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)
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.
The
Registrant is filing this amendment to its form N-CSRS for the period ended April 30, 2023 originally filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 3, 2023 (Accession Number 0001445546-23-004171). The sole purpose of this fling is to include iXBRL tagging for
US-GAAP: SharePrice and US-GAPP: NetAssetValuePerShare.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
Portfolio Commentary (Continued)
First Trust High Income
Long/Short Fund (FSD)
Semi-Annual Report
April 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
Fund Notes:
1ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index.
2The ICE BofA BB U.S. High Yield Index (H0A1) is a subset of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index including all securities rated BB1 through BB3, inclusive
3ICE BofA Single-B U.S. High Yield Index (H0A2) is a subset of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index including all securities rated B1 through B3, inclusive
4ICE BofA CCC & Lower U.S. High Yield Index (H0A3) is a subset of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index including all securities rated CCC1 or lower.
5ICE BofA U.S. Distressed High Yield Index (H0DI) is a subset of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index including all securities with an option-adjusted spread greater than or equal to
1,000 basis points.
6ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index tracks the performance of US dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market
but caps issuer exposure at 2%. ICE BofA utilizes its own composite scale, similar to those of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, when publishing a composite rating on an index constituent (e.g. BBB3, BBB2, BBB1).
Index constituent composite ratings are the simple averages of numerical equivalent values of the ratings from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. If only two of the designated agencies rate a bond, the composite rating
is based on an average of the two. Likewise, if only one of the designated agencies rates a bond, the composite rating is based on that one rating.
7Short, or short position, is a directional trading or investment strategy where the investor sells shares of borrowed securities in the open market. The expectation is that the
price of the securities will decrease over time.
8Front end of the yield curve is the short end of the yield curve; generally considered to be bond maturities within two years.
9Lever up is to use leverage. Leverage is a technique where a fund’s manager borrows assets at one rate and invests the proceeds from the borrowed assets at another rate,
seeking to increase yield and total return. Use of leverage can result in additional risk and cost, and can magnify the effect of any losses
SOURCE INFORMATION:
ICE Data Indices, LLC
(“ICE Data”), is used with permission. ICE® is a registered trademark of ICE Data or its affiliates and BofA® is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation licensed by Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates (“BofA”) and
may not be used without BofA’s prior written approval. ICE data, its affiliates and their respective third party suppliers disclaim any and all warranties and representations, express and/or implied, including
any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use, including the indices, index data and any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom. Neither ICE Data, its affiliates nor their
respective third party suppliers shall be subject to any damages or liability with respect to the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the indices or the index data or any component thereof, and the
indices and index data and all components thereof are provided on an “as is” basis and your use is at your own risk. ICE data, its affiliates and their respective third party suppliers do not sponsor,
endorse, or recommend MacKay Shields LLC, or any of its products or services.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE:
Availability of this
document and products and services provided by MacKay Shields LLC (“MacKay Shields”) may be limited by applicable laws and regulations in certain jurisdictions and this document is provided only for
persons to whom this document and the products and services of MacKay Shields may otherwise lawfully be issued or made available. None of the products and services provided by MacKay Shields are offered to any person
in any jurisdiction where such offering would be contrary to local law or regulation. This document is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice and should not be construed as an
offer to buy securities. The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.
This material contains the
opinions of the Global Fixed Income team but not necessarily those of MacKay Shields. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. This material is distributed for informational purposes only.
Forecasts, estimates, and opinions contained herein should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been
obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and MacKay Shields assumes no duty and does not undertake to update
forward-looking statements. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of MacKay Shields LLC ©2023, MacKay Shields LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Information included herein
should not be considered predicative of future transactions or commitments made by MacKay Shields LLC nor as an indication of current or future profitability. There is no assurance investment objectives will be
met.
Past performance is not
indicative of future results.
Notes to Financial Statements
First Trust High Income
Long/Short Fund (FSD)
April 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
1. Organization
First Trust High Income
Long/Short Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 18, 2010, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund trades under the ticker symbol “FSD” on the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”).
