FAM First Trust abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-21636

First Trust/abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

W. Scott Jardine, Esq.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (630) 765-8000

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2023

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

First Trust/abrdn

Global Opportunity Income Fund (FAM)

Annual Report

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter

First Trust/abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund (FAM)

Annual Letter from the Chairman and CEO

December 31, 2023

Dear Shareholders,

First Trust is pleased to provide you with the annual report for the First Trust/abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund (the “Fund”), which contains detailed information about the Fund for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

As 2023 comes to a close, it strikes me that many of the critical themes investors have been navigating over the past year remain unresolved. High inflation, the direction of central bank policy, and the risk of an economic recession in the U.S. are just a few examples, but another is war. The war between Russia and Ukraine rages on and will enter its third full year in just a few short months. In addition, geopolitical tensions across the Middle East are rising. Israel is at war with Hamas, and the Houthi rebels have been attacking global shipping lanes in the Red Sea, threatening the global supply chain, and prompting a military response from the U.S. and Britain.

Despite these headwinds, the broader U.S. equity and fixed income markets surged during the year. In the U.S., the S&P 500^® Index rose by 26.29% on a total return basis between December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, according to data from Bloomberg. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index also enjoyed a positive total return, rising by 5.53% over the same period. These returns can be explained, in part, by expectations that the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) could cut interest rates in 2024. In its December 2023 statement, the Fed indicated that it expects to reduce the Federal Funds target rate by as much as 75 basis points (“bps”) over three cuts throughout 2024. It appears investors expect even steeper cuts than the Fed announced. As of December 31, 2023, the Fed Funds Futures market was pricing in nearly six rate cuts totaling more than 150 bps by the end of 2024.

In some regards, the past year serves as a stark warning against taking an overly myopic view when it comes to investing. Data from the Investment Company Institute revealed that total net assets in money market accounts stood at a record $5.9 trillion on December 6, 2023, up from $4.8 trillion at the start of the year. While the figure may be sizable, it is not surprising, in my view, especially considering the impediments to growth mentioned above. While money market assets likely earned higher interest payments than they would have before the Fed began interest rate hikes, they certainly underperformed the S&P 500^® Index’s staggering total return for the year.

Thank you for giving First Trust the opportunity to play a role in your financial future. We value our relationship with you and will report on the Fund again in six months.

Sincerely,

James A. Bowen

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.

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Table of Contents

First Trust/abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund (FAM)

“AT A GLANCE”

As of December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

Fund Statistics
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange	FAM
Common Share Price	$6.29
Common Share Net Asset Value (“NAV”)	$6.92
Premium (Discount) to NAV	(9.10)%
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares	$70,208,519
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(1)	$0.0600
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share	$0.7200
Current Distribution Rate on Common Share Price(2)	11.45%
Current Distribution Rate on NAV(2)	10.40%

 

Common Share Price & NAV (weekly closing price)

  

 

Performance
		Average Annual Total Returns
	1 Year Ended 12/31/23	5 Years Ended 12/31/23	10 Years Ended 12/31/23	Inception (11/23/04) to 12/31/23
Fund Performance(3)
NAV	15.69%	0.29%	1.38%	4.31%
Market Value	17.08%	1.72%	1.29%	3.54%
Index Performance
Blended Index(4)	9.58%	0.32%	0.86%	3.45%
Bloomberg Global Emerging Markets Index	9.63%	1.36%	2.47%	5.19%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index	5.71%	-0.32%	0.38%	2.15%

Fund Allocation	% of Net Assets
Foreign Sovereign Bonds and Notes	73.9%
Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes	28.1
U.S. Government Bonds and Notes	18.3
Outstanding Loan	(23.6)
Net Other Assets and Liabilities(5)	3.3
Total	100.0%

(1)	Most recent distribution paid through December 31, 2023. Subject to change in the future.

(2)	Distribution rates are calculated by annualizing the most recent distribution paid through the report date and then dividing by Common Share Price or NAV, as applicable, as of December 31, 2023. Subject to change in the future.

