1. First Trust Advisors announced RFEU's liquidation. 2. Liquidation approved based on FTA's recommendation. 3. Shareholders can sell RFEU before January 9, 2025. 4. Fund will liquidate on or around January 16, 2025. 5. Cash redemption will equal shares' net asset value.
FAQ
Why Very Bearish?
Liquidation generally leads to a price decrease. Historical precedents show ETF liquidations depress market value.
How important is it?
The liquidation announcement directly affects RFEU's market standing, prompting investor action.
Why Short Term?
Immediate impact expected until the liquidation date. Investors will react quickly to exit their holdings.
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") announced today approval of the liquidation of First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (NASDAQ:RFEU), a series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III (the "Fund").
Based upon the recommendation of FTA, the investment advisor of the Fund, the Board of Trustees of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III determined that it was in the best interests of the Fund to liquidate the Fund. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees approved the liquidation of the Fund pursuant to a plan of liquidation and termination.
Shareholders may sell their holdings in the Fund prior to the end of the trading day on January 9, 2025. Customary brokerage charges may apply to these transactions. The last day the Fund will accept creation and redemption orders is January 9, 2025, and the Fund's shares will subsequently be de-listed. The Fund will liquidate on or around January 16, 2025. Any person holding shares in the Fund as of the applicable liquidation date will receive a cash redemption amount equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Fund has discharged and/or made reasonable provisions for the payment of all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss on any redemption.
To prepare for the termination and liquidation of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio managers may increase the Fund's assets held in cash and similar instruments. As a result, on or around January 9, 2025, the Fund is expected to deviate from its stated investment strategies and policies and will no longer be managed to meet its investment objective.
FTA is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the Fund's investment advisor. FTA 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. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $304 billion as of October 31, 2025 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and SMAs. FTA 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. FTA and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois.
The Fund's daily closing price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com.
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First Trust Advisors L.P.
Press Inquiries: Ryan Issakainen, 630-765-8689
Analyst Inquiries: Stan Ueland, 630-517-7633