The Fund’s primary
investment objective is to provide current income. The Fund’s secondary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, a
majority of its assets in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign (including emerging markets) high-yield corporate fixed-income securities of varying maturities that are rated below-investment grade at the time
of purchase. For purposes of this strategy, “corporate fixed-income securities” include corporate bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper and other similar types of corporate debt instruments, including
instruments issued by corporations with direct or indirect government ownership, as well as asset-backed securities, preferred shares, senior floating-rate loan participations, commitments and assignments
(“Senior Loans”)(1), payment-in-kind securities, zero-coupon bonds, bank certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and derivative
instruments that provide the same or similar economic impact as a physical investment in the above securities. Below-investment grade fixed-income securities are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or
“junk” bonds and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. As part of its investment strategy, the Fund intends to maintain both long and
short positions in securities under normal market conditions. The Fund will take long positions in securities that MacKay Shields LLC (“MacKay” or the “Sub-Advisor”) believes offer the
potential for attractive returns and that it considers in the aggregate to have the potential to outperform the Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index (the “Index”). The Fund
will take short positions in securities that the Sub-Advisor believes in the aggregate will underperform the Index. The Fund’s long positions, either directly or through derivatives, may total up to 130% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund’s short positions, either directly or through derivatives, may total up to 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the average daily gross
asset value of the Fund (which includes the principal amount of any borrowings), minus the sum of the Fund’s liabilities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund
may not be appropriate for all investors.
2. Significant
Accounting Policies
The Fund is considered an
investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment
Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A. Portfolio
Valuation
The net asset value
(“NAV”) of the Common Shares of the Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If the NYSE closes
early on a valuation day, the NAV is determined as of that time. Domestic debt securities and foreign securities are priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. The
Fund’s NAV per Common Share is calculated by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses, dividends declared but
unpaid and any borrowings of the Fund), by the total number of Common Shares outstanding.
The Fund’s
investments are valued daily at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value. Market value prices represent readily available market quotations such as last
sale or official closing prices from a national or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from third-party pricing services. Fair value prices represent any prices not considered market
value prices and are either obtained from a third-party pricing service or are determined by the Pricing Committee of the Fund’s investment advisor, First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust” or the
“Advisor”), in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, and in accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder. Investments valued by the
Advisor’s Pricing Committee, if any, are footnoted as such in the footnotes to the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund’s investments are valued as follows:
Corporate bonds, notes, capital preferred securities, U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and other debt securities are fair valued on the basis of valuations provided by
a third-party pricing service approved by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, which may use the following valuation inputs when available:
| (1)
| The terms “security” and “securities” used throughout the Notes to Financial Statements include Senior Loans.
|
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
First Trust High Income
Long/Short Fund (FSD)
April 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
As of October 31, 2022,
the components of distributable earnings and net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income
| $—
|
Undistributed capital gains
| —
|
Total undistributed earnings
| —
|
Accumulated capital and other losses
| (105,185,660)
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
| (68,183,419)
|
Total accumulated earnings (losses)
| (173,369,079)
|
Other
| (11,532,098)
|
Paid-in capital
| 606,874,616
|
Total net assets
| $421,973,439
|
H. Income and Other
Taxes
The Fund intends to
continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which includes distributing substantially all of its net
investment income and net realized gains to shareholders. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes. However, due to the timing and amount of distributions, the Fund may be subject to
an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which approximately 98% of the Fund’s taxable income exceeds the distributions from such taxable income for the calendar year.
The Fund intends to
utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws, which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward indefinitely following the year of the loss and offset such loss against any future realized capital gains.
The Fund is subject to certain limitations under U.S. tax rules on the use of capital loss carryforwards and net unrealized built-in losses. These limitations apply when there has been a 50% change in ownership. At
October 31, 2022, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes of $105,185,660.
Of these losses,
$27,151,412 is subject to loss limitation resulting from reorganization activity. This limitation generally reduces the utilization of these losses to a maximum of $2,219,032 per year.
Certain losses realized
during the current fiscal year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year for federal income tax purposes. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not incur
any net late year ordinary losses.
The Fund is subject to
accounting standards that establish a minimum threshold for recognizing, and a system for measuring, the benefits of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Taxable years ended 2019, 2020, 2021,
and 2022 remain open to federal and state audit. As of April 30, 2023, management has evaluated the application of these standards to the Fund and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the
Fund’s financial statements for uncertain tax positions.
As of April 30, 2023, the
aggregate cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, and net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax
purposes were as follows:
| Tax Cost
|
| Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
| Gross
Unrealized
(Depreciation)
|
| Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
|
| $556,835,778
|
| $4,958,488
|
| $(49,938,466)
|
| $(44,979,978)
|
I. Expenses
The Fund will pay all
expenses directly related to its operations.
