Form 487 FT 10969
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Registration No. 333-273438
1940 Act No. 811-05903
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
A.Exact name of trust:
FT 10969
B.Name of depositor:
FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.
C.Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices:
120 East Liberty Drive
Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
D.Name and complete address of agents for service:
| Copy to: | |
| JAMES A. BOWEN | ERIC F. FESS |
| c/o First Trust Portfolios L.P. | c/o Chapman and Cutler LLP |
| 120 East Liberty Drive | 320 South Canal Street |
| Suite 400 | 27th Floor |
| Wheaton, Illinois 60187 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
E.Title and Amount of Securities Being Registered:
An indefinite number of Units pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
F.Approximate date of proposed sale to public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
| |X| | Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on September 27, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487. |
________________________________
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
FT 10969 is a series of a unit investment trust, the FT Series. FT 10969
consists of a single portfolio known as American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
(the "Trust"). The Trust invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks
("Securities"). The Trust seeks above-average capital appreciation.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC") HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
FIRST TRUST(R)
800-621-1675
The date of this prospectus is September 27, 2023
Table of Contents
Summary of Essential Information 3
Fee Table 4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5
Statement of Net Assets 6
Schedule of Investments 7
The FT Series 9
Portfolio 10
Risk Factors 10
Public Offering 13
Distribution of Units 15
The Sponsor's Profits 17
The Secondary Market 17
How We Purchase Units 17
Expenses and Charges 17
Tax Status 18
Retirement Plans 20
Rights of Unit Holders 20
Income and Capital Distributions 21
Redeeming Your Units 21
Investing in a New Trust 22
Removing Securities from the Trust 23
Amending or Terminating the Indenture 24
Information on the Sponsor and Trustee 24
Other Information 25
Page 2
Summary of Essential Information (Unaudited)
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-September 27, 2023
Sponsor: First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Trustee: The Bank of New York Mellon
Initial Number of Units (1) 16,321
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/16,321
Public Offering Price:
Public Offering Price per Unit (2) $ 10.000
Less Initial Sales Charge per Unit (3) (.000)
__________
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Securities per Unit (4) 10.000
Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit (3) (.135)
__________
Redemption Price per Unit (5) 9.865
Less Creation and Development Fee per Unit (3)(5) (.050)
Less Organization Costs per Unit (5) (.025)
__________
Net Asset Value per Unit $ 9.790
==========
Cash CUSIP Number 30332N 121
Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30332N 139
Fee Account Cash CUSIP Number 30332N 147
Fee Account Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30332N 154
Ticker Symbol FJMRCX
First Settlement Date September 29, 2023
Mandatory Termination Date (6) December 27, 2024
Income Distribution Record Date Tenth day of each June and December, commencing December 10, 2023.
Income Distribution Date (7) Twenty-fifth day of each June and December, commencing December 25, 2023.
_____________
(1) As of the Evaluation Time on the Initial Date of Deposit, we may adjust
the number of Units of the Trust so that the Public Offering Price per Unit
will equal approximately $10.00. If we make such an adjustment, the fractional
undivided interest per Unit will vary from the amount indicated above.
(2) The Public Offering Price shown above reflects the value of the Securities
on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. No investor will
purchase Units at this price. The price you pay for your Units will be based
on their valuation at the Evaluation Time on the date you purchase your Units.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price per Unit will not
include any accumulated dividends on the Securities. After this date, a pro
rata share of any accumulated dividends on the Securities will be included.
(3) You will pay a maximum sales charge of 1.85% of the Public Offering Price
per Unit (equivalent to 1.85% of the net amount invested) which consists of an
initial sales charge, a deferred sales charge and a creation and development
fee. The sales charges are described in the "Fee Table."
(4) Each listed Security is valued at its last closing sale price at the
Evaluation Time on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. If a
Security is not listed, or if no closing sale price exists, it is valued at
its closing ask price on such date. See "Public Offering-The Value of the
Securities." Evaluations for purposes of determining the purchase, sale or
redemption price of Units are made as of the close of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day on
which it is open (the "Evaluation Time").
(5) The creation and development fee and the estimated organization costs per
Unit will be deducted from the assets of the Trust at the end of the initial
offering period. If Units are redeemed prior to the close of the initial
offering period, these fees will not be deducted from the redemption proceeds.
See "Redeeming Your Units."
(6) See "Amending or Terminating the Indenture."
(7) The Trustee will distribute money from the Income Account, as determined
at the semi-annual Record Date, semi-annually on the twenty-fifth day of each
June and December to Unit holders of record on the tenth day of such months
provided the amount in the Income Account equals at least $1.00 per 100 Units.
The Trustee will make distributions from the Capital Account monthly on the
twenty-fifth day of each month to Unit holders of record on the tenth day of
such month provided the amount available for distribution from the Capital
Account equals at least $1.00 per 100 Units. See "Income and Capital
Distributions."
Page 3
Fee Table (Unaudited)
This Fee Table describes the fees and expenses that you may, directly or
indirectly, pay if you buy and hold Units of the Trust. See "Public Offering"
and "Expenses and Charges." Although the Trust has a term of approximately
15 months and is a unit investment trust rather than a mutual fund, this
information allows you to compare fees.
Amount
per Unit
________
Unit Holder Sales Fees (as a percentage of public offering price)
Maximum Sales Charge
Initial sales charge 0.00%(a) $.000
Deferred sales charge 1.35%(b) $.135
Creation and development fee 0.50%(c) $.050
_____ _____
Maximum sales charge (including creation and development fee) 1.85% $.185
===== =====
Organization Costs (as a percentage of public offering price)
Estimated organization costs .250%(d) $.0250
===== ======
Estimated Annual Trust Operating Expenses(e)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative and evaluation fees .079% $.0080
Trustee's fee and other operating expenses .136%(f) $.0138
_____ ______
Total .215% $.0218
===== ======
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the
Trust with the cost of investing in other investment products. The example
assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Trust and the principal amount and
distributions are rolled every 15 months into a New Trust. The example also
assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that your Trust's, and
each New Trust's, sales charges and expenses stay the same. The example does
not take into consideration transaction fees which may be charged by certain
broker/dealers for processing redemption requests. Although your actual costs
may vary, based on these assumptions your costs, assuming you roll your
proceeds from one trust to the next for the periods shown, would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
______ _______ _______ ________
$232 $714 $989 $2,142
If you elect not to roll your proceeds from one trust to the next, your costs
will be limited by the number of years your proceeds are invested, as set
forth above.
_____________
(a) The combination of the initial and deferred sales charge comprises what we
refer to as the "transactional sales charge." The initial sales charge is
actually equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge of 1.85% and
the sum of any remaining deferred sales charge and creation and development
fee. When the Public Offering Price per Unit equals $10, there is no initial
sales charge. If the price you pay for your Units exceeds $10 per Unit, you
will pay an initial sales charge.
(b) The deferred sales charge is a fixed dollar amount equal to $.135 per Unit
which, as a percentage of the Public Offering Price, will vary over time. The
deferred sales charge will be deducted in three monthly installments
commencing January 19, 2024.
(c) The creation and development fee compensates the Sponsor for creating and
developing the Trust. The creation and development fee is a charge of $.050
per Unit collected at the end of the initial offering period, which is
expected to be approximately three months from the Initial Date of Deposit. If
the price you pay for your Units exceeds $10 per Unit, the creation and
development fee will be less than 0.50%; if the price you pay for your Units
is less than $10 per Unit, the creation and development fee will exceed 0.50%.
If you purchase Units after the initial offering period, you will not be
assessed the creation and development fee.
(d) Estimated organization costs will be deducted from the assets of the Trust
at the end of the initial offering period. Estimated organization costs are
assessed on a fixed dollar amount per Unit basis which, as a percentage of
average net assets, will vary over time.
(e) Each of the fees listed herein is assessed on a fixed dollar amount per
Unit basis which, as a percentage of average net assets, will vary over time.
(f) Other operating expenses do not include brokerage costs and other
portfolio transaction fees. In certain circumstances the Trust may incur
additional expenses not set forth above. See "Expenses and Charges."
Page 4
Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Unit Holders and the Sponsor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., of FT 10969
Opinion on the Statement of Net Assets
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets of FT 10969,
comprising American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15 (the "Trust"), one of the
series constituting the FT Series, including the schedule of investments, as
of the opening of business on September 27, 2023 (Initial Date of Deposit),
and the related notes. In our opinion, the statement of net assets presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust as of
the opening of business on September 27, 2023 (Initial Date of Deposit), in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America.
Basis for Opinion
This statement of net assets is the responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on this statement of net assets based
on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to
be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the statement of net assets is free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal
control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the statement of net assets, whether due to error or fraud,
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the statement of net assets. Our audit also included evaluating
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Trust's
Sponsor, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statement of
net assets. Our procedures included confirmation of the irrevocable letter of
credit held by The Bank of New York Mellon, the Trustee, and deposited in the
Trust for the purchase of securities, as shown in the statement of net assets,
as of the opening of business on September 27, 2023, by correspondence with
the Trustee. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
September 27, 2023
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies sponsored by
First Trust Portfolios L.P. since 2001.
Page 5
Statement of Net Assets
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-September 27, 2023
NET ASSETS
Investment in Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $163,208
Less liability for reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) (408)
Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) (2,203)
Less liability for creation and development fee (5) (816)
________
Net assets $159,781
========
Units outstanding 16,321
Net asset value per Unit (6) $ 9.790
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Cost to investors (7) $163,208
Less maximum sales charge (7) (3,019)
Less estimated reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) (408)
________
Net assets $159,781
========
______________
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
The Trust is registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. The Sponsor is responsible for the preparation of
financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States which require the Sponsor to make estimates and
assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. The Trust intends to comply in its initial fiscal year
and thereafter with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and as such, will not be subject to federal
income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital
gains) distributed to Unit holders.
(1) The Trust invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks. Aggregate
cost of the Securities listed under "Schedule of Investments" is based on
their aggregate underlying value. The Trust has a Mandatory Termination Date
of December 27, 2024.
(2) An irrevocable letter of credit issued by The Bank of New York Mellon, of
which approximately $300,000 has been allocated to the Trust, has been
deposited with the Trustee as collateral, covering the monies necessary for
the purchase of the Securities according to their purchase contracts.
(3) A portion of the Public Offering Price consists of an amount sufficient to
reimburse the Sponsor for all or a portion of the costs of establishing the
Trust. These costs have been estimated at $.0250 per Unit. A payment will be
made at the end of the initial offering period to an account maintained by the
Trustee from which the obligation of the investors to the Sponsor will be
satisfied. To the extent that actual organization costs of the Trust are
greater than the estimated amount, only the estimated organization costs added
to the Public Offering Price will be reimbursed to the Sponsor and deducted
from the assets of the Trust.
(4) Represents the amount of mandatory deferred sales charge distributions of
$.135 per Unit, payable to the Sponsor in three equal monthly installments
beginning on January 19, 2024 and on the twentieth day of each month
thereafter (or if such date is not a business day, on the preceding business
day) through March 20, 2024. If Unit holders redeem Units before March 20,
2024, they will have to pay the remaining amount of the deferred sales charge
applicable to such Units when they redeem them.
(5) The creation and development fee ($.050 per Unit) is payable by the Trust
on behalf of Unit holders out of assets of the Trust at the end of the initial
offering period. If Units are redeemed prior to the close of the initial
offering period, the fee will not be deducted from the proceeds.
(6) Net asset value per Unit is calculated by dividing the Trust's net assets
by the number of Units outstanding. This figure includes organization costs
and the creation and development fee, which will only be assessed to Units
outstanding at the end of the initial offering period.
(7) The aggregate cost to investors in the Trust includes a maximum sales
charge (comprised of an initial and a deferred sales charge and the creation
and development fee) computed at the rate of 1.85% of the Public Offering
Price (equivalent to 1.85% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the
deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee), assuming no
reduction of the maximum sales charge as set forth under "Public Offering."