(3)

Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain, and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and changes in NAV per share for NAV returns and changes in Common Share Price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

(4)

Blended Index consists of the following: FTSE World Government Bond Index (40.0%); JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index - Global Diversified (30.0%); JPMorgan Global Bond Index - Emerging Markets Diversified (30.0%). The Blended Index returns are calculated by using the monthly return of the three indices during each period shown above. At the beginning of each month the three indices are rebalanced to a 40.0%, 30.0%, and 30.0% ratio, respectively, to account for divergence from that ratio that occurred during the course of each month. The monthly returns are then compounded for each period shown above, giving the performance for the Blended Index for each period shown above.

(5)	Includes forward foreign currency contracts.

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Table of Contents

Portfolio Commentary (Continued)

First Trust/abrdn Global Opportunity Income Fund (FAM)

Annual Report

December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

  
Performance figures assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike the Fund, the indices do not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore do not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s past performance does not predict future performance. 

Emerging Market Fixed Commentary

Market Recap

The 12-month period ended December 31, 2023 proved to be one of volatility for asset prices due to new and ongoing geopolitical events, falling inflation and false hope in some countries. The start of 2023 saw the end of China’s zero COVID-19 policy with markets betting on a strong rebound in growth from the country. Unfortunately, this optimism didn’t last as ongoing governmental restrictive policies around the property sector resulted in weaker growth than expected.

On the flipside, the fabled recession in the U.S. that everyone was predicting didn’t come to fruition resulting in U.S. Treasury yields continuing to rise as they did in 2022. It wasn’t until the U.S. 10-Year Treasury hit a yield of 5.0% in October 2023, even though inflation had already peaked back in June 2022, that yields started to tumble. The U.S. 10-Year Treasury rates eventually ended the year at 3.9% which was a similar yield to where they started the year. As mentioned, geopolitical events continued throughout the year with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine showing no sign of abating while events in the Middle East in the fourth quarter of 2023, with Hamas’s attack on Israel and the subsequent response, have resulted in rising tensions within the region. Rather surprisingly, oil prices remained well contained with limited contagion effects on other markets.

Over the 12-month period ended December 31 2023, emerging markets’ (“EMs”) returns were strong at 12.58% for the Blended Index while the Fund’s EM positions returned 20.81%, a healthy level of outperformance. The Fund maintained an overweight position to EM bonds versus Developed Market (“DM”) bonds which proved to be the correct decision given the strong performance of EM versus DM bonds. The Fund also unwound its leverage on the DM bonds due to the high cost of maintaining the borrowing, while keeping the leverage on the EM bonds given the attractive high yields on offer.

Performance Analysis

The strong performance of the Fund’s EM positions against the EM debt portion of the Blended Index was due to a combination of factors including being overweight Latin American local markets such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, while being underweight the lower yielding Asian local markets, such as China and Malaysia. The Fund’s preference for the higher yield U.S. Dollar bonds also benefited the Fund due to the strong rally in some of the weaker countries. In particular, Argentina returned over 40% for the year with Javier Milei winning the second round Presidential election in the country which resulted in a big rally as investors anticipated positive fiscal measures and support from the International Monetary Fund for the country. The top performer came from Ukraine which returned 80% as a result of being overweight the country and investing in off-benchmark bonds in some of the companies in Ukraine whose operations weren’t materially affected by the war. The Fund had no holdings in Turkish local bonds which was a strong positive for the relative performance as inflation continued to skyrocket in the country while the Lira sold off. Off-benchmark positions in U.S. Dollar corporate bonds in various EM countries, such as Ghana’s Tullow Oil plc, which received favorable funding to help buy back their short-dated bonds, was a strong driver of performance. Also, Nigerian banks performed well due to their high coupons and strong ownership of the bonds which prevented much volatility in the bond prices. An underweight holding of Hungarian local bonds

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Table of Contents

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

First Trust Advisors L.P.

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400

Wheaton, IL 60187

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISOR

abrdn Inc.

1900 Market Street, Suite 200

Philadelphia, PA 19103

TRANSFER AGENT

Computershare, Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940

ADMINISTRATOR,
FUND ACCOUNTANT, AND
CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP

111 S. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

LEGAL COUNSEL

Chapman and Cutler LLP

320 South Canal Street

Chicago, IL 60606

(b) Not applicable.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s board of trustees has determined that Thomas R. Kadlec, Robert F. Keith and Bronwyn Wright are qualified to serve as audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and that each of them is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees (Registrant) — The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $55,000 for 2022 and $55,000 for 2023.