3. Investment
Advisory Fee, Affiliated Transactions and Other Fee Arrangements
First Trust, the
investment advisor to the Fund, is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The Charger Corporation. The Charger Corporation is an Illinois corporation
controlled by James A. Bowen, Chief Executive Officer of First Trust. First Trust is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of the Fund’s investment portfolio, managing the Fund’s business affairs and
providing certain administrative services necessary for the management of the Fund. For
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
First Trust High Income
Long/Short Fund (FSD)
April 30, 2023
(Unaudited)
these services, First Trust is entitled
to a monthly fee calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. First Trust also provides fund reporting services to the Fund for a flat annual fee in the amount of $9,250.
MacKay serves as the
Fund’s sub-advisor and manages the Fund’s portfolio subject to First Trust’s supervision. The Sub-Advisor receives a portfolio management fee at an annual rate of 0.50% of Managed Assets that is paid
by First Trust from its investment advisory fee.
Computershare, Inc.
(“Computershare”) serves as the Fund’s transfer agent in accordance with certain fee arrangements. As transfer agent, Computershare is responsible for maintaining shareholder records for the Fund.
The Bank of New York
Mellon (“BNYM”) serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant, and custodian in accordance with certain fee arrangements. As administrator and fund accountant, BNYM is responsible for providing
certain administrative and accounting services to the Fund, including maintaining the Fund’s books of account, records of the Fund’s securities transactions, and certain other books and records. As
custodian, BNYM is responsible for custody of the Fund’s assets. BNYM is a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, a financial holding company.
Each Trustee who is not
an officer or employee of First Trust, any sub-advisor or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) is paid a fixed annual retainer that is allocated equally among each fund in the First Trust Fund
Complex. Each Independent Trustee is also paid an annual per fund fee that varies based on whether the fund is a closed-end or other actively managed fund, a target outcome fund or an index fund.
Additionally, the Lead
Independent Trustee and the Chairs of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Valuation Committee are paid annual fees to serve in such capacities, with such compensation allocated pro rata among
each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex based on net assets. Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all meetings. The Lead Independent Trustee and Committee
Chairs rotate every three years. The officers and “Interested” Trustee receive no compensation from the Fund for acting in such capacities.
4. Purchases and
Sales of Securities
The cost of purchases and
proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and investments sold short, for the six months ended April 30, 2023, were $86,357,766 and $58,448,656, respectively. The cost of purchases to cover
short sales and the proceeds of short sales were $0 and $0, respectively.
5. Derivative
Transactions
The following table
presents the types of derivatives held by the Fund at April 30, 2023, the primary underlying risk exposure and the location of these instruments as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
|
|
|
| Asset Derivatives
|
| Liability Derivatives
|
Derivative
Instrument
|
| Risk
Exposure
|
| Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
|
| Value
|
| Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
|
| Value
|
Forward foreign
currency
contracts
|
| Currency Risk
|
| Unrealized appreciation
on forward foreign
currency contracts
|
| $ —
|
| Unrealized depreciation
on forward foreign
currency contracts
|
| $ 68,284
|
The following table
presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized for the six months ended April 30, 2023, on derivative instruments, as well as the primary underlying
risk exposure associated with each instrument.
| Statement of Operations Location
|
|
| Currency Risk Exposure
|
|
| Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency contracts
| $(378,418)
|
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency contracts
| (140,959)
|
For the six months ended
April 30, 2023, the notional values of forward foreign currency contracts opened and closed were $40,027,706 and $47,182,304, respectively.
The Fund does not have
the right to offset financial assets and liabilities related to forward foreign currency contracts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
On September 15, 2015, the Fund commenced a share repurchase program.
For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund repurchased 128,117 of its shares at a weighted-average discount of 12.32% from net
asset value per share. For the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund repurchased 51,011 of its shares at a weighted-average discount of
12.68% from net asset value per share. The Fund’s share repurchase program ended on March 15, 2023.
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.
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.
I, James M. Dykas, certify that:
I, Donald P. Swade, certify that:
I, James M. Dykas, Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (the “Registrant”), certify that:
I, Donald P. Swade, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Accounting Officer of First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund (the “Registrant”), certify that:
N-2
|
6 Months Ended |
|
Apr. 30, 2023
$ / shares
shares
|
|---|
| Cover [Abstract] |
|
| Entity Central Index Key |
0001494530
|
| Amendment Flag |
true
|
| Amendment Description |
To include additional iXBRL tagging
|
| Entity Inv Company Type |
N-2
|
| Document Type |
N-CSRS/A
|
| Entity Registrant Name |
First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk Factors [Table Text Block] |
Principal Risks
The Fund is a closed-end
management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all
investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The following discussion summarizes the principal risks associated with investing in the Fund, which includes the risk that
you could lose some or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information that is available for review. The order of the below risk factors does not indicate the significance of any particular risk factor.