Page 6
Schedule of Investments
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-September 27, 2023
Percentage
of Aggregate Number Market Cost of
Ticker Symbol and Offering of Value per Securities to
Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Price Shares Share the Trust (2)
________________________________ ____________ ______ _________ _____________
COMMON STOCKS (100.00%):
Energy (14.98%):
CVX Chevron Corporation 2.47% 24 $ 167.80 $ 4,027
COP ConocoPhillips 2.50% 34 120.14 4,085
EOG EOG Resources, Inc. 2.49% 32 126.88 4,060
XOM Exxon Mobil Corporation 2.50% 35 116.41 4,074
HAL Halliburton Company 2.50% 100 40.79 4,079
VLO Valero Energy Corporation 2.52% 29 141.58 4,106
Financials (17.43%):
BAC Bank of America Corporation 2.50% 150 27.17 4,076
FCNCA First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (Class A) 2.48% 3 1,349.24 4,048
JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.49% 28 144.93 4,058
MA Mastercard Incorporated 2.42% 10 395.38 3,954
MS Morgan Stanley 2.52% 50 82.17 4,108
V Visa Inc. (Class A) 2.53% 18 229.65 4,134
WFC Wells Fargo & Company 2.49% 100 40.65 4,065
Health Care (19.95%):
COR Cencora Inc. 2.50% 22 185.77 4,087
ELV Elevance Health Inc. 2.47% 9 448.16 4,033
JNJ Johnson & Johnson 2.53% 26 159.02 4,135
MCK McKesson Corporation 2.44% 9 443.03 3,987
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. 2.52% 39 105.39 4,110
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. * 2.55% 5 832.41 4,162
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 2.46% 8 501.59 4,013
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 2.48% 8 505.45 4,044
Industrials (20.16%):
BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc. * 2.46% 33 121.91 4,023
CAT Caterpillar Inc. 2.48% 15 269.52 4,043
DE Deere & Company 2.56% 11 379.63 4,176
DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2.50% 111 36.77 4,081
EME EMCOR Group, Inc. 2.55% 20 208.22 4,164
LMT Lockheed Martin Corporation 2.50% 10 408.75 4,088
PCAR PACCAR Inc 2.52% 49 83.86 4,109
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation 2.59% 11 383.89 4,223
Page 7
Schedule of Investments (cont'd.)
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-September 27, 2023
Percentage
of Aggregate Number Market Cost of
Ticker Symbol and Offering of Value per Securities to
Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Price Shares Share the Trust (2)
________________________________ ____________ ______ _________ _____________
Information Technology (27.48%):
AAPL Apple Inc. 2.53% 24 $ 171.96 $ 4,127
AMAT Applied Materials, Inc. 2.46% 30 134.08 4,022
ANET Arista Networks, Inc. * 2.51% 23 177.92 4,092
AVGO Broadcom Inc. 2.50% 5 816.19 4,081
KLAC KLA Corporation 2.45% 9 445.16 4,006
MSFT Microsoft Corporation 2.49% 13 312.14 4,058
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation 2.57% 10 419.11 4,191
ON ON Semiconductor Corporation * 2.48% 45 90.15 4,057
ORCL Oracle Corporation 2.51% 39 104.88 4,090
PANW Palo Alto Networks, Inc. * 2.50% 18 226.79 4,082
CRM Salesforce, Inc. * 2.48% 20 202.49 4,050
_______ ________
Total Investments 100.00% $163,208
======= ========
_____________
(1) All Securities are represented by regular way contracts to purchase such
Securities which are backed by an irrevocable letter of credit deposited with
the Trustee. The Sponsor entered into purchase contracts for the Securities on
September 27, 2023. Such purchase contracts are expected to settle within two
business days.
(2) The cost of the Securities to the Trust represents the aggregate underlying
value with respect to the Securities acquired (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of the listed Securities and the ask prices of over-
the-counter traded Securities at the Evaluation Time on the business day prior
to the Initial Date of Deposit). The cost of Securities to the Trust may not
compute due to rounding the market value per share. The valuation of the
Securities has been determined by the Sponsor. In accordance with Financial
Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, "Fair Value
Measurement," the Trust's investments are classified as Level 1, which refers to
securities traded in an active market. The cost of the Securities to the Sponsor
and the Sponsor's loss (which is the difference between the cost of the
Securities to the Sponsor and the cost of the Securities to the Trust) are
$164,115 and $907, respectively.
* This Security represents a non-income producing security.
Page 8
The FT Series
The FT Series Defined.
We, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (the "Sponsor"), have created hundreds of
similar yet separate series of a unit investment trust which we have named the
FT Series. The series to which this prospectus relates, FT 10969, consists of
a single portfolio known as American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15.
The Trust was created under the laws of the State of New York by a Trust
Agreement (the "Indenture") dated the Initial Date of Deposit. This agreement,
entered into among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Sponsor, The Bank of New
York Mellon as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor,
governs the operation of the Trust.
YOU MAY GET MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS CONCERNING THE NATURE, STRUCTURE AND RISKS
OF THIS PRODUCT IN AN "INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT" BY CALLING THE SPONSOR AT 800-
621-1675, DEPT. CODE 2.
How We Created the Trust.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, we deposited a portfolio of common stocks with
the Trustee and, in turn, the Trustee delivered documents to us representing
our ownership of the Trust in the form of units ("Units").
After the Initial Date of Deposit, we may deposit additional Securities in the
Trust, or cash (including a letter of credit or the equivalent) with
instructions to buy more Securities, to create new Units for sale. If we
create additional Units, we will attempt, to the extent practicable, to
maintain the percentage relationship established among the Securities on the
Initial Date of Deposit (as set forth in "Schedule of Investments"), adjusted
to reflect the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Securities or any
stock split or a merger or other similar event affecting the issuer of the
Securities.
Since the prices of the Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio of
Securities in the Trust, on a market value basis, will also change daily. The
portion of Securities represented by each Unit will not change as a result of
the deposit of additional Securities or cash in the Trust. If we deposit cash,
you and new investors may experience a dilution of your investment. This is
because prices of Securities will fluctuate between the time of the cash
deposit and the purchase of the Securities, and because the Trust pays the
associated brokerage fees. To reduce this dilution, the Trust will try to buy
the Securities as close to the Evaluation Time and as close to the evaluation
price as possible. In addition, because the Trust pays the brokerage fees
associated with the creation of new Units and with the sale of Securities to
meet redemption and exchange requests, frequent redemption and exchange
activity will likely result in higher brokerage expenses.
An affiliate of the Trustee may receive these brokerage fees or the Trustee
may retain and pay us (or our affiliate) to act as agent for the Trust to buy
Securities. If we or an affiliate of ours act as agent to the Trust, we will
be subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"). When acting in an agency capacity, we may select
various broker/dealers to execute securities transactions on behalf of the
Trust, which may include broker/dealers who sell Units of the Trust. We do not
consider sales of Units of the Trust or any other products sponsored by First
Trust as a factor in selecting such broker/dealers.
We cannot guarantee that the Trust will keep its present size and composition
for any length of time. Securities may be periodically sold under certain
circumstances to satisfy Trust obligations, to meet redemption requests and,
as described in "Removing Securities from the Trust," to maintain the sound
investment character of the Trust, and the proceeds received by the Trust will
be used to meet Trust obligations or distributed to Unit holders. However,
Securities will not be sold to take advantage of market fluctuations or
changes in anticipated rates of appreciation or depreciation, or if they no
longer meet the criteria by which they were selected. You will not be able to
dispose of or vote any of the Securities in the Trust. As the holder of the
Securities, the Trustee will vote the Securities and, except as described in
"Removing Securities from the Trust," will endeavor to vote the Securities
such that the Securities are voted as closely as possible in the same manner
and the same general proportion as are the Securities held by owners other
than such Trust.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for a failure in any of the
Securities. However, if a contract for the purchase of any of the Securities
initially deposited in the Trust fails, unless we can purchase substitute
Securities ("Replacement Securities") we will refund to you that portion of
the purchase price and transactional sales charge resulting from the failed
contract on the next Income Distribution Date. Any Replacement Security the
Trust acquires will be identical to those from the failed contract.
Page 9
Portfolio
Objective.
The Trust seeks above-average capital appreciation. Under normal
circumstances, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its assets in companies
headquartered or incorporated in the United States. The Trust is concentrated
(i.e., invests 25% or more of Trust assets) in stocks of companies within the
information technology sector.
Portfolio Selection Process.
The Trust is a unit investment trust that invests in common stocks across the
following sectors: energy, financials, health care, industrials and
information technology. Our goal with this portfolio is to choose well-
capitalized companies with strong market positions that we believe have the
potential to provide a greater degree of stability and performance over time.
Through our selection process, we seek to find companies with the following
qualities:
- Well-capitalized with strong balance sheets;
- Skilled management;
- High liquidity;
- Ability to generate earnings growth; and
- Record of financial strength and profit growth.
We begin with the Russell 3000(R) Index to create an initial universe of
stocks with a market-cap above $10 billion that are in the sectors listed
above. Next we examine the historical financial results of the stocks from the
initial universe. The stocks are then evaluated using fundamental factors such
as sales, earnings and cash flow growth; valuation factors such as price to
earnings, price to cash flow, price to sales and price to book; and technical
factors such as price momentum and earnings surprises.
An estimated value is calculated for each of the companies utilizing a cash
flow return on investment method. A secondary valuation is also made employing
a concept called economic margin. The companies which currently trade at an
attractive market price relative to their estimated value are favored over
companies that do not.
The final portfolio is then selected by a team of equity analysts who evaluate
each stock by examining the stock's relative valuation and other qualitative
factors such as competitive advantages, new products and quality of management.
Our selection process attempts to find the stocks with the best prospects for
above-average capital appreciation by identifying those that meet our
investment objectives, trade at attractive valuations, and, in our opinion,
are likely to exceed market expectations of future cash flows.
The final portfolio is comprised of 40 approximately equally weighted stocks.
Additional Portfolio Contents.
In addition to the investments described above, the Trust invests in: dividend-
paying securities and companies with various market capitalizations.
As with any similar investments, there can be no assurance that the objective
of the Trust will be achieved. See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of the
risks of investing in the Trust.
Risk Factors
Price Volatility. The Trust invests in common stocks. The value of the Trust's
Units will fluctuate with changes in the value of these common stocks. Common
stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors'
perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition
of the relevant stock market, such as market volatility, or when political or
economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices
may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital
rises and borrowing costs increase, negatively impacting issuers.
Because the Trust is not managed, the Trustee will not sell stocks in response
to or in anticipation of market fluctuations, as is common in managed
investments. As with any investment, we cannot guarantee that the performance
of the Trust will be positive over any period of time, especially the
relatively short 15-month life of the Trust, or that you won't lose money.
Units of the Trust are not deposits of any bank and are not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular security, or Units of
the Trust in general, may fall in value or underperform other investments.
Securities are subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as
economic, political, regulatory or market developments, changes in interest
rates and perceived trends in securities prices. As a means to fight
inflation, which remains at elevated levels, the Federal Reserve has raised
interest rates and expects to continue to do so and is reversing previously
implemented quantitative easing. Recent and potential future bank failures
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could result in disruption to the broader banking industry or markets
generally and reduce confidence in financial institutions and the economy as a
whole, which may also heighten market volatility and reduce liquidity. In
addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism,
spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions,
political turbulence or other events could have a significant negative impact
on the Trust and its investments. For example, the COVID-19 global pandemic
and the ensuing policies enacted by governments and central banks have caused
and may continue to cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global
financial markets, negatively impacting global growth prospects. While
vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be
effective against future variants of the disease. The impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, or any future public health crisis, may be short term or may last
for an extended period of time, and in either case could result in a
substantial economic downturn or recession. Additionally, in February 2022,
Russia invaded Ukraine which has caused and could continue to cause
significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia,
Europe, and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from
those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain Trust investments
as well as Trust performance. Such events may affect certain geographic
regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than others.
Such events could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the Trust's
portfolio securities and could result in disruptions in the trading markets.
Any such circumstances could have a materially negative impact on the value of
the Trust's Units and result in increased market volatility.
Dividends. Certain of the Securities held by the Trust may currently pay
dividends, but there is no guarantee that the issuers of the Securities will
declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they will either remain
at current levels or increase over time.
Concentration Risk. When 25% or more of a trust's portfolio is invested in
securities issued by companies within a single sector, the trust is considered
to be concentrated in that particular sector. A portfolio concentrated in one
or more sectors may present more risks than a portfolio broadly diversified
over several sectors.
