industry.
As a result of this policy, the Fund will generally not sell a stock because
the stock's issuer is in financial trouble, unless that stock is removed or is
anticipated to be removed from the Index.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RISK. The Fund relies on a license and related
sublicense that permits the Fund to use the Index Provider's Index and
associated trade names and trademarks ("Intellectual Property") in connection
with the name and investment strategies of the Fund. Such license may be
terminated by the Index Provider, and as a result, the Fund may lose its
ability to use the Intellectual Property. There is also no guarantee that the
Index Provider has all rights to license the Intellectual Property to First
Trust, on behalf of the Fund. Accordingly, in the event the license is
terminated or the Index Provider does not have rights to license the
Intellectual Property, it may have a significant effect on the operation of
the Fund.
6
ISSUER SPECIFIC CHANGES RISK. The value of an individual security or
particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole
and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value
of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than that of larger
issuers.
CURRENCY RISK. Because the Fund's NAV is determined on the basis of U.S.
dollars, you may lose money if the local currency of a non-U.S. market
depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the
Fund's holdings goes up. Also, the value of the Fund's portfolio may be
volatile due to the impact that changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates
may have on the Fund's investment in non-U.S. securities.
PASSIVE INVESTMENT RISK. The Fund is not actively managed. The Fund may be
affected by a general decline in certain market segments relating to its
Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of, its
Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to take
defensive positions in declining markets.
CONCENTRATION RISK. The Fund will be concentrated in the securities of a given
industry if the Index is concentrated in such industry. A concentration makes
the Fund more susceptible to any single occurrence affecting the industry and
may subject the Fund to greater market risk than more diversified funds.
NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISK. The Fund is classified as "non-diversified" under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). As a result,
the Fund is only limited as to the percentage of its assets which may be
invested in the securities of any one issuer by the diversification
requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Because
the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited
number of issuers, the Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic,
political or regulatory occurrence and to the financial conditions of the
issuers in which it invests.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS RISK. The Fund may hold securities of certain non-U.S. and
non-Canadian companies in the form of Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically
issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs are receipts
issued by a European bank or trust company evidencing ownership of securities
issued by a foreign corporation. New York shares are typically issued by a
company incorporated in the Netherlands and represent a direct interest in the
company. Unlike traditional depositary receipts, New York share programs do
not involve custody of the Dutch shares of the company. GDRs are receipts
issued throughout the world that evidence a similar arrangement. ADRs, EDRs
and GDRs may trade in foreign currencies that differ from the currency the
underlying security for each ADR, EDR or GDR principally trades in. Global
shares are the actual (ordinary) shares of a non-U.S. company which trade both
in the home market and the United States. Generally, ADRs and New York shares,
in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. EDRs,
in registered form, are used to access European markets. GDRs, in registered
form, are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed
for use throughout the world. Global shares are represented by the same share
certificate in the United States and the home market. Separate registrars in
the United States and the home country are maintained. In most cases,
purchases occurring on a U.S. exchange would be reflected on the U.S.
registrar. Global shares may also be eligible to list on exchanges in addition
to the United States and the home country. The Fund may hold unsponsored
Depositary Receipts. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not
obligated to disclose material information in the United States; therefore,
there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may
not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the
Depositary Receipts.
7
MICROCAP, SMALL CAP AND MID CAP COMPANY RISK. The Fund may invest in microcap,
small capitalization and mid capitalization companies. Such companies may be
more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments, and their
securities may be less liquid and may experience greater price volatility than
larger, more established companies as a result of several factors, including
limited trading volumes, products or financial resources, management
inexperience and less publicly available information. Accordingly, such
companies are generally subject to greater market risk than larger, more
established companies. Because such companies are less liquid, their
securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and price that
the Fund would like. In such a circumstance, the Fund may have to sell the
securities at a lower price, sell other securities in their place or forego an
investment opportunity. Any of these could have a negative effect on Fund
management or performance.
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES RISK. The Fund may invest in companies
that are considered to be "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"),
which are generally certain non-U.S. corporations that receive at least 75% of
their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends,
certain rents and royalties or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of
their assets in investments producing such passive income. Therefore, the Fund
could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on
gains and certain distributions with respect to those equity interests, even
if all the income or gain is distributed to its shareholders in a timely
manner. The Fund will not be able to pass through to its shareholders any
credit or deduction for such taxes.
See "Additional Risks of Investing in the Fund" for additional information
regarding risks.
HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED
The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, does not have a
performance history.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF INVESTING?
The following table describes the estimated fees and expenses you may pay when
you buy or sell Creation Units of the Fund. Annual Fund operating expenses are
estimates. Investors purchasing Shares in the secondary market will not pay
the shareholder fees shown below, but may be subject to costs (including
customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY BY AUTHORIZED PARTICIPANTS)
Sales charges (loads) None
Transaction fee per order(1) $1,000
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(2)(3)
(Expenses that are deducted from the Fund's assets)
Management Fees 0.40%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees(4) 0.00%
Other Expenses(2) 0.47%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.87%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(5) 0.27%
Total Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.60%
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8
EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into
account transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units of the
Fund or customary brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or
selling Shares of the Fund in the secondary market.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then you retain the Shares or sell all of your Shares at the end
of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, your costs, based on these
assumptions, would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS
$61 $250
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(1) Purchasers of Creation Units and parties redeeming Creation Units must
pay to the transfer agent, as applicable, a creation or redemption
transaction fee, each of which is currently $1,000. Such fees may be
adjusted from time to time based on the composition of the securities
included in the Fund's portfolio and the countries in which the
transactions are settled. See "Creation Transaction Fees and Redemption
Transaction Fees" below.
(2) The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
The "Other Expenses" listed in the table are estimates based on the
expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year.
(3) Expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets.
(4) The Trust has adopted a distribution and service (12b-1) plan pursuant to
which the Fund may bear a 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the
Fund's average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid
by the Fund and pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund will not
pay 12b-1 fees any time before _________, ____.
(5) First Trust has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the
extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding
interest expense, brokerage commissions and other trading expenses,
taxes, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.60% of average daily
net assets per year, at least until _________, ____. Expenses borne by
First Trust are subject to reimbursement by the Fund up to three years
from the date the fee or expense was incurred, but no reimbursement
payment will be made by the Fund at any time if it would result in the
Fund's expenses exceeding 0.60% of average daily net assets per year.
CREATION TRANSACTION FEES AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEES
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 100,000
Shares (each block of 100,000 Shares called a "Creation Unit") or multiples
thereof. As a practical matter, only broker-dealers or large institutional
investors that have entered into authorized participant agreements with
respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units, called "Authorized
Participants" ("APs"), can purchase or redeem these Creation Units. Purchasers
of Creation Units at NAV must pay a Creation Transaction Fee (as defined
below) that is currently $1,000 for each purchase transaction, regardless of
the number of Creation Units involved. The Creation Transaction Fee may vary
and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund's
portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The
Creation Transaction Fee may increase or decrease as the Fund's portfolio is
adjusted to conform to changes in the composition of the Index. The value of a
Creation Unit as of the first creation of such Creation Unit was approximately
$3,000,000. An AP who holds Creation Units and wishes to redeem at NAV would
also pay a Redemption Transaction Fee (as defined below) that is currently
$1,000 for each redemption transaction, regardless of the number of Creation
Units involved. The Redemption Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the
composition of the securities included in the Fund's portfolio and the
countries in which the transactions are settled. The Redemption Transaction
Fee may increase or decrease as the Fund's portfolio is adjusted to conform to
changes in the composition of the Index. See "Creations, Redemptions and
9
Transaction Fees" later in the Prospectus. APs who hold Creation Units in
inventory will also indirectly pay Fund expenses. Assuming an investment in a
Creation Unit of $3,000,000 and a 5% return each year, assuming that the
Fund's operating expenses remain the same, and assuming brokerage costs are
not included, the total costs would be $20,396 if the Creation Unit is
redeemed after one year and $76,934 if the Creation Unit is redeemed after
three years.
The Creation Transaction Fee and Redemption Transaction Fee are not expenses
of the Fund and do not impact the Fund's expense ratio.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Each of the policies described herein is a non-fundamental policy that may be
changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval.
Certain fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") under "Investment Objective and Policies."
EQUITY SECURITIES
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers.
Eligible equity securities include common stocks and warrants to purchase
common stocks. In addition, the Fund may invest in Depositary Receipts that
represent non-U.S. common stocks deposited with a custodian.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest in cash equivalents or other short-term investments,
including U.S. government securities, commercial paper, repurchase agreements,
money-market funds or similar fixed-income securities with remaining
maturities of one year or less. For more information on short-term
investments, see the SAI.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS
The Fund may use various investment strategies designed to hedge against
changes in the values of securities the Fund owns or expects to purchase or to
hedge against interest rate or currency exchange rate changes. The instruments
used to implement these strategies include financial futures contracts,
options, forward contracts, options on financial futures and stock index
options.
DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
The Fund may buy or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis, paying for or taking delivery of the securities at a later date,
normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade. Such transactions involve an
element of risk because the value of the securities to be purchased may
decline before the settlement date.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of
the Fund's portfolio securities is included in the Fund's SAI.
10
ADDITIONAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in the Fund involves risk,
including the risk that you may lose all or part of your investment. There can
be no assurance that the Fund will meet its stated objective. Before you
invest, you should consider the following risks.
TRADING ISSUES
Although the Fund has applied to list and trade its Shares on NYSE Arca, there
can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop
or be maintained. Trading in Shares on NYSE Arca may be halted due to market
conditions or for reasons that, in the view of NYSE Arca, make trading in
Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on NYSE Arca is subject to
trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the NYSE
Arca "circuit breaker" rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements
of NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be
met or will remain unchanged.
FLUCTUATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV of the Fund's Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the
market value of the Fund's holdings. The market prices of Shares will
generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative
supply of and demand for Shares on NYSE Arca. First Trust cannot predict
whether Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may
be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in
the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not
identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Fund
trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. However, given
that Shares can be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of
many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from,
and sometimes at premiums to, their NAV), First Trust believes that large
discounts or premiums to the NAV of Shares should not be sustained.
INFLATION
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments
will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As
inflation increases, the value of the Fund's assets can decline as can the
value of the Fund's distributions. Common stock prices may be particularly
sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing
costs increase.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund is exposed to additional market risk due to its policy of investing
principally in the securities included in the Index. As a result of this
policy, securities held by the Fund will generally not be bought or sold in
response to market fluctuations. This policy may subject investors to greater
market risk than other funds.
LIQUIDITY
Whether or not the equity securities in the Fund are listed on a securities
exchange, the principal trading market for certain of the equity securities in
the Fund may be in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of
a liquid trading market for the equity securities may depend on whether
dealers will make a market in the equity securities. There can be no assurance
that a market will be made for any of the equity securities, that any market
for the equity securities will be maintained or that there will be sufficient
liquidity of the equity securities in any markets made. The price at which the
equity securities are held in the Fund will be adversely affected if trading
markets for the equity securities are limited or absent.
11
FUND ORGANIZATION
The Fund is a series of the Trust, an investment company registered under the
1940 Act. The Fund is treated as a separate fund with its own investment
objective and policies. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business
trust. Its Board of Trustees (the "Board") is responsible for its overall
management and direction. The Board elects the Trust's officers and approves
all significant agreements, including those with the investment adviser,
custodian and fund administrative and accounting agent.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust"), 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle,
Illinois 60532, is the investment adviser to the Fund. In this capacity, First
Trust is responsible for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the
securities in the Fund's portfolio and certain other services necessary for
the management of the portfolio.
First Trust is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners
of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The Charger Corporation. Grace
Partners of DuPage L.P. is a limited partnership with one general partner, The
Charger Corporation, and a number of limited partners. The Charger Corporation
is an Illinois corporation controlled by the Robert Donald Van Kampen family.
First Trust discharges its responsibilities subject to the policies of the
Board of Trustees of the Trust.
First Trust serves as adviser or sub-adviser for 25 mutual fund portfolios, 37
exchange-traded fund portfolios and 14 closed-end funds and is also the
portfolio supervisor of certain unit investment trusts sponsored by First
Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP"), 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
FTP specializes in the underwriting, trading and distribution of unit
investment trusts and other securities. FTP is the principal underwriter of
the Shares of the Fund.
There is no one individual primarily responsible for portfolio management
decisions for the Fund. Investments are made under the direction of a
committee (the "Investment Committee"). The Investment Committee consists of
Daniel J. Lindquist, Robert F. Carey, Jon C. Erickson, David G. McGarel, Roger
F. Testin and Stan Ueland. Mr. Lindquist rejoined First Trust as a Vice
President in April 2004 after serving as Chief Operating Officer of Mina
Capital Management LLC from January 2004 to April 2004 and Samaritan Asset
Management Services, Inc. from April 2000 to January 2004 and has been a
Senior Vice President of First Trust and FTP since September 2005. Mr.
Lindquist is Chairman of the Investment Committee and presides over Investment
Committee meetings. Mr. Lindquist is responsible for overseeing the
implementation of the Fund's investment strategies. Mr. Carey is the Chief
Investment Officer and Senior Vice President of First Trust and Senior Vice
President of FTP. As First Trust's Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Carey
consults with the Investment Committee on market conditions and First Trust's
general investment philosophy. Mr. Erickson is a Senior Vice President of
First Trust and FTP. As the head of First Trust's Equity Research Group, Mr.
Erickson is responsible for determining the securities to be purchased and
sold by funds that do not utilize quantitative investment strategies. Mr.
McGarel is a Senior Vice President of First Trust and FTP. As the head of
First Trust's Strategy Research Group, Mr. McGarel is responsible for
developing and implementing quantitative investment strategies for those funds
that have investment policies that require them to follow such strategies.
Since November 2003, Mr. Testin has been a Senior Vice President of First
Trust and FTP. From August 2001 to November 2003, Mr. Testin was a Vice
President of First Trust and FTP. Prior to joining First Trust, Mr. Testin was
an analyst for Dolan Capital Management. Mr. Testin has been the head of First
Trust's Portfolio Management Group. Mr. Ueland has been a Vice President of
First Trust and FTP since August 2005. At First Trust, he plays an important
role in executing the investment strategies of each portfolio of
exchange-traded funds advised by First Trust. Before joining First Trust, Mr.
12
Ueland was vice president of sales at BondWave LLC from May 2004 through
August 2005, an account executive for Mina Capital Management LLC and
Samaritan Asset Management Services, Inc. from January 2003 through May 2004,
and a sales consultant at Oracle Corporation from January 1997 through January
2003. For additional information concerning First Trust, including a
description of the services provided to the Fund, see the Fund's SAI. In
addition, the SAI provides additional information about the compensation of
Investment Committee members, other accounts managed by members of the
Investment Committee and ownership by members of the Investment Committee of
Shares of the Fund.
First Trust receives an annual management fee from the Fund equal to 0.60% of
the Fund's average daily net assets. A discussion regarding the approval of
the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the period ending September 30, 2008.
The Fund is responsible for all of its expenses, including the investment
advisory fees, costs of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal,
audit and other services, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other
expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, paying for
its sublicensing fees related to the Index, any distribution fees or expenses,
and extraordinary expenses. First Trust has agreed to waive fees and/or pay
Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the
Fund (excluding interest expense, brokerage commissions and other trading
expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.60% of average
daily net assets per year, at least until _________, ____. Expenses borne by
First Trust are subject to reimbursement by the Fund up to three years from
the date the fee or expense was incurred, but no reimbursement payment will be
made by the Fund at any time if it would result in the Fund's expenses
exceeding 0.60% of average daily net assets per year.
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES
Shares will be issued or redeemed by the Fund at NAV per Share only in
Creation Unit size. See "Creations, Redemptions and Transaction Fees."
Most investors will buy and sell Shares of the Fund in secondary market
transactions through brokers. The Fund has applied to list and trade its
Shares on NYSE Arca. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day
like other publicly traded shares. There is no minimum investment. Although
Shares are generally purchased and sold in "round lots" of 100 Shares,
brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell Shares in
smaller "odd lots," at no per-Share price differential. When buying or selling
Shares through a broker, you should expect to incur customary brokerage
commissions, you may receive less than the NAV of the Shares, and you may pay
some or all of the spread between the bid and the offer price in the secondary
market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. Share
prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share.
Investors may acquire Shares directly from the Fund, and shareholders may
tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Fund, only in Creation
Units of 100,000 Shares, as discussed in the "Creations, Redemptions and
Transaction Fees" section below.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is treated as a registered investment
company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment
companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has received an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission that permits certain registered investment
companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section
13
12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that any such
investment companies enter into agreements with the Fund regarding the terms
of any investment.
BOOK ENTRY
Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no Share certificates are
issued. The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee is the record
owner of all outstanding Shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of
all Shares for all purposes.
Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC
or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares.
Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or
indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner
of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of Share
certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not
considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as
an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its
participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other
stocks that you hold in book-entry or "street name" form.
SHARE TRADING PRICES
The trading prices of Shares of the Fund on NYSE Arca may differ from the
Fund's daily NAV and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand,
economic conditions and other factors.
NYSE Arca disseminates the approximate value of Shares of the Fund every
15 seconds. In addition, First Trust has engaged Archipelago Holdings, Inc.,
on behalf of the Fund, to calculate the approximate value of Shares of the
Fund every 15 seconds. This approximate value should not be viewed as a
"real-time" update of the NAV per Share of the Fund because the approximate
value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed
once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The price of a non-U.S.
security that is primarily traded on a non-U.S. exchange shall be updated
every 15 seconds throughout its trading day, provided, that upon the closing
of such non-U.S. exchange, the closing price of the security will be used
throughout the remainder of the business day where the markets remain open.
Furthermore, in calculating the intra-day portfolio value of the Fund's
Shares, Archipelago Holdings, Inc. shall use the exchange rates throughout the
day (9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Eastern time) that it deems to be most
appropriate. These exchange rates may differ from those used by First Trust
and consequently may result in intra-day portfolio values that may vary. The
Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination
of the approximate value and the Fund does not make any warranty as to its
accuracy.
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF THE FUND'S SHARES
The Fund imposes no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions
("market timing"). In determining not to approve a written, established
policy, the Board evaluated the risks of market timing activities by the
Fund's shareholders. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual
funds, the Fund issues and redeems its Shares at NAV per Share for a basket of
securities intended to mirror the Fund's portfolio, plus a small amount of
cash, and the Shares may be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca at prevailing
market prices. The Board noted that the Fund's Shares can only be purchased
and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by APs and that the vast
majority of trading in Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the
secondary market trades do not involve the Fund directly, it is unlikely those
trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including:
dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund's trading
costs and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly
14
with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those
trades do not cause any of the harmful effects (as noted above) that may
result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole
or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution
to the Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the
Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted
that direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that the Shares trade at or
close to NAV. The Fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize
potential dilution from market timing. The Fund imposes transaction fees on
in-kind purchases and redemptions of Shares to cover the custodial and other
costs incurred by the Fund in executing in-kind trades, and with respect to
the redemption fees, these fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in
part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that the Fund's trading
costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Board
determined that it was not necessary to adopt a market timing policy.
