UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-21944
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)
W. Scott Jardine, Esq.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 630-241-4141
Date of fiscal year end: September 31
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2008
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with
the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of
any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may
use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review,
inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR,
and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not
required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR
unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget
("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the
information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the
burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under
the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The registrant's semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule
30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund
First Trust FTSEEPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund
Semi-Annual Report
March 31, 2008
Front Cover
TABLE OF CONTENTS
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008
Shareholder Letter 2
Market Overview 3
Performance Overview
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund 4
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund 6
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 8
Notes to Performance Overview 10
Understanding Your Fund Expenses 11
Portfolio of Investments
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund 12
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund 13
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 17
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 19
Statements of Operations 20
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 22
Financial Highlights 24
Notes to Financial Statements 26
Additional Information 31
Risk Considerations 34
|
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the goals,
beliefs, plans or current expectations of First Trust Advisors L.P. (the
"Advisor") and its representatives, taking into account the information
currently available to them. Forward-looking statements include all
statements that do not relate solely to current or historical fact. For
example, forward-looking statements include the use of words such as
"anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "believe," "plan," "may,"
"should," "would" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events
or outcomes.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II (the "Trust") to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. When evaluating
the information included in this report, you are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the
judgment of the Advisor and its respective representatives only as of the
date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise or update
these forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances that
arise after the date hereof.
PERFORMANCE AND RISK DISCLOSURE
There is no assurance that any Fund (individually called a "Fund" and
collectively, the "Funds") of the Trust will achieve its investment
objective. Each Fund of the Trust is subject to market risk, which is the
possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will
decline and that the value of the Fund shares may therefore be less than
what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in a
Fund. See "Risk Considerations" in Additional Information for a
discussion of other risks of investing in the Funds.
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no
guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or
higher than the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance
figures, please visit http://www.ftportfolios.com or speak with your
financial advisor. Investment returns, net asset value and share price
will fluctuate and Fund shares may be worth more or less than their
original cost.
HOW TO READ THIS REPORT
This report contains information that may help you evaluate your
investment. It includes details about the portfolios and presents data
and analysis that provide insight into each Fund's performance and
investment approach.
By reading the portfolio commentary by Robert F. Carey, Chief Investment
Officer of the Advisor, you may obtain an understanding of how the market
environment affected the performance of each Fund. The statistical
information that follows may help you understand each Fund's performance
compared to that of relevant market benchmarks.
It is important to keep in mind that the opinions expressed by personnel
of the Advisor are just that: informed opinions. They should not be
considered to be promises or advice. The opinions, like the statistics,
cover the period through the date on the cover of this report. The risks
of investing in each Fund are spelled out in its prospectus.
Page 1
SHAREHOLDER LETTER
Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
Semi-Annual Report
March 31, 2008
Dear Shareholders:
The year 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 were somewhat challenging times for
the financial markets and for many investors. Yet, regardless of the market,
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust") believes that in order to be
successful in reaching your financial goals, you should be invested for the
long-term. We also believe that investors should seek professional help from a
financial advisor who has been through many types of markets, knows the range of
investments available, and is committed to bringing you investments suitable to
your particular situation.
Our goal at First Trust has always been to offer a wide range of investment
products, including our family of exchange-traded funds, to help financial
advisors give you the opportunity to meet your financial objectives. We have
continued to expand our product line to ensure that you have many choices to fit
into your investment portfolio.
The report you hold will give you detailed information about First Trust DJ
STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund ("FDD"), First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT
Global Real Estate Index Fund ("FFR") and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select
Dividend Index Fund ("FGD"), one or more of which you have purchased. It
contains such current information as the performance of the Funds and a market
recap of the period this report covers. We are proud to bring these unique
investments to our customers, and are pleased you have chosen a First Trust
exchange-traded fund(s) for a portion of your investment portfolio. I encourage
you to read this report and discuss it with your financial advisor.
First Trust has been through many types of markets and remains committed to
bringing you quality investment solutions regardless of the inevitable ups and
downs the market experiences. We offer a variety of products that we believe can
fit many financial plans to help those investors seeking long-term investment
success. As well, we are committed to giving you up-to-date information about
your investments so you and your financial advisor are always current on your
portfolio.
We continue to value our relationship with you and we thank you for the
opportunity to assist you in achieving your financial goals.
Sincerely,
/s/ James A. Bowen
James A. Bowen
President of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
|
Page 2
MARKET OVERVIEW
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
Semi-Annual Report
March 31, 2008
[PHOTO OMITTED] Robert F. Carey, CFA
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
First Trust Advisors L.P.
Mr. Carey is responsible for the overall management of
research and analysis of the First Trust product line.
Mr. Carey has 21 years of experience as an Equity and
Fixed-Income Analyst and is a recipient of the
Chartered Financial Analyst ("CFA") designation. He is
a graduate of the University of Illinois at
Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. in Physics. He is also a
member of the Investment Analysts Society of Chicago
and the CFA Institute. Mr. Carey has appeared as a
guest on such programs as Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and WBBM
Radio, and has been quoted by several publications,
including The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street
Reporter, Bloomberg News Service, and Registered Rep.
|
Market Overview - First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund ("FDD")
and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund ("FGD")
The past six months proved to be quite a volatile period for most global equity
markets, including Europe. The primary catalyst behind the disappointing
performance was the deterioration of the subprime mortgage market in the U.S.
and the credit crunch it produced. Mounting foreclosures coupled with persistent
weakness in the broader residential real estate market pushed housing and
mortgage-backed securities prices substantially lower. Banks and other financial
institutions (worldwide) that invested in subprime mortgage-backed securities,
such as Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs), have collectively written-down
tens of billions of dollars in losses. Some of the largest financial
institutions in the U.S. and Europe have borrowed from sovereign wealth funds or
other sources to bolster capital reserves for the near-term. Standard & Poor's
recently reported that it believes the worst is behind us and that financial
institutions, when all is said and done, may learn that actual losses were less
than those taken. FDD's and FGD's exposure to financials is currently nearly 40%
and 50%, respectively.
The U.S. economy barely grew at all over the past six months and that has
impacted the global economy. Real Gross Domestic Product growth was just 0.6% in
the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. The Federal Reserve
Board (the "Fed") cut the federal funds target rate three percentage points from
5.25% to 2.25% over the past six months in an effort to stimulate growth. It
usually takes 6-9 months before a Fed rate action influences economic activity.
The value of the U.S. dollar fell as a result of those rate cuts. The euro
gained nearly 11.5% against the dollar over the past six months, while the
dollar fell 7.4% against a basket of major currencies monitored by the Fed. As
the dollar fell the value of commodities, particularly oil, soared. The price of
a barrel of crude oil jumped 24% over the six-month span, while a broader basket
of commodities (Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index) rose 16%. These price gains have
stoked inflation in China, India, Europe and elsewhere. Many central banks have
either hiked lending rates or, in the case of the European Central Bank (ECB),
refrained from lowering rates. European stocks have suffered to some degree
because the ECB has chosen to fight inflation rather than stimulate growth.
Market Overview - First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
Fund ("FFR")
Global real estate valuations fell nearly twice as much, on average, in the
fourth quarter of 2007 as in the first quarter of 2008, according to data from
the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). The
combination of the threat of a U.S. recession, fears over a global credit crunch
and several years of outsized gains finally caught up with the real estate
sector. Prior to 2007, global real estate had not posted a down year since 2001.
North America and Europe were both down more than 10% in the fourth quarter of
2007, while Asia was a bit more resilient declining by roughly 7%, according to
NAREIT. In the first quarter of 2008, however, both North America and Europe
rebounded back into positive territory, albeit modestly, while Asia declined
16.4%.
While real estate has historically carried a relatively low correlation to
equities, returns tracked global indices fairly closely over the past six
months. Over the long haul, REITs tend to be influenced more by interest rate
fluctuations since they pass through at least 90% of their cash flows. Interest
rate levels remain low to moderate across the globe.
Page 3
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
FDD - FIRST TRUST DJ STOXX(R) SELECT DIVIDEND 30 INDEX FUND
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund (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 Dow
Jones STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index (the "STOXX Index"). The Shares
of the Fund are listed and trade on the American Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol "FDD." The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its
assets in non-U.S. common stocks that comprise the STOXX Index or in
depositary receipts that may include American Depositary Receipts, Global
Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, New York shares or
global shares representing securities in the STOXX Index. The Fund began
trading on August 30, 2007.
The STOXX Index consists of 30 securities selected from the Dow Jones
STOXX(R) 600 Index, including secondary lines of those companies (where
there are multiple lines of equity capital in a company), which includes
the highest dividend-yielding companies across 18 European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The STOXX Index is compiled
and maintained by STOXX Limited. Only dividend-paying companies in the
Dow Jones STOXX(R) 600 Index (including secondary lines of those
companies) are considered for inclusion in the STOXX Index. In addition,
a company must have a non-negative five-year dividend-per share growth
rate and a dividend-to-earnings ratio of 60% or less.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance as of March 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative
Total Returns
Six Months Ended Since Fund Inception
March 31, 2008 (August 27, 2007)
Fund Performance
NAV -14.36% -11.59%
Market Price -14.05% -10.82%
Index Performance
Dow Jones STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index -12.28% -9.61%
Dow Jones STOXX(R) 600 Index -8.97% -3.30%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
(See Notes to Performance Overview on page 10.)
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
All seven sectors represented in the portfolio posted negative returns
for the six months ended March 31, 2008. Utilities was the
best-performing sector, followed by telecommunications services.
Financials were the biggest detractors from portfolio performance, caused
by a large weighting and poor performance from the sector. Materials
stocks posted the worst returns in the portfolio.
All countries represented in the portfolio posted negative returns over
the period. France and Belgium posted the best relative performance. The
two countries combined accounted for approximately 11% of the portfolio
over the period covered by this report. The United Kingdom was the
biggest drag on portfolio performance. In addition to being the largest
weighting in the portfolio, the country's holdings were one of the worst
performers.
"STOXX" and "Dow Jones STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index" are trademarks
of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. ("Dow Jones") and have been licensed for use
for certain purposes by First Trust and the Fund. The Fund, based on the
Dow Jones STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index, is not sponsored, endorsed,
sold or promoted by STOXX or Dow Jones and neither STOXX nor Dow Jones
makes any representation regarding the advisability of trading or
investing in such product.