The Trust is concentrated in stocks of companies within the information
technology sector.
Information Technology. Technology companies are generally subject to the
risks of rapidly changing technologies; short product life cycles; fierce
competition; aggressive pricing; frequent introduction of new or enhanced
products; the loss of patent, copyright and trademark protections; cyclical
market patterns; evolving industry standards; and frequent new product
introductions. Technology companies may be smaller and less experienced
companies, with limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Technology company stocks have experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that are often unrelated to their operating performance. Also,
the stocks of many Internet companies have exceptionally high price-to-
earnings ratios with little or no earnings histories.
Energy. The Trust invests in energy companies. Energy companies include those
companies that explore for, produce, refine, distribute or sell petroleum or
gas products, or provide parts or services to petroleum or gas companies.
General problems of the energy sector include volatile fluctuations in price
and supply of energy fuels, reduced demand as a result of regional or global
economic recessions and increases in energy efficiency and conservation, the
success of exploration projects, clean-up and litigation costs relating to
environmental damage, international politics, terrorist attacks, and tax and
other regulatory policies of various governments. Energy companies are subject
to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.
Friction with certain oil producing countries, and between the governments of
the United States and other major exporters of oil to the United States, or
policy shifts by governmental entities and intergovernmental entities, could
put oil and other energy exports at risk. In addition, falling energy prices
may negatively impact the profitability and business prospects of certain
energy companies.
Financials. The Trust invests in financial companies. Financial companies,
such as retail and commercial banks, insurance companies and financial
services companies, are subject to extensive governmental regulation and
intervention, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the
prices they can charge, the amount and types of capital they must maintain
and, potentially, their size. Governmental regulation may change frequently
and may have significant adverse consequences for financial companies,
including effects not intended by such regulation. The impact of more
stringent capital requirements, or recent or future regulation in various
countries, on any individual financial company or on financial companies as a
whole cannot be predicted. Certain risks may impact the value of investments
in financial companies more severely than those of investments in other
issuers, including the risks associated with companies that operate with
substantial financial leverage. Financial companies may also be adversely
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affected by volatility in interest rates, decreases in the availability of
money or asset valuations, credit rating downgrades and adverse conditions in
other related markets. Insurance companies in particular may be subject to
severe price competition and/or rate regulation, which may have an adverse
impact on their profitability. Financial companies are also a target for cyber-
attacks and may experience technology malfunctions and disruptions as a result.
In addition, general economic conditions are important to the operations of
financial companies. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may increase the risk
of default or insolvency of particular financial institutions, negatively
impact market value, cause credit spreads to widen, and reduce bank balance
sheets. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and
financial losses associated with investment activities may have an adverse
effect on the profitability of financial companies. While financial companies
such as banks tend to increase reserves in anticipation of economic stress,
there can be no assurance that such reserves will be sufficient to cover
rising default rates. Financial companies may be highly dependent upon access
to capital markets, and any impediments to such access, such as adverse
overall economic conditions or a negative perception in the capital markets of
a company's financial condition or prospects, could adversely affect its
business. For example, any failure of a bank can result in disruption to the
broader banking industry or markets generally, which may also heighten market
volatility and reduce liquidity. Some financial companies may also be required
to accept or borrow significant amounts of capital from government sources.
There is no guarantee that governments will provide any such relief in the
future and no certainty that such relief will mitigate the effects of any
failure of a financial institution on the economy or otherwise strengthen
public confidence in financial institutions. These actions may cause the
securities of many companies in the financials sector to decline in value.
Health Care. The Trust invests in health care companies. General risks of
health care companies include extensive competition, generic drug sales
resulting from the loss of patent protection, product liability litigation and
evolving government regulation. Research and development costs of bringing new
drugs to market are substantial, and there is no guarantee that a product will
ever come to market. Health care facility operators may be affected by the
demand for services, the ability of the facility to provide the services
required, efforts by government or insurers to limit rates, restriction of
government financial assistance and competition from other providers. The
health care sector may be impacted if Congress proposes legislation regarding
reform on the health care sector, changes in current laws regarding access to
health insurance and the overall risks and costs of compliance with such
regulations. Whether these proposals will be adopted and their possible long-
term effects on the health care industry remains uncertain and cannot be
predicted. In addition, health crises, such as a pandemic outbreak, can
severely impact the health care industry in particular. These crises can
disrupt health care services and processes, strain resources and supplies, and
are often increasingly difficult to assess and impossible to predict
Industrials. The Trust invests in industrial companies. General risks of
industrial companies include the general state of the economy, intense
competition, consolidation, domestic and international politics, excess
capacity and consumer spending trends. In addition, they may also be
significantly affected by overall capital spending levels, economic cycles,
technical obsolescence, delays in modernization, labor relations, government
regulations and e-commerce initiatives.
Industrial companies may also be affected by factors more specific to their
individual industries. Industrial machinery manufacturers may be subject to
declines in consumer demand and the need for modernization. Aerospace and
defense companies may be influenced by decreased demand for new equipment,
aircraft order cancellations, changes in aircraft-leasing contracts and
cutbacks in profitable business travel. Agricultural equipment businesses may
be influenced by fluctuations in farm income, farm commodity prices,
government subsidies and weather conditions. The number of housing starts,
levels of public and non-residential construction including weakening demand
for new office and retail space, and overall construction spending may
adversely affect construction equipment manufacturers, while overproduction,
consolidation and weakening global economies may lead to deteriorating sales
for auto and truck makers and their suppliers.
Small and/or Mid Capitalization Companies. Certain of the Securities held by
the Trust are issued by small and/or mid capitalization companies. Investing
in stocks of such companies may involve greater risk than investing in larger
companies. For example, such companies may have limited product lines, as well
as shorter operating histories, less experienced management and more limited
financial resources than larger companies. Securities of such companies
generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less
predictable changes in price than securities of larger companies. In addition,
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small and mid-cap stocks may not be widely followed by the investment
community, which may result in low demand.
Large Capitalization Companies. Certain of the Securities held by the Trust
are issued by large capitalization companies. The return on investment in
stocks of large capitalization companies may be less than the return on
investment in stocks of small and/or mid capitalization companies. Large
capitalization companies may also grow at a slower rate than the overall market.
Cybersecurity Risk. As the use of Internet technology has become more
prevalent in the course of business, the Trust has become more susceptible to
potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity. A breach in
cybersecurity refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may
cause the Trust to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or
lose operational capacity. Such events could cause the Sponsor of the Trust to
incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs
associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. Cybersecurity
breaches may involve unauthorized access to digital information systems
utilized by the Trust through "hacking" or malicious software coding, but may
also result from outside attacks such as denial-of-service attacks through
efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users. In addition,
cybersecurity breaches of the Trust's third-party service providers, or
issuers in which the Trust invests, can also subject the Trust to many of the
same risks associated with direct cybersecurity breaches. The Sponsor of, and
third-party service provider to, the Trust have established risk management
systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity. However,
there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially because the
Trust does not directly control the cybersecurity systems of issuers or third-
party service providers.
Legislation/Litigation. From time to time, various legislative initiatives are
proposed in the United States and abroad which may have a negative impact on
certain of the companies represented in the Trust. In addition, litigation
regarding any of the issuers of the Securities, or the industries represented
by these issuers, may negatively impact the value of these Securities. We
cannot predict what impact any pending or proposed legislation or pending or
threatened litigation will have on the value of the Securities.
Public Offering
The Public Offering Price.
Units will be purchased at the Public Offering Price, the price per Unit of
which is comprised of the following:
- The aggregate underlying value of the Securities;
- The amount of any cash in the Income and Capital Accounts;
- Dividends receivable on Securities; and
- The maximum sales charge (which combines an initial upfront sales charge, a
deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee).
The price you pay for your Units will differ from the amount stated under
"Summary of Essential Information" due to various factors, including
fluctuations in the prices of the Securities and changes in the value of the
Income and/or Capital Accounts.
Although you are not required to pay for your Units until two business days
following your order (the "date of settlement"), you may pay before then. You
will become the owner of Units ("Record Owner") on the date of settlement if
payment has been received. If you pay for your Units before the date of
settlement, we may use your payment during this time and it may be considered
a benefit to us, subject to the limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Organization Costs. Securities purchased with the portion of the Public
Offering Price intended to be used to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's
organization costs (including costs of preparing the registration statement,
the Indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the SEC and
states, the initial audit of the Trust's statement of net assets, legal fees
and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee) will be purchased in the
same proportionate relationship as all the Securities contained in the Trust.
Securities will be sold to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's organization
costs at the end of the initial offering period (a significantly shorter time
period than the life of the Trust). During the initial offering period, there
may be a decrease in the value of the Securities. To the extent the proceeds
from the sale of these Securities are insufficient to repay the Sponsor for
Trust organization costs, the Trustee will sell additional Securities to allow
the Trust to fully reimburse the Sponsor. In that event, the net asset value
per Unit of the Trust will be reduced by the amount of additional Securities
sold. Although the dollar amount of the reimbursement due to the Sponsor will
remain fixed and will never exceed the per Unit amount set forth for the Trust
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in "Notes to Statement of Net Assets," this will result in a greater effective
cost per Unit to Unit holders for the reimbursement to the Sponsor. To the
extent actual organization costs are less than the estimated amount, only the
actual organization costs will ultimately be charged to the Trust. When
Securities are sold to reimburse the Sponsor for organization costs, the
Trustee will sell Securities, to the extent practicable, which will maintain
the same proportionate relationship among the Securities contained in the
Trust as existed prior to such sale.
Minimum Purchase.
The minimum amount per account you can purchase of the Trust is generally
$1,000 worth of Units ($500 if you are purchasing Units for your Individual
Retirement Account or any other qualified retirement plan), but such amounts
may vary depending on your selling firm.
Maximum Sales Charge.
The maximum sales charge of 1.85% per Unit is comprised of a transactional
sales charge and a creation and development fee. After the initial offering
period the maximum sales charge will be reduced by 0.50%, to reflect the
amount of the previously charged creation and development fee.
Transactional Sales Charge.
The transactional sales charge you will pay has both an initial and a deferred
component.
Initial Sales Charge. The initial sales charge, which you will pay at the time
of purchase, is equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge of
1.85% of the Public Offering Price and the sum of the maximum remaining
deferred sales charge and creation and development fee (initially $.185 per
Unit). On the Initial Date of Deposit, and any other day the Public Offering
Price per Unit equals $10.00, there is no initial sales charge. Thereafter,
you will pay an initial sales charge when the Public Offering Price per Unit
exceeds $10.00 and as deferred sales charge and creation and development fee
payments are made.
Monthly Deferred Sales Charge. In addition, three monthly deferred sales
charges of $.045 per Unit will be deducted from the Trust's assets on
approximately the twentieth day of each month from January 19, 2024 through
March 20, 2024. If you buy Units at a price of less than $10.00 per Unit, the
dollar amount of the deferred sales charge will not change, but the deferred
sales charge on a percentage basis will be more than 1.35% of the Public
Offering Price.
Creation and Development Fee.
As Sponsor, we will also receive, and the Unit holders will pay, a creation
and development fee. See "Expenses and Charges" for a description of the
services provided for this fee. The creation and development fee is a charge
of $.050 per Unit collected at the end of the initial offering period. If you
buy Units at a price of less than $10.00 per Unit, the dollar amount of the
creation and development fee will not change, but the creation and development
fee on a percentage basis will be more than 0.50% of the Public Offering Price.
Discounts for Certain Persons.
The maximum sales charge is 1.85% per Unit and the maximum dealer concession
is 1.25% per Unit.
If you are purchasing Units for an investment account, the terms of which
provide that your registered investment advisor or registered broker/dealer
(a) charges periodic fees in lieu of commissions; (b) charges for financial
planning, investment advisory or asset management services; or (c) charges a
comprehensive "wrap fee" or similar fee for these or comparable services ("Fee
Accounts"), you will not be assessed the transactional sales charge described
above on such purchases. These Units will be designated as Fee Account Units
and, depending upon the purchase instructions we receive, assigned either a
Fee Account Cash CUSIP Number, if you elect to have distributions paid to you,
or a Fee Account Reinvestment CUSIP Number, if you elect to have distributions
reinvested into additional Units of the Trust. Certain Fee Account Unit
holders may be assessed transaction or other account fees on the purchase
and/or redemption of such Units by their registered investment advisor,
broker/dealer or other processing organizations for providing certain
transaction or account activities. Fee Account Units are not available for
purchase in the secondary market. We reserve the right to limit or deny
purchases of Units not subject to the transactional sales charge by investors
whose frequent trading activity we determine to be detrimental to the Trust.