CREATIONS, REDEMPTIONS AND TRANSACTION FEES
Investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to
deal in Creation Units directly with the Fund must have entered into an AP
agreement with the Fund's distributor and transfer agent, or purchase through
a dealer that has entered into such an agreement. Set forth below is a brief
description of the procedures applicable to purchases and redemptions of
Creation Units. For more detailed information, see "Creation and Redemption of
Creation Unit Aggregations" in the SAI.
PURCHASE
In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund, an investor must deposit (i)
cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities, as defined below,
and/or (ii) a designated portfolio of equity securities determined by First
Trust (the "Deposit Securities") and generally make a cash payment referred to
as the "Cash Component." To the extent Deposit Securities are delivered, the
list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Deposit Securities is made
available by the Fund's custodian through the facilities of the National
Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC"), each day the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading. The Cash Component (including any cash in lieu amount)
represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market
value of the Deposit Securities.
Orders must be placed in proper form by or through an AP, which is a
participant that utilizes the DTC facilities (the "DTC Participant"). All
orders must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units of Shares of the
Fund. Such orders must be received by the Fund's transfer agent in proper form
no later than the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) ("Closing Time") in order to receive that
day's closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further
described in the SAI, the order must be received by the Fund's transfer agent
no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time. Deposit Securities must be delivered to
an account maintained at the applicable local custodian or subcustodian of the
Trust on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date, as defined
below. The AP must also pay on or before the International Contractual
Settlement Date immediately available or same-day funds estimated by Trust to
be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of
the Creation Order, together with the applicable Creation Transaction Fee and
additional variable amounts, as described below. The "International
Contractual Settlement Date" is the earlier of (i) the date upon which all of
the required Deposit Securities, the Cash Component and any other cash amounts
which may be due are delivered to the Fund or (ii) the latest day for
settlement on the customary settlement cycle in the jurisdiction(s) where any
of the securities of such Fund are customarily traded. A custom order may be
placed by an AP in the event that the Fund permits or requires the
15
substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a "cash in lieu amount") to be added
to the Cash Component (if applicable) to replace any Deposit Security which
may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be
eligible for trading by such AP or the investor for which it is acting or any
other relevant reason. See "Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit
Aggregations" in the SAI.
Purchasers of Creation Units must pay a creation transaction fee (the
"Creation Transaction Fee") that is currently $1,000. The Creation Transaction
Fee is applicable to each purchase transaction regardless of the number of
Creation Units purchased in the transaction. The Creation Transaction Fee may
vary and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund's
portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The
Creation Transaction Fee may increase or decrease as the Fund's portfolio is
adjusted to conform to changes in the composition of the Index. See "Creation
and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations" in the SAI. The price for each
Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per Share times the number of Shares in
a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any
operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. When
the Fund permits an AP to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of
depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the AP may also be
assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities
and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational
processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of
the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to
such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.
Shares of the Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit
Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain
on deposit with the Fund cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of
the missing Deposit Securities. See "Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit
Aggregations" in the SAI.
LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTIONS IN CERTAIN STOCKS
An investor subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock
required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit
may, at the Fund's discretion, be permitted to deposit an equivalent amount of
cash in substitution for any stock which would otherwise be included in the
Deposit Securities applicable to the purchase of a Creation Unit. For more
details, see "Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations" in the
SAI.
REDEMPTION
The Fund's custodian makes available each day the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading, through the facilities of the NSCC, the list of the names
and the numbers of shares of the Fund's portfolio securities that will be
applicable that day to redemption requests in proper form ("Fund Securities").
Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit
Securities, which are applicable to purchases of Creation Units. Unless cash
redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds
consist of the Fund Securities, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference
between the NAV of Shares being redeemed as next determined after receipt by
the Fund's transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form, and the
value of the Fund Securities (the "Cash Redemption Amount"), less the
applicable Redemption Transaction Fee and, if applicable, any operational
processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. Should the Fund
Securities have a value greater than the NAV of Shares being redeemed, a
compensating cash payment to the Fund equal to the differential, plus the
applicable Redemption Transaction Fee and, if applicable, any operational
processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes will be required
to be arranged for by or on behalf of the redeeming AP. Investors should
expect to incur customary brokerage commissions in connection with assembling
16
a sufficient number of Shares of the Fund to constitute a redeemable Creation
Unit. For more details, see "Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit
Aggregations" in the SAI.
In order to redeem Creation Units of the Fund, an AP must submit an order to
redeem for one or more whole Creation Units. Such orders must be received by
the Fund's transfer agent in proper form no later than the Closing Time in
order to receive that day's closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom
orders, as further described in the SAI, the order must be received by the
Fund's transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time. An AP must
maintain appropriate securities broker-dealer, bank or other custody
arrangements to which account such Deposit Securities will be delivered in
connection with a redemption order. If the AP, or any party on whose behalf
the AP is acting, does not have appropriate arrangements to take delivery of
the Deposit Securities in the relevant jurisdiction(s) and it is not possible
to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries
of the Deposit Securities in such jurisdictions, and in certain other
circumstances, the AP will be required to receive redemption proceeds in cash.
In such case, the AP will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV (next
determined after receipt of the redemption order) times the number of Shares
in a Creation Unit minus the Redemption Transaction Fee. When the Fund redeems
Shares for cash, the AP may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of
selling the Deposit Securities, including operational processing and brokerage
costs, transfer fees and stamp taxes. The delivery of redemption proceeds will
be made within twelve calendar days after the redemption order is received in
proper form, except to the extent that a delivery is delayed due to the
introduction of new or special holidays, the treatment by participants in the
local market of certain days as "informal holidays" (e.g., days on which no or
limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened
trading hours), or changes in local securities delivery practices. Under these
circumstances, the Fund will notify the AP as soon as reasonably practicable.
Parties redeeming Creation Units must pay a redemption transaction fee (the
"Redemption Transaction Fee") that is currently $1,000. The Redemption
Transaction Fee is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless of the
number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. The Redemption
Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the composition of the securities
included in the Fund's portfolio and the countries in which the transactions
are settled. The Redemption Transaction Fee may increase or decrease as the
Fund's portfolio is adjusted to conform to changes in the composition of the
Index. The Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions in cash. A
shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of securities; however, the
Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request. See "Creation and
Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations" in the SAI.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid
semi-annually. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to
shareholders annually.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole
Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option
available. Such Shares will generally be reinvested by the broker based upon
the market price of those Shares and investors may be subject to customary
brokerage commissions charged by the broker.
17
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences
of owning Shares of the Fund. This section is current as of the date of this
Prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and these
summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For
example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you are a
corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker-dealer or other investor with special
circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state, local
or non-U.S. tax consequences.
This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to
the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any conclusions set
forth in this section. In addition, counsel to the Fund was not asked to
review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to, the federal income
tax treatment of the assets to be included in the Fund. This may not be
sufficient for you to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal
tax law.
As with any investment, you should seek advice based on your individual
circumstances from your own tax adviser.
FUND STATUS
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
federal tax laws. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and
distributes its income as required by the tax law, the Fund generally will not
pay federal income taxes.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Fund distributions are generally taxable. After the end of each year, you will
receive a tax statement that separates your Fund's distributions into two
categories, ordinary income distributions and capital gains dividends.
Ordinary income distributions are generally taxed at your ordinary tax rate,
however, as further discussed below, certain ordinary income distributions
received from the Fund may be taxed at the capital gains tax rates. Generally,
you will treat all capital gains dividends as long-term capital gains
regardless of how long you have owned your Shares. To determine your actual
tax liability for your capital gains dividends, you must calculate your total
net capital gain or loss for the tax year after considering all of your other
taxable transactions, as described below. In addition, the Fund may make
distributions that represent a return of capital for tax purposes and thus
will generally not be taxable to you. The tax status of your distributions
from the Fund is not affected by whether you reinvest your distributions in
additional Shares or receive them in cash. The income from the Fund that you
must take into account for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by
amounts used to pay a deferred sales fee, if any. The tax laws may require you
to treat distributions made to you in January as if you had received them on
December 31 of the previous year.
DIVIDENDS RECEIVED DEDUCTION
A corporation that owns Shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends
received deduction with respect to many dividends received from the Fund
because the dividends received deduction is generally not available for
distributions from regulated investment companies. However, certain ordinary
income dividends on Shares that are attributable to qualifying dividends
received by the Fund from certain corporations may be designated by the Fund
as being eligible for the dividends received deduction.
18
CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES AND CERTAIN ORDINARY INCOME DIVIDENDS
If you are an individual, the maximum marginal federal tax rate for net
capital gain is generally 15% (generally 5% for certain taxpayers in the 10%
and 15% tax brackets). These capital gains rates are generally effective for
taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. For later periods, if you are
an individual, the maximum marginal federal tax rate for net capital gain is
generally 20% (10% for certain taxpayers in the 10% and 15% tax brackets). The
20% rate is reduced to 18% and the 10% rate is reduced to 8% for long-term
capital gains from most property acquired after December 31, 2000 with a
holding period of more than five years.
Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus net short-term
capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss is long-term if the
holding period for the asset is more than one year and is short-term if the
holding period for the asset is one year or less. You must exclude the date
you purchase your Shares to determine your holding period. However, if you
receive a capital gain dividend from the Fund and sell your Shares at a loss
after holding it for six months or less, the loss will be recharacterized as
long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend received.
The tax rates for capital gains realized from assets held for one year or less
are generally the same as for ordinary income. The Internal Revenue Code
treats certain capital gains as ordinary income in special situations.
Ordinary income dividends received by an individual shareholder from a
regulated investment company such as the Fund are generally taxed at the same
rates that apply to net capital gain (as discussed above), provided certain
holding period requirements are satisfied and provided the dividends are
attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund itself. These
special rules relating to the taxation of ordinary income dividends from
regulated investment companies generally apply to taxable years beginning
before January 1, 2011. The Fund will provide notice to its shareholders of
the amount of any distribution which may be taken into account as a dividend
which is eligible for the capital gains tax rates.
SALE OF SHARES
If you sell your Shares, you will generally recognize a taxable gain or loss.
To determine the amount of this gain or loss, you must subtract your tax basis
in your Shares from the amount you receive in the transaction. Your tax basis
in your Shares is generally equal to the cost of your Shares, generally
including sales charges. In some cases, however, you may have to adjust your
tax basis after you purchase your Shares.
TAXES ON PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
If you exchange equity securities for Creation Units you will generally
recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference
between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and your aggregate
basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. If you
exchange Creation Units for equity securities, you will generally recognize a
gain or loss equal to the difference between your basis in the Creation Units
and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash
Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a
loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be
deducted currently under the rules governing "wash sales," or on the basis
that there has been no significant change in economic position.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF FUND EXPENSES
Expenses incurred and deducted by the Fund will generally not be treated as
income taxable to you.
19
NON-U.S. TAX CREDIT
Because the Fund invests in non-U.S. securities, the tax statement that you
receive may include an item showing non-U.S. taxes the Fund paid to other
countries. In this case, dividends taxed to you will include your share of the
taxes the Fund paid to other countries. You may be able to deduct or receive a
tax credit for your share of these taxes.
NON-U.S. INVESTORS
If you are a non-U.S. investor (i.e., an investor other than a U.S. citizen or
resident or a U.S. corporation, partnership, estate or trust), you should be
aware that, generally, subject to applicable tax treaties, distributions from
the Fund will be characterized as dividends for federal income tax purposes
(other than dividends which the Fund designates as capital gain dividends) and
will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes,
subject to certain exceptions described below. However, distributions received
by a non-U.S. investor from the Fund that are properly designated by the Fund
as capital gain dividends may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes,
including withholding taxes, provided that the Fund makes certain elections
and certain other conditions are met.
INVESTMENTS IN CERTAIN NON-U.S. CORPORATIONS
If the Fund holds an equity interest in any PFICs, which are generally certain
non-U.S. corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income
from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties
or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments
producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal
income tax and additional interest charges on gains and certain distributions
with respect to those equity interests, even if all the income or gain is
timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund will not be able to pass
through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such taxes. The Fund
may be able to make an election that could ameliorate these adverse tax
consequences. In this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any
increase in the value of such PFIC shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease
in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases included in
income. Under this election, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year
income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from
dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would
nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement and would be taken
into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above). Dividends
paid by PFICs will not be treated as qualified dividend income.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
FTP serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency
basis. FTP does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is
authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each
year to reimburse FTP for amounts expended to finance activities primarily
intended to result in the sale of Creation Units or the provision of investor
services. FTP may also use this amount to compensate securities dealers or
other persons that are APs for providing distribution assistance, including
broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional
services.
20
No 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and pursuant to a contractual
arrangement, the Fund will not pay 12b-1 fees any time before _________, ____.
However, in the event 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because these fees
are paid out of the Fund's assets, over time these fees will increase the cost
of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales
charges.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's NAV is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
NAV is calculated for the Fund by taking the market price of the Fund's total
assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less
all liabilities, and dividing such amount by the total number of Shares
outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV per Share.
All valuations are subject to review by the Board or its delegate.
In determining NAV, expenses are accrued and applied daily and securities and
other assets are generally valued as set forth below. Common stocks and other
equity securities listed on any national or non-U.S. exchange will be valued
at the last sale price for all exchanges other than The Nasdaq Stock Market,
Inc. ("NASDAQ") (and the official closing price for NASDAQ) on the exchange or
system in which they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there
are no transactions on the valuation date, securities traded principally on an
exchange will be valued at the mean between the most recent bid and ask
prices. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at
their closing bid prices. Fixed income securities with a remaining maturity of
60 days or more will be valued by the Fund accounting agent using a pricing
service. When price quotes are not available, fair market value is based on
prices of comparable securities. Fixed income securities maturing within 60
days are valued by the Fund accounting agent on an amortized cost basis. The
value of any portfolio security held by the Fund for which market quotations
are not readily available or securities for which market quotations are deemed
unreliable will be determined by the Board or its designee in a manner that
most fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date.
Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing
methods. Such securities may be valued by the Board or its delegate at fair
value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted
securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration
under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to
provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended;
a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing
source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely
to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but
before the calculation of the Fund's NAV or make it difficult or impossible to
obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by
the pricing service, does not reflect the security's "fair value." As a
general principle, the current "fair value" of a security would appear to be
the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for the security
upon its current sale. The use of fair value prices by the Fund generally
results in the prices used by the Fund differing from the closing sale prices
on the applicable exchange and fair value prices may not reflect the actual
value of a security. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the
fair value of such securities. See the SAI for details.
Valuing the Fund's securities using fair value pricing will result in using
prices for those securities that may differ from current market valuations.
Use of fair value prices and certain current market valuations could result in
a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund's NAV and the
21
prices used by the Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between
the Fund's performance and the performance of the Index.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during
which a shareholder may purchase the Shares of the Fund, the value of the
Fund's securities may change on the days when shareholders are not able to
purchase the Shares of the Fund.
The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into
U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. Any use
of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect the
Fund's ability to track the Index.
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is the administrator, custodian and
fund accounting and transfer agent for the Fund. Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111
West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, serves as legal counsel to the
Fund.
The Trust has entered into an agreement with PFPC, Inc. ("PFPC"), 301 Bellevue
Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, whereby PFPC will provide certain
administrative services to the Trust in connection with the Board's meetings
and other related matters.
INTRA-DAY PORTFOLIO CALCULATOR
First Trust has entered into an agreement with Archipelago Holdings, Inc.
("Archipelago"), 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
on behalf of the Fund, pursuant to which Archipelago or its designee will be
responsible for calculating the intra-day portfolio values for the Fund's
Shares. The Fund will reimburse First Trust for some or all of the fees
payable under such agreement.
INDEX PROVIDER
The Index that the Fund seeks to track is developed by the Index Provider. The
Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund or First Trust. The Fund is
entitled to use the Index pursuant to a sublicensing arrangement by and among
the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Index Provider and First Trust, which in
turn has a licensing agreement with the Index Provider.
DISCLAIMERS
First Trust does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the
Index or any data included therein, and First Trust shall have no liability
for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. First Trust makes no
warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners
of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the
Index or any data included therein. First Trust makes no express or implied
warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data
22
included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall
First Trust have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or
consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating
to the use of the Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Provider.
The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to
the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability
of trading in the Fund. The Index Provider's only relationship to First Trust
is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of the Index Provider
and of the Index which are determined, composed and calculated by the Index
Provider without regard to First Trust or the Fund. The Index Provider has no
obligation to take the needs of First Trust or the owners of the Fund into
consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. The Index
Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination
of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be listed or in the
determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be
converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF
THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX
PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED
BY FIRST TRUST, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE
OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN
NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR
INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS),
EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY
BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE INDEX PROVIDER AND
FIRST TRUST.
ADDITIONAL INDEX INFORMATION
INDEX CONSTRUCTION
All of the following requirements must be met in order for a company to be
eligible for inclusion in the Index:
1. The component security must be actively engaged in some aspect of the
wind energy industry such as the development or management of a wind
farm, the production or distribution of electricity generated by wind
power, involvement in the design, manufacture or distribution of
machinery or materials designed specifically for the wind energy
industry.
2. The component security must not be listed on an exchange in a country
that employs restrictions on foreign capital investment such that
those restrictions render the component effectively non-investable,
as determined by the ISE.
3. The component security must be an operating company and not a
closed-end fund, exchange-traded fund, holding company, investment
vehicle or royalty trust.
23
The following market capitalization and weighting concentration requirements
must also be satisfied:
1. Each component security has a market capitalization of at least $100
million.
2. No single component stock represents more than 24% of the weight of
the Index, and the cumulative weight of all components with an
individual weight of 5% or greater do not in the aggregate account
for more than 50% of the weight of the Index. This particular
requirement will be satisfied at least on the third Friday of June
and December to coincide with the Index's semi-annual rebalance
periods.
ISE will, in most cases, use the quantitative ranking and screening system
described above, however, subjective screening based on fundamental analysis
or other factors may be used, if in the opinion of the ISE certain components
should be included or excluded from the Index.
The Fund will make changes to its portfolio shortly after changes to the Index
are released to the public. Investors are able to access the holdings of the
Fund and the composition and compilation methodology of the Index through the
Fund's website at www.ftportfolios.com.
In the event that the Index Provider no longer calculates the Index, the Index
license is terminated or the identity or character of the Index is materially
changed, the Board will seek to engage a replacement index. However, if that
proves to be impracticable, the Board will take whatever action it deems to be
in the best interests of the Fund. The Board will also take whatever actions
it deems to be in the best interests of the Fund if the Shares are delisted.
OTHER INFORMATION
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is treated as a registered investment
company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment
companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has received an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission that permits certain registered investment
companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section
12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that any such
investment companies enter into agreements with the Fund regarding the terms
of any investment.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The Fund will issue, on a continuous offering basis, its Shares in one or more
groups of a fixed number of Fund Shares (each such group of such specified
number of individual Fund Shares, a "Creation Unit Aggregation"). The method
by which Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund Shares are created and traded may
raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation
Unit Aggregations of Shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing
basis, a "distribution," as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and
other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending
on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a
distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and
subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions
of the Securities Act.
