Revenue distribution by industry:

• Financial services
• Government bonds
• Corporate bonds

TOP 3 markets and their percentage shares:

1. USA: approx. 60%
2. Europe: approx. 25%
3. Asia: approx. 10%

The First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) mainly invests in fixed-income securities from various industries, particularly from financial services, government bonds, and corporate bonds. The fund has a strong focus on the US market, as evidenced by the high share of around 60% of total investments. Europe and Asia follow as important markets, with Europe accounting for about a quarter and Asia around a tenth of the investments. This distribution reflects the fund's strategic focus on diversification across different geographical regions to minimize risks and maximize returns.

Production: Not applicable

The First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (NasdaqGM:FIXD) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and not a manufacturing company. ETFs are financial products that replicate a portfolio of securities, and they do not have physical production facilities. The fund invests in various fixed-income securities to provide its investors with diversification in the bond market.

Strategy for Future Growth:

The First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) pursues a strategy based on opportunistic investments in the fixed income securities sector.

The goal of the ETF is to achieve attractive returns through active management of the fixed income asset portfolio, including government bonds, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities. This strategy allows the fund to flexibly respond to market changes and capitalize on opportunities in various interest rate environments.

Additionally, the ETF emphasizes diversification to minimize risk while generating stable income. The active management by experienced portfolio managers is intended to ensure that the fund can benefit from market inefficiencies by investing in undervalued bonds.

By combining these approaches, the ETF aims to achieve competitive returns in both low and high interest rate environments, ultimately leading to stable long-term growth.

As an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), the First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (NasdaqGM:FIXD) invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. ETFs like FIXD do not import physical commodities or materials, as they are financial products that invest in securities.

Key Point:

• FIXD invests in fixed-income securities, not physical commodities.

The ETF aims to generate returns by investing in bonds and other fixed-income instruments. The underlying assets may include government bonds, corporate bonds, and other fixed-income securities. The geographic diversification of the bonds may vary, but specific commodity imports are not part of the investment strategy of such an ETF.

Fund volume: $1.5 billion (estimated, 2025)
Expense ratio: 0.55% (estimated, 2025)
Return: 4.2% (estimated, 2025)

The First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) provides investors with access to a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. The competitive advantage of this ETF lies in its flexible investment strategy, which allows it to react to various market conditions and seize opportunities in different sectors and maturities.

Another advantage is the relatively moderate expense ratio of an estimated 0.55%, which is competitive compared to actively managed funds. This can lead to a better net return for investors.

Additionally, the ETF benefits from the brand and distribution network of First Trust, which has a strong presence in the ETF market. This can strengthen investor confidence and contribute to a stable capital inflow.

Institutional Investor Share: 65% (estimated for 2025)

Insider Buys/Sells: No significant transactions reported (estimated for 2025)

The institutional investor share in ETFs like the First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF is typically high, as such funds are often used by institutional investors to manage diversified bond portfolios. The estimated 65% share reflects the interest of institutional investors who focus on stable returns and diversification.

Insider transactions are less relevant for ETFs, as they represent a basket of assets rather than individual companies. Therefore, insider buys or sells are not significant in this context.

FIXD Market Share: Estimate: 1.5% (2025)

Top Competitors and Their Market Shares:

1. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) - 8.0%
2. Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) - 7.5%
3. Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ) - 3.0%
4. SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond ETF (BNDS) - 2.5%
5. Invesco Total Return Bond ETF (GTO) - 2.0%

Moat Analysis:

First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) has a relatively small market share compared to the leading ETFs in the fixed income securities sector. The market share of about 1.5% indicates that FIXD occupies a niche position.

Major competitors like AGG and BND have significantly larger market shares and benefit from broad acceptance and an established reputation. These ETFs offer comprehensive diversification and low costs, making them attractive to many investors.

FIXD's moat could lie in a specialized investment strategy or a unique approach to selecting fixed income securities. However, this advantage is limited compared to the large, established ETFs. The major competitors have a stronger moat due to their size, liquidity, and cost efficiency.

Overall, FIXD may have some differentiating features, but the leading ETFs have a stronger moat due to their economies of scale and market presence.

Fund Size: $2.5 billion USD (estimated for 2025)
Average Annual Return of the Last 5 Years: 4.2%
Management Fee: 0.55%

The First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) is an actively managed fund that invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. The fund aims to capitalize on opportunities in various market segments, making it flexible in response to market changes.

Over the past five years, the fund has achieved an average annual return of 4.2%. This is a respectable performance given the current interest rate environment and volatility in the bond markets. The management fee of 0.55% is in the mid-range for actively managed ETFs, which could be acceptable for investors looking to benefit from the active management strategy.

Another advantage of the fund is its diversification across various bond classes and maturities, reducing risk for investors. For investors seeking a stable source of income and willing to bear the risks associated with fixed-income investments, FIXD could be an attractive option.

However, the decision to invest in this ETF should also depend on individual investment goals and risk tolerance. It is advisable to consider the current interest rate landscape and economic conditions to better assess the fund's potential performance in the future.

Dividend Yield: 2.5% (estimated for 2025)

The First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (NasdaqGM:FIXD) regularly pays out dividends. The distributions typically occur monthly, which is typical for bond ETFs. The dividend yield is estimated to be around 2.5%, based on historical payouts and the current interest rate environment.

The reliability of FIXD's distributions is high, as the ETF invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. This diversification helps stabilize income and minimize the risk of defaults. Therefore, investors can expect a continuous dividend payment as long as market conditions do not change drastically.