Employees, officers and directors (and immediate family members) of the
Sponsor, our related companies, and dealers and their affiliates will purchase
Units at the Public Offering Price less the applicable dealer concession,
subject to the policies of the related selling firm. Immediate family members
include spouses, or the equivalent if recognized under local law, children or
step-children under the age of 21 living in the same household, parents or
step-parents and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the benefit of such
persons. Only employees, officers and directors of companies that allow their
employees to participate in this employee discount program are eligible for
the discounts.
You will be charged the deferred sales charge per Unit regardless of the price
you pay for your Units or whether you are eligible to receive any discounts.
However, if the purchase price of your Units was less than $10.00 per Unit or
Page 14
if you are eligible to receive a discount such that the maximum sales charge
you must pay is less than the applicable maximum deferred sales charge,
including Fee Account Units, you will be credited additional Units with a
dollar value equal to the difference between your maximum sales charge and the
maximum deferred sales charge at the time you buy your Units. If you elect to
have distributions reinvested into additional Units of the Trust, in addition
to the reinvestment Units you receive you will also be credited additional
Units with a dollar value at the time of reinvestment sufficient to cover the
amount of any remaining deferred sales charge and creation and development fee
to be collected on such reinvestment Units. The dollar value of these
additional credited Units (as with all Units) will fluctuate over time, and
may be less on the dates deferred sales charges or the creation and
development fee are collected than their value at the time they were issued.
The Value of the Securities.
The Sponsor will determine the aggregate underlying value of the Securities in
the Trust as of the Evaluation Time on each business day and will adjust the
Public Offering Price of the Units according to this valuation. This Public
Offering Price will be effective for all orders received before the Evaluation
Time on each such day. If we or the Trustee receive orders for purchases,
sales or redemptions after that time, or on a day which is not a business day,
they will be held until the next determination of price. The term "business
day" as used in this prospectus shall mean any day on which the NYSE is open.
For purposes of Securities and Unit settlement, the term business day does not
include days on which U.S. financial institutions are closed.
The aggregate underlying value of the Securities in the Trust will be
determined as follows: if the Securities are listed on a national or foreign
securities exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC(R), their value shall
generally be based on the closing sale price on the exchange or system which
is the principal market therefore ("Primary Exchange"), which shall be deemed
to be the NYSE if the Securities are listed thereon (unless the Sponsor deems
such price inappropriate as the basis for evaluation). In the event a closing
sale price on the Primary Exchange is not published, the Securities will be
valued based on the last trade price on the Primary Exchange. If no trades
occur on the Primary Exchange for a specific trade date, the value will be
based on the closing sale price from, in the opinion of the Sponsor, an
appropriate secondary exchange, if any. If no trades occur on the Primary
Exchange or any appropriate secondary exchange on a specific trade date, the
Sponsor will determine the value of the Securities using the best information
available to the Sponsor, which may include the prior day's evaluated price.
If the Security is an American Depositary Receipt/ADR, Global Depositary
Receipt/GDR or other similar security in which no trade occurs on the Primary
Exchange or any appropriate secondary exchange on a specific trade date, the
value will be based on the evaluated price of the underlying security,
determined as set forth above, after applying the appropriate ADR/GDR ratio,
the exchange rate and such other information which the Sponsor deems
appropriate. For purposes of valuing Securities traded on The NASDAQ Stock
Market, LLC(R), closing sale price shall mean the Nasdaq(R) Official Closing
Price as determined by The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC(R). If the Securities are
not so listed or, if so listed and the principal market therefore is other
than on the Primary Exchange or any appropriate secondary exchange, the value
shall generally be based on the current ask price on the over-the-counter
market (unless the Sponsor deems such price inappropriate as a basis for
evaluation). If current ask prices are unavailable, the value is generally
determined (a) on the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities,
(b) by appraising the value of the Securities on the ask side of the market,
or (c) any combination of the above. If such prices are in a currency other
than U.S. dollars, the value of such Security shall be converted to U.S.
dollars based on current exchange rates (unless the Sponsor deems such prices
inappropriate as a basis for evaluation). If the Sponsor deems a price
determined as set forth above to be inappropriate as the basis for evaluation,
the Sponsor shall use such other information available to the Sponsor which it
deems appropriate as the basis for determining the value of a Security.
After the initial offering period is over, the aggregate underlying value of
the Securities will be determined as set forth above, except that bid prices
are used instead of ask prices when necessary.
Distribution of Units
We intend to qualify Units of the Trust for sale in a number of states. All
Units will be sold at the then current Public Offering Price.
The Sponsor compensates intermediaries, such as broker/dealers and banks, for
their activities that are intended to result in sales of Units of the Trust.
This compensation includes dealer concessions described in the following
section and may include additional concessions and other compensation and
benefits to broker/dealers and other intermediaries.
Dealer Concessions.
Dealers and other selling agents can purchase Units at prices which represent
a concession or agency commission of 1.25% of the Public Offering Price per
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Unit, subject to reductions set forth in "Public Offering-Discounts for
Certain Persons."
Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents who, during the previous
consecutive 12-month period through the end of the most recent month, sold
primary market units of unit investment trusts sponsored by us in the dollar
amounts shown below will be entitled to up to the following additional sales
concession on primary market sales of units during the current month of unit
investment trusts sponsored by us:
Total sales Additional
(in millions) Concession
______________________________________________________
$25 but less than $100 0.035%
$100 but less than $150 0.050%
$150 but less than $250 0.075%
$250 but less than $1,000 0.100%
$1,000 but less than $5,000 0.125%
$5,000 but less than $7,500 0.150%
$7,500 or more 0.175%
Dealers and other selling agents will not receive a concession on the sale of
Units which are not subject to a transactional sales charge, but such Units
will be included in determining whether the above volume sales levels are met.
Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents include clearing firms that
place orders with First Trust and provide First Trust with information with
respect to the representatives who initiated such transactions. Eligible
dealer firms and other selling agents will not include firms that solely
provide clearing services to other broker/dealer firms or firms who place
orders through clearing firms that are eligible dealers. We reserve the right
to change the amount of concessions or agency commissions from time to time.
Certain commercial banks may be making Units of the Trust available to their
customers on an agency basis. A portion of the transactional sales charge paid
by these customers is kept by or given to the banks in the amounts shown above.
Other Compensation and Benefits to Broker/Dealers.
The Sponsor, at its own expense and out of its own profits, currently provides
additional compensation and benefits to broker/dealers who sell Units of this
Trust and other First Trust products. This compensation is intended to result
in additional sales of First Trust products and/or compensate broker/dealers
and financial advisors for past sales. A number of factors are considered in
determining whether to pay these additional amounts. Such factors may include,
but are not limited to, the level or type of services provided by the
intermediary, the level or expected level of sales of First Trust products by
the intermediary or its agents, the placing of First Trust products on a
preferred or recommended product list, access to an intermediary's personnel,
and other factors. The Sponsor makes these payments for marketing, promotional
or related expenses, including, but not limited to, expenses of entertaining
retail customers and financial advisers, advertising, sponsorship of events or
seminars, obtaining information about the breakdown of unit sales among an
intermediary's representatives or offices, obtaining shelf space in
broker/dealer firms and similar activities designed to promote the sale of the
Sponsor's products. The Sponsor makes such payments to a substantial majority
of intermediaries that sell First Trust products. The Sponsor may also make
certain payments to, or on behalf of, intermediaries to defray a portion of
their costs incurred for the purpose of facilitating Unit sales, such as the
costs of developing or purchasing trading systems to process Unit trades.
Payments of such additional compensation described in this and the preceding
paragraph, some of which may be characterized as "revenue sharing," create a
conflict of interest by influencing financial intermediaries and their agents
to sell or recommend a First Trust product, including the Trust, over products
offered by other sponsors or fund companies. These arrangements will not
change the price you pay for your Units.
Advertising and Investment Comparisons.
Advertising materials regarding the Trust may discuss several topics,
including: developing a long-term financial plan; working with your financial
professional; the nature and risks of various investment strategies and unit
investment trusts that could help you reach your financial goals; the
importance of discipline; how the Trust operates; how securities are selected;
various unit investment trust features such as convenience and costs; and
options available for certain types of unit investment trusts. These materials
may include descriptions of the principal businesses of the companies
represented in the Trust, research analysis of why they were selected and
information relating to the qualifications of the persons or entities
providing the research analysis. In addition, they may include research
opinions on the economy and industry sectors included and a list of investment
products generally appropriate for pursuing those recommendations.
From time to time we may compare the estimated returns of the Trust (which may
show performance net of the expenses and charges the Trust would have
incurred) and returns over specified periods of other similar trusts we
sponsor in our advertising and sales materials, with (1) returns on other
Page 16
taxable investments such as the common stocks comprising various market
indexes, corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank CDs and money market
accounts or funds, (2) performance data from Morningstar, Inc. or (3)
information from publications such as Money, The New York Times, U.S. News and
World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes or Fortune. The investment
characteristics of the Trust differ from other comparative investments. You
should not assume that these performance comparisons will be representative of
the Trust's future performance. We may also, from time to time, use
advertising which classifies trusts or portfolio securities according to
capitalization and/or investment style.
The Sponsor's Profits
We will receive a gross sales commission equal to the maximum transactional
sales charge per Unit less any reduction as stated in "Public Offering." We
will also receive the amount of any collected creation and development fee.
Also, any difference between our cost to purchase the Securities and the price
at which we sell them to the Trust is considered a profit or loss (see Note 2
of "Schedule of Investments"). During the initial offering period, dealers and
others may also realize profits or sustain losses as a result of fluctuations
in the Public Offering Price they receive when they sell the Units.
In maintaining a market for the Units, any difference between the price at
which we purchase Units and the price at which we sell or redeem them will be
a profit or loss to us.
The Secondary Market
Although not obligated, we may maintain a market for the Units after the
initial offering period and continuously offer to purchase Units at prices
based on the Redemption Price per Unit.
We will pay all expenses to maintain a secondary market, except fees to value
Trust Securities and Trustee costs to transfer and record the ownership of
Units. We may discontinue purchases of Units at any time. IF YOU WISH TO
DISPOSE OF YOUR UNITS, YOU SHOULD ASK US FOR THE CURRENT MARKET PRICES BEFORE
MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. If you sell or redeem your
Units before you have paid the total deferred sales charge on your Units, you
will have to pay the remainder at that time.
How We Purchase Units
The Trustee will notify us of any tender of Units for redemption. If our bid
at that time is equal to or greater than the Redemption Price per Unit, we may
purchase the Units. You will receive your proceeds from the sale no later than
if they were redeemed by the Trustee. We may tender Units that we hold to the
Trustee for redemption as any other Units. If we elect not to purchase Units,
the Trustee may sell tendered Units in the over-the-counter market, if any.
However, the amount you will receive is the same as you would have received on
redemption of the Units.
Expenses and Charges
The estimated annual expenses of the Trust are listed under "Fee Table." If
actual expenses of the Trust exceed the estimate, the Trust will bear the
excess. The Trustee will pay operating expenses of the Trust from the Income
Account of the Trust if funds are available, and then from the Capital
Account. The Income and Capital Accounts are non-interest-bearing to Unit
holders, so the Trustee may earn interest on these funds, thus benefiting from
their use.
First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of ours, acts as Portfolio Supervisor
and will be compensated for providing portfolio supervisory services as well
as bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Trust. In providing
portfolio supervisory services, the Portfolio Supervisor may purchase research
services from a number of sources, which may include underwriters or dealers
of the Trust. As Sponsor, we will be compensated for providing evaluation
services and we will receive brokerage fees when the Trust uses us (or an
affiliate of ours) as agent in buying or selling Securities. As authorized by
the Indenture, the Trustee may employ a subsidiary or affiliate of the Trustee
to act as broker to execute certain transactions for the Trust. The Trust will
pay for such services at standard commission rates.