24
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory
underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations after placing an order with
FTP, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells such Shares directly
to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new
Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary
market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for
purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and
circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client
in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be
considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a
characterization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not "underwriters"
but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the
distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This
is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities
Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section
24(d) of the 1940 Act. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, however, has received
from the Securities and Exchange Commission an exemption from the prospectus
delivery obligation in ordinary secondary market transactions under certain
circumstances, on the condition that purchasers are provided with a product
description of the Shares. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that
dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as
contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with
the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section
4(3)(a) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the
prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act.
Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are
reminded that, under the Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus delivery
obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to a broker-dealer
in connection with a sale on NYSE Arca is satisfied by the fact that the
Prospectus is available from NYSE Arca upon request. The prospectus
delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available with respect to
transactions on a national securities exchange, a trading facility or an
alternative trading system.
25
FIRST TRUST
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
FIRST TRUST ISE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY
INDEX FUND
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more detailed information on the Fund, several additional sources of
information are available to you. The SAI, incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus, contains detailed information on the Fund's
policies and operation. Additional information about the Fund's
investments is available in the annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. In the Fund's annual reports, you will find a discussion
of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly
affect the Fund's performance during the last fiscal year. The Fund's
most recent SAI and certain other information are available free of
charge by calling the Fund at (800) 621-1675, on the Fund's website at
www.ftportfolios.com or through your financial adviser. Shareholders may
call the toll-free number above with any inquiries.
You may obtain this and other information regarding the Fund, including
the Codes of Ethics adopted by First Trust, FTP and the Trust, directly
from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Information on
the SEC's website is free of charge. Visit the SEC's on-line EDGAR
database at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C., or call the SEC at (202) 551-8090
for information on the Public Reference Room. You may also request
information regarding the Fund by sending a request (along with a
duplication fee) to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by sending an electronic request to
publicinfo@sec.gov.
First Trust Advisors L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(800) 621-1675 SEC File #: 333-143964
www.ftportfolios.com 811-21944
|
Back Cover
Preliminary Statement of Additional Information
Dated June 6, 2008
Subject to Completion
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-21944
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
FIRST TRUST ISE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY INDEX FUND
DATED ____________, 2008
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated ____________, 2008
(the "Prospectus") for the First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund, a
series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II (the "Trust"), as it may be
revised from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined
have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of
the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust's
distributor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle,
Illinois 60532, or by calling toll free at (800) 621-1675.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND
MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND
IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE
OFFER OF SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND.................................1
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING..................................................3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.............................................4
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES.........................................................5
SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT.........................................................15
INVESTMENT RISKS.............................................................15
FUND MANAGEMENT..............................................................18
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.....................................27
BROKERAGE ALLOCATIONS........................................................28
CUSTODIAN, DISTRIBUTOR, TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT,
INDEX PROVIDER, ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER AND EXCHANGE.....................30
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.......................................................32
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.........................................34
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS........................35
REGULAR HOLIDAYS.............................................................44
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS..........................................................49
DETERMINATION OF NAV.........................................................55
|
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..................................................57
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION....................................................58
|
-ii-
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on July 20,
2006 and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more
series or "Funds." The Trust is an open-end management investment company,
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"). The Trust currently offers Shares (as defined below) in four series,
including the First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index Fund (the "Fund,"), a
non-diversified series. This Statement of Additional Information relates only
to the Fund. The shares of the Fund are referred to herein as "Shares" or
"Fund Shares." Each series of the Trust represents a beneficial interest in a
separate portfolio of securities and other assets, with its own objective and
policies.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board of Trustees" or the
"Trustees") has the right to establish additional series in the future, to
determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges thereof and to
modify such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges without
shareholder approval. Shares of any series may also be divided into one or
more classes at the discretion of the Trustees.
Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a
shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all series of the Trust vote
together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, or if
the matter being voted on affects only a particular series, and, if a matter
affects a particular series differently from other series, the shares of that
series will vote separately on such matter. The Trust's Declaration of Trust
(the "Declaration") requires a shareholder vote only on those matters where
the 1940 Act requires a vote of shareholders and otherwise permits the
Trustees to take actions without seeking the consent of shareholders. For
example, the Declaration gives the Trustees broad authority to approve
reorganizations between the Fund and another entity, such as another
exchange-traded fund, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Fund's
assets, or the termination of the Trust or any Fund without shareholder
approval if the 1940 Act would not require such approval.
The Declaration provides that by becoming a shareholder of the Fund,
each shareholder shall be expressly held to have agreed to be bound by the
provisions of the Declaration. The Declaration may be amended or supplemented
by the Trustees in any respect without shareholder vote. The Declaration
provides that the Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that
vacancies on the Board of Trustees may be filled by the remaining Trustees,
except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the
1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by
shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also
provides that Trustees may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the voting power of the Trust, or
by a vote of two thirds of the remaining Trustees. The provisions of the
Declaration relating to the election and removal of Trustees may not be
amended without the approval of two-thirds of the Trustees.
The holders of Fund Shares are required to disclose information on
direct or indirect ownership of Fund Shares as may be required to comply with
various laws applicable to the Fund or as the Trustees may determine, and
ownership of Fund Shares may be disclosed by the Fund if so required by law or
regulation. In addition, pursuant to the Declaration, the Trustees may, in
their discretion, require the Trust to redeem Shares held by any shareholder
for any reason under terms set by the Trustees. The Declaration provides a
detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in
order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time,
expense, distraction and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its
shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative
actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand must first be made on
the Trustees. The Declaration details various information, certifications,
undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand.
Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees have a period of 90 days, which
may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a
majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of
considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the
best interests of the Fund, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and
the complaining shareholder may not proceed with the derivative action unless
the shareholder is able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the
decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good
faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. In making
such a determination, a Trustee is not considered to have a personal financial
interest by virtue of being compensated for his or her services as a Trustee.
If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholder will be responsible for
the costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the Fund in
connection with the consideration of the demand under a number of
circumstances. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the
Declaration, the shareholder bringing the action may be responsible for the
Fund's costs, including attorneys' fees. The Declaration also provides that
any shareholder bringing an action against the Fund waives the right to trial
by jury to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The Trust is not required to and does not intend to hold annual
meetings of shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law applicable to Massachusetts business trusts,
shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held
personally liable as partners for its obligations. However, the Declaration
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this disclaimer be given
in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the
Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration further provides for indemnification
out of the assets and property of the Trust for all losses and expenses of any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance
existed and the Trust or the Fund itself was unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration further provides that a Trustee acting in his or her
capacity as Trustee is not personally liable to any person other than the
Trust or its shareholders, for any act, omission, or obligation of the Trust.
The Declaration requires the Trust to indemnify any persons who are or who
have been Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust for any liability for
actions or failure to act except to the extent prohibited by applicable
federal law. In making any determination as to whether any person is entitled
to the advancement of expenses in connection with a claim for which
indemnification is sought, such person is entitled to a rebuttable presumption
- 2 -
that he or she did not engage in conduct for which indemnification is not
available. The Declaration provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of
the Board of Trustees or of a committee of the Board of Trustees, lead
independent Trustee, or audit committee financial expert, or in any other
similar capacity will not be subject to any greater standard of care or
liability because of such position.
The Fund is advised by First Trust Advisors L.P. (the "Adviser" or
"First Trust").
The Fund has applied to its Shares on NYSE Arca, Inc. ("NYSE Arca").
The Shares will trade on NYSE Arca at market prices that may be below, at or
above net asset value ("NAV"). The Fund offers and issues Shares at NAV only
in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each a "Creation Unit" or a
"Creation Unit Aggregation"). In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund,
an investor must deposit (i) cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit
Securities (as defined below) and/or (ii) a designated portfolio of equity
securities determined by First Trust (the "Deposit Securities") and generally
make a cash payment (the "Cash Component"). To the extent Deposit Securities
are delivered, the list of the names and numbers of shares of the Deposit
Securities is made available by the Fund's custodian through the facilities of
the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the "NSCC"), each day the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The Cash Component (including any
cash in lieu amount) represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation
Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. Shares are redeemable
only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio
securities and a specified cash payment. Creation Units are aggregations of
100,000 Shares.
The Trust reserves the right to offer a "cash" option for creations
and redemptions of Fund Shares. Fund Shares may be issued in advance of
receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a
requirement to maintain on deposit with the Fund cash at least equal to 115%
of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the "Creation and
Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations" section. In each instance of such
cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be
higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or
redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable
to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
There can be no assurance that the requirements of NYSE Arca
necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of the Fund will continue to be
met. NYSE Arca may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of the Fund from
listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the
commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners
of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the
value of the Fund's Index (as defined below) is no longer calculated or
available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in
the opinion of NYSE Arca, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable.
NYSE Arca will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon
termination of the Fund.
- 3 -
As in the case of other stocks traded on NYSE Arca, broker's
commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at
customary levels.
The Fund reserves the right to adjust the price levels of Shares in
the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any
adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock
splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Prospectus describes the investment objective and policies of the
Fund. The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus
concerning the investment objective and policies of the Fund.
The Fund is subject to the following fundamental policies, which may
not be changed without approval of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund:
(1) The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as
permitted under the 1940 Act.
(2) The Fund may not borrow money, except that the Fund may
(i) borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but
not for leverage or the purchase of investments) and (ii) engage in
other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act that may involve a
borrowing (such as obtaining short-term credits as are necessary for
the clearance of transactions, engaging in delayed-delivery
transactions, or purchasing certain futures, forward contracts and
options), provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not
exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the
amount borrowed), less the Fund's liabilities (other than
borrowings).
(3) The Fund will not underwrite the securities of other
issuers except to the extent the Fund may be considered an
underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act") in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities.
(4) The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate or
interests therein, unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund
from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by
real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).
(5) The Fund may not make loans to other persons, except
through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the
Fund's investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements, or (iii) the
lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of
portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the
aggregate of such loans would exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the
Fund's total assets.
- 4 -
(6) The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities
unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other
instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or
selling options, futures contracts, forward contracts or other
derivative instruments, or from investing in securities or other
instruments backed by physical commodities).
(7) The Fund may not invest 25% or more of the value of its
total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of
industries, except to the extent that the Index that the Fund is
based upon, concentrates in an industry or group of industries. This
restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
Except for restriction (2), if a percentage restriction is adhered to
at the time of investment, a later increase in percentage resulting from a
change in market value of the investment or the total assets will not
constitute a violation of that restriction.
The foregoing fundamental policies of the Fund may not be changed
without the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund. The 1940 Act defines a majority vote as the vote of
the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities represented at a
meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding securities are represented;
or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. With respect to
the submission of a change in an investment policy to the holders of
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, such matter shall be deemed to have
been effectively acted upon with respect to the Fund if a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund vote for the approval of such
matter, notwithstanding that (1) such matter has not been approved by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any other series
of the Trust affected by such matter, and (2) such matter has not been
approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities.
In addition to the foregoing fundamental policies, the Fund is also
subject to strategies and policies discussed herein which, unless otherwise
noted, are non-fundamental restrictions and policies which may be changed by
the Board of Trustees.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 90% of its
total assets in common stocks that comprise the ISE Global Wind Energy Index
(the "Index") or in Depositary Receipts representing securities in the Index.
Fund shareholders are entitled to 60 days' notice prior to any change in this
non-fundamental investment policy.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
Warrants: The Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants acquired by the
Fund entitle it to buy common stock from the issuer at a specified price and
time. They do not represent ownership of the securities but only the right to
- 5 -
buy them. Warrants are subject to the same market risks as stocks, but may be
more volatile in price. The Fund's investment in warrants will not entitle it
to receive dividends or exercise voting rights and will become worthless if
the warrants cannot be profitably exercised before their expiration date.
Delayed-Delivery Transactions: The Fund may from time to time
purchase securities on a "when-issued" or other delayed-delivery basis. The
price of securities purchased in such transactions is fixed at the time the
commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the securities
take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within 45
days of the purchase. During the period between the purchase and settlement,
the Fund does not remit payment to the issuer, no interest is accrued on debt
securities, and dividend income is not earned on equity securities.
Delayed-delivery commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is
in addition to the risk of decline in value of the Fund's other assets. While
securities purchased in delayed-delivery transactions may be sold prior to the
settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with the purpose
of actually acquiring them. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to
purchase a security in a delayed-delivery transaction, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its NAV. The
Fund does not believe that NAV will be adversely affected by purchases of
securities in delayed-delivery transactions.
The Fund will earmark or maintain in a segregated account cash, U.S.
Government securities, and high-grade liquid debt securities equal in value to
commitments for delayed-delivery securities. Such earmarked or segregated
securities will mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before the settlement
date. When the time comes to pay for delayed-delivery securities, the Fund
will meet its obligations from then-available cash flow, sale of the
securities earmarked or held in the segregated account described above, sale
of other securities, or, although it would not normally expect to do so, from
the sale of the delayed-delivery securities themselves (which may have a
market value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation).
Illiquid Securities: The Fund may invest in illiquid securities
(i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). For purposes of this
restriction, illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, restricted
securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the
federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule
144A under the 1933 Act, as amended, but that are deemed to be illiquid; and
repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. However, the
Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities
would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets. The Board
of Trustees or its delegates has the ultimate authority to determine, to the
extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are
liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation. The Board of Trustees
has delegated to First Trust the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity
of any equity or fixed-income security, although it has retained oversight and
ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive
liquidity criteria are used, the Board of Trustees has directed First Trust to
look to factors such as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including
the institutional private resale market; the frequency of trades and quotes
for the security; the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the
security; and the amount of time normally needed to dispose of the security,
the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer), (ii) the terms
of certain securities or other instruments allowing for the disposition to a
- 6 -
third party or the issuer thereof (e.g., certain repurchase obligations and
demand instruments), and (iii) other permissible relevant factors.
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the
Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a
considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and
the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective
registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions
were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which
prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at fair
value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board of
Trustees. If, through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the
depreciation of liquid securities, the Fund should be in a position where more
than 15% of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid securities,
including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the Fund
will take such steps as is deemed advisable, if any, to protect liquidity.
Money Market Funds: The Fund may invest in shares of money market
funds to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
Temporary Investments: The Fund may, without limit as to percentage
of assets, purchase U.S. Government securities or short-term debt securities
to keep cash on hand fully invested or for temporary defensive purposes.
Short-term debt securities are securities from issuers having a long-term debt
rating of at least A by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch") and having a
maturity of one year or less.
Short-term debt securities are defined to include, without
limitation, the following:
(1) U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and
bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest, which are
either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government agency
securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of
United States, Small Business Administration, and the Government
National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the
full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan
Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley
Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency
to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) Fannie Mae, whose securities
are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government
to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and
(d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are
supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government provides
financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or
instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do
so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its
agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of
their securities, and consequently, the value of such securities may
fluctuate.
- 7 -
(2) Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited
in a bank or savings and loan association. Such certificates are for
a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are
normally negotiable. If such certificates of deposit are
non-negotiable, they will be considered illiquid securities and be
subject to the Fund's 15% restriction on investments in illiquid
securities. Pursuant to the certificate of deposit, the issuer agrees
to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the
certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations, the maximum insurance
payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $100,000; therefore
certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully
insured.
(3) Bankers' acceptances which are short-term credit
instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an
acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an
importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific
merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect,
unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on
its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting
bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the
going rate of interest for a specific maturity.
(4) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt
securities. In such an action, at the time the Fund purchases the
security, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver the
security to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back
the security at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined
yield for the Fund during its holding period since the resale price
is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon
market rate. The period of these repurchase agreements will usually
be short, from overnight to one week. Such actions afford an
opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The
Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to
obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers' acceptances
in which the Fund may invest. In addition, the Fund may only enter
into repurchase agreements where the market value of the purchased
securities/collateral equals at least 100% of principal including
accrued interest and is marked-to-market daily. The risk to the Fund
is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on
the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase
agreement provides that the affected Fund is entitled to sell the
underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after
the agreement is entered into, however, and if the seller defaults
under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying
collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a
loss of both principal and interest. The Fund, however, intends to
enter into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions and
dealers believed by First Trust to present minimal credit risks in
accordance with criteria established by the Board of Trustees. First
Trust will review and monitor the creditworthiness of such
institutions. First Trust monitors the value of the collateral at the
time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of
the repurchase agreement. First Trust does so in an effort to
determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds
- 8 -
the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the
seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the
ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or
impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(5) Bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit
with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of
time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the
early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of
these investments will be reduced.
(6) Commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured
promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued
by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand
notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a
corporation. There is no secondary market for the notes. However,
they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The portfolio manager
will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g.,
earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios) and will
continuously monitor the corporation's ability to meet all of its
financial obligations, because the Fund's liquidity might be impaired
if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on
demand. The Fund may only invest in commercial paper rated A-1 or
better by S&P, Prime-1 or higher by Moody's or Fitch 2 or higher by
Fitch.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund buys and sells portfolio securities in the normal course of
its investment activities. The proportion of the Fund's investment portfolio
that is sold and replaced with new securities during a year is known as the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for
example, if the Fund sold and replaced securities valued at 100% of its net
assets within one year. Active trading would result in the payment by the Fund
of increased brokerage costs and expenses.
HEDGING STRATEGIES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HEDGING STRATEGIES
The Fund may engage in hedging activities. First Trust may cause the
Fund to utilize a variety of financial instruments, including options, forward
contracts, futures contracts (hereinafter referred to as "Futures" or "Futures
Contracts"), and options on Futures Contracts to attempt to hedge the Fund's
holdings.
Hedging or derivative instruments on securities generally are used to
hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions
that the Fund owns or intends to acquire. Such instruments may also be used to
"lock-in" realized but unrecognized gains in the value of portfolio
securities. Hedging instruments on stock indices, in contrast, generally are
used to hedge against price movements in broad equity market sectors in which
the Fund has invested or expects to invest. Hedging strategies, if successful,
can reduce the risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative
effect of unfavorable price movements in the investments being hedged.
- 9 -
However, hedging strategies can also reduce the opportunity for gain by
offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements in the hedged
investments. The use of hedging instruments is subject to applicable
regulations of the SEC, the several options and Futures exchanges upon which
they are traded, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and
various state regulatory authorities. In addition, the Fund's ability to use
hedging instruments may be limited by tax considerations.
GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Trust has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the
definition of the term "commodity pool operator" with the National Futures
Association, the Futures industry's self-regulatory organization. [THE FUND
WILL NOT ENTER INTO FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS IF THE SUM OF THE INITIAL
MARGIN DEPOSITS AND PREMIUMS PAID FOR UNEXPIRED OPTIONS EXCEEDS 5% OF THE
FUND'S TOTAL ASSETS. IN ADDITION, THE FUND WILL NOT ENTER INTO FUTURES
CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS IF MORE THAN 30% OF ITS NET ASSETS WOULD BE
COMMITTED TO SUCH INSTRUMENTS.]
The foregoing limitations are not fundamental policies of the Fund
and may be changed without shareholder approval as regulatory agencies permit.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR FUTURES AND OPTIONS POSITIONS
The Fund will comply with the regulatory requirements of the SEC and
the CFTC with respect to coverage of options and Futures positions by
registered investment companies and, if the guidelines so require, will
earmark or set aside cash, U.S. Government securities, high grade liquid debt
securities and/or other liquid assets permitted by the SEC and CFTC in a
segregated custodial account in the amount prescribed. Securities earmarked or
held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the Futures or options
position is outstanding, unless replaced with other permissible assets, and
will be marked-to-market daily.