Page 4
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (Continued)
FDD - FIRST TRUST DJ STOXX(R) SELECT DIVIDEND 30 INDEX FUND (Continued)
Top Five and Bottom Five Performing Stocks
(by contribution to return over the six months ended March 31, 2008)
TOP-PERFORMING STOCKS BOTTOM-PERFORMING STOCKS
Taylor Wimpey PLC DSG International PLC
Tomkins PLC Alliance & Leicester PLC
HBOS PLC Norske Skogindustrier ASA
Zurich Financial Services AG Deutsche Telekom AG
Fortis RWE AG
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Portfolio Sector Allocation as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Sector Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Financials 49.63%
Consumer Discretionary 22.20
Telecommunication Services 11.17
Industrials 6.55
Utilities 5.89
Materials 2.44
Energy 2.12
-----------
Total 100.00%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Top Ten Portfolio Holdings as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Security Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DSG International PLC 7.90%
Taylor Wimpey PLC 5.38
Alliance & Leicester PLC 5.17
Tomkins PLC 4.77
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 4.58
Barratt Developments PLC 4.55
Trinity Mirror PLC 4.38
Lloyds TSB Group PLC 4.32
HBOS PLC 4.31
Provident Financial PLC 4.16
-----------
Total 49.52%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Page 5
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (Continued)
FFR - FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund (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 FTSE
EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index (the "FTSE Index"). The Shares of
the Fund are listed and trade on the American Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol "FFR." The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its
assets in common stocks that comprise the FTSE Index or in depositary
receipts that may include American Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary
Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, New York shares or global shares
representing securities in the FTSE Index. The Fund began trading on
August 30, 2007.
The FTSE Index is compiled and maintained by FTSE International Limited.
The FTSE Index is modified market cap weighted based on free float market
capitalization and tracks the performance of listed real estate companies
or real estate investment trusts ("REITs") in North America, Europe and
Asia. The FTSE Index is comprised of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT North America
Series, the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Europe Series and the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Asia
Series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance as of March 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative
Total Returns
Six Months Ended Since Fund Inception
March 31, 2008 (August 27, 2007)
Fund Performance
NAV -15.67% -9.88%
Market Price -15.33% -9.11%
Index Performance
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index -15.30% -9.43%
S&P Global REIT Index -13.48% -8.38%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
(See Notes to Performance Overview on page 10.)
FUND PERFORMANCE
The self storage and healthcare industries were the best performers for
the six months ended March 31, 2008 measured by contribution to return.
These two sub-industries were the only positive contributors to return
out of the ten industries represented in the index. The diversified
sub-industry was the biggest drag on absolute performance, followed by
the retail and office sub-industries.
France posted the largest contribution to return followed by Switzerland
and the Netherlands. Australia had the most negative contribution to
return followed by Japan, the United States and Hong Kong.
The FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index is calculated by FTSE
International Limited ("FTSE"). FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote
the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund. All
copyright in the index values and constituent list vests in FTSE and/or
its licensors. First Trust Advisors L.P. and the First Trust FTSE
EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund has obtained full license from
FTSE to use such copyright in the creation of the First Trust FTSE
EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund. "FTSE(R)","FT-SE(R)" and
"Footsie(R)" are trademarks jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange
Plc and the Financial Times Limited and are used by FTSE under license.
"NAREIT(R)" is the trademark of the National Association of Real Estate
Investment Trusts and "EPRA(R)" is the trademark of the European Public
Real Estate Association and are used by FTSE under license.
Page 6
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (Continued)
FFR - FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND (Continued)
Top Five and Bottom Five Performing Stocks
(by contribution to return over the six months ended March 31, 2008)
TOP-PERFORMING STOCKS BOTTOM-PERFORMING STOCKS
Public Storage Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.
Unibail-Rodamco S.A. Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Equity Residential Centro Properties Group
PSP Swiss Property AG Westfield Group
Ventas, Inc. Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Portfolio Sector Allocation as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Sector Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Financials 99.23%
Industrials 0.46
Consumer Discretionary 0.25
Health Care 0.06
-----------
Total 100.00%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Top Ten Portfolio Holdings as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Security Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Westfield Group 4.24%
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. 3.94
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. 3.29
Unibail-Rodamco S.A. 2.83
Simon Property Group, Inc. 2.81
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. 2.31
ProLogis 2.04
Land Securities Group PLC 1.89
Vornado Realty Trust 1.77
Public Storage 1.53
-----------
Total 26.65%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Page 7
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (Continued)
FGD - FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (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 Dow
Jones Global Select Dividend Index(SM) (the "Index"). The Shares of the
Fund are listed and trade on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol "FGD." 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, Global Depositary Receipts,
European Depositary Receipts, New York shares or global shares
representing securities in the Index. The Fund began trading on November
27, 2007.
The Index is an indicated annual dividend yield weighted index of 100
stocks selected from the developed market portion of the Dow Jones World
Developed Index. Indicated annual dividend yield is a stock's unadjusted
indicated annual dividend (not including any special dividends) divided
by its unadjusted price. As of November 16, 2007, the Index covered 16
developed markets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance as of March 31, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative
Total Returns
Since Fund Inception
(November 21, 2007)
Fund Performance
NAV -6.55%
Market Price -6.29%
Index Performance
Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index -6.38%
Dow Jones World Developed Index -6.21%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
(See Notes to Performance Overview on page 10.)
FUND PERFORMANCE
Energy was the best-performing sector by contribution to return over the
period since inception, followed by consumer staples. The financials
sector was the biggest drag on performance by contribution to return and
was the second worst performer over the period. The telecommunications
services sector also hurt performance.
Sweden and the Netherlands provided the biggest contributions to return
over the period. The portfolio's holdings in these countries performed
well relative to the overall market; however, small weights limited their
impact on overall portfolio performance. Canada, Ireland and Norway also
contributed positively to the portfolio return. Australia and the United
States were the two biggest drags on performance. Combined, the two
countries accounted for approximately 42% of the portfolio and both
posted returns that trailed the return of the overall portfolio.
Dow Jones and Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index(SM) are trademarks of
Dow Jones &Company, Inc. and have been licensed for use. The Fund, based
on the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index(SM), is not sponsored,
endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones and Dow Jones makes no
representations regarding the advisability of trading or investing in the
Fund.
Page 8
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (Continued)
FGD - FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND (Continued)
Top Five and Bottom Five Performing Stocks
(by contribution to return over the six months ended March 31, 2008)
TOP-PERFORMING STOCKS BOTTOM-PERFORMING STOCKS
NCC AB, Class B National City Corp.
Kungsleden AB Telecom Italia S.p.A.
Mullen Group Income Fund First Horizon National Corp.
Wereldhave N.V. REIT VTECH Holdings Ltd.
D.R. Horton, Inc. Bradford & Bingley PLC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Portfolio Sector Allocation as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Sector Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Financials 48.99%
Industrials 12.83
Utilities 9.84
Telecommunication Services 8.26
Energy 5.39
Consumer Discretionary 5.19
Materials 4.65
Consumer Staples 3.26
Information Technology 1.59
-----------
Total 100.00%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Top Ten Portfolio Holdings as of March 31, 2008
% of Long-Term
Security Investments
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Kungsleden AB 2.88%
Mullen Group Income Fund 2.32
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. 2.24
UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Ltd. 1.66
NCC AB, Class B 1.53
Pirelli & C Real Estate S.p.A 1.44
Russel Metals, Inc. 1.44
Norsk Hydro ASA 1.42
Tomkins PLC 1.36
FKI PLC 1.35
-----------
Total 17.64%
===========
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Page 9
NOTES TO PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
Total returns for the period since inception are calculated from the inception
date of each Fund. "Cumulative total returns" represent the total change in
value of an investment over the periods indicated. The total returns would have
been lower if certain fees had not been waived and expenses reimbursed by the
Advisor.
The Fund's per share net asset value ("NAV") is the value of one share of the
Fund and is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including
accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued
expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of outstanding
shares. The price used to calculate market return ("Market Price") is determined
by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the the
stock exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed for trading as of the time
that the Fund's NAV is calculated. Since shares of the Fund did not trade in the
secondary market until after the Fund's inception, for the period from inception
to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the Fund, the NAV of
the Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate
market returns. NAV and market returns assume that all dividend distributions
have been reinvested in the Fund at NAV and Market Price, respectively.
An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or
sector. Unlike the Fund, the indices do not actually hold a portfolio of
securities and therefore do not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These
expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. Also, market returns do
not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market
transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be
lower. The total returns presented reflect the reinvestment of dividends on
securities in the indices. The returns presented do not reflect the deduction of
taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or
sale of Fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares of the
Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of the Fund may be
worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in
the market. The Fund's past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Page 10
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Understanding Your Fund Expenses
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
As a shareholder of First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund, First
Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund, or First Trust Dow Jones
Global Select Dividend Index Fund (collectively, the "Funds"), you incur two
types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including
management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other Fund expenses. This
example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of
investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of
investing in other funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the
period (or since inception) and held through the six-month period ended March
31, 2008.
Actual Expenses
The first line in the following table provides information about actual account
values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together
with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the
period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600
account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number
in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During the Period"
to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this six-month period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line in the following table provides information about hypothetical
account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds' actual expense
ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which are
not the Funds' actual returns. The hypothetical account values and expenses may
not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid
for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of
investing in the Funds to other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical
example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports
of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant
to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs
such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of the Funds' shares.
Therefore, the second line in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs
only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning
different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your
costs would have been higher.
Annualized
Expense Ratio Expenses Paid
Beginning Ending Based on the During the Period
Account Value Account Value Six-Month October 1, 2007
October 1, 2007 March 31, 2008 Period (a) to March 31, 2008 (b)
First Trust DJSTOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund
Actual $1,000.00 $856.40 0.60% $2.79
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.00 0.60% $3.04
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund
Actual $1,000.00 $843.30 0.60% $2.77
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.00 0.60% $3.04
Annualized
Expense Ratio Expenses Paid
Beginning Ending Based on the During the Period
Account Value Account Value Number of Days November 21, 2007
November 21, 2007 (c) March 31, 2008 in the Period (a) to March 31, 2008 (d)
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund
Actual $1,000.00 $934.50 0.60% $2.09
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.00 0.60% $3.04
(a) These expense ratios reflect expense caps.