The fees payable to the Sponsor, First Trust Advisors L.P. and the Trustee are
based on the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any
time during the calendar year, except during the initial offering period, in
which case these fees are calculated based on the largest number of Units
outstanding during the period for which compensation is paid. These fees may
be adjusted for inflation without Unit holders' approval, but in no case will
Page 17
the annual fees paid to us or our affiliates for providing services to all
unit investment trusts be more than the actual cost of providing such services
in such year.
As Sponsor, we will receive a fee from the Trust for creating and developing
the Trust, including determining the Trust's objectives, policies, composition
and size, selecting service providers and information services and for
providing other similar administrative and ministerial functions. The
"creation and development fee" is a charge of $.050 per Unit outstanding at
the end of the initial offering period. The Trustee will deduct this amount
from the Trust's assets as of the close of the initial offering period. We do
not use this fee to pay distribution expenses or as compensation for sales
efforts. This fee will not be deducted from your proceeds if you sell or
redeem your Units before the end of the initial offering period.
In addition to the Trust's operating expenses and those fees described above,
the Trust may also incur the following charges:
- All legal expenses of the Trustee according to its responsibilities under
the Indenture;
- The expenses and costs incurred by the Trustee to protect the Trust and your
rights and interests (i.e., participating in litigation concerning a portfolio
security) and the costs of indemnifying the Trustee;
- Fees for any extraordinary services the Trustee performed under the Indenture;
- Payment for any loss, liability or expense the Trustee incurred without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, in connection with
its acceptance or administration of the Trust;
- Payment for any loss, liability or expenses we incurred without negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Sponsor of the Trust;
- Foreign custodial and transaction fees (which may include compensation paid
to the Trustee or its subsidiaries or affiliates), if any; and/or
- All taxes and other government charges imposed upon the Securities or any
part of the Trust.
The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee are secured by a lien on the
Trust. In addition, if there is not enough cash in the Income or Capital
Account, the Trustee has the power to sell Securities to make cash available
to pay these charges which may result in capital gains or losses to you. See
"Tax Status."
Tax Status
Federal Tax Matters.
This section discusses some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences
of owning Units of the Trust as of the date of this prospectus. Tax laws and
interpretations change frequently, and this summary does not describe all of
the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For example, this summary generally
does not describe your situation if you are a broker/dealer or other investor
with special circumstances. In addition, this section may not describe your
state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.
This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to
the Sponsor. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") could disagree with any
conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, our counsel may not have
been asked to review, and may not have reached a conclusion with respect to
the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be deposited in the Trust.
This summary may not be sufficient for you to use for the purpose of avoiding
penalties under federal tax law.
As with any investment, you should seek advice based on your individual
circumstances from your own tax advisor.
Trust Status.
Unit investment trusts maintain both Income and Capital Accounts, regardless
of tax structure. Please refer to the "Income and Capital Distributions"
section of the prospectus for more information.
The Trust intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company," commonly
known as a "RIC," under the federal tax laws. If the Trust qualifies as a RIC
and distributes its income as required by the tax law, the Trust generally
will not pay federal income taxes. For federal income tax purposes, you are
treated as the owner of the Trust Units and not of the assets held by the
Trust.
Income from the Trust.
Trust distributions are generally taxable. After the end of each year, you
will receive a tax statement that separates the Trust's distributions into
ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and return of capital.
Income reported is generally net of expenses (but see "Treatment of Trust
Expenses" below). Ordinary income dividends are generally taxed at your
ordinary income tax rate, however, certain dividends received from the Trust
may be taxed at the capital gains tax rates. Generally, all capital gain
dividends are treated as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you
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have owned your Units. In addition, the Trust may make distributions that
represent a return of capital for tax purposes and will generally not be
currently taxable to you, although they generally reduce your tax basis in
your Units and thus increase your taxable gain or decrease your loss when you
dispose of your Units. The tax laws may require you to treat distributions
made to you in January as if you had received them on December 31 of the
previous year.
Some distributions from the Trust may qualify as long-term capital gains,
which, if you are an individual, is generally taxed at a lower rate than your
ordinary income and short-term capital gain income. The distributions from the
Trust that you must take into account for federal income tax purposes are not
reduced by the amount used to pay a deferred sales charge, if any.
Distributions from the Trust, including capital gains, may also be subject to
a "Medicare tax" if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold
amounts.
Certain Stock Dividends.
Ordinary income dividends received by an individual Unit holder from a RIC
such as the Trust are generally taxed at the same rates that apply to long-
term capital gains, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied
and provided the dividends are attributable to qualifying dividend income
("QDI") received by the Trust itself. Dividends that do not meet these
requirements will generally be taxed at ordinary income tax rates. After the
end of the tax year, the Trust will provide a tax statement to its Unit
holders reporting the amount of any distribution which may be taken into
account as a dividend which is eligible for the capital gains tax rates.
Unit holders that are corporations may be eligible for the dividends received
deduction with respect to certain ordinary income dividends on Units that are
attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Trust from certain
corporations.ns.
Sale of Units.
If you sell your Units (whether to a third party or to the Trust), you will
generally recognize a taxable gain or loss. To determine the amount of this
gain or loss, you must subtract your (adjusted) tax basis in your Units from
the amount you receive from the sale. Your original tax basis in your Units is
generally equal to the cost of your Units, including sales charges. In some
cases, however, you may have to adjust your tax basis after you purchase your
Units, in which case your gain would be calculated using your adjusted basis.
The tax statement you receive in regard to the sale or redemption of your
Units may contain information about your basis in the Units and whether any
gain or loss recognized by you should be considered long-term or short-term
capital gain. The information reported to you is based upon rules that do not
take into consideration all of the facts that may be known to you or to your
advisors. You should consult with your tax advisor about any adjustments that
may need to be made to the information reported to you in determining the
amount of your gain or loss.
Distribution Reinvestment Option.
If you elect to reinvest your distributions into additional Units, you will be
treated as if you have received your distribution in an amount equal to the
distribution you are entitled to. Your tax liability will be the same as if
you received the distribution in cash. Also, the reinvestment would generally
be considered a purchase of new Units for federal income tax purposes.
Treatment of Trust Expenses.
Expenses incurred and deducted by the Trust will generally not be treated as
income taxable to you. In some cases, however, you may be required to treat
your portion of these Trust expenses as income. You may not be able to take a
deduction for some or all of these expenses even if the cash you receive is
reduced by such expenses.
Investments in Certain Non-U.S. Corporations.
A foreign corporation will generally be treated as a passive foreign
investment company ("PFIC") if 75% or more of its income is passive income or
if 50% or more of its assets are held to produce passive income. If the Trust
holds an equity interest in PFICs, the Trust could be subject to U.S. federal
income tax and additional interest charges on gains and certain distributions
from the PFICs, even if all the income or gain is distributed in a timely
fashion to the Trust Unit holders. The Trust will not be able to pass through
to its Unit holders any credit or deduction for such taxes if the taxes are
imposed at the Trust level. The Trust may be able to make an election that
could limit the tax imposed on the Trust. In this case, the Trust would
recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such PFIC shares,
and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not
exceed prior increases included in income.
Under this election, the Trust might be required to recognize income in excess
of its distributions from the PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC
stock during that year, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the
distribution requirement and would be taken into account for purposes of
determining the application of the 4% excise tax imposed on RICs that do not
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meet certain distribution thresholds. Dividends paid by PFICs are not treated
as QDI to shareholders of the PFICs.
Non-U.S. Investors.
If you are a non-U.S. investor, distributions from the Trust treated as
dividends will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% of the
distribution. Certain dividends, such as capital gains dividends and short-
term capital gains dividends, may not be subject to U.S. withholding taxes. In
addition, some non-U.S. investors may be eligible for a reduction or
elimination of U.S. withholding taxes under a treaty. However, the
qualification for those exclusions may not be known at the time of the
distribution and some excluded income may be taken into consideration for
alternative minimum tax purposes.
Separately, the United States, pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act ("FATCA") imposes a 30% tax on certain non-U.S. entities that receive U.S.
source interest or dividends if the non-U.S. entity does not comply with
certain U.S. disclosure and reporting requirements. This FATCA tax also
currently applies to the gross proceeds from the disposition of securities
that produce U.S. source interest or dividends. However, proposed regulations
may eliminate the requirement to withhold on payments of gross proceeds from
dispositions.
It is the responsibility of the entity through which you hold your Units to
determine the applicable withholding.
Foreign Tax Credit.
If the Trust directly or indirectly invests in non-U.S. stocks, the tax
statement that you receive may include an item showing foreign taxes the Trust
paid to other countries. You may be able to deduct or receive a tax credit for
your share of these taxes. The Trust would have to meet certain IRS
requirements in order to pass through credits to you.
In-Kind Distributions.
If permitted by this prospectus, as described in "Redeeming Your Units," you
may request an In-Kind Distribution of Trust assets when you redeem your
Units. This distribution is subject to tax, and you will generally recognize
gain or loss, generally based on the value at that time of the securities and
the amount of cash received.
Rollovers.
If you elect to have your proceeds from the Trust rolled over into a future
series of the Trust, the exchange would generally be considered a sale for
federal income tax purposes.
You should consult your tax advisor regarding potential foreign, state or
local taxation with respect to your Units.
Retirement Plans
You may purchase Units of the Trust for:
- Individual Retirement Accounts;
- Keogh Plans;
- Pension funds; and
- Other tax-deferred retirement plans.
Generally, the federal income tax on capital gains and income received in each
of the above plans is deferred until you receive distributions. These
distributions are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases,
be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Before
participating in a plan like this, you should review the tax laws regarding
these plans and consult your attorney or tax advisor. Brokerage firms and
other financial institutions offer these plans with varying fees and charges.
Rights of Unit Holders
Unit Ownership.
Ownership of Units will not be evidenced by certificates. If you purchase or
hold Units through a broker/dealer or bank, your ownership of Units will be
recorded in book-entry form at the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and
credited on its records to your broker/dealer's or bank's DTC account.
Transfer of Units will be accomplished by book entries made by DTC and its
participants if the Units are registered to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co. DTC
will forward all notices and credit all payments received in respect of the
Units held by the DTC participants. You will receive written confirmation of
your purchases and sales of Units from the broker/dealer or bank through which
you made the transaction. You may transfer your Units by contacting the
broker/dealer or bank through which you hold your Units.
Unit Holder Reports.
The Trustee will prepare a statement detailing the per Unit amounts (if any)
distributed from the Income Account and Capital Account in connection with
each distribution. In addition, at the end of each calendar year, the Trustee
will prepare a statement which contains the following information:
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- A summary of transactions in the Trust for the year;
- A list of any Securities sold during the year and the Securities held at the
end of that year by the Trust;
- The Redemption Price per Unit, computed on the 31st day of December of such
year (or the last business day before); and
- Amounts of income and capital distributed during the year.
By February 15th yearly, the Annual Reports are posted to the Sponsor's
website (www.ftportfolios.com) in the UIT Tax Center and retrievable by CUSIP.
You may also request one be sent to you by calling the Sponsor at 800-621-
1675, dept. code 2. In addition, you may also request from the Trustee copies
of the evaluations of the Securities as prepared by the Sponsor to enable you
to comply with applicable federal and state tax reporting requirements.
Income and Capital Distributions
You will be eligible to receive distributions, if any, on your Units only
after you become a Record Owner. The Trustee will credit dividends received on
the Trust's Securities to the Income Account of the Trust. All other receipts,
such as return of capital or capital gain dividends, are credited to the
Capital Account of the Trust. Dividends received on foreign Securities, if
any, are converted into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate.
The Trustee will distribute money from the Income Account, as determined at
the semi-annual Record Date, semi-annually on the twenty-fifth day of each
June and December to Unit holders of record on the tenth day of such months
provided the amount equals at least $1.00 per 100 Units. No income
distribution will be paid if accrued expenses of the Trust exceed amounts in
the Income Account on the Distribution Dates. Distribution amounts will vary
with changes in the Trust's fees and expenses, in dividends received and with
the sale of Securities. The Trustee will distribute money in the Capital
Account monthly on the twenty-fifth day of each month to Unit holders of
record on the tenth day of such month if the amount available for distribution
from that account equals at least $1.00 per 100 Units. In any case, the
Trustee may distribute funds in the Capital Account in December of each year
to avoid imposition of any income or excise taxes on undistributed income in
the Trust and will distribute funds as part of the final liquidation
distribution.
