First Trust Launches First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF

Rhea-AI Summary

First Trust Advisors L.P. has launched the First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (NASDAQ: EKG), aimed at tracking the Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index. This index focuses on companies innovating in healthcare technology, including medical devices and diagnostics. The ETF seeks to meet the growing demand for investments in health tech, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. With approximately $210 billion in assets under management, First Trust positions EKG as an attractive option for professionals seeking exposure to the health technology sector.

Positive

• Launch of First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) provides access to healthcare tech innovations.
• Invests in a diversified index focused on key areas like genomics, medical devices, and digital health.
• Strong backing from First Trust Advisors, managing approximately $210 billion in assets.

Negative

• ETF may not perfectly track the underlying index, exposing investors to potential discrepancies.
• Market risks associated with investing in health technology stocks, which can be volatile.
• Potential lack of liquidity for smaller companies in the fund, affecting share prices.

An index-tracking ETF that provides exposure to companies that comprise the digital health industry

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust”), a leading exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) provider and asset manager, announced today that it has launched a new ETF, the First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (Nasdaq: EKG) (the “fund”). The fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the fund’s fees and expenses) of an index called the Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index (the “index”), which provides exposure to companies focused on healthcare technology innovations in medical and surgical devices, clinical diagnostics, healthcare-related business/productivity software or some other healthcare technology identified as digital health.

“The health care sector is leveraging technology in new and innovative ways that have the potential to both raise our standard of living and improve patient outcomes,” said Ryan Issakainen, CFA, Senior Vice President, ETF Strategist at First Trust. “We believe EKG will appeal to investment professionals seeking exposure to some of the most innovative stocks at the intersection of health care and technology,” Issakainen said.

The Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index (NQHTEC) was launched on July 19, 2021, in partnership with Lux Capital, a venture capital firm focused on emerging science and technology, with the primary goal of constructing a new, differentiated benchmark of publicly-listed companies that are leading the integration of cutting-edge technology across numerous areas within the healthcare industry. The profile of index constituents spans across biotech, medical devices, software, medical services, and diagnostic tools, offering investors exposure to key areas of health technology such as genomics, proteomics, advanced therapeutics, and digital health.

“We’ve spent years obsessed with deep technology innovation taking place at the intersection of industries at health and technology and beyond. As we’ve seen recently, the outputs of incredible advancements and acceleration in healthtech meaningfully impact society,” said Peter Hébert, co-founder and managing partner of Lux Capital. “We apply a similar level of analysis to the selection and monitoring of companies within NQHTEC and look forward to seeing the fund reflect that methodology.”

Cameron Lilja, Vice President and Global Head of Index Product for Nasdaq, said: “We are seeing rapid innovation and digital transformation in the healthcare industry, exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. These technological advancements have the potential to improve the quality of healthcare services and enhance the industry’s ability to deliver healthcare to the individual. Our index offers investors a unique and compelling solution for tracking this highly relevant and exciting theme, and our work with Lux and First Trust provides access to this theme for the investing public.”

For more information about First Trust, please contact Ryan Issakainen at (630) 765-8689 or RIssakainen@FTAdvisors.com.

About First Trust

First Trust is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the fund’s investment advisor. First Trust and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately held companies that provide a variety of investment services. First Trust has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $210 billion as of February 28, 2022 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. First Trust is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. First Trust and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information, visit http://www.ftportfolios.com.

About Lux Capital

Lux Capital invests in emerging science and technology ventures at the outermost edges of what is possible. They partner with iconoclastic inventors challenging the status quo and the laws of nature to bring their futuristic ideas to life. Over the past two decades, Lux has expanded from its New York City roots to Silicon Valley, and built a $4 billion AUM firm of more than 30 full-time professionals, with the versatility to invest at any stage.

You should consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact First Trust Portfolios L.P. at 1-800-621-1675 or visit www.ftportfolios.com to obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information about the fund. The prospectus or summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

Risk Considerations

A fund’s return may not match the return of its underlying index. A fund invests in securities included in the index regardless of investment merit and the securities held by a fund will generally not be bought or sold in response to market fluctuations.

Investors buying or selling fund shares on the secondary market may incur customary brokerage commissions. Market prices may differ to some degree from the net asset value of the shares. Investors who sell fund shares may receive less than the share's net asset value. Shares may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, unlike mutual funds, shares may only be redeemed directly from a fund by authorized participants in very large creation/redemption units. If a fund’s authorized participants are unable to proceed with creation/redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to a fund’s net asset value and possibly face delisting.

A fund’s shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in a fund. One of the principal risks of investing in a fund is market risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular stock owned by a fund, fund shares or stocks in general may fall in value. There can be no assurance that a fund’s investment objective will be achieved. 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 fund investments as well as fund performance. The outbreak of the respiratory disease designated as COVID-19 in December 2019 has caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. While the development of vaccines has slowed the spread of the virus and allowed for the resumption of "reasonably" normal business activity in the United States, many countries continue to impose lockdown measures in an attempt to slow the spread. Additionally, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against emerging variants of the disease.

As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, funds have become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security.

Health care companies may be affected by government regulations and government health care programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Many health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection, and the expiration of a company’s patent may adversely affect that company’s profitability. Health care companies are also subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting, may be thinly capitalized and susceptible to product obsolescence.

Companies in health care technology may be susceptible to risks which include, but are not limited to, small or limited markets for such securities, changes in business cycles, world economic growth, technological progress, rapid obsolescence, and government regulation. Securities of health care technology companies, especially smaller, start-up companies, tend to be more volatile than securities of companies that do not rely heavily on technology.

A fund may be a constituent of one or more indices or models which could greatly affect a fund’s trading activity, size and volatility.

There is no assurance that the index provider or its agents will compile or maintain the index accurately.

Large capitalization companies may grow at a slower rate than the overall market.

Large inflows and outflows may impact a new fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time.

A fund classified as “non-diversified” may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, a fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, experience increased volatility and be highly concentrated in certain issuers.

A fund and a fund's advisor may seek to reduce various operational risks through controls and procedures, but it is not possible to completely protect against such risks.

A fund with significant exposure to a single asset class, country, region, industry, or sector may be more affected by an adverse economic or political development than a broadly diversified fund.

Securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies may experience greater price volatility and be less liquid than larger, more established companies.

Trading on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or other reasons. There can be no assurance that the requirements to maintain the listing of a fund on the exchange will continue to be met or be unchanged.

First Trust Advisors L.P. is the adviser to the fund. First Trust Advisors L.P. is an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., the fund’s distributor.

The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.

Nasdaq® and Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220323005600/en/

Ryan Issakainen

First Trust

(630) 765-8689

RIssakainen@FTAdvisors.com

Source: First Trust Advisors L.P.

FAQ

What is the First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG)?

It is an ETF launched by First Trust Advisors that aims to track the Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index, focusing on healthcare technology innovations.

What companies does the EKG ETF invest in?

EKG invests in companies involved in medical devices, clinical diagnostics, digital health, and healthcare-related software.

When was the Nasdaq Lux Health Tech Index launched?

The index was launched on July 19, 2021.

What is the asset management size of First Trust?

First Trust manages approximately $210 billion in assets.

What are the main risks associated with investing in the EKG ETF?

Investors face market risks, potential discrepancies in tracking the index, and liquidity issues with smaller companies.