(b) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 0.60% multiplied by
the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to
reflect the one-half year period).
(c) Inception date.
(d) Actual expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 0.60%,
multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by
132/366 (to reflect the actual period November 21, 2007 to March 31, 2008).
Hypothetical expenses are assumed for the most recent fiscal half-year.
|
Page 11
FIRST TRUST DJ STOXX(R) SELECT DIVIDEND 30 INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS--99.4%
AUSTRIA--3.6%
11,697 Telekom Austria AG $ 241,729
4,426 Wienerberger AG 235,411
-----------
477,140
-----------
BELGIUM--6.5%
7,604 Belgacom SA 336,736
21,074 Fortis 530,335
-----------
867,071
-----------
DENMARK--1.8%
6,523 Danske Bank A/S 240,639
-----------
FRANCE--5.2%
11,952 Credit Agricole S.A. 369,838
9,475 France Telecom SA 318,621
-----------
688,459
-----------
GERMANY--7.1%
3,006 Deutsche Bank AG 340,270
19,242 Deutsche Telekom AG 320,492
2,981 RWE AG 282,800
-----------
943,562
-----------
IRELAND--9.0%
15,537 Allied Irish Banks PLC 331,143
26,681 Bank of Ireland Group 396,797
23,518 Irish Life & Permanent PLC 459,659
-----------
1,187,599
-----------
NORWAY--4.4%
19,611 DnB NOR ASA 297,688
9,320 StatoilHydro ASA 279,288
-----------
576,976
-----------
SWITZERLAND--6.0%
8,796 Ciba Specialty Chemicals AG 320,805
740 Swisscom AG 253,534
717 Zurich Financial Services AG 225,800
-----------
800,139
-----------
UNITED KINGDOM--55.8%
66,225 Alliance & Leicester PLC 681,478
69,771 Amlin PLC 376,293
72,960 Barratt Developments PLC 598,745
825,650 DSG International PLC 1,040,522
51,114 HBOS PLC 568,080
63,594 Lloyds TSB Group PLC 569,212
32,580 Provident Financial PLC 547,343
90,082 Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 602,936
190,312 Taylor Wimpey PLC 708,189
177,089 Tomkins PLC 628,231
98,423 Trinity Mirror PLC 576,236
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED KINGDOM (Continued)
35,984 United Utilities PLC $ 493,122
-----------
7,390,387
-----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS--99.4%
(Cost $14,154,157) 13,171,972
MONEY MARKET FUND--26.3%
UNITED STATES--26.3%
3,479,484 J.P. Morgan Institutional Treasury
Money Market Fund--0.84% (b)
(Cost $3,479,484) 3,479,484
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--125.7%
(Cost $17,633,641) (c) 16,651,456
NET OTHER ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES--(25.7%) (3,406,542)
-----------
NET ASSETS--100.0% $13,244,914
===========
|
(a) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based
on net assets.
(b) Represents annualized 7-day yield at March 31, 2008.
(c) Aggregate cost for federal income tax and financial
reporting purposes.
% of
Industry Net Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Banks 30.63%
Money Market Fund 26.27
Diversified Telecommunication Services 11.11
Household Durables 9.87
Insurance 8.02
Multi-Utilities 5.86
Specialty Retail 7.86
Industrial Conglomerates 4.74
Media 4.35
Consumer Finance 4.13
Diversified Financial Services 4.00
Capital Markets 2.57
Chemicals 2.42
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.11
Building Products 1.78
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments 125.72
Net Other Asset and Liabilities (25.72)
-----------
Total 100.00%
===========
|
Page 12 See Notes to Financial Statements.
FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS--98.7%
AUSTRALIA--10.8%
3,796 Abacus Property Group $ 4,597
2,741 Australand Property Group 4,534
3,063 Babcock & Brown Japan Property
Trust 3,023
1,783 Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust 3,178
13,521 Centro Retail Group (b) 4,201
9,914 CFS Retail Property Trust 19,661
9,549 Commonwealth Property Office
Fund 11,607
17,340 DB RREEF Trust 26,702
1,543 FKP Property Group 4,019
10,126 Goodman Group 39,885
12,223 GPT Group 36,305
6,605 ING Industrial Fund 12,857
7,443 ING Office Fund 9,013
7,897 Macquarie CountryWide Trust 8,444
5,497 Macquarie DDR Trust 2,135
12,001 Macquarie Office Trust 9,981
6,077 Mirvac Group 22,326
8,578 Stockland 54,798
1,413 Sunland Group Ltd. 3,190
2,029 Tishman Speyer Office Fund 2,550
9,002 Valad Property Group 7,980
11,394 Westfield Group 185,352
-----------
476,338
-----------
AUSTRIA--1.2%
516 CA Immobilien Anlagen AG (b) 11,014
505 Conwert Immobilien Invest AG (b) 8,491
2,714 Immofinanz Immobilien Analagen AG 29,393
13 Sparkassen Immo Invest Genusscheine 1,909
403 Sparkassen Immobilien AG (b) 4,384
-----------
55,191
-----------
BELGIUM--0.6%
77 Befimmo S.C.A. 9,360
47 Cofinimmo SA 10,161
41 Intervest Offices NV 1,856
9 Leasinvest Real Estate S.C.A. 971
38 Warehouses De Pauw S.C.A 2,664
13 Wereldhave Belgium S.C.A. 1,094
-----------
26,106
-----------
BERMUDA--1.9%
1,787 Great Eagle Holdings, Ltd. 4,845
9,922 Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd. 40,978
3,483 Hopson Development Holdings Ltd. 5,370
3,343 Kerry Properties Ltd. 20,146
249 Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Class A 10,747
-----------
82,086
-----------
CANADA--3.3%
166 Allied Properties Real Estate
Investment Trust 3,146
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
CANADA (Continued)
306 Boardwalk Real Estate Investment $ 11,328
1,760 Brookfield Properties 33,950
450 Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust 8,851
393 Canadian Apartment Properties Real
Estate Investment Trust 6,076
357 Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust 9,356
554 Chartwell Seniors Housing Real
Estate Investment Trust 4,992
267 Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust 5,306
100 Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust 3,164
357 Extendicare Real Estate Investment
Trust 4,069
801 H&R Real Estate Investment Trust 15,248
429 InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust 4,179
262 Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust 3,254
133 Northern Property Real Estate
Investment Trust 2,694
365 Primaris Retail Real Estate
Investment Trust 5,917
1,233 RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust 24,865
-----------
146,395
-----------
CAYMAN ISLANDS--1.5%
8,861 Agile Property Holdings Ltd. 9,348
9,540 China Resources Land Ltd. 16,548
19,350 Country Garden Holdings, Co.,
Ltd. (b) 16,683
6,745 New World China Land Ltd. 4,281
7,789 Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. 13,971
7,425 Shui On Land Ltd. 6,955
-----------
67,786
-----------
DENMARK--0.0%
166 TK Development A/S (b) 2,161
-----------
FINLAND--0.3%
975 Citycon Oyj 5,972
491 Sponda Oyj 6,411
261 Technopolis Oyj 2,328
-----------
14,711
-----------
FRANCE--5.0%
256 Acanthe Developpement SA 958
24 Affine Group 1,398
123 Fonciere des Regions Group 18,108
74 Gecina SA 11,040
105 Icade 15,625
410 Klepierre LLC 25,160
178 Mercialys 8,124
30 Societe de la Tour Eiffel 4,463
77 Societe Immobiliere de Location
pour l'Industrie et le Commerce 11,679
481 Unibail-Rodamco S.A. 123,788
-----------
220,343
-----------
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 13
FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a) (Continued)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
GERMANY--0.9%
166 Alstria Office AG (b) $ 3,507
129 Colonia Real Estate AG (b) 2,627
203 Deutsche Euroshop AG 8,519
114 Deutsche Wohnen AG (b) 3,263
126 DIC Asset AG 4,191
514 IVG Immobilien AG 14,379
154 Patrizia Immobilien AG (b) 1,145
114 Vivacon AG 2,408
-----------
40,039
-----------
GREECE--0.2%
151 Babis Vovos International
Construction S.A. 4,649
109 Eurobank Properties Real Estate
Investment Co. 1,425
78 Lamda Development S.A. 1,246
-----------
7,320
-----------
GUERNSEY--0.4%
1,734 F&C Commercial Property Trust
Ltd. 3,338
1,960 ING UK Real Estate Income Trust
Ltd. 2,684
2,091 Invista Foundation Property Trus
Ltd. 2,666
336 ISIS Property Trust Ltd. 709
490 ISIS Property Trust 2 Ltd. 924
70 Mapeley Ltd. 1,966
615 Standard Life Investment Property
Income Trust PLC 964
844 Teesland Advantage Property Income
Trust Ltd. 951
1,538 UK Commercial Property Trust Ltd. 2,381
-----------
16,583
-----------
HONG KONG--9.7%
8,110 Champion Real Estate Investment
Trust 4,147
22,895 China Overseas Land & Investment
Ltd. 42,244
12,248 Hang Lung Properties Ltd. 43,357
6,348 Henderson Land Development Co.,
Ltd. 45,106
4,604 Hysan Development Co., Ltd. 12,896
3,402 Kowloon Development Co., Ltd. 6,548
12,641 Link (The) REIT 28,035
16,375 New World Development Co., Ltd. 39,682
9,516 Shenzhen Investment Ltd. 4,011
14,230 Sino Land Co., Ltd. 30,718
11,049 Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. 172,350
-----------
429,094
-----------
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
ITALY--0.3%
448 Aedes S.p.A. $ 1,357
4,529 Beni Stabili S.p.A. 5,681
732 Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione 2,635
649 Risanamento S.p.A. (b) 1,913
-----------
11,586
-----------
JAPAN--11.2%
416 AEON Mall Co., Ltd. 11,539
337 DAIBIRU Corp. 3,178
840 HEIWA Real Estate, Co., Ltd. 3,994
4 Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp. 13,202
2 Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. 23,274
2 Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. 12,620
1 Kenedix Realty Investment Corp. 6,049
5,930 Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. 143,966
5,081 Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. 100,876
3 Nippon Building Fund, Inc. 37,921
2 Nippon Commercial Investment Corp. 7,725
2 Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc. 16,212
8 NTT Urban Development Corp. 11,477
1 ORIX JREIT, Inc. 5,819
1 Premier Investment Co. 6,009
2,744 Sumitomo Realty & Development
Co., Ltd. 48,367
592 TOC Co., Ltd. 4,442
1,375 Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd. 9,049
2,297 Tokyu Land Corp. 14,402
1 TOKYU REIT, Inc. 7,524
1 United Urban Investment Corp. 6,220
-----------
493,865
-----------
JERSEY--0.0%
908 Invesco Property Income Trust Ltd. 631
-----------
LUXEMBOURG--0.2%
266 Gagfah SA 4,989
335 ProLogis European Properties 5,310
-----------
10,299
-----------
NETHERLANDS--1.9%
398 Corio NV 34,873
211 Eurocommercial Properties NV 11,789
212 Nieuwe Steen Investments Funds NV 6,071
692 Plaza Centers (Europe) BV (b) 2,922
125 VastNed Offices/Industrial NV 4,434
99 Vastned Retail NV 10,528
123 Wereldhave NV 15,174
-----------
85,791
-----------
NEW ZEALAND--0.1%
4,211 Kiwi Income Property Trust 4,006
-----------
NORWAY--0.1%
468 Norwegian Property ASA 4,044
-----------
|
Page 14 See Notes to Financial Statements.
FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a) (Continued)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
POLAND--0.2%
641 Globe Trade Centre S.A. (b) $ 10,794
-----------
SINGAPORE--2.7%
4,539 Allgreen Properties, Ltd. 4,056
7,400 Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust 12,795
5,945 CapitaCommercial Trust 9,588
8,020 Capitaland Ltd. 36,999
7,728 CapitaMall Trust 19,370
1,558 Guocoland Ltd. 4,516
2,064 Keppel Land Ltd. 8,322
4,790 Mapletree Logistics Trust 3,463
1,000 Singapore Land Ltd. 4,940
9,197 Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust 9,688
3,087 Wing Tai Holdings Ltd. 4,912
-----------
118,649
-----------
SPAIN--0.0%
59 Renta Corporation Real Estate SA 1,039
-----------
SWEDEN--1.1%
1,017 Castellum AB 12,409
1,055 Fabege AB 11,275
480 Hufvudstaden AB 5,049
739 Klovern AB 3,010
807 Kungsleden AB 10,016
227 Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB 5,186
-----------
46,945
-----------
SWITZERLAND--0.8%
34 Allreal Holding AG 4,790
277 PSP Swiss Property AG 18,702
114 Swiss Prime Site AG 7,806
201 Zueblin Immobilien Holding AG 2,044
-----------
33,342
-----------
UNITED KINGDOM--7.7%
142 A.J. Mucklow Group PLC 986
509 Big Yellow Group PLC 4,392
3,025 British Land Co. PLC 55,082
1,587 Brixton PLC 10,394
420 Capital & Regional PLC 4,585
307 CLS Holdings PLC (b) 2,169
29 Daejan Holdings PLC 1,784
595 Derwent London PLC 17,925
241 Development Securities PLC 2,200
573 Grainger PLC 4,680
1,071 Great Portland Estates PLC 11,255
1,718 Hammerson PLC 37,983
564 Helical Bar PLC 4,209
2,751 Land Securities Group PLC 82,389
2,145 Liberty International PLC 41,528
946 Minerva PLC (b) 1,802
199 Primary Health Properties PLC 1,236
765 Quintain Estates & Development PLC 6,844
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
United Kingdom (Continued)
2,560 Segro PLC $ 25,810
800 Shaftesbury PLC 9,169
536 St. Modwen Properties PLC 5,215
727 Unite Group PLC 4,732
1,026 Workspace Group PLC 5,589
-----------
341,958
-----------
UNITED STATES--36.6%
190 Acadia Realty Trust 4,589
45 Agree Realty Corp. 1,235
12 Alexander's, Inc. (b) 4,254
189 Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. 17,524
585 AMB Property Corp. 31,836
160 American Campus Communities, Inc. 4,378
760 American Financial Realty Trust 6,034
565 Apartment Investment &
Management Co. 20,233
725 Ashford Hospitality Trust 4,118
97 Associated Estates Realty Corp. 1,110
465 AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 44,882
387 BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. 9,245
703 Boston Properties, Inc. 64,725
515 Brandywine Realty Trust 8,734
301 BRE Properties, Inc. 13,714
328 Camden Property Trust 16,466
387 CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. 9,106
261 Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. 3,048
278 Colonial Properties Trust 6,686
278 Corporate Office Properties Trust 9,344
736 Corrections Corp. of America (b) 20,255
229 Cousins Properties, Inc. 5,659
988 DCT Industrial Trust, Inc. 9,840
715 Developers Diversified Realty Corp. 29,944
559 DiamondRock Hospitality Co. 7,083
383 Digital Realty Trust, Inc. 13,597
325 Douglas Emmett, Inc. 7,170
861 Duke Realty Corp. 19,639
210 DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. 3,463
140 EastGroup Properties, Inc. 6,504
169 Education Realty Trust, Inc. 2,124
166 Entertainment Properties Trust 8,189
144 Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. 7,109
218 Equity One, Inc. 5,225
1,594 Equity Residential 66,135
149 Essex Property Trust, Inc. 16,983
383 Extra Space Storage, Inc. 6,201
356 Federal Realty Investment Trust 27,750
367 FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. 4,415
264 First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. 8,155
143 First Potomac Realty Trust 2,198
463 Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A 17,038
1,449 General Growth Properties, Inc. 55,308
109 Getty Realty Corp. 1,736
223 Glimcher Realty Trust 2,667
246 GMH Communities Trust 2,135
1,274 HCP, Inc. 43,074
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 15
FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a) (Continued)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
UNITED STATES (Continued)
523 Health Care REIT, Inc. $ 23,603
300 Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. 7,845
245 Hersha Hospitality Trust 2,212
335 Highwoods Properties, Inc. 10,408
250 Hilltop Holdings, Inc. (b) 2,600
199 Home Properties, Inc. 9,550
555 Hospitality Properties Trust 18,881
3,098 Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. 49,320
1,328 HRPT Properties Trust 8,937
385 Inland Real Estate Corp. 5,856
334 Investors Real Estate Trust 3,267
192 Kilroy Realty Corp. 9,429
1,497 Kimco Realty Corp. 58,637
171 Kite Realty Group Trust 2,394
236 LaSalle Hotel Properties 6,780
379 Lexington Realty Trust 5,461
544 Liberty Property Trust 16,924
136 LTC Properties, Inc. 3,497
429 Macerich (The) Co. 30,146
388 Mack-Cali Realty Corp. 13,855
278 Maguire Properties, Inc. 3,978
298 Medical Properties Trust, Inc. 3,373
150 Mid-America Apartment Communities,
Inc. 7,476
56 National Healthcare Corp. 2,727
425 National Retail Properties, Inc. 9,371
550 Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. 18,563
407 OMEGA Healthcare Investors, Inc. 7,066
91 Parkway Properties, Inc. 3,363
229 Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment
Trust 5,585
256 Post Properties, Inc. 9,887
1,515 ProLogis 89,174
94 PS Business Parks, Inc. 4,879
755 Public Storage 66,909
109 Ramco-Gershenson Properties 2,301
597 Realty Income Corp. 15,295
412 Regency Centers Corp. 26,681
78 Saul Centers, Inc. 3,919
558 Senior Housing Properties Trust 13,225
1,321 Simon Property Group, Inc. 122,735
347 SL Green Realty Corp. 28,270
128 Sovran Self Storage, Inc. 5,467
440 Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. 5,777
108 Sun Communities, Inc. 2,214
354 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. 5,668
185 Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. 7,117
235 Taubman Centers, Inc. 12,244
796 UDR, Inc. 19,518
69 Universal Health Realty Income Trust 2,298
111 Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. 1,746
341 U-Store-It Trust 3,864
813 Ventas, Inc. 36,512
896 Vornado Realty Trust 77,245
276 Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 9,224
506 Weingarten Realty Investors 17,427
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES (Continued)
294 Winthrop Realty Trust, Inc. $ 1,211
-----------
1,622,768
-----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS--98.7%
(Cost $4,898,179) 4,369,870
MONEY MARKET FUND--2.1%
UNITED STATES--2.1%
91,358 J.P. Morgan Institutional Treasury
Money Market Fund--0.84% (c)
(Cost $91,358) 91,358
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.8%
(Cost $4,989,537) (d) 4,461,228
NET OTHER ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES--(0.8%) (33,396)
-----------
NET ASSETS--100.0% $ 4,427,832
===========
|
(a) All percentages shown in Portfolio of Investments are based on net
assets.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) Represents annualized 7-day yield at March 31, 2008.
(d) Aggregate cost for federal income tax and financial reporting purposes.
REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.
% of
Industry Net Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Investment Trusts 68.65%
Real Estate Management & Development 29.14
Money Market Fund 2.06
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.46
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.24
Capital Markets 0.08
Health Care Providers & Services 0.06
Insurance 0.06
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.75
NET OTHER ASSET AND LIABILITIES (0.75)
-----------
TOTAL 100.00%
===========
|
Page 16 See Notes to Financial Statements.
FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS--99.4%
AUSTRALIA--20.3%
1,042 Australia & New Zealand Banking
Group Ltd. $ 21,474
3,107 BlueScope Steel Ltd. 28,026
422 Commonwealth Bank of Australia 16,125
21,178 Commonwealth Property Office
Fund REIT 25,742
10,079 CSR Ltd. 29,476
5,279 Fairfax Meolia Ltd. 16,741
15,870 ING Industrial Fund REIT 30,893
22,688 ING Office Fund REIT 27,473
8,998 Insurance Australia Group Ltd. 30,097
2,725 Lion Nathan Ltd. 21,791
9,084 Macquarie Airports 26,815
12,077 Macquarie Infrastructure Group 30,683
29,527 Macquarie Office Trust 24,556
996 National Australia Bank Ltd. 27,444
5,255 Qantas Airways Ltd. 18,874
843 Sims Group Ltd. 22,881
839 St George Bank Ltd. 19,713
3,526 Stockland REIT 22,525
1,880 Suncorp-Metway Ltd. 22,112
7,354 Telestra Corp. Ltd. 29,572
749 Wesfarmers Ltd. 27,374
1,406 Westfield Group REIT 22,872
882 Westpac Banking Corp. 19,144
-----------
562,403
-----------
BELGIUM--2.2%
1,268 Fortis 31,910
318 Mobistar SA 28,817
-----------
60,727
-----------
BERMUDA--0.7%
3,976 VTech Holdings Ltd. 19,286
-----------
CANADA--6.5%
850 Canadian Oil Sands Trust 34,365
663 Manitoba Telecom Services, Inc. 25,294
3,479 Mullen Group Income Fund 63,889
3,343 Norbord, Inc. 16,284
1,545 Russel Metals, Inc. 39,496
-----------
179,328
-----------
FINLAND--0.7%
488 Fortum Oyj 19,885
-----------
FRANCE--1.5%
661 France Telecom SA 22,228
201 Societe Generale 19,681
-----------
41,909
-----------
GERMANY--0.6%
137 RWE AG 16,840
-----------
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
HONG KONG--3.4%
9,091 BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd. $ 21,890
3,961 Citic Pacific Ltd. 16,795
3,362 CLP Holdings Ltd. 27,669
4,304 Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd. 27,181
-----------
93,535
-----------
IRELAND--3.4%
1,237 Allied Irish Banks PLC 26,364
2,269 Bank of Ireland 33,744
1,721 Irish Life & Permanent PLC 33,637
-----------
93,745
-----------
ITALY--4.2%
747 Eni S.p.A. 25,474
4,205 Milano Assicurazioni S.p.A. 28,231
1,060 Pirelli & C. Real Estate S.p.A. 39,628
10,238 Telecom Italia S.p.A. 21,416
-----------
114,749
-----------
JAPAN--1.1%
1,400 TAKEFUJI Corp. 29,635
-----------
NETHERLANDS--4.3%
818 Heijmans N.V. 31,562
722 ING Groep N.V. 27,038
1,433 OCE N.V. 24,388
288 Wereldhave N.V. REIT 35,528
-----------
118,516
-----------
NEW ZEALAND--2.2%
20,977 Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. 61,680
-----------
NORWAY--2.3%
1,559 DnB NOR ASA 23,665
2,674 Norsk Hydro ASA 38,963
-----------
62,628
-----------
SINGAPORE--2.5%
5,000 Singapore Petroleum Co., Ltd. 24,556
32,000 UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Ltd. 45,566
-----------
70,122
-----------
SWEDEN--4.4%
6,375 Kungsleden AB 79,126
1,448 NCC AB, Class B 42,160
-----------
121,286
-----------
UNITED KINGDOM--20.4%
3,481 Alliance & Leicester PLC 35,821
3,555 Amlin PLC 19,173
3,109 Barclays PLC 27,951
7,254 Bradford & Bingley PLC 26,886
7,216 Brit Insurance Holdings PLC 34,693
4,765 BT Group PLC 20,545
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 17
FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND
Portfolio of Investments (a) (Continued)
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Shares Description Value
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
UNITED KINGDOM (Continued)
26,765 FKI PLC $ 37,051
2,001 HBOS PLC 22,239
13,876 HMV Group PLC 35,732
2,443 IMI PLC 22,048
4,457 Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC 32,751
14,445 JJB Sports PLC 31,248
4,027 Lloyds TSB Group PLC 36,045
1,790 Provident Financial PLC 30,072
10,622 Rentokil Initial PLC 20,501
2,576 Rexam PLC 21,805
684 Severn Trent PLC 19,263
10,534 Tomkins PLC 37,370
4,589 Trinity Mirror PLC 26,867
2,023 United Utilities PLC 27,723
-----------
565,784
-----------
UNITED STATES--18.7%
269 Altria Group, Inc. 5,972
462 AT&T, Inc. 17,695
718 Bank of America Corp. 27,219
859 BB&T Corp. 27,540
1,162 Citigroup, Inc. 24,890
736 Comerica, Inc. 25,819
481 Consolidated Edison, Inc. 19,096
2,038 D.R. Horton, Inc. 32,099
465 DTE Energy Co. 18,084
2,207 First Horizon National Corp. 30,920
2,673 Huntington Bancshares, Inc. 28,735
1,336 KeyCorp 29,325
2,639 National City Corp. 26,258
643 Pepco Holdings, Inc. 15,895
269 Philip Morris International, Inc. (b) 13,606
510 Progress Energy, Inc. 21,267
1,329 Regions Financial Corp. 26,248
481 SCANA Corp. 17,595
539 Southern Co. 19,194
1,315 TECO Energy, Inc. 20,974
1,756 Umpqua Holdings Corp. 27,236
382 UST, Inc. 20,826
801 Wachovia Corp. 21,627
-----------
518,120
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS--99.4%
(Cost $2,992,961) (c) 2,750,178
NET OTHER ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES--0.6% 17,749
-----------
|
NET ASSETS--100.00% $ 2,767,927
(a) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net
assets.
(b) This security was spun-off from Altria Group, Inc. on March 28, 2008.
As of March 31, 2008 this security has not paid a distribution to the
Fund.
(c) Aggregate cost for federal income tax and financial reporting purposes.
REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.
% of
Industry Net Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Banks 21.50%
Insurance 7.25
Diversified Telecommunication Services 7.17
Real Estate Investment Trusts 6.85
Electric Utilities 4.74
Multi-Utilities 4.35
Real Estate Management & Development 4.29
Diversified Financial Services 4.01
Metals & Mining 3.25
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 3.05
Industrial Conglomerates 3.02
Construction & Engineering 2.66
Specialty Retail 2.42
Energy Equipment & Services 2.31
Consumer Finance 2.16
Machinery 2.14
Transportation Infrastructure 2.08
Capital Markets 1.65
Media 1.58
Tobacco 1.46
Trading Companies & Distribution 1.43
Household Durables 1.16
Wireless Telecommunication Services 1.04
Food & Staples Retailing 0.99
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.97
Office Electronics 0.88
Beverages 0.79
Containers & Packaging 0.79
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.74
Communications Equipment 0.70
Water Utilities 0.70
Airlines 0.68
Paper &Forest Products 0.59
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 99.36
NET OTHER ASSET AND LIABILITIES 0.64
-----------
TOTAL 100.00%
===========
|
Page 18 See Notes to Financial Statements.
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
First Trust First Trust First Trust
DJ STOXX(R) FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Dow Jones
Select Dividend 30 Global Real Estate Global Select Dividend
Index Fund Index Fund Index Fund
------------------ ------------------ ----------------------
ASSETS:
Investments at value $ 16,651,456 $ 4,461,228 $ 2,750,178
Cash 24,978 -- --
Foreign currency at value 8 2,188 1,235
Receivables:
Investment securities sold 1,516,231 154 30,676
Dividends 60,814 17,780 22,636
From investment advisor 26,266 3,400 16,821
Foreign tax reclaims 7,004 421 --
Interest 164 82 --
Other assets 330 -- 18,455
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Assets 18,287,251 4,485,253 2,840,001
--------------- --------------- ---------------
LIABILITIES:
Due to Custodian -- 2,181 33,313
Payables:
Investment securities purchased 4,981,243 -- --
Investment advisory fees 4,489 1,460 934
Trustee fees 12,753 9,029 144
Audit and tax fees 11,407 15,086 12,524
Printing fees 9,585 9,014 7,795
Licensing 6,066 1,306 --
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 16,794 19,345 17,364
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Total Liabilities 5,042,337 57,421 72,074
--------------- --------------- ---------------
NET ASSETS $ 13,244,914 $ 4,427,832 $ 2,767,927
================ ================ ===============
NET ASSETS consist of:
Paid-in capital 15,212,815 $ 4,999,100 $ 2,999,060
Par value 5,033 1,000 1,000
Accumulated net investment income (loss) (1,958) 5,412 5,444
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments (989,377) (49,470) 5,357
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments,
foreign currency transactions and translation of assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (981,599) (528,210) (242,934)
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
NET ASSETS $ 13,244,914 $ 4,427,832 $ 2,767,927
=============== ================ ===============
NET ASSET VALUE, per share $ 26.31 $ 44.28 $ 27.68
=============== ================ ===============
Number of shares outstanding
(unlimited number of shares authorized,
par value $0.01 per share) 503,334 100,002 100,002
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Investments at cost $ 17,633,641 $ 4,989,537 $ 2,992,961
=============== ================ ===============
Foreign currency at cost $ 8 $ 2,167 $ 1,241
=============== ================ ================
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 19
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Statements of Operations
First Trust First Trust First Trust
DJ STOXX(R) FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Dow Jones
Select Dividend 30 Global Real Estate Global Select Dividend
Index Fund Index Fund Index Fund
--------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
For the Period
For the Six For the Six November 21, 2007 (a)
Months Ended Months Ended through
March 31, 2008 March 31, 2008 March 31, 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
--------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends (b) $ 153,618 $ 87,107 $ 47,894
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total investment income 153,618 87,107 47,894
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
EXPENSES:
Licensing fees 37,603 2,846 9,033
Investment advisory fees 24,946 9,485 3,966
Trustees' fees and expenses 20,167 7,954 2,747
Audit and tax fees 14,085 15,303 14,256
Listing fees 12,009 12,003 12,127
Printing fees 7,621 3,308 7,795
Custodian fees 5,434 4,215 1,801
Accounting and administration fees 5,349 11,328 2,547
Legal fees 5,252 5,068 6,404
Transfer agent fees 312 119 50
Registration and filing fees 41 92 33
Other expenses 2,960 2,966 1,317
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total expenses 135,779 74,687 62,076
Less fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the
investment advisor (98,362) (60,459) (56,127)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net expenses 37,417 14,228 5,949
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) 116,201 72,879 41,945
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized gain (loss) from investments (989,377) (48,081) 5,357
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments (1,079,274) (856,624) (242,783)
Foreign currency translation 517 (1,306) (151)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (1,078,757) (857,930) (242,934)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) (2,068,134) (906,011) (237,577)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ (1,951,933) $ (833,132) $ (195,632)
================ ================ ================
(a) Inception date.