If an Income or Capital Account distribution date is a day on which the NYSE
is closed, the distribution will be made on the next day the stock exchange is
open. Distributions are paid to Unit holders of record determined as of the
close of business on the Record Date for that distribution or, if the Record
Date is a day on which the NYSE is closed, the first preceding day on which
the exchange is open.
We anticipate that there will be enough money in the Capital Account of the
Trust to pay the deferred sales charge to the Sponsor. If not, the Trustee may
sell Securities to meet the shortfall.
Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, unless you are a
Rollover Unit holder, you will receive a pro rata share of the money from the
sale of the Securities and amounts in the Income and Capital Accounts. All
Unit holders will receive a pro rata share of any other assets remaining in
your Trust, after deducting any unpaid expenses.
The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the Trust to
cover anticipated state and local taxes or any governmental charges to be paid
out of the Trust.
Distribution Reinvestment Option. You may elect to have each distribution of
income and/or capital reinvested into additional Units of the Trust by
notifying your broker/dealer or bank within the time period required by such
entities so that they can notify the Trustee of your election at least 10 days
before any Record Date. Each later distribution of income and/or capital on
your Units will be reinvested by the Trustee into additional Units of such
Trust. There is no sales charge on Units acquired through the Distribution
Reinvestment Option, as discussed under "Public Offering." This option may not
be available in all states. Each reinvestment plan is subject to availability
or limitation by the Sponsor and each broker/dealer or selling firm. The
Sponsor or broker/dealers may suspend or terminate the offering of a
reinvestment plan at any time. Because the Trust may begin selling Securities
nine business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date, reinvestment is
not available during this period. Please contact your financial professional
for additional information. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF YOU REINVEST
DISTRIBUTIONS, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
Redeeming Your Units
You may redeem all or a portion of your Units at any time by sending a request
for redemption to your broker/dealer or bank through which you hold your
Units. No redemption fee will be charged, but you are responsible for any
governmental charges that apply. Certain broker/dealers may charge a
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transaction fee for processing redemption requests. Two business days after
the day you tender your Units (the "Date of Tender") you will receive cash in
an amount for each Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit calculated at
the Evaluation Time on the Date of Tender.
The Date of Tender is considered to be the date on which your redemption
request is received by the Trustee from the broker/dealer or bank through
which you hold your Units (if such day is a day the NYSE is open for trading).
However, if the redemption request is received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
(or after any earlier closing time on a day on which the NYSE is scheduled in
advance to close at such earlier time), the Date of Tender is the next day the
NYSE is open for trading.
Any amounts paid on redemption representing income will be withdrawn from the
Income Account if funds are available for that purpose, or from the Capital
Account. All other amounts paid on redemption will be taken from the Capital
Account.
If you tender for redemption at least 2,500 Units, or such larger amount as
required by your broker/dealer or bank, rather than receiving cash, you may
elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution in an amount equal to the Redemption
Price per Unit by making this request to your broker/dealer or bank at the
time of tender. However, to be eligible to participate in the In-Kind
Distribution option at redemption, Unit holders must hold their Units through
the end of the initial offering period. No In-Kind Distribution requests
submitted during the 10 business days prior to the Trust's Mandatory
Termination Date will be honored. Where possible, the Trustee will make an In-
Kind Distribution by distributing each of the Securities in book-entry form to
your bank's or broker/dealer's account at DTC. The Trustee will subtract any
customary transfer and registration charges from your In-Kind Distribution. As
a tendering Unit holder, you will receive your pro rata number of whole shares
of Securities that make up the portfolio, and cash from the Capital Account
equal to the fractional shares to which you are entitled.
If you elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution of Securities, you should be
aware that it will be considered a taxable event at the time you receive the
Securities. See "Tax Status" for additional information.
The Trustee may sell Securities to make funds available for redemption. If
Securities are sold, the size and diversification of the Trust will be
reduced. These sales may result in lower prices than if the Securities were
sold at a different time.
Your right to redeem Units (and therefore, your right to receive payment) may
be delayed:
- If the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings);
- If the SEC determines that trading on the NYSE is restricted or that an
emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the Securities not reasonably
practical; or
- For any other period permitted by SEC order.
The Trustee is not liable to any person for any loss or damage which may
result from such a suspension or postponement.
The Redemption Price.
The Redemption Price per Unit is determined by the Trustee by:
adding
1. cash in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust not designated to
purchase Securities;
2. the aggregate underlying value of the Securities held in the Trust; and
3. dividends receivable on the Securities trading ex-dividend as of the date
of computation; and
deducting
1. any applicable taxes or governmental charges that need to be paid out of
the Trust;
2. any amounts owed to the Trustee for its advances;
3. estimated accrued expenses of the Trust, if any;
4. cash held for distribution to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the
business day before the evaluation being made;
5. liquidation costs for foreign Securities, if any; and
6. other liabilities incurred by the Trust; and
dividing
1. the result by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust.
Any remaining deferred sales charge on the Units when you redeem them will be
deducted from your redemption proceeds. In addition, until they are collected,
the Redemption Price per Unit will include estimated organization costs as set
forth under "Fee Table."
Investing in a New Trust
When the Trust is about to terminate, you may have the option to roll your
proceeds into the next series of the Trust (the "New Trust") if one is
available. We intend to create the New Trust in conjunction with the
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termination of the Trust and plan to apply the same strategy we used to select
the portfolio for the Trust to the New Trust.
If you wish to have the proceeds from your Units rolled into a New Trust you
must notify the broker/dealer where your Units are held of your election prior
to that firm's cut-off date. If you make this election you will be considered
a "Rollover Unit holder."
Once all of the Securities are sold in connection with the termination of the
Trust, as described in "Amending or Terminating the Indenture," your proceeds,
less any brokerage fees, governmental charges or other expenses involved in
the sales, will be used to buy units of a New Trust or trust with a similar
investment strategy that you have selected, provided such trusts are
registered and being offered. Accordingly, proceeds may be uninvested for up
to several days. Units purchased with rollover proceeds will generally be
purchased subject to the sales charge set forth in the prospectus for such
trust.
We intend to create New Trust units as quickly as possible, depending on the
availability of the securities contained in a New Trust's portfolio. Rollover
Unit holders will be given first priority to purchase New Trust units. We
cannot, however, assure the exact timing of the creation of New Trust units or
the total number of New Trust units we will create. Any proceeds not invested
on behalf of Rollover Unit holders in New Trust units will be distributed
within a reasonable time after such occurrence. Although we believe that
enough New Trust units can be created, monies in a New Trust may not be fully
invested on the next business day.
Please note that there are certain tax consequences associated with becoming a
Rollover Unit holder. See "Tax Status." We may modify, amend or terminate this
rollover option upon 60 days notice.
Removing Securities from the Trust
The portfolio of the Trust is not managed. However, we may, but are not
required to, direct the Trustee to dispose of a Security in certain limited
circumstances, including situations in which:
- The issuer of the Security defaults in the payment of a declared dividend;
- Any action or proceeding prevents the payment of dividends;
- There is any legal question or impediment affecting the Security;
- The issuer of the Security has breached a covenant which would affect the
payment of dividends, the issuer's credit standing, or otherwise damage the
sound investment character of the Security;
- The issuer has defaulted on the payment of any other of its outstanding
obligations;
- There has been a public tender offer made for a Security or a merger or
acquisition is announced affecting a Security, and that in our opinion the
sale or tender of the Security is in the best interest of Unit holders;
- The sale of Securities is necessary or advisable (i) in order to maintain
the qualification of the Trust as a "regulated investment company" in the case
of the Trust which has elected to qualify as such or (ii) to provide funds to
make any distribution for a taxable year in order to avoid imposition of any
income or excise taxes on undistributed income in the Trust which is a
"regulated investment company";
- The price of the Security has declined to such an extent, or such other
credit factors exist, that in our opinion keeping the Security would be
harmful to the Trust;
- As a result of the ownership of the Security, the Trust or its Unit holders
would be a direct or indirect shareholder of a passive foreign investment
company; or
- The sale of the Security is necessary for the Trust to comply with such
federal and/or state laws, regulations and/or regulatory actions and
interpretations which may be in effect from time to time.
Except for instances in which the Trust acquires Replacement Securities, as
described in "The FT Series," the Trust will generally not acquire any
securities or other property other than the Securities. The Trustee, on behalf
of the Trust and at the direction of the Sponsor, will vote for or against any
offer for new or exchanged securities or property in exchange for a Security,
such as those acquired in a merger or other transaction. If such exchanged
securities or property are acquired by the Trust, at our instruction, they
will either be sold or held in the Trust. In making the determination as to
whether to sell or hold the exchanged securities or property we may get advice
from the Portfolio Supervisor. Any proceeds received from the sale of
Securities, exchanged securities or property will be credited to the Capital
Account of the Trust for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemption
requests. The Trustee may retain and pay us or an affiliate of ours to act as
agent for the Trust to facilitate selling Securities, exchanged securities or
property from the Trust. If we or our affiliate act in this capacity, we will
be held subject to the restrictions under the 1940 Act. When acting in an
Page 23
agency capacity, we may select various broker/dealers to execute securities
transactions on behalf of the Trust, which may include broker/dealers who sell
Units of the Trust. We do not consider sales of Units of the Trust or any
other products sponsored by First Trust as a factor in selecting such
broker/dealers. As authorized by the Indenture, the Trustee may also employ a
subsidiary or affiliate of the Trustee to act as broker in selling such
Securities or property. The Trust will pay for these brokerage services at
standard commission rates.
The Trustee may sell Securities designated by us, or, absent our direction, at
its own discretion, in order to meet redemption requests or pay expenses. In
designating Securities to be sold, we will try to maintain the proportionate
relationship among the Securities. If this is not possible, the composition
and diversification of the Trust may be changed.
Amending or Terminating the Indenture
Amendments. The Indenture may be amended by us and the Trustee without your
consent:
- To cure ambiguities;
- To correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
- To make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
- To make other changes determined not to be adverse to your best interests
(as determined by us and the Trustee).
Termination. As provided by the Indenture, the Trust will terminate on the
Mandatory Termination Date as stated in the "Summary of Essential
Information." The Trust may be terminated earlier:
- Upon the consent of 100% of the Unit holders of the Trust;
- If the value of the Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any evaluation
is less than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Securities
deposited in the Trust during the initial offering period ("Discretionary
Liquidation Amount"); or
- In the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more than 60%
of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption by underwriters,
including the Sponsor.
If the Trust is terminated due to this last reason, we will refund your entire
sales charge; however, termination of the Trust before the Mandatory
Termination Date for any other stated reason will result in all remaining
unpaid deferred sales charges on your Units being deducted from your
termination proceeds. For various reasons, the Trust may be reduced below the
Discretionary Liquidation Amount and could therefore be terminated before the
Mandatory Termination Date.
Unless terminated earlier, the Trustee may begin to sell Securities in
connection with the termination of the Trust as early as nine business days
prior to, but will sell Securities no later than, the Mandatory Termination
Date. We will determine the manner and timing of the sale of Securities.
Because the Trustee must sell the Securities within a relatively short period
of time, the sale of Securities as part of the termination process may result
in a lower sales price than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not
required at this time.
If you do not elect to participate in the rollover option, you will receive a
cash distribution from the sale of the remaining Securities, along with your
interest in the Income and Capital Accounts, within a reasonable time after
the Trust is terminated. The Trustee will deduct from the Trust any accrued
costs, expenses, advances or indemnities provided for by the Indenture,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and
any amounts required as a reserve to pay any taxes or other governmental
charges.
Information on the Sponsor and Trustee
The Sponsor.
We, First Trust Portfolios L.P., specialize in the underwriting, trading and
wholesale distribution of unit investment trusts under the "First Trust" brand
name as well as other securities. An Illinois limited partnership formed in
1991, we took over the First Trust product line and act as Sponsor for
successive series of:
- The First Trust Combined Series
- FT Series (formerly known as The First Trust Special Situations Trust)
- The First Trust Insured Corporate Trust
- The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds
- The First Trust GNMA
The First Trust product line commenced with the first insured unit investment
trust in 1974. To date we have deposited more than $580 billion in First Trust
unit investment trusts. Our employees include a team of professionals with
many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry.