(b) Audit-Related Fees (Registrant) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years, for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.

Audit-Related Fees (Investment Advisor) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.

(c) Tax Fees (Registrant) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning to the registrant were 16,250 for 2022 and $21,000 for 2023. These fees were for tax consultation and/or tax return preparation.

Tax Fees (Investment Advisor) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning to the registrant’s advisor were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.

(d) All Other Fees (Registrant) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.

All Other Fees (Investment Advisor) — The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment advisor, other than services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2022 and $0 for 2023.

Pursuant to its charter and its Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for the pre-approval of all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the registrant by its independent auditors. The Chairman of the Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Committee up to $25,000 and report any such pre-approval to the full Committee.

The Committee is also responsible for the pre-approval of the independent auditor’s engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s advisor (not including a sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment advisor) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. If the independent auditor has provided non-audit services to the registrant’s advisor (other than any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to its policies, the Committee will consider whether the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with the auditor’s independence.

(b) 0%

(c) 0%

(d) 0%

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Item 6. Investments.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

A description of the policies and procedures used to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund is attached as an exhibit.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

(a)(1) Identification of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members and Description of Role of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members

Information provided as of March 8, 2024

abrdn Inc. (“abrdn” or the “Sub-Advisor”), a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment advisor, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of abrdn plc. abrdn plc is a publicly-traded global provider of long-term savings and investments listed on the London Stock Exchange, managing assets for institutional and retail clients from offices around the world. Investment decisions for the Fund are made by abrdn using a team approach and not by any one individual. By making team decisions, abrdn seeks to ensure that the investment process results in consistent returns across all portfolios with similar objectives. abrdn does not employ separate research analysts. Instead, abrdn’s investment managers combine analysis with portfolio management. Each member of the team has sector and portfolio responsibilities such as day-to-day monitoring of liquidity. The overall result of this matrix approach is a high degree of cross-coverage, leading to a deeper understanding of the securities in which abrdn invests. Below are the members of the team with significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

Brett Diment

Head of Global Emerging Market Debt

Mr. Diment is the Head of Global Emerging Market Debt and joined abrdn following the acquisition of Deutsche Asset Management (“Deutsche”) in 2005. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Emerging Market Debt Team and portfolios. Mr. Diment had been at Deutsche since 1991 as a member of the Fixed Income group and served as Head of the Emerging Debt Team there from 1999 until its acquisition by abrdn.

Max Wolman

Investment Director, Emerging Market Debt

Mr. Wolman is an Investment Director on the Emerging Market Debt Team and has been with abrdn since January 2001. Mr. Wolman originally specialized in currency and domestic debt analysis but is now responsible for a wide range of emerging debt analysis including external and corporate issuers. Mr. Wolman is a member of the Emerging Market Debt Investment Committee at abrdn and is also responsible for the daily implementation of the investment process.

Edwin Gutierrez

Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt

Mr. Gutierrez is the Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt. Mr. Gutierrez joined abrdn via the acquisition of Deutsche Asset Management's London and Philadelphia fixed income businesses in 2005, where he held the same role since joining Deutsche in 2000.

Aaron Rock

Head of Nominal Rates, Rates Management

Mr. Rock was appointed Head of Nominal Rates in October 2023 and took on the lead management role for the Global Government Bond funds. Prior to that he was an Investment Director within the Rates & Inflation team. Mr. Rock joined abrdn via the acquisition of Ignis Asset Management in 2014.

Kevin Daly

Investment Director, Emerging Markets Debt

Mr. Daly is an Investment Director on the Emerging Market Debt team and joined abrdn in 2007. Prior to joining abrdn, Mr. Daly worked at Standard & Poor’s in London and Singapore where he was as a Credit Market Analyst covering global emerging debt.