(b) Net of foreign withholding tax of $8,768 for the First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund, $7,210
for the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund and $3,294 for the First Trust Dow Jones
Global Select Dividend Index Fund.
|
Page 20 See Notes to Financial Statements.
This page is left intentionally blank.
Page 21
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
First Trust
DJ STOXX(R)
Select Dividend 30
Index Fund
------------------------------------------------------
For the Six For the Period
Months Ended August 27, 2007 (a)
March 31, 2008 through
(Unaudited) September 30, 2007
------------------------ ------------------------
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) $ 116,201 $ 3,218
Net realized gain (loss) (989,377) (74)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (1,078,757) 97,158
--------------- ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (1,951,933) 100,302
--------------- ---------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income (121,303) --
--------------- ---------------
Total distributions to shareholders (121,303) --
--------------- ---------------
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from shares sold 12,117,828 3,100,020
--------------- ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from shareholder
transactions 12,117,828 3,100,020
--------------- ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets 10,044,592 3,200,322
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of Period 3,200,322 --
--------------- ---------------
End of Period $ 13,244,914 $ 3,200,322
=============== ===============
Accumulated net investment income (loss) at end of period $ (1,958) $ 3,144
=============== ===============
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Shares outstanding, beginning of period 103,334 --
Shares sold 400,000 103,334
Shares repurchased -- --
--------------- ---------------
Shares outstanding, end of period 503,334 103,334
=============== ===============
(a) Inception date.
|
Page 22 See Notes to Financial Statements.
First Trust First Trust
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Dow Jones
Global Real Estate Global Select Dividend
Index Fund Index Fund
------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
For the Six For the Period For the Period
Months Ended August 27, 2007 (a) November 21, 2007 (a)
March 31, 2008 through through March 31, 2008
(Unaudited) September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)
------------------------- ------------------------ -----------------------------
$ 72,879 $ 14,412 $ 41,945
(48,081) (1,066) 5,357
(857,930) 329,720 (242,934)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(833,132) 343,066 (195,632)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(82,202) -- (36,501)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(82,202) -- (36,501)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
-- 5,000,100 3,000,060
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
-- 5,000,100 3,000,060
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(915,334) 5,343,166 2,767,927
5,343,166 -- --
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
$ 4,427,832 $ 5,343,166 $ 2,767,927
================ ================ ================
$ 5,412 $ 14,735 $ 5,444
================ ================ ================
100,002 -- --
-- 100,002 100,002
-- -- --
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
100,002 100,002 100,002
================ ================ ================
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 23
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Financial Highlights
For a Share outstanding throughout each period
FIRST TRUST DJ STOXX(R) SELECT DIVIDEND 30 INDEX FUND For the For the Period
Six Months Ended August 27, 2007 (a)
March 31, 2008 through
(Unaudited) September 30, 2007
------------------------ ------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 30.97 $ 30.00
----------------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) 0.21 0.03 (b)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (4.63) 0.94 (b)
----------------- -----------------
Total from investment operations (4.42) 0.97
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income (0.24) --
----------------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 26.31 $ 30.97
================= =================
TOTAL RETURN (c) (14.36)% 3.23%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's) $ 13,245 $ 3,200
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 2.18% (d) 19.64% (d)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.60% (d) 0.60% (d)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 1.87% (d) 1.18% (d)
Portfolio turnover rate (e) 54% 0%
FIRST TRUST FTSE EPRA/NAREIT GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INDEX FUND For the For the Period
Six Months Ended August 27, 2007 (a)
March 31, 2008 through
(Unaudited) September 30, 2007
------------------------ ------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 53.43 $ 50.00
----------------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) 0.73 0.14 (b)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (9.06) 3.29 (b)
----------------- -----------------
Total from investment operations (8.33) 3.43
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income (0.82) --
----------------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 44.28 $ 53.43
================= =================
TOTAL RETURN (c) (15.67)% 6.86%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's) $ 4,428 $ 5,343
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 3.15% (d) 11.51% (d)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.60% (d) 0.60% (d)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 3.08% (d) 3.22% (d)
Portfolio turnover rate (e) 5% 1%
(a) Inception date.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the
net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividend distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. The
returns presented do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a
shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale
of Fund shares. Total return calculated for a period of less than one
year is not annualized. The total returns would have been lower if
certain fees had not been waived and expenses reimbursed by the
investment advisor.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover is not annualized and does not include securities
received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions and
in-kind transactions.
|
Page 24 See Notes to Financial Statements.
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
Financial Highlights
For a Share outstanding throughout the period
FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND For the Period
November 21, 2007 (a)
through
March 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 30.00
----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) 0.42
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (2.37)
----------------
Total from investment operations (1.95)
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income (0.37)
----------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 27.68
================
TOTAL RETURN (b) (6.55)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's) $ 2,768
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 6.27% (c)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.60% (c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 4.23% (c)
Portfolio turnover rate (d) 36%
(a) Inception date.
(b) Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the
net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividend distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. The
return presented does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a
shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale
of Fund shares. Total return calculated for a period of less than one
year is not annualized. The total return would have been lower if
certain fees had not been waived and expenses reimbursed by the
investment advisor.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Portfolio turnover is not annualized and does not include securities
received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions and
in-kind transactions.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. Page 25
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on July 20,
2006, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Trust currently consists of three funds:
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund - (AMEX ticker "FDD")
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund -
(AMEX ticker "FFR")
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund - (AMEX ticker "FGD")
Each fund represents a separate series of shares of beneficial interest in
the Trust (individually, each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). Each
Fund's shares are listed and traded on the American Stock Exchange
("AMEX"). Unlike conventional mutual funds, each Fund issues and redeems
shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value ("NAV"), only in large
specified blocks consisting of 100,000 shares called "Creation Units".
Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities
included in a Fund's relevant index. Except when aggregated in Creation
Units, shares are not redeemable securities of a Fund. The investment
objective of each Fund is to seek investment results that correspond
generally to the price and yield (before the Fund's fees and expenses) of
the following indices:
FUND INDEX
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund Dow Jones STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index(SM)
|
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The
preparation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
A. PORTFOLIO VALUATION
The NAV of each Fund's shares is determined daily as of the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is
calculated by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including
accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued
expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares
outstanding.
Each Fund's investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of
market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value
according to procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Portfolio
securities listed on any exchange other than The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
("NASDAQ(R)") are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of
which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such
day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked
prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ(R) are valued at the
NASDAQ(R) Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ(R). Portfolio
securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the
last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being
determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market
for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter
market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ(R), are valued at the
closing bid prices. Short-term investments that mature in less than 60 days
are valued at amortized cost.
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 registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) 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 a 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 a Fund generally
results in the prices used by a 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.
Page 26
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Valuing a 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 a Fund's NAV and the
prices used by the Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference
between a Fund's performance and the performance of that Index.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during
which investors may purchase the shares of each Fund, the value of each
Fund's securities may change on the days when investors are not able to
purchase the shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in
foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates
determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Any use of
a different rate from the rates used by a relevant Index may adversely
affect the Fund's ability to track the Index.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains
and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost
basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest
income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.
C. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dividends from net investment income of the Funds, if any, are declared and
paid quarterly by the First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund
and the First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund and
semi-annually by the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
Fund or as the Board of Trustees may determine from time to time.
Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by each Fund, if any,
are distributed at least annually.
Distributions from income and capital gains are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are
primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various
investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing
characterization of distributions made by the Funds.
As of September 30, 2007, the components of distributable earnings on a tax
basis for the Funds were as follows:
Accumulated Net Unrealized
Undistributed Capital Appreciation
Ordinary Income Gain (Loss) (Depreciation)
------------------- --------------- ------------------
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund $ 4,004 $ -- $ 96,298
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund 39,936 (1,389) 304,519
|
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund did not commence
operations until November 21, 2007.
D. INCOME TAXES
Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company
by complying with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and by distributing substantially all of
its net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders.
Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes.
In June 2006, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation
No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"), an
interpretation of FASB Statement 109 was issued and is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2006. This interpretation prescribes a
minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a
tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. As of March 31,
2008, management has evaluated the application of FIN 48 to each Fund, and
has determined that there is no material impact resulting from the adoption
of this interpretation on the Funds' financial statements.
At September 30, 2007, for federal income tax purposes, the Fund listed
below has capital loss carryforwards available as shown in the table below,
to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future capital gains
through the year indicated. To the extent that these capital loss
carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that
the capital gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
Capital Loss
Available Through
September 30, 2015
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund $ 1,389
Page 27
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
E. EXPENSES
Expenses that are directly related to one of the Funds are charged directly
to the respective Fund. General expenses of the Trust are allocated to all
the Funds based upon the average net assets of each Fund. First Trust
Advisors L.P. ("First Trust") has entered into licensing agreements with
each of the following "Licensors" for the respective Funds:
FUNDS LICENSOR
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund STOXX Limited
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund FTSE International Limited
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
|
The license agreements allow for the use by First Trust and First Trust
Portfolios L.P. ("First Trust Portfolios") of certain trademarks and trade
names of the Licensors. The Funds are sub-licensees to the applicable
license agreements. As such, the Funds pay licensing fees, which are shown
on the Statements of Operations.
F. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 Fair
Value Measurements ("SFAS 157") was issued by the FASB and is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands
required note disclosures about fair value measurements. Disclosure will
include fair value measurement at the reporting date and the assignment by
levels within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements
fall. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of SFAS 157
and its impact on the Funds' financial statements, if any, has not been
determined.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
First Trust (or the "Advisor") is a limited partnership with one limited
partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The
Charger Corporation. First Trust serves as investment advisor to the Funds
pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement. First Trust is responsible
for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the securities in each Fund's
portfolio and certain other services necessary for the management of the
Funds.
For these services, First Trust may receive monthly fees from each Fund
calculated at an annual rate of 0.40% of such Fund's average daily net assets.
The Trust and the Advisor have entered into an Expense Reimbursement, Fee
Waiver and Recovery Agreement in which the Advisor has agreed to waive fees
and/or reimburse the Funds to the extent that the operating expenses of
each Fund (excluding interest expense, brokerage commissions and other
trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) exceed 0.60% of average
daily net assets per year (the "Expense Cap").