STOCK INDEX OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase stock index options, sell stock index options
in order to close out existing positions, and/or write covered options on
stock indices for hedging purposes. Stock index options are put options and
call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to
listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options
and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of
stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However,
upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of
the securities comprising the stock index. The option holder who exercises the
index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock
index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call,
or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This
amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the
stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a
specified multiple.
- 10 -
A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the
stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based
on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or the Value
Line(R) Composite Indices or a more narrow market index, such as the Standard
& Poor's 100. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment.
Options on stock indices are currently traded on the following exchanges: the
Chicago Board Options Exchange, the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX"), NYSE
Arca and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
The Fund's use of stock index options is subject to certain risks.
Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the
ability of First Trust to correctly predict movements in the directions of the
stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting
changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund's
ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its
portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline through transactions
in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price
movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the
securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund's securities will not
duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect.
Consequently, the Fund will bear the risk that the prices of its securities
being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options
on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative
correlation between the index and the Fund's securities, which would result in
a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by
the Fund.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during
which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options
markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant
price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot
be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly
specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The
purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and
transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a
result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the
stock index on which the option is based.
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING OPTIONS
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options
exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and
for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If
the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has
written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase
the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to
deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale
transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it
would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would
incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying
securities.
The writing and purchasing of options is a highly specialized
activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those
associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Imperfect
correlation between the options and securities markets may detract from the
- 11 -
effectiveness of attempted hedging. Options transactions may result in
significantly higher transaction costs and portfolio turnover for the Fund.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into Futures Contracts, including index Futures as
a hedge against movements in the equity markets, in order to hedge against
changes in securities held or intended to be acquired by the Fund or for other
purposes permissible under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA"). The Fund's
hedging may include sales of Futures as an offset against the effect of
expected declines in stock prices and purchases of Futures as an offset
against the effect of expected increases in stock prices. The Fund will not
enter into Futures Contracts which are prohibited under the CEA and will, to
the extent required by regulatory authorities, enter only into Futures
Contracts that are traded on national Futures exchanges and are standardized
as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. The principal
interest rate Futures exchanges in the United States are the Chicago Board of
Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Futures exchanges and trading are
regulated under the CEA by the CFTC.
An interest rate Futures Contract provides for the future sale by one
party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific
financial instrument (e.g., a debt security) or currency for a specified price
at a designated date, time and place. An index Futures Contract is an
agreement pursuant to which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an
amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the
close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index
Futures Contract was originally written. Transaction costs are incurred when a
Futures Contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. A
Futures Contract may be satisfied by delivery or purchase, as the case may be,
of the instrument or by payment of the change in the cash value of the index.
More commonly, Futures Contracts are closed out prior to delivery by entering
into an offsetting transaction in a matching Futures Contract. Although the
value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified
securities, no physical delivery of those securities is made. If the
offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a gain will be
realized. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original
purchase price, a gain will be realized; if it is less, a loss will be
realized. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into
an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular Futures Contract at a
particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin
deposits on the Futures Contract.
Margin is the amount of funds that must be deposited by the Fund with
its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the Futures commission
merchant in order to initiate Futures trading and to maintain the Fund's open
positions in Futures Contracts. A margin deposit is intended to ensure the
Fund's performance of the Futures Contract.
The margin required for a particular Futures Contract is set by the
exchange on which the Futures Contract is traded and may be significantly
modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the Futures
Contract. Futures Contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that
- 12 -
may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the Futures Contract being
traded.
If the price of an open Futures Contract changes (by increase in the
case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on
the Futures Contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not
satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the
margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable
price changes in the Futures Contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the
required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. In computing
daily NAV, the Fund will mark to market the current value of its open Futures
Contracts. The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Because of the low margin deposits required, Futures trading involves
an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price
movement in a Futures Contract may result in immediate and substantial loss,
as well as gain, to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10%
of the value of the Futures Contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10%
decrease in the value of the Futures Contract would result in a total loss of
the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the
account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to
150% of the original margin deposit, if the Future Contracts were closed out.
Thus, a purchase or sale of a Futures Contract may result in losses in excess
of the amount initially invested in the Futures Contract. However, the Fund
would presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the Futures
Contract, it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it
after the decline.
Most United States Futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in Futures Contract prices during a single trading day. The day
limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a Futures Contract may
vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of
a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type
of Futures Contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that
limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading
day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may
prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures Contract prices have
occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days
with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of Futures
positions and subjecting some investors to substantial losses.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time
when the Fund seeks to close out a Futures position. The Fund would continue
to be required to meet margin requirements until the position is closed,
possibly resulting in a decline in the Fund's NAV. In addition, many of the
contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant
trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active
secondary market will develop or continue to exist.
A public market exists in Futures Contracts covering a number of
indices, including, but not limited to, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 100 Index,
the NASDAQ 100 Index(R), the Value Line(R) Composite Index and the NYSE
Composite Index(R).
- 13 -
OPTIONS ON FUTURES
The Fund may also purchase or write put and call options on Futures
Contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to
terminate an existing position. A Futures option gives the holder the right,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short
position (put) in a Futures Contract at a specified exercise price prior to
the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder
acquires a long position in the Futures Contract and the writer is assigned
the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is
true. Prior to exercise or expiration, a Futures option may be closed out by
an offsetting purchase or sale of a Futures option of the same series.
The Fund may use options on Futures Contracts in connection with
hedging strategies. Generally, these strategies would be applied under the
same market and market sector conditions in which the Fund uses put and call
options on securities or indices. The purchase of put options on Futures
Contracts is analogous to the purchase of puts on securities or indices so as
to hedge the Fund's securities holdings against the risk of declining market
prices. The writing of a call option or the purchasing of a put option on a
Futures Contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of
securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the Futures Contract. If the
price at expiration of a written call option is below the exercise price, the
Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a
partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund's
holdings of securities. If the price when the option is exercised is above the
exercise price, however, the Fund will incur a loss, which may be offset, in
whole or in part, by the increase in the value of the securities held by the
Fund that were being hedged. Writing a put option or purchasing a call option
on a Futures Contract serves as a partial hedge against an increase in the
value of the securities the Fund intends to acquire.
As with investments in Futures Contracts, the Fund is required to
deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on Futures
Contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the
nature of the underlying Futures Contract (and the related initial margin
requirements), the current market value of the option, and other Futures
positions held by the Fund. The Fund will earmark or set aside in a segregated
account at the Fund's custodian, liquid assets, such as cash, U.S. Government
securities or other high-grade liquid debt obligations equal in value to the
amount due on the underlying obligation. Such segregated assets will be
marked-to-market daily, and additional assets will be earmarked or placed in
the segregated account whenever the total value of the earmarked or segregated
assets falls below the amount due on the underlying obligation.
The risks associated with the use of options on Futures Contracts
include the risk that the Fund may close out its position as a writer of an
option only if a liquid secondary market exists for such options, which cannot
be assured. The Fund's successful use of options on Futures Contracts depends
on First Trust's ability to correctly predict the movement in prices of
Futures Contracts and the underlying instruments, which may prove to be
incorrect. In addition, there may be imperfect correlation between the
instruments being hedged and the Futures Contract subject to the option. For
additional information, see "Futures Contracts." Certain characteristics of
the Futures market might increase the risk that movements in the prices of
Futures Contracts or options on Futures Contracts might not correlate
perfectly with movements in the prices of the investments being hedged. For
- 14 -
example, all participants in the Futures and options on Futures Contracts
markets are subject to daily variation margin calls and might be compelled to
liquidate Futures or options on Futures Contracts positions whose prices are
moving unfavorably to avoid being subject to further calls. These liquidations
could increase the price volatility of the instruments and distort the normal
price relationship between the Futures or options and the investments being
hedged. Also, because of initial margin deposit requirements, there might be
increased participation by speculators in the Futures markets. This
participation also might cause temporary price distortions. In addition,
activities of large traders in both the Futures and securities markets
involving arbitrage, "program trading," and other investment strategies might
result in temporary price distortions.
SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT
The Trust on behalf of the Fund has entered into a sublicense
agreement (the "Sublicense Agreement") with International Securities Exchange,
LLC ("ISE" or the "Index Provider"), that grants the Fund a non-exclusive and
non-transferable sublicense to use certain intellectual property of the Index
Provider in connection with the issuance, distribution, marketing and/or
promotion of the Fund. Pursuant to the Sublicense Agreement, the Fund has
agreed to be bound by certain provisions of a product license agreement by and
between the Index Provider and First Trust (the "Product License Agreement").
Pursuant to the Product License Agreement, First Trust will pay the Index
Provider an annual license fee of ____% of the average daily NAV of the Fund.
Under the Sublicense Agreement, the Fund will reimburse First Trust for its
costs associated with the Product License Agreement.
INVESTMENT RISKS
OVERVIEW
An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the
risks which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that
the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general
condition of the common stock market may worsen and the value of the equity
securities and therefore the value of the Fund may decline. The Fund may not
be an appropriate investment for those who are unable or unwilling to assume
the risks involved generally with an equity investment. The past market and
earnings performance of any of the equity securities included in the Fund is
not predictive of their future performance. Common stocks are especially
susceptible to general stock market movements and to volatile increases and
decreases of value as market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers
change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable factors including
expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies,
inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises. First Trust cannot predict the
direction or scope of any of these factors. Shareholders of common stocks have
rights to receive payments from the issuers of those common stocks that are
generally subordinate to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations
or preferred stocks of, such issuers.
- 15 -
Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Fund have a
right to receive dividends only when and if, and in the amounts, declared by
the issuer's board of directors and have a right to participate in amounts
available for distribution by the issuer only after all other claims on the
issuer have been paid. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the
issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or provide the
same degree of protection of capital as do debt securities. The issuance of
additional debt securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for
payment of principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the
ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its
common stock or the rights of holders of common stock with respect to assets
of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of common stocks is
subject to market fluctuations for as long as the common stocks remain
outstanding, and thus the value of the equity securities in the Fund will
fluctuate over the life of the Fund and may be more or less than the price at
which they were purchased by the Fund. The equity securities held in the Fund
may appreciate or depreciate in value (or pay dividends) depending on the full
range of economic and market influences affecting these securities, including
the impact of the Fund's purchase and sale of the equity securities and other
factors.
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred
stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the
entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in
comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or
preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative preferred stock dividends
must be paid before common stock dividends and any cumulative preferred stock
dividend omitted is added to future dividends payable to the holders of
cumulative preferred stock. Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled
to rights on liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders.
RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING DERIVATIVES
In addition to the foregoing, the use of derivative instruments
involves certain general risks and considerations as described below.
(1) Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that the value of
the underlying assets may go up or down. Adverse movements in the
value of an underlying asset can expose the Fund to losses. Market
risk is the primary risk associated with derivative transactions.
Derivative instruments may include elements of leverage and,
accordingly, fluctuations in the value of the derivative instrument
in relation to the underlying asset may be magnified. The successful
use of derivative instruments depends upon a variety of factors,
particularly the portfolio manager's ability to predict movements of
the securities, currencies, and commodities markets, which may
require different skills than predicting changes in the prices of
individual securities. There can be no assurance that any particular
strategy adopted will succeed. A decision to engage in a derivative
transaction will reflect the portfolio manager's judgment that the
derivative transaction will provide value to the Fund and its
shareholders and is consistent with the Fund's objective, investment
limitations, and operating policies. In making such a judgment, the
portfolio manager will analyze the benefits and risks of the
derivative transactions and weigh them in the context of the Fund's
overall investments and investment objective.
- 16 -
(2) Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that a loss may be
sustained as a result of the failure of a counterparty to comply with
the terms of a derivative instrument. The counterparty risk for
exchange-traded derivatives is generally less than for
privately-negotiated or over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives, since
generally a clearing agency, which is the issuer or counterparty to
each exchange-traded instrument, provides a guarantee of performance.
For privately-negotiated instruments, there is no similar clearing
agency guarantee. In all transactions, the Fund will bear the risk
that the counterparty will default, and this could result in a loss
of the expected benefit of the derivative transactions and possibly
other losses to the Fund. The Fund will enter into transactions in
derivative instruments only with counterparties that First Trust
reasonably believes are capable of performing under the contract.
(3) Correlation Risk. Correlation risk is the risk that
there might be an imperfect correlation, or even no correlation,
between price movements of a derivative instrument and price
movements of investments being hedged. When a derivative transaction
is used to completely hedge another position, changes in the market
value of the combined position (the derivative instrument plus the
position being hedged) result from an imperfect correlation between
the price movements of the two instruments. With a perfect hedge, the
value of the combined position remains unchanged with any change in
the price of the underlying asset. With an imperfect hedge, the value
of the derivative instrument and its hedge are not perfectly
correlated. For example, if the value of a derivative instrument used
in a short hedge (such as writing a call option, buying a put option
or selling a Futures Contract) increased by less than the decline in
value of the hedged investments, the hedge would not be perfectly
correlated. This might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of
the investments being hedged, such as speculative or other pressures
on the markets in which these instruments are traded. The
effectiveness of hedges using instruments on indices will depend, in
part, on the degree of correlation between price movements in the
index and the price movements in the investments being hedged.
(4) Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a
derivative instrument cannot be sold, closed out, or replaced quickly
at or very close to its fundamental value. Generally, exchange
contracts are very liquid because the exchange clearinghouse is the
counterparty of every contract. OTC transactions are less liquid than
exchange-traded derivatives since they often can only be closed out
with the other party to the transaction. The Fund might be required
by applicable regulatory requirements to maintain assets as "cover,"
maintain segregated accounts, and/or make margin payments when it
takes positions in derivative instruments involving obligations to
third parties (i.e., instruments other than purchase options). If the
Fund is unable to close out its positions in such instruments, it
might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or
make such payments until the position expires, matures, or is closed
out. These requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell a
security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be
favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio
security at a disadvantageous time. The Fund's ability to sell or
close out a position in an instrument prior to expiration or maturity
depends upon the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the
- 17 -
absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the
counterparty to enter into a transaction closing out the position.
Due to liquidity risk, there is no assurance that any derivatives
position can be sold or closed out at a time and price that is
favorable to the Fund.
(5) Legal Risk. Legal risk is the risk of loss caused by
the unenforceability of a party's obligations under the derivative.
While a party seeking price certainty agrees to surrender the
potential upside in exchange for downside protection, the party
taking the risk is looking for a positive payoff. Despite this
voluntary assumption of risk, a counterparty that has lost money in a
derivative transaction may try to avoid payment by exploiting various
legal uncertainties about certain derivative products.
(6) Systemic or "Interconnection" Risk. Systemic or
interconnection risk is the risk that a disruption in the financial
markets will cause difficulties for all market participants. In other
words, a disruption in one market will spill over into other markets,
perhaps creating a chain reaction. Much of the OTC derivatives market
takes place among the OTC dealers themselves, thus creating a large
interconnected web of financial obligations. This interconnectedness
raises the possibility that a default by one large dealer could
create losses for other dealers and destabilize the entire market for
OTC derivative instruments.
FUND MANAGEMENT
The general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under
the investment management agreement is the responsibility of the Board of
Trustees. There are five Trustees of the Trust, one of whom is an "interested
person" (as the term is defined in the 1940 Act) and four of whom are Trustees
who are not officers or employees of First Trust or any of its affiliates
("Independent Trustees"). The Trustees set broad policies for the Fund, choose
the Trust's officers and hire the Trust's investment adviser. The officers of
the Trust manage its day to day operations and are responsible to the Trust's
Board of Trustees. The following is a list of the Trustees and officers of the
Trust and a statement of their present positions and principal occupations
during the past five years, the number of portfolios each Trustee oversees and
the other directorships they hold, if applicable.
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
THE FIRST OTHER
TERM OF OFFICE TRUST FUND TRUSTEESHIPS
AND YEAR FIRST COMPLEX OR
NAME, ADDRESS POSITION AND ELECTED OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORSHIPS
AND DATE OF BIRTH OFFICES WITH TRUST APPOINTED DURING PAST 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Trustee who is an
Interested Person of the
Trust
------------------------
James A. Bowen(1) President, o Indefinite President, First __ Portfolios Trustee of
1001 Warrenville Road, Chairman of the term Trust Advisors L.P. Wheaton
Suite 300 Board, Chief and First Trust College
Lisle, IL 60532 Executive Officer o 2006 Portfolios L.P.;
D.O.B.: 09/55 and Trustee Chairman of the Board
of Directors,
BondWave LLC
(Software Development
Company/Broker-Dealer)
and Stonebridge
Advisors LLC
(Investment Adviser)
- 18 -
|
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
THE FIRST OTHER
TERM OF OFFICE TRUST FUND TRUSTEESHIPS
AND YEAR FIRST COMPLEX OR
NAME, ADDRESS POSITION AND ELECTED OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORSHIPS
AND DATE OF BIRTH OFFICES WITH TRUST APPOINTED DURING PAST 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Trustees who are not
Interested Persons of the
Trust
--------------------------
Richard E. Erickson Trustee o Indefinite Physician; President, __ Portfolios None
c/o First Trust Advisors term Wheaton Orthopedics;
L.P. Co-owner and
1001 Warrenville Road, o 2006 Co-Director (January
Suite 300 1996 to May 2007),
Lisle, IL 60532 Sports Med Center for
D.O.B.: 04/51 Fitness; Limited
Partner, Gundersen
Real Estate
Partnership; Limited
Partner, Sportsmed LLC
Thomas R. Kadlec Trustee o Indefinite Senior Vice President __ Portfolios None
c/o First Trust Advisors term and Chief Financial
L.P. Officer (May 2007 to
1001 Warrenville Road, o 2006 Present), Vice
Suite 300 President and Chief
Lisle, IL 60532 Financial Officer
D.O.B.: 11/57 (1990 to May 2007),
ADM Investor Services, Inc.
(Futures Commission
Merchant); Vice President
(May 2005 to Present), ADM
Derivatives, Inc.; Registered
Representative (2000
to Present), Segerdahl &
Company, Inc., a FINRA
member (Broker-Dealer)
Robert F. Keith Trustee o Indefinite President (2003 to __ Portfolios None
c/o First Trust Advisors term Present), Hibs
L.P. Enterprises
1001 Warrenville Road, o 2006 (Financial and
Suite 300 Management
Lisle, IL 60532 Consulting);
D.O.B.: 11/56 President (2001 to
2003), Aramark
Service Master
Management; President
and Chief Operating
Officer (1998 to
2003), Service Master
Management Services
Niel B. Nielson Trustee o Indefinite President (June 2002 __ Portfolios Director of
c/o First Trust Advisors term to Present), Covenant Covenant
L.P. College Transport Inc.