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Member

Information provided as of December 31, 2023

Potential Conflicts of Interests

As of December 31, 2022

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Conflicts of Interest may arise, in the course of providing a service, where there may be a risk of damage to the interests of a client. In accordance with legal requirements in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, abrdn have in place arrangements to identify and manage Conflicts of Interest that may arise between them and their clients or between their different clients. Where abrdn does not consider that these arrangements are sufficient to manage a particular conflict, it will inform the relevant client(s) of the nature of the conflict so that the client(s) may decide how to proceed.

abrdn or any other party to whom it may have delegated its functions, may in its absolute discretion, effect transactions in which it or any of its affiliated companies has, directly or indirectly, a material interest, or a relationship of any description with another party which may involve a potential conflict with abrdn’s duty to its client. abrdn ensures that such transactions are effected on terms which are not materially less favorable to the client than if the potential conflict had not existed.

Such potential conflicting interests or duties may, inter alia, arise because:

At abrdn, existing and potential conflicts of interest are recorded and reviewed by Risk & Compliance to ensure that internal procedures are sufficient to manage a particular conflict.

Please also refer to our Form ADV Part II for additional information regarding Conflict of Interest.

(a)(3) Compensation Structure of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members

Information provided as of December 31, 2023

abrdn Remuneration Language

abrdn’s remuneration policies are designed to support its business strategy as a leading international asset manager. The objective is to attract, retain and reward talented individuals for the delivery of sustained, superior returns for abrdn’s clients and shareholders. abrdn operates in a highly competitive international employment market, and aims to maintain its strong track record of success in developing and retaining talent.

abrdn’s policy is to recognize corporate and individual achievements each year through an appropriate annual bonus scheme. The bonus is a single, fully discretionary variable pay award. The aggregate value of awards in any year is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards, which are payable to all members of staff, are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives.

The variable pay award comprises a mixture of cash and a deferred award based on the size of the award. Deferred awards are by default abrdn plc shares, with an option to put up to 50% of deferral into funds. Overall compensation packages are designed to be competitive relative to the investment management industry.

Base Salary

abrdn’s policy is to pay a fair salary commensurate with the individual’s role, responsibilities and experience, and having regard to the market rates being offered for similar roles in the asset management sector and other comparable companies. Any increase is generally to reflect inflation and is applied in a manner consistent with other abrdn employees; any other increases must be justified by reference to promotion or changes in responsibilities.

Annual Bonus

The Remuneration Committee determines the key performance indicators that will be applied in considering the overall size of the bonus pool. In line with practices amongst other asset management companies, individual bonuses are not subject to an absolute cap. However, the aggregate size of the bonus pool is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives, and are reviewed and approved by the Remuneration Committee.

abrdn has a deferral policy which is intended to assist in the retention of talent and to create additional alignment of executives’ interests with abrdn’s sustained performance and, in respect of the deferral into funds, managed by abrdn, to align the interest of asset managers with our clients.

Staff performance is reviewed formally at least once a year. The review process evaluates the various aspects that the individual has contributed to abrdn, and specifically, in the case of portfolio managers, to the relevant investment team. Discretionary bonuses are based on client service, asset growth and the performance of the respective portfolio manager. Overall participation in team meetings, generation of original research ideas and contribution to presenting the team externally are also evaluated.

In the calculation of a portfolio management team’s bonus, abrdn takes into consideration investment matters (which include the performance of funds, adherence to the company investment process, and quality of company meetings) as well as more subjective issues such as team participation and effectiveness at client presentations through KPI scorecards. To the extent performance is factored in, such performance is not judged against any specific benchmark and is evaluated over the period of a year - January to December. The pre- or after-tax performance of an individual account is not considered in the determination of a portfolio manager’s discretionary bonus; rather the review process evaluates the overall performance of the team for all of the accounts the team manages.

Portfolio manager performance on investment matters is judged over all of the accounts the portfolio manager contributes to and is documented in the appraisal process. A combination of the team’s and individual’s performance is considered and evaluated.

Although performance is not a substantial portion of a portfolio manager’s compensation, abrdn also recognizes that fund performance can often be driven by factors outside one’s control, such as (irrational) markets, and as such pay’s attention to the effort by portfolio managers to ensure integrity of our core process by sticking to disciplines and processes set, regardless of momentum and ‘hot’ themes. Short-terming is thus discouraged, and trading-oriented managers will thus find it difficult to thrive in the abrdn environment. Additionally, if any of the aforementioned undue risks were to be taken by a portfolio manager, such trend would be identified via abrdn’s dynamic compliance monitoring system.