Each Fund's Expense Cap will be in effect for at least until two years from
its inception date. Expenses borne by the Advisor are subject to
reimbursement by the Funds up to three years from the date the fee or
expense was incurred, but no reimbursement payment will be made by a Fund
if it would result in the Fund exceeding its Expense Cap.
For the period ended March 31, 2008, the advisory fee waivers and
reimbursements of expenses (in order to maintain the Expense Caps) were as
follows:
Advisory
Fee Expense
Waivers Reimbursements
------------- ---------------------
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund $ 24,946 $ 73,416
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund 9,485 50,974
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 3,966 52,161
|
The Trust has multiple service agreements with The Bank of New York
("BNY"). Under the servicing agreements, BNY will perform custodial, fund
accounting, certain administrative services, and transfer agency services
for the Trust. As custodian, BNY is responsible for custody of the Trust's
assets. As fund accountant and administrator, BNY is responsible for
maintaining the books and records of the Trust's securities and cash. As
transfer agent, BNY is responsible for performing transfer agency services
for the Trust. The Bank of New York is a subsidiary of the Bank of New York
Mellon Corporation, a financial holding company.
Page 28
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into an agreement with PFPC,
Inc. ("PFPC"), whereby PFPC will provide certain administrative services to
the Trust and the Funds in connection with the Board's meetings and other
related matters.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of First Trust, any
sub-advisor or any of their affiliates ("Independent Trustees") is paid an
annual retainer of $10,000 per trust for the first 14 trusts of 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. No additional meeting fees
are paid in connection with board or committee meetings.
Additionally, the Lead Independent Trustee is paid $10,000 annually and the
Audit Committee Chairman is paid $5,000 annually with such compensation
paid by the trusts in the First Trust Fund Complex and divided among those
trusts. Trustees are also reimbursed by the trusts in the First Trust Fund
Complex for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all
meetings. Effective January 1, 2008, each of the chairmen of the Nominating
and Governance Committee and the Valuation Committee are paid $2,500
annually to serve in such capacities with such compensation paid by the
trusts in the First Trust Fund Complex and divided among those trusts. Also
effective January 1, 2008, the Lead Independent Trustee and each committee
chairman will serve two year terms.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the period ended March 31, 2008, the cost of purchases and proceeds
from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and
in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Purchases Sales
----------- -----------
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund $ 6,710,342 $ 6,713,877
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund 241,367 221,392
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 1,124,463 1,030,338
|
For the period ended March 31, 2008, the cost of in-kind purchases and
proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Purchases Sales
----------- -----------
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund $12,108,929 $ --
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund -- --
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 2,893,382 --
|
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income
tax purposes.
As of March 31, 2008, the costs of investments for federal income tax
purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
investments were as follows:
Net Unrealized Gross Gross
Appreciation Unrealized Unrealized
Cost (Depreciation) Appreciation Depreciation
------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------
First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund $ 17,633,641 $ (982,185) $ 131,863 $ (1,114,048)
First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate
Index Fund 4,989,537 (528,309) 117,400 (645,709)
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund 2,992,961 (242,783) 86,904 (329,687)
|
5. CREATIONS, REDEMPTIONS AND TRANSACTION FEES
Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size
aggregations of 100,000 shares. In order to purchase Creation Units of a
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."
Purchasers of Creation Units must pay a creation fee (the "Creation
Transaction Fee"), which is currently $4,000 for the First Trust FTSE
EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund, $500 for the First Trust DJ
STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund and $1,000 for the First Trust Dow
Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund, 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 each
Page 29
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
Fund's portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled.
The Creation Transaction Fee may increase or decrease as each Fund's
portfolio is adjusted to conform to changes in the composition of its
corresponding 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 a 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.
Parties redeeming Creation Units must pay a redemption transaction fee (the
"Redemption Transaction Fee"), which is currently $4,000 for the First
Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund, $500 for the First
Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund and $1,000 for the First
Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund, 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
each Fund's portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are
settled. The Redemption Transaction Fee may increase or decrease as each
Fund's portfolio is adjusted to conform to changes in the composition of
its corresponding index. Each Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions
in cash. A shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of securities;
however, each Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request.
6. DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Board of Trustees adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, the
Funds are authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of their average daily
net assets each year to reimburse First Trust Portfolios, the distributor,
for amounts expended to finance activities primarily intended to result in
the sale of Creation Units or the provision of investor services. First
Trust Portfolios may also use this amount to compensate securities dealers
or other persons that are Authorized Participants for providing
distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support
and educational and promotional services.
No 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Funds, and pursuant to a
contractual arrangement, the Funds will not pay 12b-1 fees any time before
April 30, 2009.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has a variety of indemnification
obligations under contracts with its service providers. The Trust's maximum
exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not
had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk
of loss to be remote.
8. CONCENTRATION RISK
Each Fund may be concentrated in stocks of companies in an individual
industry or sector if the Fund's corresponding index is concentrated in an
individual industry or sector. You should be aware that an investment in a
portfolio that is concentrated in an individual industry or sector involves
additional risk, including limited diversification.
Page 30
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to
determine how to vote proxies and information on how the Funds voted
proxies relating to portfolio securities during the period ending June 30,
2007 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800)
988-5891; (2) on the Trust's website located at
http://www.ftportfolios.com; and (3) on the Securities and Exchange
Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the first and third quarters
of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust's Form N-Q is available (1) by
calling (800) 988-5891; (2) on the Trust's website located at
http://www.ftportfolios.com; (3) on the SEC's website at
http://www.sec.gov; and (4) for review and copying at the SEC's Public
Reference Room ("PRR") in Washington, DC. Information regarding the
operation of the PRR may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BOARD CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING APPROVAL OF
FIRST TRUST DOW JONES GLOBAL SELECT DIVIDEND INDEX FUND ADVISORY CONTRACT
The Board of Trustees of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II (the
"Trust"), including the Independent Trustees, approved the Investment
Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with First Trust Advisors L.P.
("First Trust") on behalf of the First Trust Dow Jones Global Select
Dividend Index Fund (the "Fund") for an initial two-year term at a meeting
held on July 18, 2007. The Board of Trustees determined that the 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.
To reach this determination, the Board considered its duties under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as well as
under the general principles of state law in reviewing and approving
advisory contracts; the requirements of the 1940 Act in such matters; the
fiduciary duty of investment advisers with respect to advisory agreements
and compensation; the standards used by courts in determining whether
investment company boards have fulfilled their duties; and the factors to
be considered by the Board in voting on such agreements. To assist the
Board in its evaluation of the Agreement, the Independent Trustees received
a report in advance of the Board meeting responding to a request for
information from counsel to the Independent Trustees that, among other
things, outlined the services to be provided by First Trust (including the
relevant personnel responsible for these services and their experience);
the proposed advisory fee as compared to fees charged by investment
advisors to comparable funds and as compared to fees charged to other First
Trust clients; estimated expenses of the Fund as compared to those of
comparable funds; the nature of expenses to be incurred in providing
services to the Fund and the potential for economies of scale, if any;
financial data on First Trust; fall-out benefits to First Trust and First
Trust Portfolios L.P.; and a summary of First Trust's compliance program.
The Independent Trustees also met separately with their independent legal
counsel to discuss the information provided by First Trust with respect to
the Fund. The Board also applied its business judgment to determine whether
the arrangement between the Trust and First Trust is a reasonable business
arrangement from the Fund's perspective as well as from the perspective of
shareholders.
In evaluating whether to approve the Agreement for the Fund, the Board
considered the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided under
the Agreement, and noted that First Trust's employees provide management
services to other investment companies, including other exchange-traded
funds ("ETFs"), in the First Trust complex with diligence and care. The
Board also considered the compliance program that had been developed by
First Trust and the skills of its employees who would be working with the
Fund. It also considered the efforts expended by First Trust in organizing
the Trust and making arrangements for entities to provide services to the
Fund. Since the Fund is newly organized, the Board did not consider
investment performance of the Fund, but the Board did consider performance
of the applicable index for the Fund. The Board concluded it was
comfortable that First Trust had the capabilities and resources to oversee
the operations of the Fund, including the services to be provided by other
service providers. The Trustees reviewed information showing the advisory
fee and estimated expense ratio as compared to those of a peer group. They
noted that the peer group for each Fund consisted solely of other ETFs. The
Board considered the limitations of the peer group, notably the small
number of ETFs in the peer group and the fact that many were recently
launched. The Board noted the services to be provided by First Trust to the
Fund for the annual advisory fee of 0.40% of the Fund's average daily net
assets. The Board noted that the proposed advisory fee for the Fund was
equal to or lower than the advisory fees of the other funds in its peer
group, most of which paid a unitary fee. The Board also considered that
First Trust has agreed to waive fees and/or pay expenses for the Fund for
Page 31
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
two years 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. The Trustees noted that expenses borne by First
Trust are proposed to be subject to reimbursement by the Fund for up to
three years from the date the fee or expense was incurred, but no
reimbursement payment would be made by the Fund if it would result in the
Fund exceeding its expense cap, or if the expense cap is no longer in
effect, would result in the Fund exceeding an expense ratio equal to its
most recent expense cap. The Board considered the fees charged by First
Trust to funds with investment objectives and policies similar to the
Fund's, noting that those fees generally were similar for other ETFs, but
higher for non-ETFs, except non-ETFs for which First Trust served as
sub-advisor, for which the annual fee usually was 0.35% of average daily
net assets, and the Board noted First Trust's statement that the services
provided to these funds may not be comparable to those to be provided to
the Fund. In light of the nature, extent and quality of services to be
provided to the Fund under the Agreement, and in light of First Trust's
agreement to waive fees and/or pay the Fund's expenses for at least two
years up to the expense cap, the Board determined that the investment
advisory fee for the Fund was fair and reasonable.
Finally, the Board noted First Trust's commitment to attempt to analyze
whether economies of scale can be realized as the Fund's assets increase
and operations experience is accumulated, and noted that First Trust
intended to continue to make investments in infrastructure and personnel.
The Board took the costs to be borne by First Trust in connection with its
services to be performed under the Agreement into consideration and noted
that First Trust was unable to estimate the profitability of the Agreement
to First Trust for the Fund, but had agreed to cap the Fund's expenses for
two years. The Board considered that First Trust had identified as a
fall-out benefit to First Trust and First Trust Portfolios L.P. their
exposure to investors and brokers who, in the absence of the Fund or other
funds of the Trust, may have had no dealings with First Trust. The Board
also noted that First Trust would not utilize soft dollars in connection
with its management of the Fund's portfolio.