1001 Warrenville Road, o 2006
Suite 300
Lisle, IL 60532
D.O.B.: 03/54
Officers of the Trust
----------------------
Mark R. Bradley Treasurer, o Indefinite Chief Financial N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, Controller, Chief term Officer, First Trust
Suite 300 Financial Officer Advisors L.P. and
Lisle, IL 60532 and Chief o 2006 First Trust
D.O.B.: 11/57 Accounting Officer Portfolios L.P.;
Chief Financial
Officer, BondWave
LLC (Software
Development
Company/Broker-Dealer)
and Stonebridge
Advisors LLC
(Investment Adviser)
- 19 -
|
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
THE FIRST OTHER
TERM OF OFFICE TRUST FUND TRUSTEESHIPS
AND YEAR FIRST COMPLEX OR
NAME, ADDRESS POSITION AND ELECTED OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORSHIPS
AND DATE OF BIRTH OFFICES WITH TRUST APPOINTED DURING PAST 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Kelley Christensen Vice President o Indefinite Assistant Vice N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, term President, First
Suite 300 Trust Advisors L.P.
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 and First Trust
D.O.B.: 09/70 Portfolios L.P.
James M. Dykas Assistant o Indefinite Senior Vice President N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, Treasurer term (April 2007 to
Suite 300 Present), Vice
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 President (January
D.O.B.: 01/66 2005 to April 2007),
First Trust Advisors
L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.;
Executive Director
(December 2002 to
January 2005), Vice
President
(December 2000
to December
2002), Van Kampen Asset
Management and
Morgan Stanley
Investment Management
W. Scott Jardine Secretary and o Indefinite General Counsel, N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, Chief Compliance term First Trust Advisors
Suite 300 Officer L.P. and First Trust
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 Portfolios L.P.;
D.O.B.: 05/60 Secretary, BondWave
LLC (Software
Development
Company/Broker-Dealer)
and Stonebridge
Advisors LLC
(Investment Adviser)
Daniel J. Lindquist Vice President o Indefinite Senior Vice President N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, term (September 2005 to
Suite 300 Present), Vice
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 President (April 2004
D.O.B.: 02/70 to September 2005),
First Trust Advisors
L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.; Chief
Operating Officer
(January 2004 to April
2004), Mina Capital
Management, LLC; Chief
Operating Officer (April
2000 to January 2004),
Samaritan Asset
Management Services, Inc.
Kristi A. Maher Assistant o Indefinite Deputy General N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, Secretary term Counsel (May 2007 to
Suite 300 Present), Assistant
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 General Counsel
D.O.B.: 12/66 (March 2004 to May
2007), First Trust
Advisors L.P. and
First Trust
Portfolios L.P.;
Associate (December
1995 to March 2004),
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Roger F. Testin Vice President o Indefinite Senior Vice President N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, term (November 2003 to
Suite 300 Present), Vice
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 President (August
D.O.B.: 06/66 2001 to November
2003), First Trust
Advisors L.P. and
First Trust
Portfolios L.P.
- 20 -
|
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
THE FIRST OTHER
TERM OF OFFICE TRUST FUND TRUSTEESHIPS
AND YEAR FIRST COMPLEX OR
NAME, ADDRESS POSITION AND ELECTED OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORSHIPS
AND DATE OF BIRTH OFFICES WITH TRUST APPOINTED DURING PAST 5 YEARS TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Stan Ueland Vice President o Indefinite Vice President N/A N/A
1001 Warrenville Road, term (August 2005 to
Suite 300 Present), First Trust
Lisle, IL 60532 o 2006 Advisors L.P. and
D.O.B.: 11/70 First Trust
Portfolios L.P; Vice
President (May 2004
to August 2005),
BondWave LLC
(Software Development
Company/Broker-Dealer);
Account Executive
(January 2003 to May
2004), Mina Capital
Management, LLC and
Samaritan Asset
Management Services,
Inc.; Sales
Consultant (January
1997 to January
2003), Oracle
Corporation
--------------------
|
(1) Mr. Bowen is deemed an "interested person" of the Trust due to his
position of President of First Trust, investment adviser of the Fund.
The Board of Trustees has four standing committees: the Executive
Committee (Pricing and Dividend Committee), the Nominating and Governance
Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Audit Committee. The Executive
Committee, which meets between Board meetings, is authorized to exercise all
powers of and to act in the place of the Board of Trustees to the extent
permitted by the Trust's Declaration of Trust and By-laws. The members of the
Executive Committee shall also serve as a special committee of the Board known
as the Pricing and Dividend Committee, which is authorized to exercise all of
the powers and authority of the Board in respect of the declaration and
setting of dividends. Messrs. Bowen and Kadlec are members of the Executive
Committee.
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for appointing
and nominating non-interested persons to the Board. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec,
Keith and Nielson, are members of the Nominating and Governance Committee. If
there is no vacancy on the Board of Trustees, the Board will not actively seek
recommendations from other parties, including shareholders of the Fund. When a
vacancy on the Board occurs and nominations are sought to fill such vacancy,
the Nominating and Governance Committee may seek nominations from those
sources it deems appropriate in its discretion, including Shareholders of the
Fund. To submit a recommendation for nomination as a candidate for a position
on the Board, shareholders of the Fund shall mail such recommendation to W.
Scott Jardine at the Fund's address, 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle,
Illinois 60532. Such recommendation shall include the following information:
(a) evidence of Fund ownership of the person or entity recommending the
candidate (if a Fund Shareholder); (b) a full description of the proposed
candidate's background, including his or her education, experience, current
employment and date of birth; (c) names and addresses of at least three
professional references for the candidate; (d) information as to whether the
candidate is an "interested person" in relation to the Fund, as such term is
defined in the 1940 Act, and such other information that may be considered to
impair the candidate's independence; and (e) any other information that may be
- 21 -
helpful to the Nominating and Governance Committee in evaluating the
candidate. If a recommendation is received with satisfactorily completed
information regarding a candidate during a time when a vacancy exists on the
Board or during such other time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is
accepting recommendations, the recommendation will be forwarded to the
chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the outside counsel to
the Independent Trustees. Recommendations received at any other time will be
kept on file until such time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is
accepting recommendations, at which point they may be considered for
nomination.
The Valuation Committee is responsible for the oversight of the
pricing procedures of the Fund. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson
are members of the Valuation Committee.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Fund's
accounting and financial reporting process, the system of internal controls,
audit process and evaluating and appointing independent auditors (subject also
to Board approval). Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson serve on the
Audit Committee.
Messrs. Bowen, Erickson, Nielson, Kadlec and Keith are trustees of
First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, an open-end mutual fund with eight
portfolios, __ closed-end funds and three exchange-traded fund trusts with __
portfolios (collectively, the "First Trust Fund Complex"). None of the
Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, nor any of their
immediate family members, has ever been a director, officer or employee of, or
consultant to, First Trust, First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("First Trust
Portfolios") or their affiliates. In addition, Mr. Bowen and the other
officers of the Trust (other than Stan Ueland and Roger Testin) hold the same
positions with the other funds and trusts of the First Trust Fund Complex as
they hold with the Trust. Mr. Ueland, Vice President of the Trust, serves in
the same position for the exchange-traded fund trusts of the First Trust Fund
Complex. Mr. Testin, Vice President of the Trust, serves in the same position
for the exchange-traded fund trusts and open-end mutual fund of the First
Trust Fund Complex.
Under the Trustees' compensation plan, each Independent Trustee is
paid an annual retainer of $10,000 per trust for the first 14 trusts in the
First Trust Fund Complex and an annual retainer of $7,500 per trust for each
subsequent trust added to the First Trust Fund Complex. The annual retainer is
allocated equally among each of the trusts. Trustees are also reimbursed by
the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex for travel and out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with all meetings. No additional meeting fees are paid
in connection with board or committee meetings.
Additionally, for all the trusts in the First Trust Fund Complex,
effective January 1, 2008, Dr. Erickson is paid annual compensation of $10,000
to serve as the Lead Trustee, Mr. Keith is paid annual compensation of $5,000
to serve as the chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Kadlec is paid annual
compensation of $2,500 to serve as chairman of the Valuation Committee and Mr.
Nielson is paid annual compensation of $2,500 to serve as the chairman of the
Nominating and Governance Committee. The chairmen and the Lead Trustee will
serve two years before rotating to serve as a chairman of another committee or
as Lead Trustee. The additional compensation is allocated equally among each
of the trusts in the First Trust Fund Complex.
- 22 -
The following table sets forth the estimated compensation to be paid
by the Trust projected during a full fiscal year to each of the Trustees and
the total compensation paid to each of the Trustees by the First Trust Fund
Complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2006. The Trust has no
retirement or pension plans. The officers and Trustee who are "interested
persons" as designated above serve without any compensation from the Trust.
ESTIMATED AGGREGATE TOTAL TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
NAME OF TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST(1) THE FIRST TRUST FUND COMPLEX(2)
James A. Bowen $________ $________
Richard E. Erickson $________ $________
Thomas R. Kadlec $________ $________
Robert F. Keith(3) $________ $________
Niel B. Nielson $________ $________
--------------------
(1) The compensation estimated to be paid by the Trust to the Trustees for
a full fiscal year for services to the Trust.
(2) This information is based on compensation paid to the Independent
Trustees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for services to
the eight portfolios of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, an open-end
fund, four portfolios of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC that were
liquidated on March 16, 2007, fourteen closed-end funds and ten series
of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, all advised by First Trust.
(3) Mr. Keith joined the Board of Trustees of certain funds in the
First Trust Fund Complex on June 12, 2006 and First Defined Portfolio
Fund on April 30, 2007.
|
The Trust has no employees. Its officers are compensated by First
Trust.
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities
beneficially owned by the Trustees in the Fund and in other funds overseen by
the Trustees in the First Trust Fund Complex as of December 31, 2006:
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN
EQUITY SECURITIES ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES
IN THE FUND OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN THE FIRST TRUST
TRUSTEE (NUMBER OF SHARES HELD) FUND COMPLEX
Mr. Bowen None Over $100,000
Dr. Erickson None Over $100,000
Mr. Kadlec None Over $100,000
Mr. Keith None Over $100,000
Mr. Nielson None $50,001-$100,000
|
As of __________, 2008, the Trustees who are not "interested persons"
of the Trust and immediate family members do not own beneficially or of record
any class of securities of an investment adviser or principal underwriter of
the Fund or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of
the Fund.
- 23 -
As of ___________, 2008, the officers and Trustees, in the aggregate,
owned less than 1% of the Fund Shares.
As of ___________, 2008, no person owned of record, or is known by
the Trust to own of record, beneficially 5% or more of the Shares of the Fund.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the Independent
Trustees, approved the Investment Management Agreement (the "Investment
Management Agreement") for the Fund for an initial two-year term at a meeting
held on __________, 2008. The Board of Trustees determined that the Investment
Management Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund in light of the
services, expenses and such other matters as the Board considered to be
relevant in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment.
Investment Adviser. First Trust provides investment tools and
portfolios for advisers and investors. First Trust is committed to
theoretically sound portfolio construction and empirically verifiable
investment management approaches. Its asset management philosophy and
investment discipline is deeply rooted in the application of intuitive factor
analysis and model implementation to enhance investment decisions.
First Trust acts as investment adviser for and manages the investment
and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. First Trust also administers the
Trust's business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain
clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and permits any of its
officers or employees to serve without compensation as Trustees or officers of
the Trust if elected to such positions.
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement between First Trust
and the Trust, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee equal to
0.40% of its average daily net assets.
The Fund is responsible for all its expenses, including the
investment advisory fees, costs of transfer agency, custody, fund
administration, legal, audit and other services, interest, taxes, sublicensing
fees, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with executions of
portfolio transactions, any distribution fees or expenses and extraordinary
expenses. First Trust has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the
extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding
interest expense, brokerage commissions and other trading expenses, taxes and
extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.60% of average daily net assets until
__________, 20__. Expenses borne by First Trust are subject to reimbursement
by the Fund up to three years from the date the fee or expense was incurred,
but no reimbursement payment will be made by the Fund at any time if it would
result in the Fund's expenses exceeding 0.60% of average daily net assets.
Under the Investment Management Agreement, First Trust shall not be
liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of
any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been
based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm
or corporation, if such recommendation shall have been selected with due care
and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith,
- 24 -
or gross negligence on the part of First Trust in the performance of its
obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties. The Investment Management Agreement continues until
____ years after the initial issuance of Fund Shares, and thereafter only if
approved annually by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees. The Investment Management Agreement terminates
automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as
to the Fund by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities on 60 days' written notice to First Trust, or by First Trust
on 60 days' written notice to the Fund.
First Trust is located at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
Investment Committee. The Investment Committee of First Trust is
primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. There are
currently six members of the Investment Committee, as follows:
POSITION WITH LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME FIRST TRUST WITH FIRST TRUST DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Daniel J. Lindquist Senior Vice President Since 2004 Senior Vice President
(September 2005 to Present),
Vice President (April 2004 to
September 2005), First Trust
Advisors L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.; Chief
Operating Officer (January
2004 to April 2004), Mina
Capital Management, LLC; Chief
Operating Officer (April 2000
to January 2004), Samaritan
Asset Management Services, Inc.
Robert F. Carey Chief Investment Officer Since 1991 Chief Investment Officer and
and Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, First
Trust Advisors L.P.; Senior
Vice President, First Trust
Portfolios L.P.
Jon C. Erickson Senior Vice President Since 1994 Senior Vice President (August
2002 to Present), First Trust
Advisors L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.
David G. McGarel Senior Vice President Since 1997 Senior Vice President (August
2002 to Present), First Trust
Advisors L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.
- 25 -
|
POSITION WITH LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME FIRST TRUST WITH FIRST TRUST DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Roger F. Testin Senior Vice President Since 2001 Senior Vice President
(November 2003 to Present),
Vice President (August 2001 to
November 2003), First Trust
Portfolios L.P. and First
Trust Advisors L.P.
Stan Ueland Vice President Since 2005 Vice President (August 2005 to
Present), First Trust Advisors
L.P. and First Trust
Portfolios L.P.; Vice
President (May 2004 to August
2005), BondWave LLC (Software
Development Company/
Broker-Dealer); Account
Executive (January 2003 to May
2004), Mina Capital
Management, LLC and Samaritan
Asset Management Services,
Inc.; Sales Consultant
(January 1997 to January
2003), Oracle Corporation
|
Daniel J. Lindquist: Mr. Lindquist is Chairman of the Investment
Committee and presides over Investment Committee meetings. Mr. Lindquist is
also responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Fund's investment
strategies.
David G. McGarel: As the head of First Trust's Strategy Research
Group, Mr. McGarel is responsible for developing and implementing quantitative
investment strategies for those funds that have investment policies that
require them to follow such strategies.
Jon C. Erickson: As the head of First Trust's Equity Research Group,
Mr. Erickson is responsible for determining the securities to be purchased and
sold by funds that do not utilize quantitative investment strategies.
Roger F. Testin: As head of First Trust's Portfolio Management Group,
Mr. Testin is responsible for executing the instructions of the Strategy
Research Group and Equity Research Group in the Fund's portfolios.
Robert F. Carey: As First Trust's Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Carey
consults with the Investment Committee on market conditions and First Trust's
general investment philosophy.
Stan Ueland: Mr. Ueland plays an important role in executing the
investment strategies of each portfolio of exchange-traded funds advised by
First Trust.
No member of the Investment Committee beneficially owns any Shares of
the Fund.
- 26 -
Compensation. The compensation structure for each member of the
Investment Committee is based upon a fixed salary as well as a discretionary
bonus determined by the management of First Trust. Salaries are determined by
management and are based upon an individual's position and overall value to
the firm. Bonuses are also determined by management and are based upon an
individual's overall contribution to the success of the firm and the
profitability of the firm. Salaries and bonuses for members of the Investment
Committee are not based upon criteria such as performance of the Fund or the
value of assets included in the Fund's portfolios. In addition, Mr. Carey, Mr.
Erickson, Mr. Lindquist and Mr. McGarel also have an indirect ownership stake
in the firm and will therefore receive their allocable share of
ownership-related distributions.
The Investment Committee manages the investment vehicles with the
number of accounts and assets, as of December 31, 2007, set forth in the table
below:
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
REGISTERED OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANIES VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER ($ ASSETS) ($ ASSETS) ($ ASSETS)
Robert F. Carey 36 ($3,950,775,639) 4 ($534,988,518) 4,096 ($980,909,176)
Roger F. Testin 36 ($3,950,775,639) 4 ($534,988,518) 4,096 ($980,909,176)
Jon C. Erickson 36 ($3,950,775,639) 4 ($534,988,518) 4,096 ($980,909,176)
David G. McGarel 36 ($3,950,775,639) 4 ($534,988,518) 4,096 ($980,909,176)
Daniel J. Lindquist 36 ($3,950,775,639) 4 ($534,988,518) 4,096 ($980,909,176)
Stan Ueland 19 ($99,454,960) N/A N/A
--------------------
|
None of the accounts managed by the Investment Committee pay an
advisory fee that is based upon the performance of the account. In addition,
First Trust believes that there are no material conflicts of interest that may
arise in connection with the Investment Committee's management of the Fund's
investments and the investments of the other accounts managed by the
Investment Committee. However, because the investment strategy of the Fund and
the investment strategies of many of the other accounts managed by the
Investment Committee are based on fairly mechanical investment processes, the
Investment Committee may recommend that certain clients sell and other clients
buy a given security at the same time. In addition, because the investment
strategies of the Fund and other accounts managed by the Investment Committee
generally result in the clients investing in readily available securities,
- 27 -
First Trust believes that there should not be material conflicts in the
allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and other accounts
managed by the Investment Committee.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATIONS
First Trust is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities
for the Fund and for the placement of the Fund's securities business, the
negotiation of the commissions to be paid on brokered transactions, the prices
for principal trades in securities, and the allocation of portfolio brokerage
and principal business. It is the policy of First Trust to seek the best
execution at the best security price available with respect to each
transaction, and with respect to brokered transactions in light of the overall
quality of brokerage and research services provided to First Trust and its
clients. The best price to the Fund means the best net price without regard to
the mix between purchase or sale price and commission, if any. Purchases may
be made from underwriters, dealers, and, on occasion, the issuers. Commissions
will be paid on the Fund's Futures and options transactions, if any. The
purchase price of portfolio securities purchased from an underwriter or dealer
may include underwriting commissions and dealer spreads. The Fund may pay
mark-ups on principal transactions. In selecting broker/dealers and in
negotiating commissions, First Trust considers, among other things, the firm's
reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and
its financial condition. Fund portfolio transactions may be effected with
broker/dealers who have assisted investors in the purchase of Shares.
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 permits an
investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a
broker or dealer who supplies brokerage and research services a commission for
effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker
or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction. Brokerage and
research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities,
the advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, (b)
furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of
accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody).
In light of the above, in selecting brokers, First Trust may consider
investment and market information and other research, such as economic,
securities and performance measurement research, provided by such brokers, and
the quality and reliability of brokerage services, including execution
capability, performance, and financial responsibility. Accordingly, the
commissions charged by any such broker may be greater than the amount another
firm might charge if First Trust determines in good faith that the amount of
such commissions is reasonable in relation to the value of the research
information and brokerage services provided by such broker to First Trust or
the Trust. First Trust believes that the research information received in this
manner provides the Fund with benefits by supplementing the research otherwise
available to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement provides that such
higher commissions will not be paid by the Fund unless the adviser determines
in good faith that the amount is reasonable in relation to the services
provided. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to First Trust under
- 28 -
the Investment Management Agreement are not reduced as a result of receipt by
First Trust of research services. First Trust has advised the Board that it
does not use soft dollars.