In rendering investment management services, the Adviser may use the resources of additional investment adviser subsidiaries of abrdn plc. These affiliates have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pursuant to which investment professionals from each affiliate may render portfolio management, research or trading services to abrdn clients. Each investment professional who renders portfolio management, research or trading services under a MOU or personnel sharing arrangement (“Participating Affiliate”) must comply with the provisions of the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the laws of states or countries in which the Adviser does business or has clients. No remuneration is paid by the Fund with respect to the MOU/personnel sharing arrangements.

Equities-specific Remuneration

We have implemented a clear performance measurement framework to help drive consistency and transparency across the equity division and also clearly link individual’s performance and contribution to the success of their relevant strategies, desk and key stakeholders. The framework covers four key areas:

The framework is heavily skewed to investment excellence and team collaboration for the majority of investment personnel, which reinforces our organizational structure and objective of delivering positive outcomes for our clients and stakeholders.

Annual remuneration over a set threshold includes a significant deferral into shares of our parent company or into internally-run funds in order to align our portfolio managers with the objectives of their clients and the organization.

More information of the firm’s remuneration policy can be found via the following link:

https://www.abrdn.com/corporate/about-us/our-leadership-team/remuneration-disclosure

(a)(4) Disclosure of Securities Ownership

The information below is as of December 31, 2022

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

(a)       Not applicable.

(b)       Not applicable.

Item [18]. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

Not applicable.

Item 14 Exhibits.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

^* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.

SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER
CODE OF CONDUCT

I. Introduction

This code of conduct is being adopted by the investment companies advised by First Trust Advisors L.P., from time to time, (the "FUNDS"). The reputation and integrity of the Funds are valuable assets that are vital to the Funds' success. Each officer of the Funds, and officers and employees of the investment adviser to the Funds who work on Fund matters, including each of the Funds' senior financial officers ("SFOS"), is responsible for conducting each Fund's business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. SFOs include the Principal Executive Officer (who is the President), the Controller (who is the principal accounting officer), and the Treasurer (who is the principal financial officer), and any person who performs a similar function.

The Funds, First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "RULE 17J-1 CODE"). These Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent certain conflicts of interest that may arise when officers, employees, or directors of the Funds and the foregoing entities know about present or future Fund transactions and/or have the power to influence those transactions, and engage in transactions with respect to those same securities in their personal account(s) or otherwise take advantage of their position and knowledge with respect to those securities. In an effort to prevent these conflicts and in accordance with Rule 17j-1, the Funds adopted their Rule 17j-1 Code to prohibit transactions and conduct that create conflicts of interest, and to establish compliance procedures.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was designed to address corporate malfeasance and to help assure investors that the companies in which they invest are accurately and completely disclosing financial information. Under Section 406 of the Act, all public companies (including the Funds) must either have a code of ethics for their SFOs, or disclose why they do not. The Act was intended to prevent future situations (such as occurred in well-reported situations involving such companies as Enron and WorldCom) where a company creates an environment in which employees are afraid to express their opinions or to question unethical and potentially illegal business practices.

The Funds have chosen to adopt a senior financial officer Code of Conduct to encourage their SFOs, and other Fund officers and employees of First Trust Advisors or First Trust Portfolios to act ethically and to question potentially unethical or illegal practices, and to strive to ensure that the Funds' financial disclosures are complete, accurate, and understandable.

II. Purposes of This Code of Conduct

The purposes of this Code are:

A. To promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

B. To promote full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Funds file with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications the Funds make;

C. To promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

D. To encourage the prompt internal reporting to an appropriate person of violations of the Code; and

E. To establish accountability for adherence to the Code.

III. Questions About This Code

The Funds' Boards of Trustees have designated W. Scott Jardine or other appropriate officer designated by the President of the respective Funds to be the Compliance Coordinator for the implementation and administration of the Code.