After discussion of the Agreement for the Fund, the Board of Trustees,
including the Independent Trustees, concluded that First Trust had the
capabilities, resources and personnel necessary to manage the Fund. Based
upon such information as it considered necessary to the exercise of its
reasonable business judgment, the Board of Trustees concluded that it was
in the best interests of the Fund to approve the Agreement. No single
factor was determinative in the Board's analysis.
PRIVACY POLICY
The open-end and closed-end funds advised by First Trust Advisors L.P.
(each a "Fund") consider your privacy an important priority in maintaining
our relationship. We are committed to protecting the security and
confidentiality of your personal information.
Sources of Information
We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following
sources:
o Information we receive from you or your broker-dealer, investment
advisor or financial representative through interviews,
applications, agreements or other forms;
o Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates or
others;
o Information we receive from your inquiries by mail, e-mail or
telephone; and
o Information we collect on our website through the use of
"cookies." For example, we may identify the pages on our website
that your browser requests or visits.
Information Collected
The type of data we collect may include your name, address, social security
number, age, financial status, assets, income, tax information, retirement
and estate plan information, transaction history, account balance, payment
history, investment objectives, marital status, family relationships and
other personal information.
Disclosure of Information
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers
or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. The permitted
uses include the disclosure of such information to unaffiliated companies
for the following reasons:
Page 32
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - (Continued)
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
o In order to provide you with products and services and to effect
transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose your
personal information as described above to unaffiliated financial
service providers and other companies that perform administrative
or other services on our behalf, such as transfer agents,
custodians and trustees, or that assist us in the distribution of
investor materials such as trustees, banks, financial
representatives and printers.
o We may release information we have about you if you direct us to
do so, if we are compelled by law to do so, or in other legally
limited circumstances (for example to protect your account from
fraud).
In addition, in order to alert you to our other financial products and
services, we may share your personal information with affiliates of the
Fund. Please note, however, that the California Financial Information
Privacy Act contains an "opt out" mechanism that California consumers may
use to prevent us from sharing nonpublic personal information with
affiliates.
Confidentiality and Security
With regard to our internal security procedures, the Fund restricts access
to your nonpublic personal information to those individual who need to know
that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain
physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic
personal information.
Policy Updates and Inquiries
As required by federal law, we will notify you of our privacy policy
annually. We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time; however,
if we do change it, we will tell you promptly.
For questions about our policy, or for additional copies of this notice,
please contact us at (800) 621-1675.
Page 33
RISK CONSIDERATIONS (Unaudited)
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, RISKS, AND CHARGES
AND EXPENSES CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD EACH FUND'S
PROSPECTUS AT HTTP://WWW.FTPORTFOLIOS.COM OR CONTACT FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS
L.P. AT 1-800-621-1675 TO REQUEST A PROSPECTUS, WHICH CONTAINS THIS AND
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTICULAR FUND. READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU
INVEST. FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P. IS THE DISTRIBUTOR OF FIRST TRUST
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II.
Each Fund's shares will change in value, and you could lose money by
investing in a Fund. An investment in a Fund involves risks similar to
those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange.
Investors buying or selling Fund shares on the secondary market may incur
brokerage commissions. In addition, investors who sell Fund shares may
receive less than the shares' net asset value. Unlike shares of open-end
funds, investors are generally not able to purchase Exchange-Traded Fund
(") shares directly from a Fund and individual ETF shares are not
redeemable. However, specified large blocks of shares called creation units
can be purchased from, or redeemed to, the Fund.
You should anticipate that the value of each Fund's shares will decline,
more or less, in correlation with any decline in the value of that Fund's
corresponding index.
Each Fund's return may not match the return of its corresponding index for
a number of reasons. For example, the Funds incur operating expenses not
applicable to their corresponding indexes, and may incur costs in buying
and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund's portfolio
holdings to reflect changes in the composition of its corresponding index.
In addition, each Fund's portfolio holdings may not exactly replicate the
securities included in its corresponding index or the ratios between the
securities included in such index.
Each Fund is exposed to additional market risk due to its policy of
investing principally in the securities included in its corresponding
index. As a result of this policy, securities held by each 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. Therefore, the Funds 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 a Fund's index.
Each Fund relies on a license and related sublicense that permits it to use
its corresponding index and associated trade names and trademarks in
connection with the name and investment strategies of the Fund. Such
license and related sublicense may be terminated by the index provider and,
as a result, a Fund may lose its ability to use such intellectual property.
In the event the license is terminated or the index provider does not have
rights to license such intellectual property, it may have a significant
effect on the operation of the respective Fund.
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.
Each Fund may be concentrated in stocks of companies in an individual
industry or sector if the Fund's corresponding index is concentrated in an
individual industry or sector. You should be aware that an investment in a
portfolio that is concentrated in an individual industry or sector involves
additional risk, including limited diversification.
Each Fund is classified as "non-diversified" under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended. As a result, each 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 Funds may invest a relatively high
percentage of their assets in a limited number of issuers, the Funds may be
more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence
and to the financial conditions of the issuers in which they invest.
None of the Funds are actively managed. The funds may be affected by a
general decline in certain market segments relating to their respective
indices. The Funds invest in securities included in, or representative of,
their respective index regardless of such investment's merit. The Funds do
not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Each Fund invests in securities of European companies and, therefore, is
subject to certain risks associated specifically with Europe. A significant
number of countries in Europe are member states in the European Union (the
"EU"), and the member states no longer control their own monetary policies
by directing independent interest rates for their currencies. Additionally,
European corporations and other entities with significant markets or
operations in Europe adapting to a single transnational currency, the Euro,
may have a material impact on revenues, expenses or income from operations;
increase competition due to the increased price transparency of EU markets;
affect issuers' currency exchange rate risk and derivatives exposure;
disrupt current contracts; cause issuers to increase spending on
information technology updates required for the conversion; and result in
potential adverse tax consequences. Furthermore, you should be aware that
investments in such companies are subject to additional risks associated
with possible adverse economic, political and social occurrences in Europe.
Page 34
RISK CONSIDERATIONS (Unaudited) (Continued)
Furthermore, the First Trust DJ STOXX(R) Select Dividend 30 Index Fund has
a significant portion of its investment in securities issued by companies
headquartered in the United Kingdom. The Fund may therefore be more
susceptible to adverse economic, political or social occurrences in the
United Kingdom and may subject the Fund to greater risk than funds that are
not significantly invested in issuers headquartered in the United Kingdom.
The First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund invests in the
securities of companies in the financials sector. Banks, thrifts and their
holding companies are especially subject to the adverse effects of economic
recession; volatile interest rates; portfolio concentrations in geographic
markets and in commercial and residential real estate loans; and
competition from new entrants in their fields of business. These industries
are generally extensively regulated and may be adversely affected by
increased regulations. Banks and thrifts face increased competition from
nontraditional lending sources as regulatory changes permit new entrants to
offer various financial products. Technological advances such as the
Internet allow these nontraditional lending sources to cut overhead and
permit the more efficient use of customer data. In addition, all financial
service companies face shrinking profit margins due to new competitors, the
cost of new technology and the pressure to compete globally.
The First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund invests in
securities of Asian companies and, therefore, is subject to certain risks
associated with possible adverse economic, political and social occurrences
in Asia.
Each Fund's NAV is determined on the basis of the U.S. dollar. You may lose
money if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the
U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the Fund's holdings goes
up.
Each 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. 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.
Each 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 such as there being less publicly
available information about non-U.S. issuers or markets and non-U.S.
markets being smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. market.
These risks may be more pronounced to the extent that each Fund invests a
significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region.
Each Fund may invest in 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.
The First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund invests in
companies that are considered to be "passive foreign investment companies"
and could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest
charges on gains and certain distributions with respect to those equity
interests.
The First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund invests in
companies in the real estate industry, including real estate investment
trusts ("REITS") and is subject to the risks associated with investing in
real estate such as possible declines in the value of real estate, adverse
general and local economic conditions and changes in interest rates and
environmental problems.
Additionally, the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
Fund's investment in REITs involves certain other risks related to their
structure and focus such as dependency upon management skills, limited
diversification and the risks of locating and managing financing for
projects.
Furthermore, for the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
Fund, increases in interest rates typically lower the present value of a
REIT's future earnings stream, and may make financing property purchases
and improvements more costly. The value of the Fund will generally decline
when investors anticipate or experience rising interest rates.
The First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Fund may invest
in real estate companies that may be affected by the downturn in the
subprime mortgage lending market in the United States. The downturn in the
subprime mortgage lending market may have far-reaching consequences into
many aspects and geographic regions of the real estate business, and
consequently, the value of the Fund may decline in response to such
developments.
NOT FDIC INSURED NOT BANK GUARANTEED MAY LOSE VALUE
Page 35
This page is left intentionally blank.
[BLANK INSIDE BACK COVER]
[LOGO OMITTED] FIRST TRUST
FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND II
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
First Trust Advisors L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, IL 60532
ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN,
FUND ACCOUNTANT &
TRANSFER AGENT
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR
PFPC, Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & TOUCHE LLP
111 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
LEGAL COUNSEL
Chapman and Cutler LLP
111 W. Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Back Cover
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable.
ITEMS 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Schedules of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close
of the reporting period are included as part of the report to shareholders filed
under Item 1 of this form.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders
may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of directors, where those
changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in
response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR
229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)),
or this Item.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or
persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3
(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the
report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their
evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the
1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15
(b)).
(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))
that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's
internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II
By: /s/ James A. Bowen
-----------------------------
Name: James A. Bowen
Title: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 27, 2008
----------------------------
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
By: /s/ James A. Bowen
-----------------------------
Name: James A. Bowen
Title: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 27, 2008
----------------------------
|
By: /s/ Mark R. Bradley
-----------------------------
Name: Mark R. Bradley
Title: Treasurer, Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Accounting Officer
Date: May 27, 2008
----------------------------
|
First Trust STOXX Europe... (AMEX:FDD)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Jan 2025 até Fev 2025
First Trust STOXX Europe... (AMEX:FDD)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Fev 2024 até Fev 2025