First Trust places portfolio transactions for other advisory accounts
advised by it, and research services furnished by firms through which the Fund
effects their securities transactions may be used by First Trust in servicing
all of its accounts; not all of such services may be used by First Trust in
connection with the Fund. First Trust believes it is not possible to measure
separately the benefits from research services to each of the accounts
(including the Fund) advised by it. Because the volume and nature of the
trading activities of the accounts are not uniform, the amount of commissions
in excess of those charged by another broker paid by each account for
brokerage and research services will vary. However, First Trust believes such
costs to the Fund will not be disproportionate to the benefits received by the
Fund on a continuing basis. First Trust seeks to allocate portfolio
transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or
sell securities by the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this
procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of
securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations between the Fund
and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by First Trust are
the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holding
of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment
and the size of investment commitments generally held.
Administrator. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ("BONY")
serves as administrator for the Fund. Its principal address is 101 Barclay
St., New York, NY 10286.
BONY serves as administrator for the Trust pursuant to a Fund
Administration and Accounting Agreement. Under such agreement, BONY is
obligated on a continuous basis, to provide certain administrative services as
the Board reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the
Trust and the Fund. BONY will generally assist in all aspects of the Trust's
and the Fund's operations; supply and maintain office facilities (which may be
in BONY's own offices), statistical and research data, data processing
services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services
(including, without limitation, the maintenance of such books and records as
are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained
by other agency agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative
services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders
or investors; prepare and file domestic tax returns; supply financial
information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and
various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for
meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance
regarding compliance with federal and state securities laws.
Pursuant to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, the
Trust on behalf of the Fund has agreed to indemnify BONY for certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal
securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of its duties.
Pursuant to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between
BONY and the Trust, the Fund has agreed to pay such compensation as is
mutually agreed from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses as incurred
by BONY in the performance of its duties.
- 29 -
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has entered into an agreement with
PFPC, Inc. ("PFPC"), 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, whereby
PFPC will provide certain board administrative services to the Trust in
connection with the Board's meetings and other related matters.
CUSTODIAN, DISTRIBUTOR, TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT,
INDEX PROVIDER, ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER AND EXCHANGE
Custodian. BONY, as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custody
Agreement, holds the Fund's assets which may be held through U.S. and non-U.S.
subcustodians and depositories. BONY also serves as transfer agent of the Fund
pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As Fund accounting agent,
BONY calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. For services
in such capacities BONY receives such compensation as is mutually agreed
between BONY and the Trust, and BONY may be reimbursed by the Fund for its
out-of-pocket expenses.
Distributor. First Trust Portfolios is the distributor (the
"Distributor") and principal underwriter of the Shares of the Fund. Its
principal address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The
Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant
to which it distributes Fund Shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale
by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as
described in the Prospectus and below under the heading "Creation and
Redemption of Creation Units."
The Adviser may, from time to time and from its own resources, pay,
defray or absorb costs relating to distribution, including payments out of its
own resources to the Distributor, or to otherwise promote the sale of shares.
The Adviser's available resources to make these payments include profits from
advisory fees received from the Funds. The services the Adviser may pay for
include, but are not limited to, advertising and attaining access to certain
conferences and seminars, as well as being presented with the opportunity to
address investors and industry professionals through speeches and written
marketing materials.
12B-1 Plan. The Trust has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund may
reimburse the Distributor up to a maximum annual rate of 0.25% its average
daily net assets.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will
receive and review after the end of each calendar quarter a written report
provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the
purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the
Fund's method of distribution. However, no such fee is currently paid by the
Fund, and pursuant to a contractual agreement, the Fund will not pay 12b-1
fees any time before _______, 20__.
Aggregations. Fund Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are
not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the
Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit
Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and
- 30 -
confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a
broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
("FINRA").
The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any
time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days' written notice
by the Trust to the Distributor (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940
Act).
The Distributor shall enter into agreements with participants that
utilize the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (the "DTC
Participants"), which have international operational capabilities and place
orders for Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund Shares. Participating Parties
(as defined in "Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations" below)
shall be DTC Participants (as defined in "DTC Acts as Securities Depository
for Fund Shares" below).
Index Provider. The Index that the Fund seeks to track is compiled by
ISE.
The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund or First Trust.
The Fund is entitled to use the Index pursuant to a sublicensing arrangement
by and among the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Index Provider and First
Trust, which in turn has a license agreement with the Index Provider.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index
Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or
implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the
advisability of trading in the Fund. The Index Provider's only relationship to
First Trust is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of the
Index Provider and of the Index which are determined, composed and calculated
by the Index Provider without regard to First Trust or the Fund. The Index
Provider has no obligation to take the needs of First Trust or the owners of
the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the
Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in
the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be
listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the
Fund is to be converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or
liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the
Fund.
THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE
COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER
SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN.
THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
OBTAINED BY FIRST TRUST, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER
MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL
WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH
- 31 -
RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE
FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY
LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS
BETWEEN THE INDEX PROVIDER AND FIRST TRUST.
The Index was launched on June 6, 2008. Estimated daily historical
closing prices based on back-testing (i.e., calculations of how the Index
might have performed in the past if it had existed) are available back to
December 16, 2005, the date at which the base value of the Index was set.
Backtested performance information is purely hypothetical and is solely for
informational purposes. Backtested performance does not represent actual
performance, and should not be interpreted as an indication of actual
performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Additional Service Provider. First Trust has engaged Archipelago
Holdings, Inc. ("Archipelago"), 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago,
Illinois 60606, on behalf of the Fund, pursuant to which Archipelago
or its designee will be responsible for calculating the intra-day
portfolio values for the Fund's Shares. The Fund will reimburse First Trust
for some or all of the fees payable under such agreement.
Exchange. The only relationship that NYSE Arca has with First Trust
or the Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that NYSE Arca
lists the Shares of the Fund and disseminates the intra-day portfolio values
that are calculated by Archipelago pursuant to its listing agreement with
the Trust. NYSE Arca is not responsible for and has not participated in the
determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares
of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the asset value of the
Fund. NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability in connection with the
administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled
"Book Entry."
DTC Acts as Securities Depository for Fund Shares. Shares of the Fund
are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee,
Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities
of its participants (the "DTC Participants") and to facilitate the clearance
and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such
securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC
Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities, certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More
specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the AMEX and FINRA. Access to the DTC system
is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
- 32 -
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant, either directly or indirectly (the "Indirect Participants").
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants,
Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants
and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners
of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as "Beneficial Owners") is
shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records
maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC
Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that
are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the
DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of
Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to
Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to a letter agreement
between DTC and the Trust, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon
request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of
the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such
DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly
or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such
DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication,
in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably
request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be
transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such
Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC
Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses
attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and
regulatory requirements.
Fund distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, as the
registered holder of all Fund Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any
such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
Shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by
DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial owners of Shares held
through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts
of customers in bearer form or registered in a "street name," and will be the
responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC
Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the
Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC
Participants.
DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to
Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging
its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such
circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to
perform its functions at a comparable cost.
- 33 -
Intra-Day Portfolio Value. The price of a non-U.S. security that is
primarily traded on a non-U.S. exchange shall be updated every 15 seconds
throughout its trading day, provided, that upon the closing of non-U.S.
exchange, the closing price of the security will be used throughout the
remainder of the business day where the markets remain open. These exchange
rates may differ from those used by First Trust and consequently result in
intra-day portfolio values that may vary. Furthermore, in calculating the
intra-day portfolio values of the Fund's Shares, Telekurs shall use the
exchange rates throughout the day (9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time) that
it deems to be most appropriate.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy that seeks to ensure that
proxies for securities held by the Fund are voted consistently and solely in
the best economic interests of the Fund.
A senior member of First Trust is responsible for oversight of the
Fund's proxy voting process. First Trust has engaged the services of
RiskMetrics Group, Inc. ("RMG"), to make recommendations to First Trust on the
voting of proxies relating to securities held by the Fund. RMG provides voting
recommendations based upon established guidelines and practices. First Trust
reviews RMG recommendations and frequently follows the RMG recommendations.
However, on selected issues, First Trust may not vote in accordance with the
RMG recommendations when First Trust believes that specific RMG
recommendations are not in the best interests of the Fund. If First Trust
manages the assets of a company or its pension plan and any of First Trust's
clients hold any securities of that company, First Trust will vote proxies
relating to such company's securities in accordance with the RMG
recommendations to avoid any conflict of interest. If a client requests First
Trust to follow specific voting guidelines or additional guidelines, First
Trust will review the request and inform the client only if First Trust is not
able to follow the client's request.
First Trust has adopted the RMG Proxy Voting Guidelines. While these
guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive, they do provide guidance on
First Trust's general voting policies.
Information regarding how the Fund votes future proxies relating to
portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30,
will be available upon request and without charge on the Fund's website at
www.ftportfolios.com, by calling (800) 621-1675 or by accessing the SEC's
website at http://www.sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose,
after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund's
portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. Form N-Q for the Trust is
available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust's Form N-Q may
also be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be
obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Trust's Form N-Q is available without
charge, upon request, by calling (800) 621-1675 or (800) 983-0903 or by
writing to First Trust Portfolios, L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle,
Illinois 60532.
- 34 -
Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Trust has
adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Fund's
portfolio holdings. The Fund's portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated
each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news
services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a
basket composition file, which includes the security names and share
quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund Shares, together with estimates and
actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of
the AMEX via the NSCC. The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund.
The Trust, First Trust and BONY will not disseminate non-public information
concerning the Trust.
Code of Ethics. In order to mitigate the possibility that the Fund
will be adversely affected by personal trading, the Trust, First Trust and the
Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act.
These Codes contain policies restricting securities trading in personal
accounts of the officers, Trustees and others who normally come into
possession of information on portfolio transactions. These Codes are on public
file with, and are available from, the SEC.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS
Creation. The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Fund only in
Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor,
without a sales load, at their NAVs next determined after receipt, on any
Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.
A "Business Day" is any day on which the NYSE is open for business.
As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash. The
consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund may
consist of (i) cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities, as
defined below, and/or (ii) a designated portfolio of equity securities
determined by First Trust--the "Deposit Securities"--per each Creation Unit
Aggregation ("Fund Securities") and generally an amount of cash--the "Cash
Component"--computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities anD
the Cash Component (including the cash in lieu amount) constitute the "Fund
Deposit," which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.
The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing
Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any
differences between the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit
Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the
difference between the NAV of Fund Shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and
the "Deposit Amount"--an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit
Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities.
If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit
Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash
Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per
Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will
receive the Cash Component.
- 35 -
The Custodian, through NSCC (discussed below), makes available on
each Business Day, the list of the names and the required number of shares of
each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on
information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund.
Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as
described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of
the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit
Securities is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required
for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and
corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by
First Trust with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The
composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to
adjustments to the weighting or composition of the Component Stocks of the
underlying index. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or
require the substitution of an amount of cash--i.e., a "cash in lieu"
amount--to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit SecuritY that
may not be available, may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery
or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as
defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant
reason. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to First
Trust on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of
the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the underlying index or resulting from
certain corporate actions.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities
constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian,
through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated
Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per
outstanding Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. In order to be
eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit
Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be a DTC Participant (see the Book
Entry Only System section), and must have executed an agreement with the
Distributor and transfer agent, with respect to creations and redemptions of
Creation Unit Aggregations ("Participant Agreement") (discussed below), and
have international operational capabilities. A DTC Participant is also
referred to as an "Authorized Participant." Investors should contact the
Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a
Participant Agreement. All Fund Shares, however created, will be entered on
the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC
Participant.
All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by
the transfer agent no later than the closing time of the regular trading
session on the NYSE ("Closing Time") (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in
each case on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation
Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Fund as
determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. In the case
of custom orders, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later
- 36 -
than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on the trade date. A custom order placed by an
Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the
substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace
any Deposit Security which may not be available, which may not be available in
sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by
such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other
relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit
Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed
below) is placed is referred to as the "Transmittal Date." Orders must be
transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission
method acceptable to the transfer agent pursuant to procedures set forth in
the Participant Agreement, as described below. Severe economic or market
disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede
the ability to reach the transfer agent or an Authorized Participant.
For non-U.S. Securities, Deposit Securities must be delivered to an
account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian of the Trust on or
before the International Contractual Settlement Date (as defined below). If a
Deposit Security is an ADR or similar domestic instrument, it may be delivered
to the Custodian. The Authorized Participant must also pay on or before the
International Contractual Settlement Date immediately available or same-day
funds estimated by Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next
determined after acceptance of the Creation Order, together with the
applicable Creation Transaction Fee (as defined below) and additional variable
amounts, as described below. Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized
Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the
transfer agent pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement
(as described below). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or
telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the
transfer agent or an Authorized Participant.
All orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to
create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized
Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized
Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor
to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the
order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should
be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant
Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of
the Fund have to be placed by the investor's broker through an Authorized
Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may
be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a
limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement.
Those persons placing orders should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC
and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations
department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer
of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.
Placement of Creation Orders. In order to redeem Creation Units of
the Fund, an Authorized Participant must submit an order to redeem for one or
more Whole Creation Units. All such orders must be received by the Fund's
transfer agent in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (ordinary 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order to
receive that day's closing NAV per share. Orders must be placed in proper form
by or through an Authorized Participant, which is a DTC Participant, i.e., a
subcustodian of the Trust. Deposit Securities must be delivered to the Trust
through DTC or NSCC, and Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities must
be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian of
- 37 -
the Trust on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date, as
defined below. If a Deposit Security is an ADR or similar domestic instrument,
it may be delivered to the Custodian. The Authorized Participant must also pay
on or before the International Contractual Settlement Date immediately
available or same-day funds estimated by Trust to be sufficient to pay the
Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the Creation Order,
together with the applicable Creation Transaction Fee and additional variable
amounts, as described below. The "International Contractual Settlement Date"
is the earlier of (i) the date upon which all of the required Deposit
Securities, the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due are
delivered to the Fund or (ii) the latest day for settlement on the customary
settlement cycle in the jurisdiction(s) where any of the securities of such
Fund are customarily traded. A custom order may be placed by an AP in the
event that the Fund permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash
to be added to the Cash Component (if applicable) to replace any Deposit
Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or
which may not be eligible for trading by such AP or the investor for which it
is acting or any other relevant reason.
The Authorized Participant must also make available no later than
2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the International Contractual Settlement Date, by
means satisfactory to the Trust, immediately-available or same-day funds
estimated by the Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next
determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the
applicable purchase transaction fee. Any excess funds will be returned
following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit Aggregation.
A Creation Unit Aggregation will not be issued until the transfer of
good title to the Trust of the portfolio of Deposit Securities, the payment of
the Cash Component, the payment of any other cash amounts and the Creation
Transaction Fee (as defined below) have been completed. When the required
Deposit Securities which are U.S. securities must be delivered to the Trust
through DTC or NSCC, and Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities have
been delivered to the Custodian and each relevant subcustodian confirms to
Custodian that the required Deposit Securities which are non-U.S. securities
(or, when permitted in the sole discretion of Trust, the cash in lieu thereof)
have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian, the Custodian
shall notify Distributor and the transfer agent which, acting on behalf of the
Trust, will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit Aggregations.
The Trust may in its sole discretion permit or require the substitution of an
amount of cash (i.e., a "cash in lieu" amount) to be added to the Cash
Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in
sufficient quantity for delivery or for other similar reasons. If the
Distributor, acting on behalf of the Trust, determines that a "cash in lieu"
amount will be accepted, Distributor will notify the Authorized Participant
and the transfer agent, and the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on
behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the "cash in lieu"
amount, with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust as discussed
below.
In the event that an order for a Creation Unit is incomplete on the
International Contractual Settlement Date because certain or all of the
Deposit Securities are missing, the Trust may issue a Creation Unit
notwithstanding such deficiency in reliance on the undertaking of the
Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as
- 38 -
possible, which undertaking shall be secured by an Additional Cash Deposit
with respect undelivered Deposit Securities. The Trust may permit, in its
discretion, the Authorized Participant to substitute a different security in
lieu of depositing some or all of the Deposit Securities. Substitution of cash
or a different security might be permitted or required, for example, because
one or more Deposit Securities may be unavailable in the quantity needed or
may not be eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant due to local
trading restrictions or other restrictions.
To the extent contemplated by the applicable Participant Agreement,
Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund will be issued to such Authorized
Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have
not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the
Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as
possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant's
delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash in the form of U.S.
dollars in immediately available funds having a value (marked to market daily)
at least equal to 115%, which First Trust may change from time to time of the
value of the missing Deposit Securities. Such cash collateral must be
delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement
date. The Participant Agreement will permit the Fund to buy the missing
Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to
liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such
securities and the value of the collateral.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust
reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by
the Distributor with respect to the Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper
form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own
80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit
Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian,
as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have
certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund
Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the
Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or First Trust,
have an adverse effect on the Trust, the Fund or the rights of Beneficial
Owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the
Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and First Trust make it for all
practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such
circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as
fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in
telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities
causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other
information systems affecting the Trust, First Trust, the Distributor, DTC,
NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation
process, and similar extraordinary events. In addition, an order may be
rejected for practical reasons such as the imposition by a foreign government
or a regulatory body of controls, or other monetary, currency or trading
restrictions that directly affect the portfolio securities held or systems
failures involving computer or other information systems affecting any
relevant sub-custodian.
The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit
and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator
of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Custodian, any
sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give
- 39 -
notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund
Deposits, nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give
any such notification.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the
Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for
deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust,
and the Trust's determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. Purchasers of Creation Units must pay a
creation transaction fee (the "Creation Transaction Fee") that is currently
$1,000. The Creation Transaction Fee is applicable to each purchase
transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the
transaction. The Creation Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the
composition of the securities included in the Fund's portfolio and the
countries in which the transactions are settled. The Creation Transaction Fee
may increase or decrease as the Fund's portfolio is adjusted to conform to
changes in the composition of the Index. The price for each Creation Unit will
equal the daily NAV per Share times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit
plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any operational processing
and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. When the Fund permits an
Authorized Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of
depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized
Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the
Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including
operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and
part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the
market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.
Shares of the Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit
Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain
on deposit with the Fund cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of
the missing Deposit Securities.
Redemption of Fund Shares in Creation Units Aggregations. Fund Shares
may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at their NAV next
determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund
through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Fund will not
redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial
Owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a
Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust.
A redeeming beneficial owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements
with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in
which any of the portfolio securities are customarily traded. If such
arrangements cannot be made, or it is not possible to effect deliveries of the
portfolio securities in a particular jurisdiction or under certain other
circumstances (for example, holders may incur unfavorable tax treatment in
some countries if they are entitled to receive "in-kind" redemption proceeds),
Fund Shares may be redeemed for cash at the discretion of First Trust. There
can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the
public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit
Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur customary brokerage and other
costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to
constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.
- 40 -
With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes
available on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will
be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption
requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund
Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities
that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.
Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the
redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund
Securities--as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption
received in proper form--plus oR minus cash in an amount equal to the
difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next
determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the
Fund Securities (the "Cash Redemption Amount"), less the applicable Redemption
Transaction Fee as listed below and, if applicable, any operational processing
and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. In the event that the Fund
Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares, a
compensating cash payment equal to the difference plus, the applicable
Redemption Transaction Fee and, if applicable, any operational processing and
brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes is required to be made by or
through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment
postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than
customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which
trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during
which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the
Fund or determination of the Fund's NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv)
in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
Redemption Transaction Fee. Parties redeeming Creation Units must pay
a redemption transaction fee (the "Redemption Transaction Fee") that is
currently $1,000. The Redemption Transaction Fee is applicable to each
redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in
the transaction. The Redemption Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the
composition of the securities included in the Fund's portfolio and the
countries in which the transactions are settled. The Redemption Transaction
Fee may increase or decrease as the Fund's portfolio is adjusted to conform to
changes in the composition of the Index. The Fund reserves the right to effect
redemptions in cash. A shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of
securities; however, the Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request.
Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from
the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services
of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized
Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be
charged an additional fee for such services.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Orders to redeem Creation Unit
Aggregations must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has
executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants
are responsible for making arrangements for a redemption request to be made
through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Unit
Aggregations of the Fund is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal
Date if: (i) such order is received by BONY (in its capacity as Transfer
- 41 -
Agent) not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; (ii) such
order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund
specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to BONY; and
(iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly
followed.
Generally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund would generally be required
to make payment of redemption proceeds within seven days after a security is
tendered is redemption. However, because the settlement of redemptions of Fund
Shares is contingent not only on the settlement cycle of the United States
securities markets, but also on delivery cycles of foreign markets, the Fund's
redemption proceeds must be paid within the maximum number of calendar days
required for such payment or satisfaction in the principal foreign local
foreign markets where transactions in portfolio securities customarily clear
and settle, but no later than 12 calendar days following tender of a Creation
Unit Aggregation. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries,
however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds for the Fund may take
longer than three Business Days after the day on which the redemption request
is received in proper form. In such cases, the local market settlement
procedures will not commence until the end of the local holiday periods. See
below for a list of the local holidays in the foreign countries relevant to
the Fund.
In connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon
redemption of shares of the Fund, a redeeming Beneficial Owner, or Authorized
Participant action on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain
appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or
other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund
Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will
be delivered.
To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant's agreement,
in the event the Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in
proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit
Aggregation to be redeemed to the Fund's Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent
will nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking
by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as
possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant's
delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value
(marked to market daily) at least equal to 115%, which First Trust may change
from time to time, of the value of the missing shares.
The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares
require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of
U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by BONY and
marked to market daily, and that the fees of BONY and any sub-custodians in
respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral
shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant's
agreement will permit the Trust, on behalf of the affected Fund, to purchase
the missing shares or acquire the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component
underlying such shares at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant
to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing
such shares, Deposit Securities or Cash Component and the value of the
collateral.
The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash
Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by BONY
- 42 -
according to the procedures set forth in this SAI under "Determination of NAV"
computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by
the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to
BONY by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date,
and the requisite number of shares of the relevant Fund are delivered to BONY
prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the
Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by BONY on such
Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to BONY by a
DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date but
either (i) the requisite number of shares of the relevant Fund are not
delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, on such Transmittal
Date, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the
redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In
such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to
be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed
received by the Trust, i.e., the Business Day on which the shares of the
relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to BONY by the DTC Cut-Off-Time on
such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities,
the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares
in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its
redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption
in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the
investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based
on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption
request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and
additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset
the Trust's brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the
disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion,
upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities
that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not
differ in NAV.
Redemptions of shares for Fund Shares will be subject to compliance
with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not
it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation
Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully
deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without
first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized
Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal
restriction with respect to a particular stock included in the Fund Securities
applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an
equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the
redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to
enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash
payment, beneficial ownership of Shares or delivery instructions.
Because the Portfolio Securities of the Fund may trade on the
relevant exchange(s) on days that the listing exchange for the Fund is closed
or are otherwise not Business Days for such Fund, stockholders may not be able
to redeem their shares of such Fund, or the purchase and sell shares of such
Fund on the Listing exchange for the Fund, on days when the NAV of such Fund
could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.
- 43 -
REGULAR HOLIDAYS
The Fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and
securities in its portfolio ("Portfolio Securities") on a basis of "T" plus
three Business Days (i.e., days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open).
The Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Units and Portfolio Securities on a
basis other than T plus three in order to accommodate local holiday schedules,
to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend
record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The
ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three
Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other
things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the
order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are
holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more
intervening holidays in the applicable non-U.S. market that are not holidays
observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be
extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays,
other unforeseeable closings in a non-U.S. market due to emergencies may also
prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement period.
The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring
Portfolio Securities to redeeming investors, coupled with non-U.S. market
holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar
days for some Funds in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to the
Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than
seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain
holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days
required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to
exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the Fund. The proclamation
of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as
"informal holidays" (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions
occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination
of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could
affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.
The dates of the regular holidays affecting the relevant securities
markets from January 28, 2008 through January 28, 2009 of the below-listed
countries are as follows:
ARGENTINA
March 20 May 1 December 8
March 21 June 16 December 25
March 24 July 9 January 1
April 2 August 18
AUSTRALIA
January 28 June 9
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
April 25 January 1
|
- 44 -
AUSTRIA
March 21 August 15 December 31
March 24 December 8 January 1
May 1 December 24
May 12 December 25
May 22 December 26
BELGIUM
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 January 1
BRAZIL
February 4 May 1 December 24
February 5 May 22 December 25
March 21 July 9 December 31
April 21 November 20 January 1
January 25
CANADA
February 18 August 4 December 25
March 21 September 1 December 26
May 19 October 13 January 1
July 1
CHILE
March 21 August 15 December 8
May 1 September 18 December 25
May 21 September 19 January 1
July 16
CHINA
February 6 May 2 October 3
February 7 June 9 January 1
February 8 September 15 January 2
February 11 September 29 January 26
February 12 September 30 January 27
April 4 October 1 January 28
May 1 October 2
DENMARK
March 20 May 1 December 25
March 21 May 12 December 26
March 24 June 5 December 31
April 18 December 24 January 1
|
- 45 -
FINLAND
March 21 December 24 January 1
March 24 December 25 January 6
May 1 December 26
June 20 December 31
FRANCE
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 January 1
GERMANY
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 December 31
December 24 January 1
GREECE
March 10 April 28 December 25
March 21 May 1 December 26
March 24 June 16 January 1
March 25 August 15
April 25 October 28
HONG KONG
February 7 May 1 December 25
February 8 May 12 December 26
February 9 June 9 January 1
March 21 July 1 January 26
March 22 September 15 January 27
March 24 October 1 January 28
April 4 October 7
INDIA
March 6 May 19 October 30
March 20 August 15 November 13
March 21 September 3 December 9
April 14 October 2 December 25
April 18 October 9 January 7
May 1 October 28 January 26
IRELAND
March 21 June 2
March 24 December 25
May 1 December 26
May 5 January 1
|
- 46 -
ISRAEL
March 21 August 10 October 13
April 20 September 29 October 14
May 7 September 30 October 20
May 8 October 1 October 21
June 8 October 8
June 9 October 9
ITALY
March 21 August 15 December 26
March 24 December 24 December 31
May 1 December 25 January 1
JAPAN
February 11 September 15 December 31
March 20 September 23 January 1
April 29 October 13 January 2
May 5 November 3 January 3
May 6 November 24 January 12
July 21 December 23
MALAYSIA
February 1 June 7 December 25
February 7 September 1 December 29
February 8 October 1 January 1
March 20 October 2 January 26
May 1 October 27 January 27
May 19 December 8
MEXICO
February 4 May 1 December 12
March 17 September 16 December 25
March 20 November 2 January 1
March 21 November 17
NEW ZEALAND
February 6 June 2 January 1
March 21 October 27 January 2
March 24 December 25
April 25 December 26
NETHERLANDS
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 January 1
|
- 47 -
NORWAY
March 20 May 12 December 31
March 21 December 24 January 1
March 24 December 25
May 1 December 26
PORTUGAL
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 January 1
SINGAPORE
February 7 August 9 January 1
February 8 October 1 January 26
March 21 October 28 January 27
May 1 December 8
May 19 December 25
SOUTH AFRICA
March 21 June 16 December 26
March 24 September 24 January 1
April 28 December 16
May 1 December 25
SOUTH KOREA
February 6 May 12 December 25
February 7 June 6 December 31
February 8 August 15 January 1
April 9 September 15 January 26
May 1 October 3 January 27
May 5
SPAIN
March 21 December 25
March 24 December 26
May 1 December 31
December 24 January 1
SWEDEN
March 21 June 20 December 31
March 24 December 24 January 1
May 1 December 25 January 6
June 6 December 26
|
- 48 -
SWITZERLAND
March 21 August 1 January 1
March 24 December 25 January 2
May 1 December 26
May 12
TAIWAN
February 4 February 28 January 23
February 5 April 4 January 26
February 6 May 1 January 27
February 7 October 10 January 28
February 8 January 1
February 11 January 22
THAILAND
February 21 May 5 October 23
April 7 May 19 December 5
April 14 July 1 December 10
April 15 July 17 December 31
May 1 August 12 January 1
UNITED KINGDOM
March 21 May 26 January 1
March 24 August 25
May 1 December 25
May 5 December 26
UNITED STATES
February 18 September 1 January 19
March 21 November 27
May 26 December 25
July 4 January 1
|
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax
consequences of owning Shares of the Fund. This section is current as of the
date of the Prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and
these summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers.
For example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you
are a corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker-dealer, or other investor with
special circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state,
local or foreign tax consequences.
This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of
counsel to the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any
conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, our counsel was not asked
- 49 -
to review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to the federal income
tax treatment of the assets to be deposited in the Fund. This may not be
sufficient for prospective investors to use for the purpose of avoiding
penalties under federal tax law.
As with any investment, prospective investors should seek advice
based on their individual circumstances from their own tax advisor.
The Fund intends to qualify annually and to elect to be treated as a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment
generally accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must, among
other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income
from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies
or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such
stock, securities or currencies, or no income derived from interests in
certain publicly traded partnerships; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at
the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market
value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash and cash items (including
receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other regulated
investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any
one issuer generally limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount
not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and not greater
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not
more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities
(other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated
investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund
controls which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or
businesses, or the securities of one or more of certain publicly traded
partnerships; and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company
taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and net
short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and at
least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income each taxable year.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income
(as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for
dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to
shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least
annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net
capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company
taxable income, it will generally be subject to federal income tax at regular
corporate rates on the amount retained. In addition, amounts not distributed
on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement
are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax unless, generally, the Fund
distributes during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at
least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or
losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98% of its capital gains in excess
of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year
period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and
capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years.
- 50 -
In order to prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make
its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution
requirement. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the
current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or
December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during
January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to
shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared,
rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.
If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or
failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the
Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if
such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of
earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends paid out of the Fund's investment company taxable income
are generally taxable to a shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of the
Fund's earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional
shares. However, certain ordinary income distributions received from the Fund
may be taxed at capital gains tax rates. In particular, ordinary income
dividends received by an individual shareholder from a regulated investment
company such as the Fund are generally taxed at the same rates that apply to
net capital gain, provided that certain holding period requirements are
satisfied and provided the dividends are attributable to qualifying dividends
received by the Fund itself. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs and
foreign corporations are qualifying dividends eligible for this lower tax rate
only in certain circumstances.
These special rules relating to the taxation of ordinary income
dividends from regulated investment companies generally apply to taxable years
beginning before January 1, 2011. The Fund will provide notice to its
shareholders of the amount of any distributions that may be taken into account
as a dividend which is eligible for the capital gains tax rates. The Fund can
not make any guarantees as to the amount of any distribution which will be
regarded as a qualifying dividend.
A corporation that owns Shares generally will not be entitled to the
dividends received deduction with respect to many dividends received from the
Fund because the dividends received deduction is generally not available for
distributions from regulated investment companies. However, certain ordinary
income dividends on Shares that are attributable to qualifying dividends
received by the Fund from certain domestic corporations may be designated by
the Fund as being eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, properly designated as
capital gain dividends are taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital
gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund Shares.
Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Shares, rather
than cash, generally will have a cost basis in each such Share equal to the
value of a Share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. A distribution of an
amount in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits
will be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital which is applied
against and reduces the shareholder's basis in his or her Shares. To the
- 51 -
extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder's
basis in his or her Shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as
gain from a sale or exchange of the Shares.
Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal income
tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the
form of additional Shares will receive a report as to the value of those
Shares.
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES
Upon the sale or other disposition of Shares of the Fund, which a
shareholder holds as a capital asset, such a shareholder may realize a capital
gain or loss which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the
shareholder's holding period for the Shares. Generally, a shareholder's gain
or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more
than one year.
Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the
extent that Shares disposed of are replaced (including through reinvestment of
dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30
days after disposition of Shares or to the extent that the shareholder, during
such period, acquires or enters into an option or contract to acquire,
substantially identical stock or securities. In such a case, the basis of the
Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss
realized by a shareholder on a disposition of Fund Shares held by the
shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any distributions of long-term capital gain received by the
shareholder with respect to such Shares.
TAXES ON PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
If a shareholder exchanges equity securities for Creation Units the
shareholder will generally recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will
be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at
the time and the shareholder's aggregate basis in the securities surrendered
and the Cash Component paid. If a shareholder exchanges Creation Units for
equity securities, then the shareholder will generally recognize a gain or
loss equal to the difference between the shareholder's basis in the Creation
Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash
Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a
loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units or Creation
Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing
"wash sales," or on the basis that there has been no significant change in
economic position.
NATURE OF FUND'S INVESTMENTS
Certain of the Fund's investment practices are subject to special and
complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i)
disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or
- 52 -
deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed
short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or
a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited),
(iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding
receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale
of stock or securities is deemed to occur and (vi) adversely alter the
characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
The Fund's transactions in Futures Contracts and options will be
subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect
the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect
whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital, or short-term or long-term),
may accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and may defer Fund losses.
These rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of
distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require the Fund
to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat
them as if they were closed out), and (b) may cause the Fund to recognize
income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts
necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for qualifying to be
taxed as a regulated investment company and the 98% distribution requirement
for avoiding excise taxes.
INVESTMENTS IN CERTAIN FOREIGN CORPORATIONS
If the Fund holds an equity interest in any "passive foreign
investment companies" ("PFICs"), which are generally certain foreign
corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from
passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties or
capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments
producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal
income tax and additional interest charges on gains and certain distributions
with respect to those equity interests, even if all the income or gain is
timely distributed to its Unitholders. The Fund will not be able to pass
through to its Unitholders any credit or deduction for such taxes. The Fund
may be able to make an election that could ameliorate these adverse tax
consequences. In this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any
increase in the value of such PFIC shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease
in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases included in
income. Under this election, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year
income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from
dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would
nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement and would be taken
into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above). Dividends
paid by PFICs will not be treated as qualified dividend income.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all
taxable distributions and sale proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to
provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make
required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that they are subject to backup withholding. The withholding
percentage is 28% until 2011, when the percentage will revert to 31% unless
amended by Congress. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders
- 53 -
specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This
withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited
against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability.
NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a
nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, a foreign corporation
or foreign partnership ("Non-U.S. Shareholder") depends on whether the income
of the Fund is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried
on by the shareholder.
Income Not Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is not
"effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the
non-U.S. shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will
generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is
generally withheld from such distributions.
Distributions of capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by
the Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains will not be
subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the
non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically
present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year
and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains
of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United
States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases
because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days
during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax
purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his
or her worldwide income at the, graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens,
rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a non-U.S. shareholder who is a
nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income
tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the non-U.S. shareholder
certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exemption. If a non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien
individual, any gain such shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of
such shareholder's shares of the Fund in the United States will ordinarily be
exempt from U.S. tax unless the gain is U.S. source income and such
shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days
during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements.
Under the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the
"2004 Tax Act"), dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are
nonresident aliens or foreign entities and that are derived from short-term
capital gains and qualifying net interest income (including income from
original issue discount and market discount), and that are properly designated
by the Fund as "interest-related dividends" or "short-term capital gain
dividends," will generally not be subject to United States withholding tax,
provided that the income would not be subject to federal income tax if earned
directly by the foreign shareholder. In addition, pursuant to the 2004 Tax
Act, capital gains distributions attributable to gains from U.S. real property
interests (including certain U.S. real property holding corporations) will
generally be subject to United States withholding tax and will give rise to an
obligation on the part of the foreign shareholder to file a United States tax
- 54 -
return. The provisions contained in the legislation relating to distributions
to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities generally would
apply to distributions with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning
after December 31, 2004 and before January 1, 2008.
Income Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is
"effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S.
shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and
capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are designated
as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or
exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the
graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic
corporations. Non-U.S. corporate shareholders may also be subject to the
branch profits tax imposed by the Code. The tax consequences to a non-U.S.
shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may
differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences
to them of an investment in the Fund.
OTHER TAXATION
Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on
their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax
advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NAV
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled "Net Asset Value."
The per share NAV of the Fund is determined by dividing the total
value of the securities and other assets, less liabilities, by the total
number of Shares outstanding. Under normal circumstances, daily calculation of
the NAV will utilize the last closing price of each security held by the Fund
at the close of the market on which such security is principally listed. In
determining NAV, portfolio securities for the Fund for which accurate market
quotations are readily available will be valued by the Fund accounting agent
as follows:
(1) Common stocks and other equity securities listed on any
national or foreign exchange will be valued at the last sale price on
the exchange or system in which they are principally traded on the
valuation date and at the official closing price for securities
listed on NASDAQ(R). If there are no transactions on the valuation
day, securities tradeD principally on an exchange will be valued at
the mean between the most recent bid and ask prices.
(2) Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are
valued at their closing bid prices.
- 55 -
(3) Exchange traded options and Futures Contracts will be
valued at the closing price in the market where such contracts are
principally traded. Over-the-counter options and Futures Contracts
will be valued at their closing bid prices.
(4) Forward foreign currency exchange contracts which are
traded in the United States on regulated exchanges will be valued by
calculating the mean between the last bid and asked quotations
supplied to a pricing service by certain independent dealers in such
contracts.
In addition, the following types of securities will be valued as
follows:
(1) Fixed income securities with a remaining maturity of 60
days or more will be valued by the fund accounting agent using a
pricing service. When price quotes are not available, fair market
value is based on prices of comparable securities.
(2) Fixed income securities maturing within 60 days are
valued by the fund accounting agent on an amortized cost basis.
(3) Repurchase agreements will be valued as follows.
Overnight repurchase agreements will be valued at cost. Term purchase
agreements (i.e., those whose maturity exceeds seven days) will be
valued by First Trust at the average of the bid quotations obtained
daily from at least two recognized dealers.
