Monthly Distribution Update for the First Trust Income Opportunities ETF
First Trust Advisors L.P. (FTA) has announced the latest monthly distribution for the First Trust Income Opportunities ETF, a series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII. Below, you’ll find the key dates for this cycle, a plain-English recap of what each date means, and a brief overview of how the fund is managed.
Important Dates to Know
The Ex-Dividend Date is September 11, 2024. To be eligible for this month’s distribution, your shares need to be settled in your account by that date. If you buy on or after the Ex-Dividend Date, you won’t receive this month’s payment.
Record Date and Payable Date
The Record Date is also September 11, 2024. That’s the day the fund checks its shareholder list to determine who will receive the distribution. Payment follows on the Payable Date—September 30, 2024—when eligible shareholders should see the distribution in their accounts. Marking all three dates helps you keep expectations clear and avoid last-minute surprises.
The Fund and Its Management
FTA serves as the investment advisor to the First Trust Income Opportunities ETF. Drawing on its experience across multiple investment strategies, FTA manages assets totaling approximately $241 billion through vehicles such as unit investment trusts and exchange-traded funds. For this cycle, the ordinary income distribution is $0.1350 per share.
What the Fund Aims to Do
The First Trust Income Opportunities ETF is designed to deliver monthly income. It’s actively managed—meaning investment professionals make ongoing portfolio decisions with the goal of managing risk, responding to market moves, and supporting the fund’s income objective over time.
Performance, Markets, and What to Expect
Past performance doesn’t predict future results. Markets move, sometimes quickly, and those moves can affect your total return and the fund’s share price. Staying aware of broader conditions—interest rates, economic trends, and the overall market tone—can help you understand how and why distributions or prices change from one month to the next.
Risks to Weigh
Like all equity-related investments, the First Trust Income Opportunities ETF involves risk. Prices can be volatile, and periods of stress can cause sharp swings in value. Economic and political developments may also influence performance. These risks don’t make the fund inherently unsuitable; they’re simply part of investing and worth factoring into your planning and time horizon.
Where to Find Details
Before investing, review the fund’s prospectus for its investment objective, the risks it takes, and the fees and expenses you’ll pay. FTA encourages investors to perform their own due diligence. If you need help or want more information about the fund’s approach and distributions, you can contact the office of First Trust Advisors L.P. directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the First Trust Income Opportunities ETF?
It’s an exchange-traded fund managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. that seeks to provide monthly income. The fund is actively managed, so portfolio decisions are made by investment professionals rather than tracking a fixed index.
When is the Ex-Dividend Date, and how do the other dates work?
The Ex-Dividend Date is September 11, 2024. You must own shares before that date to receive this month’s payment. The Record Date is also September 11, 2024, which is when eligibility is confirmed. The distribution is scheduled to be paid on September 30, 2024.
How much is the ordinary income per share this month?
The ordinary income distribution for this cycle is $0.1350 per share. Actual amounts may vary over time, and future distributions aren’t guaranteed.
What risks should I consider before investing?
Expect market volatility and price fluctuations, along with the potential for broader economic or political factors to affect performance. Review the fund’s prospectus to understand these risks and the fees and expenses you’ll pay.
Where can I find more information?
Read the fund’s prospectus for a full discussion of objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can also contact the office of First Trust Advisors L.P. for additional details about the fund and its monthly distributions.