Page 24
We are a member of FINRA and SIPC. Our principal offices are at 120 East
Liberty Drive, Wheaton, Illinois 60187; telephone number 800-621-1675. As of
December 31, 2022, the total partners' capital of First Trust Portfolios L.P.
was $102,718,144.
This information refers only to us and not to the Trust or to any series of
the Trust or to any other dealer. We are including this information only to
inform you of our financial responsibility and our ability to carry out our
contractual obligations. We will provide more detailed financial information
on request.
Code of Ethics. The Sponsor and the Trust have adopted a code of ethics
requiring the Sponsor's employees who have access to information on Trust
transactions to report personal securities transactions. The purpose of the
code is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to prevent fraud,
deception or misconduct with respect to the Trust.
The Trustee.
The Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon, a trust company organized under
the laws of New York. The Bank of New York Mellon has its unit investment
trust division offices at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286,
telephone 800-813-3074. If you have questions regarding your account or your
Trust, please contact the Trustee at its unit investment trust division
offices or your financial adviser. The Sponsor does not have access to
individual account information. The Bank of New York Mellon is subject to
supervision and examination by the Superintendent of the New York State
Department of Financial Services and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation to the extent permitted by law.
The Trustee has not participated in selecting the Securities; it only provides
administrative services.
Limitations of Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for taking any action or for not
taking any action in good faith according to the Indenture. We will also not
be accountable for errors in judgment. We will only be liable for our own
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary negligence in the
Trustee's case) or reckless disregard of our obligations and duties. The
Trustee is not liable for any loss or depreciation when the Securities are
sold. If we fail to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may do so, and the
Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes in good faith under the
Indenture.
The Trustee will not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges or
interest on the Securities which the Trustee may be required to pay under any
present or future law of the United States or of any other taxing authority
with jurisdiction. Also, the Indenture states other provisions regarding the
liability of the Trustee.
If we do not perform any of our duties under the Indenture or are not able to
act or become bankrupt, or if our affairs are taken over by public
authorities, then the Trustee may:
- Appoint a successor sponsor, paying them a reasonable rate not more than
that stated by the SEC;
- Terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trust; or
- Continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
The Trustee and Unit holders may rely on the accuracy of any evaluation
prepared by the Sponsor. The Sponsor will make determinations in good faith
based upon the best available information, but will not be liable to the
Trustee or Unit holders for errors in judgment.
Other Information
Legal Opinions.
Our counsel is Chapman and Cutler LLP, 320 S. Canal St., Chicago, Illinois
60606. They have passed upon the legality of the Units offered hereby and
certain matters relating to federal tax law. Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP acts
as the Trustee's counsel.
Experts.
The Trust's statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, as
of the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit included in this
prospectus, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein,
and is included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Supplemental Information.
If you write or call the Sponsor, you will receive free of charge supplemental
information about this Series, which has been filed with the SEC and to which
we have referred throughout. This information states more specific details
concerning the nature, structure and risks of this product.
Page 25
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Page 26
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Page 27
FIRST TRUST(R)
American Recovery Portfolio, Series 15
FT 10969
Sponsor:
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Member SIPC o Member FINRA
120 East Liberty Drive
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
800-621-1675
Trustee:
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10286
800-813-3074
24-Hour Pricing Line:
800-446-0132
________________________
When Units of the Trust are no longer available, this prospectus may be used
as a preliminary prospectus
for a future series, in which case you should note the following:
THE INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL, OR ACCEPT OFFERS TO BUY, SECURITIES OF A FUTURE SERIES UNTIL THAT
SERIES HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE WITH THE SEC. NO SECURITIES CAN BE SOLD IN ANY
STATE WHERE A SALE WOULD BE ILLEGAL.
________________________
This prospectus contains information relating to the above-mentioned unit
investment trust, but does not contain all of the information about this
investment company as filed with the SEC in Washington, D.C. under the:
- Securities Act of 1933 (file no. 333-273438) and
- Investment Company Act of 1940 (file no. 811-05903)
Information about the Trust, including its Code of Ethics, can be reviewed and
copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information
regarding the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at 202-942-8090.
Information about the Trust is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's
Internet site at www.sec.gov.
To obtain copies at prescribed rates -
Write: Public Reference Section of the SEC
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
e-mail address: [email protected]
September 27, 2023
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
FIRST TRUST(R)
The FT Series
Information Supplement
This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning the
structure, operations and risks of the unit investment trust contained in FT
10969 not found in the prospectus for the Trust. This Information Supplement
is not a prospectus and does not include all of the information you should
consider before investing in the Trust. This Information Supplement should be
read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Trust in which you are
considering investing.
This Information Supplement is dated September 27, 2023. Capitalized terms
have been defined in the prospectus.
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Securities 1
Dividends 1
Small and/or Mid Capitalization Companies 1
Energy 2
Financials 2
Health Care 3
Industrials 4
Concentration
Concentration Risk 4
Information Technology 4
Risk Factors
Securities. An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the
risks which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that
the financial condition of the issuers of the Securities or the general
condition of the relevant stock market may worsen, and the value of the
Securities and therefore the value of the Units may decline. Common stocks are
especially susceptible to general stock market movements and to volatile
increases and decreases of value, as market confidence in and perceptions of
the issuers change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable factors,
including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal
policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and
global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
Dividends. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments from
the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate to those of
creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of, such
issuers. Shareholders of common stocks have a right to receive dividends only
when and if, and in the amounts, declared by the issuer's board of directors
and have a right to participate in amounts available for distribution by the
issuer only after all other claims on the issuer have been paid or provided
for. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and,
therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or provide the same degree of
protection of capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt
securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of
principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the ability and
inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or
the rights of holders of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer
upon liquidation or bankruptcy. Cumulative preferred stock dividends must be
paid before common stock dividends, and any cumulative preferred stock
dividend omitted is added to future dividends payable to the holders of
cumulative preferred stock. Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled
to rights on liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders.
Small and/or Mid Capitalization Companies. The following section applies to
individual Trusts which contain Securities issued by, or invest in Securities
that hold securities issued by, small and/or mid capitalization companies.
While historically stocks of small and mid capitalization companies have
outperformed the stocks of large companies, the former have customarily
involved more investment risk as well. Such companies may have limited product
Page 1
lines, markets or financial resources; may lack management depth or
experience; and may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic
developments than large companies. Some of these companies may distribute,
sell or produce products which have recently been brought to market and may be
dependent on key personnel.
The prices of small and mid cap company securities are often more volatile
than prices associated with large company issues, and can display abrupt or
erratic movements at times, due to limited trading volumes and less publicly
available information. Also, because such companies normally have fewer shares
outstanding and these shares trade less frequently than large companies, it
may be more difficult for the Trusts which contain these Securities to buy and
sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on
prevailing market prices.
Energy. The business activities of companies held in the Trust may include:
production, generation, transmission, marketing, control, or measurement of
coal, gas and oil; the provision of component parts or services to companies
engaged in the above activities; energy research or experimentation; and
environmental activities related to the solution of energy problems, such as
energy conservation and pollution control.
The success of energy companies may be cyclical and highly dependent on energy
prices. Demand for energy is closely related to general economic growth.
Recessions and periods of low or negative economic growth typically have a
direct unfavorable impact on companies that produce energy. The market value
of securities issued by energy companies may decline for many reasons,
including, among other things, changes in the levels and volatility of global
energy prices, energy supply and demand, capital expenditures on exploration
and production of energy sources, exchange rates, interest rates, economic
conditions, tax treatment, increased competition and technological advances.
Energy companies may also have relatively high levels of debt and may be more
likely than other companies to restructure their businesses if there are
downturns in energy markets or in the global economy. Apart from economic
factors, fluctuations in population, alternative energy sources, seasonal
weather changes and changes in consumer preferences may have an effect on
energy demand.
Energy companies may also be subject to extensive federal, state and local
government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the
cost of doing business and limit the earnings of these companies. A
significant portion of the revenues of energy companies may depend on a
relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and
utilities. As a result, governmental budget constraints may have a material
adverse effect on the stock prices of energy companies. Energy companies may
also operate in, or engage in transactions involving, countries with less
developed regulatory regimes or a history of expropriation, nationalization or
other adverse policies.
Energy companies also face a significant risk of liability from accidents
resulting in injury or loss of life or property, pollution or other
environmental problems, equipment malfunctions or mishandling of materials and
a risk of loss from civil unrest, terrorism, political strife or natural
disasters. As a result of the foregoing, the Securities in the Trust may be
subject to rapid price volatility. The Sponsor is unable to predict what
impact the foregoing factors will have on the Securities during the life of
the Trust.
Financials. Companies in the financials sector include regional and money
center banks, securities brokerage firms, asset management companies, savings
banks and thrift institutions, specialty finance companies (e.g., credit card,
mortgage providers), insurance and insurance brokerage firms, consumer finance
firms, financial conglomerates, foreign banking and financial companies.
Financial companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation which
limits their activities and may affect their ability to earn a profit from a
given line of business. Government regulation may change frequently and may
have significant adverse consequences for companies in the financials sector,
including effects not intended by the regulation. New legislation and
regulatory changes could cause business disruptions, result in significant
loss of revenue, limit financial firms' ability to pursue business
opportunities, impact the value of business assets and impose additional costs
that may adversely affect business. There can be no assurance as to the actual
impact these laws and their implementing regulations, or any other
governmental program, will have on any individual financial company or on the
financial markets as a whole. Companies in the financials sector may also be
the targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or customer
information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse
effect on their businesses.
In addition, general economic conditions are important to the operations of
these companies, and financial difficulties of borrowers may have an adverse
effect on the profitability of financial companies. Deteriorating economic
fundamentals may increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular
financial institutions, negatively impact market value, cause credit spreads
to widen, and reduce bank balance sheets. Financial companies can be highly
Page 2
dependent upon access to capital markets, and any impediments to such access,
such as adverse overall economic conditions or a negative perception in the
capital markets of a financial company's financial condition or prospects,
could adversely affect its business. For example, any failure of a bank can
result in disruption to the broader banking industry or markets generally,
which may also heighten market volatility and reduce liquidity. Deterioration
of credit markets can have an adverse impact on a broad range of financial
markets, causing certain financial companies to incur large losses. In these
conditions, companies in the financials sector may experience significant
declines in the valuation of their assets, take actions to raise capital and
even cease operations. Some financial companies may also be required to accept
or borrow significant amounts of capital from government sources and may face
future government-imposed restrictions on their businesses or increased
government intervention. However, there is no guarantee that governments will
provide any such relief in the future and no certainty that such relief will
mitigate the effects of any failure of a financial institution on the economy
or otherwise strengthen public confidence in financial institutions. These
actions may cause the securities of many companies in the financials sector to
decline in value..
Banks, thrifts and their holding companies are especially subject to the
adverse effects of economic recession; volatile interest rates; portfolio
concentrations in geographic markets, in commercial and residential real
estate loans or any particular segment or industry; and competition from new
entrants in their fields of business. Banks, thrifts and their holding
companies are subject to extensive federal regulation and, when such
institutions are state-chartered, to state regulation as well. Such
regulations impose strict capital requirements and limitations on the nature
and extent of business activities that banks and thrifts may pursue.
Regulatory actions, such as increases in the minimum capital requirements
applicable to banks and thrifts and increases in deposit insurance premiums
required to be paid by banks and thrifts to the FDIC, can negatively impact
earnings and the ability of a company to pay dividends. Neither federal
insurance of deposits nor governmental regulations, however, insures the
solvency or profitability of banks or their holding companies, or insures
against any risk of investment in the securities issued by such institutions.
Interest rate levels, general economic conditions and price and marketing
competition also affect insurance company profits. Companies involved in the
insurance industry are engaged in underwriting, reinsuring, selling,
distributing or placing of property and casualty, life or health insurance.