(4) Structured Products, including currency-linked notes,
credit-linked notes and other similar instruments, will be valued by
the Fund Accounting Agent using a pricing service or quotes provided
by the selling dealer or financial institution. When price quotes are
not available, fair market value is based on prices of comparable
securities. Absent a material difference between the exit price for a
particular structured product and the market rates for similar
transactions, the structured product will be valued at its exit
price.
(5) Interest rate swaps and credit default swaps will be
valued by the Fund Accounting Agent using a pricing service or quotes
provided by the selling dealer or financial institution. When price
quotes are not available, fair market value is based on prices of
comparable securities. Absent a material difference between the exit
price for a particular swap and the market rates for similar
transactions, the swap will be valued at its exit price.
The value of any portfolio security held by the Fund for which market
quotations are not readily available will be determined by First Trust in a
manner that most fairly reflects fair market value of the security on the
valuation date, based on a consideration of all available information.
Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established
pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Board of Trustees or its
delegate at fair value. These securities generally include but are not limited
to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without
- 56 -
registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is
unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally
suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a
pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has
occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after
the market has closed but before the calculation of Fund NAV (as may be the
case in foreign markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it
difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security
whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the
security's "fair value." As a general principle, the current "fair value" of
an issue of securities would appear to be the amount which the owner might
reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. A variety of
factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
Valuing the Fund's investments using fair value pricing will result
in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market
valuations. Use of fair value prices and certain current market valuations
could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund's
net asset value and the prices used by the Index, which, in turn, could result
in a difference between the Fund's performance and the performance of the
Index.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days
during which a shareholder may purchase the Shares of the Fund, the value of
the Fund's investments may change on the days when shareholders are not able
to purchase the Shares of the Fund.
The value of assets denominated in foreign currencies is converted
into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. Any
use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect
the Fund's ability to track the Index.
The Fund may suspend the right of redemption for the Fund only under
the following unusual circumstances: (a) when the NYSE is closed (other than
weekends and holidays) or trading is restricted; (b) when trading in the
markets normally utilized is restricted, or when an emergency exists as
determined by the SEC so that disposal of the Fund's investments or
determination of its net assets is not reasonably practicable; or (c) during
any period when the SEC may permit.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes."
General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are
declared and paid semi-annually. Distributions of net realized securities
gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may
make distributions on a more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to
declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is
necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid
imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
- 57 -
Dividends and other distributions of Fund Shares are distributed, as
described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares.
Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants
to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.
Dividend Reinvestment Service. No reinvestment service is provided by
the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend
Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment
of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their
brokers in order to determine the availability and costs of the service and
the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to
adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and
used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be
automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Fund purchased in
the secondary market.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Counsel. Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60603, is counsel to the Trust.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP,
111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, serves as the Fund's
independent registered public accounting firm. The firm audits the Fund's
financial statements and performs other related audit services.
- 58 -
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
(a) Declaration of Trust of the Registrant. (1)
(b) By-Laws of the Registrant. (1)
(c) (1) Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series
dated June 11, 2007. (2)
(2) Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series
dated July 18, 2007. (5)
(3) Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series
dated May 22, 2008. (8)
(d) (1) Investment Management Agreement. (4)
(2) Expense Reimbursement, Fee Waiver and Recovery Agreement. (4)
(3) Amended Schedule A of the Investment Management Agreement. (8)
(4) Amended Exhibit A of the Expense Reimbursement, Fee Waiver and
Recovery Agreement. (8)
(e) (1) Distribution Agreement. (4)
(2) Amended Exhibit A of the Distribution Agreement. (8)
(f) Not Applicable.
(g) (1) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New
York. (4)
(2) Amended Schedule I of the Custody Agreement. (8)
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank
of New York. (4)
(2) Administration and Accounting Agreement between the Registrant
and The Bank of New York. (4)
(3) Form of Subscription Agreement. (4)
(4) Form of Participant Agreement. (4)
(5) Sublicense Agreement by and among by and among First Trust DJ
STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund, STOXX Limited, and First
Trust Advisors L.P. (4)
(6) Sublicense Agreement by and among First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT
Global Real Estate Index Fund, FTSE International Limited, and
First Trust Advisors L.P. (4)
(7) Sublicense Agreement by and among the First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund II, on behalf of its series First Trust Dow
Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.,
and First Trust Advisors L.P. (5)
(8) IPV Calculation Agreement by and between First Trust Advisors
L.P. and Telekurs (USA) Inc. (4)
(9) Sub-IPV Calculation Agreement by and among First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund II, on behalf of First Trust DJ STOXX(R)
Select Dividend 30 Index Fund, and First Trust Advisors L.P. (5)
(10) Sub-IPV Calculation Agreement by and among First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund II, on behalf of First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT
Global Real Estate Index Fund, and First Trust Advisors L.P. (5)
(11) Sub-IPV Calculation Agreement by and among First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund II, on behalf of Dow Jones Global Select
Dividend Index Fund, and First Trust Advisors L.P. (5)
(12) Sublicense Agreement by and among First Trust Exchange-Traded
Fund II, on behalf of First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index
Fund, International Securities Exchange, LLC, and First Trust
Advisors L.P. (8)
(13) IPV Calculation Agreement by and between First Trust Advisors
L.P. and Archipelago Holdings, Inc. (8)
(14) Sub-IPV Calculation Agreement by and among First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund II, on behalf of First Trust ISE Global Wind
Energy Index Fund, and First Trust Advisors L.P. (8)
(15) Amended Schedule I of the Transfer Agency Agreement. (8)
(16) Amended Exhibit A of the Fund Administration and Accounting
Agreement. (8)
(i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Chapman and Cutler LLP. (8)
(2) Opinion and Consent of Bingham McCutchen LLP. (8)
(j) Not Applicable.
(k) Not Applicable.
(l) Not Applicable.
(m) (1) 12b-1 Service Plan. (4)
(2) Letter Agreement regarding 12b-1 fees dated as of May 1, 2007.
(4)
(3) Letter Agreement regarding 12b-1 fees dated as of November 13,
2007. (5)
(4) Amended Exhibit A of the 12b-1 Service Plan. (8)
(5) Amended Exhibit A of the Letter Agreement regarding 12b-1 fees
dated as of November 13, 2007. (8)
(n) Not Applicable.
(o) Not Applicable.
(p) (1) First Trust Advisors L.P. Investment Adviser Code of Ethics,
amended on May 31, 2006. (2)
(2) First Trust Portfolios L.P. Code of Ethics, amended on May 31,
2006. (2)
(3) First Trust Funds Code of Ethics, amended on May 31, 2006. (2)
(q) Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Bowen, Erickson, Kadlec and Keith
authorizing James A. Bowen, W. Scott Jardine, Eric F. Fess, Kristi
A. Maher and Mark R. Bradley to execute the Registration Statement.
(7)
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on June 21, 2007.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on August 23, 2007
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on August 24, 2007
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on August 30, 2007
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on November 20, 2007
(6) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on January 28, 2008
(7) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File No. 333-143964) filed on May 23, 2008
(8) To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
Not Applicable.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.5 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as
follows:
Section 9.5. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. Subject to
the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 9.5, every person who
is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust, including
persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees,
officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has
an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to
as a "Covered Person"), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest
extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably
incurred or paid by him or in connection with any claim, action, suit or
proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of
his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent
and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person to
the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against
by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any
other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled,
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such
a person.
Subject to applicable federal law, expenses of preparation and
presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to
a claim for indemnification under this Section 9.5 shall be advanced by the
Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or
on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined
that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.5.
To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to
whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not
provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that
a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the
Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a
rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct
and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be
found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 9.5, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or
"proceeding" shall apply to all claims, demands, actions, suits,
investigations, regulatory inquiries, proceedings or any other occurrence of a
similar nature, whether actual or threatened and whether civil, criminal,
administrative or other, including appeals, and the words "liability" and
"expenses" shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs,
judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust") serves as investment
adviser to the Registrant, serves as adviser or subadviser to 25 mutual funds,
36 exchange-traded funds and 14 closed-end funds and is the portfolio
supervisor of certain unit investment trusts. Its principal address is 1001
Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
The principal business of certain of First Trust's principal
executive officers involves various activities in connection with the family
of unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP").
FTP's principal address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois
60532.
Information as to other business, profession, vocation or employment
during the past two years of the officers and directors of First Trust is as
follows:
NAME AND POSITION WITH FIRST TRUST EMPLOYMENT DURING PAST TWO YEARS
James A. Bowen, Managing Director/President Managing Director/President, FTP; Chairman of the Board
of Directors, BondWave LLC and Stonebridge Advisors LLC
Ronald D. McAlister, Managing Director Managing Director, FTP
Mark R. Bradley, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director, FTP; Chief
Managing Director Financial Officer, BondWave LLC and Stonebridge Advisors LLC
Robert F. Carey, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, FTP
Senior Vice President
W. Scott Jardine, General Counsel General Counsel, FTP; Secretary of BondWave LLC and
Stonebridge Advisors LLC
Kristi A. Maher, Deputy General Counsel Deputy General Counsel, FTP since May 2007; Assistant
General Counsel, FTP, March 2004 to May 2007
|
NAME AND POSITION WITH FIRST TRUST EMPLOYMENT DURING PAST TWO YEARS
Erin Chapman, Assistant General Counsel Assistant General Counsel, FTP since March 2006
Michelle Quintos, Assistant General Counsel Assistant General Counsel, FTP
John Vasko, Assistant General Counsel Senior Counsel, Michaels and May, October 2006 to May
2007; Assistant General Counsel, ARAMARK Corporation
Pamela Wirt, Assistant General Counsel Of Counsel, Vedder, Price, Kaufman and Kammholz, P.C.,
February 2006 to January 2007; Independent Contractor
Attorney SBA Network Services, Inc.
R. Scott Hall, Managing Director Managing Director, FTP
Andrew S. Roggensack, Managing Director Managing Director, FTP
Elizabeth H. Bull, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Christopher L. Dixon, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Jane Doyle, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
James M. Dykas, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP since April 2007; Vice
President, FTP from January 2005 to April 2007
Jon C. Erickson, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Kenneth N. Hass, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Jason T. Henry, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Daniel J. Lindquist, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
David G. McGarel, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Mitchell Mohr, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Robert M. Porcellino, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Alan M. Rooney, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Roger F. Testin, Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, FTP
Kathleen Brown, Chief Compliance Officer CCO, FTP since February 2008; CCO, William Blair & Company
|
NAME AND POSITION WITH FIRST TRUST EMPLOYMENT DURING PAST TWO YEARS
James P. Koeneman, Vice President Vice President, FTP
Ronda L. Saeli, Vice President Vice President, FTP
Kirk Sims, Vice President Vice President, FTP
Walter E. Stubbings, Jr., Vice President Vice President, FTP
Richard S. Swiatek, Vice President Vice President, FTP
Stan Ueland, Vice President Vice President, FTP
Brad Bradley, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Kelley A. Christensen, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Katie D. Collins, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Kristen Johanneson, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Lynae Peays, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Omar Sepulveda, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
John H. Sherren, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
Michael S. Stange, Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President, FTP
|
ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
(a) FTP serves as principal underwriter of the shares of the
Registrant, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded
AlphaDEXTM Fund and the First Defined Portfolio Fund LLC. FTP serves as
principal underwriter and depositor of the following investment companies
registered as unit investment trusts: the First Trust Combined Series, FT
Series (formerly known as the First Trust Special Situations Trust), the First
Trust Insured Corporate Trust, the First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds, and
the First Trust GNMA. The name of each director, officer and partner of FTP is
provided below.
(b) Positions and Offices with Underwriter.
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
The Charger Corporation General Partner None
Grace Partners of DuPage L.P. Limited Partner None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
James A. Bowen Managing Director/President President, Chairman of the Board,
Trustee, Chief Executive Officer
Mark R. Bradley Chief Financial Officer; Managing Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
Director and Chief Accounting Officer
Robert W. Bredemeier Managing Director None
Frank L. Fichera Managing Director None
Russell J. Graham Managing Director None
R. Scott Hall Managing Director None
W. Scott Jardine General Counsel Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary
Kristi A. Maher Deputy General Counsel Assistant Secretary
Erin Chapman Assistant General Counsel None
Michelle Quintos Assistant General Counsel None
John Vasko Assistant General Counsel None
Pamela Wirt Assistant General Counsel None
Ronald D. McAlister Managing Director None
Richard A. Olson Managing Director None
Andrew S. Roggensack Managing Director None
Elizabeth H. Bull Senior Vice President None
Robert F. Carey Senior Vice President None
Patricia L. Costello Senior Vice President None
Christopher L. Dixon Senior Vice President None
Jane Doyle Senior Vice President None
James M. Dykas Senior Vice President Assistant Treasurer
Jon C. Erickson Senior Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
Kenneth N. Hass Senior Vice President None
Thomas V. Hendricks Senior Vice President None
Jason T. Henry Senior Vice President None
Christian D. Jeppesen Senior Vice President None
Christopher A. Lagioia Senior Vice President None
Daniel J. Lindquist Senior Vice President Vice President
David G. McGarel Senior Vice President None
Mark R. McHenney Senior Vice President None
Mitchell Mohr Senior Vice President None
Paul E. Nelson Senior Vice President None
Steve R. Nelson Senior Vice President None
Robert M. Porcellino Senior Vice President None
Steven R. Ritter Senior Vice President None
Alan Rooney Senior Vice President None
Francine Russell Senior Vice President None
Brad A. Shaffer Senior Vice President None
Brian Sheehan Senior Vice President None
James J. Simpson Senior Vice President None
Andrew C. Subramanian Senior Vice President None
Mark P. Sullivan Senior Vice President None
Roger F. Testin Senior Vice President Vice President
Gregory E. Wearsch Senior Vice President None
Patrick Woelfel Senior Vice President None
Kathleen Brown Chief Compliance Officer None
Dan Affetto Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
Lance Allen Vice President None
Eric Anderson Vice President None
Carlos Barbosa Vice President None
Michael Bean Vice President None
Rob Biddinger Vice President None
Mike Britt Vice President None
Nathan S. Cassel Vice President None
Robert E. Christensen Vice President None
Will Cobb Vice President None
Joshua Crosley Vice President None
Michael Dawson Vice President None
Michael Durr Vice President None
Albert K. Davis Vice President None
Daren J. Davis Vice President None
Sean Degnan Vice President None
Robert T. Doak Vice President None
Joel D. Donley Vice President None
Brett Egner Vice President None
Mike Flaherty Vice President None
Wendy Flaherty Vice President None
Edward Foley Vice President None
Don Fuller Vice President None
John Gillis Vice President None
Patrick Good Vice President None
Matt D. Graham Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
Matt Griffin Vice President None
William M. Hannold Vice President None
Mary Jane Hansen Vice President None
Vance Hicks Vice President None
Rick Johnson Vice President None
Tom Knickerbocker Vice President None
James P. Koeneman Vice President None
Thomas E. Kotcher Vice President None
Daniel Lavin Vice President None
Michael P. Leyden Vice President None
Keith L. Litavsky Vice President None
Stephanie L. Martin Vice President None
Marty McFadden Vice President None
Sean Moriarty Vice President None
John O'Sullivan Vice President None
David Pagano Vice President None
Brian K. Penney Vice President None
Blair R. Peterson Vice President None
Jason Peterson Vice President None
Tom Powell Vice President None
Marisa Prestigiacomo Vice President None
Craig Prichard Vice President None
David A. Rieger Vice President None
Michael Rogers Vice President None
Paul Rowe Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
James Rowlette Vice President None
Ronda L. Saeli Vice President None
Jeffrey M. Samuel Vice President None
Peter H. Sandford Vice President None
Timothy Schival Vice President None
Stacy Shearer Vice President None
Nim Short Vice President None
Kirk Sims Vice President None
Edward J. Sistowicz Vice President None
Jonathan L. Steiner Vice President None
Eric Stoiber Vice President None
Walter E. Stubbings, Jr. Vice President None
Terry Swagerty Vice President None
Richard S. Swiatek Vice President None
Brian Taylor Vice President None
John Taylor Vice President None
Kerry Tazakine Vice President None
Timothy Trudo Vice President None
Stanley Ueland Vice President Assistant Vice President
Bryan Ulmer Vice President None
Barbara E. Vinson Vice President None
Dan Waldron Vice President None
Christopher Walsh Vice President None
Jeff Westergaard Vice President None
Lewin M. Williams Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
Jeffrey S. Barnum Assistant Vice President None
Owen Birts III Assistant Vice President None
Toby A. Bohl Assistant Vice President None
Brad Bradley Assistant Vice President None
Kelley A. Christensen Assistant Vice President Vice President
Katie D. Collins Assistant Vice President None
Michael DeBella Assistant Vice President None
Ann Marie Giudice Assistant Vice President None
Debbie Del Giudice Assistant Vice President None
Chris Fallow Assistant Vice President None
Anita K. Henderson Assistant Vice President None
James V. Huber Assistant Vice President None
Kristen Johanneson Assistant Vice President None
Daniel C. Keller Assistant Vice President None
Robert J. Madeja Assistant Vice President None
David M. McCammond-Watts Assistant Vice President None
Michelle Parker Assistant Vice President None
Lynae Peays Assistant Vice President None
Debra K. Scherbring Assistant Vice President None
Steve Schwarting Assistant Vice President None
Omar Sepulveda Assistant Vice President None
John H. Sherren Assistant Vice President None
Michael S. Stange Assistant Vice President None
Lee Sussman Assistant Vice President None
Christopher J. Thill Assistant Vice President None
|
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND
BUSINESS ADDRESS* WITH UNDERWRITER OFFICES WITH FUND
Dave Tweeten Assistant Vice President None
Thomas G. Wisnowski Assistant Vice President None
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* All addresses are
1001 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, IL 60532
unless otherwise noted.
(c) Not Applicable.
ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust"), 1001 Warrenville Road,
Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, maintains the Registrant's organizational
documents, minutes of meetings, contracts of the Registrant and all advisory
material of the investment adviser.
The Bank of New York ("BONY"), 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York
10286, maintains all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances,
records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other requirement
records not maintained by First Trust.
BONY also maintains all the required records in its capacity as
transfer, accounting, dividend payment and interest holder service agent for
the Registrant.
ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS
Not Applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Lisle, in the State of
Illinois, on the 6th day of June, 2008.
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
By: /s/ James A. Bowen
--------------------------------
James A. Bowen, President
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ Mark R. Bradley Treasurer, Controller and June 6, 2008
------------------------- Chief Financial and
Mark R. Bradley Accounting Officer
/s/ James A. Bowen President, Chief Executive June 6, 2008
------------------------- Officer, Chairman
James A. Bowen and Trustee
)
*/s/ Richard E. Erickson Trustee )
------------------------- )
Richard E. Erickson )
)
*/s/ Thomas R. Kadlec Trustee ) By: /s/ James A. Bowen
------------------------- ) ------------------
Thomas R. Kadlec ) James A. Bowen
) Attorney-In-Fact
*/s/ Robert F. Keith Trustee ) June 6, 2008
------------------------- )
Robert F. Keith )
|
* Original powers of attorney authorizing James A. Bowen, W. Scott Jardine,
Eric F. Fess, Kristi A. Maher and Mark R. Bradley to execute Registrant's
Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for each of the trustees
of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed,
were previously executed and are incorporated by reference herein.
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