IV. Handling of Financial Information

The Funds have adopted guidelines under which its SFOs perform their duties. However, the Funds expect that all officers or employees of the adviser or distributor who participate in the preparation of any part of any Fund's financial statements follow these guidelines with respect to each Fund:

A. Act with honesty and integrity and avoid violations of this Code, including actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Fund in personal and professional relationships.

B. Disclose to the Fund's Compliance Coordinator any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to any violations of the Code, including actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Fund. You should disclose these transactions or relationships whether you are involved or have only observed the transaction or relationship. If it is not possible to disclose the matter to the Compliance Coordinator, it should be disclosed to the Fund's Principal Financial Officer or Principal Executive Officer.

C. Provide information to the Fund's other officers and appropriate employees of service providers (adviser, administrator, outside auditor, outside counsel, custodian, etc.) that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely, and understandable.

D. Endeavor to ensure full, fair, timely, accurate, and understandable disclosure in the Fund's periodic reports.

E. Comply with the federal securities laws and other applicable laws and rules, such as the Internal Revenue Code.

F. Act in good faith, responsibly, and with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting material facts or allowing your independent judgment to be subordinated.

G. Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of your work except when you have Fund approval to disclose it or where disclosure is otherwise legally mandated. You may not use confidential information acquired in the course of your work for personal advantage.

H. Share and maintain skills important and relevant to the Fund's needs.

I. Proactively promote ethical behavior among peers in your work environment.

J. Responsibly use and control all assets and resources employed or entrusted to you.

K. Record or participate in the recording of entries in the Fund's books and records that are accurate to the best of your knowledge.

V. Waivers of This Code

SFOs and other parties subject to this Code may request a waiver of a provision of this Code (or certain provisions of the Fund's Rule 17j-1 Code) by submitting their request in writing to the Compliance Coordinator for appropriate review. An executive officer of the Fund or the Audit Committee will decide whether to grant a waiver. All waivers of this Code must be disclosed to the Fund's shareholders to the extent required by SEC rules. A good faith interpretation of the provisions of this Code, however, shall not constitute a waiver.

VI. Annual Certification

Each SFO will be asked to certify on an annual basis that he/she is in full compliance with the Code and any related policy statements.

VII. Reporting Suspected Violations

A. SFOs or other officers of the Funds or employees of the First Trust group who work on Fund matters who observe, learn of, or, in good faith, suspect a violation of the Code MUST immediately report the violation to the Compliance Coordinator, another member of the Funds' or First Trust's senior management, or to the Audit Committee of the Fund Board. An example of a possible Code violation is the preparation and filing of financial disclosure that omits material facts, or that is accurate but is written in a way that obscures its meaning.

B. Because service providers such as an administrator, outside accounting firm, and custodian provide much of the work relating to the Funds' financial statements, you should be alert for actions by service providers that may be illegal, or that could be viewed as dishonest or unethical conduct. You should report these actions to the Compliance Coordinator even if you know, or think, that the service provider has its own code of ethics for its SFOs or employees.

C. SFOs or other officers or employees who report violations or suspected violations in good faith will not be subject to retaliation of any kind. Reported violations will be investigated and addressed promptly and will be treated confidentially to the extent possible.

VIII. Violations of The Code

A. Dishonest, unethical or illegal conduct will constitute a violation of this Code, regardless of whether this Code specifically refers to that particular conduct. A violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. A variety of laws apply to the Funds and their operations, including the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, state laws relating to duties owed by Fund directors and officers, and criminal laws. The federal securities laws generally prohibit the Funds from making material misstatements in its prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC, or from omitting to state a material fact. These material misstatements and omissions include financial statements that are misleading or omit materials facts.

B. Examples of criminal violations of the law include stealing, embezzling, misapplying corporate or bank funds, making a payment for an expressed purpose on a Fund's behalf to an individual who intends to use it for a different purpose; or making payments, whether corporate or personal, of cash or other items of value that are intended to influence the judgment or actions of political candidates, government officials or businesses in connection with any of the Funds' activities. The Funds must and will report all suspected criminal violations to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution, and will investigate, address and report, as appropriate, non-criminal violations.

Amended: June 1, 2009

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, James M. Dykas, certify that:

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act