Property and casualty insurance profits may also be affected by weather
catastrophes and other disasters. Life and health insurance profits may be
affected by mortality and morbidity rates. Individual companies may be exposed
to material risks including reserve inadequacy and the inability to collect
from reinsurance carriers. Insurance companies are subject to extensive
governmental regulation, including the imposition of maximum rate levels,
which may not be adequate for some lines of business. Proposed or potential
tax law changes may also adversely affect insurance companies' policy sales,
tax obligations, and profitability. In addition to the foregoing, profit
margins of these companies continue to shrink due to the commoditization of
traditional businesses, new competitors, capital expenditures on new
technology and the pressures to compete globally. All insurance companies are
subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of their
investment portfolios and limit the amount of investments in certain
investment categories. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would
cause non-conforming investments to be treated as non-admitted assets for
purposes of measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, would require
divestiture associations.
Health Care. Health care companies include those involved in health
care/managed care, hospital management/health services, the creation and
development of drugs and biotechnology, and the development of advanced
medical devices, instruments and other supplies, all of which have unique
potential risks. These companies are subject to governmental regulation of
their products and services, a factor which could have a significant and
unfavorable effect on the price and availability of such products or services.
Furthermore, such companies face the risk of increasing competition from new
products or services, generic drug sales, the termination of patent protection
for drug or medical supply products and the risk that technological advances
will render their products obsolete. The research and development costs of
bringing a drug to market are substantial, and include lengthy governmental
review processes with no guarantee that the product will ever come to market.
Many of these companies may have operating losses and may not offer certain
products for several years. Such companies may also have persistent losses
during a new product's transition from development to production, and revenue
patterns may be erratic. On a worldwide basis, such companies are involved in
the development and distributions of drugs, vaccines, medical products and
medical services.
As the number of older people in the United States increases, the health care
system is increasingly burdened by the costs related to chronic illnesses,
injuries, disabilities, nursing home care and home health care. These costs
Page 3
may be exaggerated for health care facility operators who may already be
burdened by events and conditions including fluctuating demand for services,
the ability of the facility to provide the services required, physicians'
confidence in the facility, management capabilities, competition with other
hospitals, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit rates,
legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies, expenses, government
regulation, the cost and possible unavailability of malpractice insurance and
the termination or restriction of governmental financial assistance, including
that associated with Medicare, Medicaid and other similar third party
programs. The challenges presented by an increase in the elderly population
may require an increase in spending to improve and expand the health care
infrastructure as well as overall reform to the entire health care system.
Legislative proposals concerning health care are proposed in Congress from
time to time. These proposals span a wide range of topics, including cost and
price controls (which may include a freeze on the prices of prescription
drugs), national health insurance, incentives for competition in the provision
of health care services, tax incentives and penalties related to health care
insurance premiums and promotion of pre-paid health care plans. The long-term
effects of any such proposals on the health care sector remain uncertain and
cannot be predicted.
Industrials. The profitability of industrial companies will be affected by
various factors including the general state of the economy, intense
competition, domestic and international politics, excess capacity and spending
trends. The Internet may also influence the industrial market. Customers'
desire for better pricing and convenience, as well as manufacturers' desire to
boost profitability by finding new avenues of sales growth and productivity
gains, may drive many industrial manufacturers to invest heavily in Internet
hardware and software. Because the Internet allows manufacturers to take
orders directly from customers, thus eliminating the middlemen from both
supply chains and distributors, industrial makers may no longer need
traditional third-party outfits to distribute their products. In addition, the
Internet may also allow industrial manufacturers to cut inventory levels, by
enabling customers to tailor their orders to their specific needs.
Industrial companies may also be affected by factors more specific to their
individual industries. Industrial machinery manufacturers may be subject to
declines in consumer demand and the need for modernization. Agricultural
equipment businesses may be influenced by fluctuations in farm income, farm
commodity prices, government subsidies and weather conditions. The number of
housing starts, levels of public and non-residential construction including
weakening demand for new office and retail space, and overall construction
spending may adversely affect construction equipment manufacturers, while
overproduction, consolidation and weakening global economies may lead to
deteriorating sales for truck makers.
Concentration
Concentration Risk. When 25% or more of a trust's portfolio is invested in
securities issued by companies within a single sector, the trust is considered
to be concentrated in that particular sector. A portfolio concentrated in one
or more sectors may present more risks than a portfolio broadly diversified
over several sectors.
The Trust is concentrated in stocks of companies within the information
technology sector.
Information Technology. Technology companies generally include companies
involved in the development, design, manufacture and sale of computers and
peripherals, software and services, data networking/communications equipment,
Internet access/information providers, semiconductors and semiconductor
equipment and other related products, systems and services. The market for
these products, especially those specifically related to the Internet, is
characterized by rapidly changing technology, rapid product obsolescence,
cyclical market patterns, evolving industry standards and frequent new product
introductions. The success of the issuers of the Securities depends in
substantial part on the timely and successful introduction of new products. An
unexpected change in one or more of the technologies affecting an issuer's
products or in the market for products based on a particular technology could
have a material adverse effect on an issuer's operating results. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that the issuers of the Securities will be able to
respond in a timely manner to compete in the rapidly developing marketplace.
Based on trading history of common stock, factors such as announcements of new
products or development of new technologies and general conditions of the
industry have caused and are likely to cause the market price of high-
technology common stocks to fluctuate substantially. In addition, technology
company stocks have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that
often have been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. This
market volatility may adversely affect the market price of the Securities and
therefore the ability of a Unit holder to redeem Units at a price equal to or
greater than the original price paid for such Units.
Some key components of certain products of technology issuers are currently
available only from single sources. There can be no assurance that in the
future suppliers will be able to meet the demand for components in a timely
Page 4
and cost effective manner. Accordingly, an issuer's operating results and
customer relationships could be adversely affected by either an increase in
price for, or an interruption or reduction in supply of, any key components.
Additionally, many technology issuers are characterized by a highly
concentrated customer base consisting of a limited number of large customers
who may require product vendors to comply with rigorous industry standards.
Any failure to comply with such standards may result in a significant loss or
reduction of sales. Because many products and technologies of technology
companies are incorporated into other related products, such companies are
often highly dependent on the performance of the personal computer,
electronics and telecommunications industries. There can be no assurance that
these customers will place additional orders, or that an issuer of Securities
will obtain orders of similar magnitude as past orders from other customers.
Similarly, the success of certain technology companies is tied to a relatively
small concentration of products or technologies. Accordingly, a decline in
demand of such products, technologies or from such customers could have a
material adverse impact on issuers of the Securities.
Many technology companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights,
trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary
rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the
steps taken by the issuers of the Securities to protect their proprietary
rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of their technology or
that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are
substantially equivalent or superior to such issuers' technology. In addition,
due to the increasing public use of the Internet, it is possible that other
laws and regulations may be adopted to address issues such as privacy,
pricing, characteristics, and quality of Internet products and services. The
adoption of any such laws could have a material adverse impact on the
Securities in the Trust.
Like many areas of technology, the semiconductor business environment is
highly competitive, notoriously cyclical and subject to rapid and often
unanticipated change. Recent industry downturns have resulted, in part, from
weak pricing, persistent overcapacity, slowdown in Asian demand and a shift in
retail personal computer sales toward the low end, or "sub-$1,000" segment.
Industry growth is dependent upon several factors, including: the rate of
global economic expansion; demand for products such as personal computers and
networking and communications equipment; excess productive capacity and the
resultant effect on pricing; and the rate of growth in the market for low-
priced personal computers.
The social media industry is also highly competitive and subject to the risks
involved with information technology companies, namely, short product life
cycles, evolving industry standards, loss of patent protections, rapidly
changing technologies and frequent new product introductions. Additional
risks generally applicable to social media companies include, without
limitation: disruption of services due to internal or external technical
issues; security breaches of private, proprietary and confidential
information; and evolving laws and regulations, foreign or domestic, that
could negatively affect operations. Furthermore, the sustainability of the
business models employed by social media companies remain largely unproven.
Page 5
Undertaking
Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in that section.
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
| A. | Bonding Arrangements of Depositor: |
First Trust Portfolios L.P. is covered by a Brokers' Fidelity Bond, in the total amount of $2,000,000, the insurer being National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh.
| B. | This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the following papers and documents: |
The facing sheet
The Prospectus
The signatures
Exhibits
S-1
SIGNATURES
The Registrant, FT 10969, hereby identifies The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 4; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 69; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 108; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 119; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 190; FT 286; The First Trust Combined Series 272; FT 412; FT 438; FT 556; FT 754; FT 1102; FT 1179; FT 2935; FT 3320; FT 3367; FT 3370; FT 3397; FT 3398; FT 3400; FT 3451; FT 3480; FT 3529; FT 3530; FT 3568; FT 3569; FT 3570; FT 3572; FT 3615; FT 3647; FT 3650; FT 3689; FT 3690; FT 3729; FT 3780; FT 3940; FT 4020; FT 4037; FT 4143; FT 4260; FT 4746; FT 4789; FT 5039; FT 5415; FT 7033; FT 7256; FT 7935; FT 8495; FT 8669; FT 8713; FT 8740; FT 8746; FT 8758; FT 8817; FT 8955; FT 8956; FT 8965; FT 8976; FT 8978; FT 8993; FT 8994; FT 8997; FT 9039; FT 9040; FT 9042; FT 9058; FT 9068; FT 9203; FT 9204; FT 9303; FT 9305; FT 9326; FT 9327; FT 9372; FT 9401; FT 9402; FT 9403; FT 9474; FT 9513; FT 9514; FT 9611; FT 9630; FT 9709; FT 9872; FT 9908; FT 9911; FT 9923; FT 9937; FT 9950; FT 9961; FT 9977; FT 9978; FT 10051; FT 10057; FT 10105; FT 10109; FT 10121; FT 10272; FT 10295; FT 10323; FT 10412; FT 10447; FT 10455; FT 10475; FT 10528; FT 10583; FT 10689; FT 10694; FT 10756; FT 10865 and 10895 for purposes of the representations required by Rule 487 and represents the following:
(1)that the portfolio securities deposited in the series with respect to which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;
(2)that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and
(3)that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, FT 10969, has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wheaton and State of Illinois on September 27, 2023.
FT 10969
| By: | First Trust Portfolios L.P. Depositor |
| By: | /s/ Elizabeth H. Bull Senior Vice President |
S-2
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated:
| Name | Title* | Date |
| James A. Bowen | Director of The Charger Corporation, the General Partner of First Trust Portfolios L.P., and Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Portfolios L.P. | ) ) ) )By: /s/ Elizabeth H. Bull ) Attorney-in-Fact** ) September 27, 2023 |
| James M. Dykas | Chief Financial Officer of First Trust Portfolios L.P. | ) ) |
| Christina Knierim | Controller of First Trust Portfolios L.P. | ) ) |
| * | The title of the person named herein represents his or her capacity in and relationship to First Trust Portfolios L.P., the Depositor. |
| ** | Executed copies of the related powers of attorney were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 of FT 10907 (File No. 333-272820) and the same is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. |
S-3
CONSENT OF COUNSEL
The consent of counsel to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in this Registration Statement is contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
S-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 1.1 | Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for FT 10292 and certain subsequent Series, effective September 7, 2022 among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Depositor, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-266325] filed on behalf of FT 10292). |
| 1.1.1 | Trust Agreement for FT 10969, effective September 27, 2023 among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Depositor, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor. |
| 1.2 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Nike Securities, L.P., predecessor of First Trust Portfolios L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-230481] filed on behalf of FT 8001). |
| 1.3 | Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Nike Securities, L.P., predecessor of First Trust Portfolios L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-230481] filed on behalf of FT 8001). |
| 1.4 | Articles of Incorporation of Nike Securities Corporation, predecessor to The Charger Corporation, the general partner of First Trust Portfolios L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-230481] filed on behalf of FT 8001). |
| 1.5 | By-Laws of The Charger Corporation, the general partner of First Trust Portfolios L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-169625] filed on behalf of FT 2669). |
| 1.7 | Fund of Funds Agreements (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-261661] filed on behalf of FT 9909, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-261297] filed on behalf of FT 9857, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-262164] filed on behalf of FT 9948, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-262344] filed on behalf of FT 9965, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-263845] filed on behalf of FT 10083 and Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-274281] filed on behalf of FT 11028). |
| 2.2 | Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-224320] filed on behalf of FT 7359). |
S-5
| 3.1 | Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered. |
| 4.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
| 6.1 | List of Principal Officers of the Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-236093] filed on behalf of FT 8556). |
| 7.1 | Powers of Attorney executed by the Officers listed on page S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333-272820] filed on behalf of FT 10907). |
S-6
ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS
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