Credit Agency Risk. Credit ratings are determined by credit rating agencies and are only the opinions of such entities. Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do
not evaluate market risk or the liquidity of securities. Any shortcomings or inefficiencies in credit rating agencies’ processes for determining credit ratings may adversely affect the credit ratings of
securities held by the Fund or such credit rating agency’s ability to evaluate creditworthiness and, as a result, may adversely affect those securities’ perceived or actual credit risk.
Credit and Below-Investment
Grade Securities Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or other obligated party of a debt security in the Fund’s portfolio will fail to pay dividends and/or interest or repay principal when due.
Below-investment grade instruments including instruments that are not rated but judged to be of comparable quality, are commonly referred to as high-yield securities or “junk” bonds and are
considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business
developments. High-yield securities are often unsecured and subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for high-yield securities tend to be very volatile, and these securities are generally less
liquid than investment grade securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund is subject to the following specific risks: (i) increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and to a deteriorating
economic environment; (ii) greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality; (iii) adverse company specific events more likely to render the issuer unable to make dividend, interest and/or principal
payments; (iv) negative perception of the high-yield market which may depress the price and liquidity of high-yield securities; (v) volatility; and (vi) liquidity.
Currency Risk. The value of securities denominated or quoted in foreign currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations.
The Fund’s investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the Fund’s investments are denominated or quoted. Further, the Fund’s investment performance may
be significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated or quoted in another currency will increase or decrease in response to
changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Cyber Security Risk. The Fund is susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the
Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Such events could cause the Fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated
with corrective measures and/or financial loss. Cyber security breaches may involve unauthorized access to the Fund’s digital information systems 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, cyber security breaches of the Fund’s third-party
service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, or Sub-Advisor, as applicable, or issuers in which the Fund invests, can also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct
cyber security breaches. The Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially because
the Fund does not directly control the cyber
security systems of issuers or third
party service providers. Substantial costs may be incurred by the Fund in order to resolve or prevent cyber incidents in the future.
Distressed Securities
Risk. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding. The Fund may be required to incur certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its
investment. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied. Distressed
securities might be repaid only after lengthy workout, bankruptcy or similar proceedings, during which the issuer may not make any interest or other payments. Because there typically is substantial uncertainty
regarding the outcome of such proceedings, there is a high risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.
Fixed-Income
Securities Risk. An investment in fixed-income securities is subject to certain risks, including:
| •
| Issuer Risk. The value of fixed-income securities may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods and services. In addition, an issuer of fixed-income securities may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
|
| •
| Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt security will repay principal prior to the scheduled maturity date. During periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a
security may exercise its option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest the proceeds from such prepayment in lower yielding securities, which may result in a decline in the
Fund’s income and distributions to common shareholders.
|
| •
| Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that
are below the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.
|
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts Risk. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve certain risks, including the risk of failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and the risk that the use
of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged. While forward foreign currency
exchange contracts may limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also may limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase. In addition,
because forward currency exchange contracts are privately negotiated transactions, there can be no assurance that the Fund will have flexibility to roll-over a forward currency exchange contract upon its expiration if
it desires to do so. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the value of a portfolio security traded in that currency or prevent a loss if the value of the security
declines. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level
it anticipates. The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency exchange transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and prevailing market conditions.
Illiquid and Restricted
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are restricted and/or illiquid. Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable
securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. Restricted securities may be illiquid as they generally are not listed on an exchange and may have no active trading
market. Investments in restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase these
securities. Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities
generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid and restricted securities are also
more difficult to value, especially in challenging markets.
Inflation Risk. The Fund invests in securities that are subject to inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as
inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions may decline. This risk is more prevalent with respect to debt securities. Inflation
creates uncertainty over the future real value (after inflation) of an investment. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or
global economy, and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund investors.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. For fixed rate securities, when market interest rates rise,
the market value of such securities generally will fall. Investments in fixed rate securities with long-term maturities may experience significant price declines if long-term interest rates increase.
During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected prepayments. This may lock in a below-market yield, increase the
security’s duration and further reduce the value of the security. Fixed rate securities
with longer durations tend to be more
sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors
and time to maturity.
The interest rates
payable on floating rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. As short-term interest rates decline, interest payable on floating rate securities typically decreases.
Alternatively, during periods of rising interest rates, interest payable on floating rate securities typically increases. Changes in interest rates on floating rate securities may lag behind changes in
market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in interest rates. The value of floating rate securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in
general.
Many financial
instruments use or may use a floating rate based upon the LIBOR. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, intends to cease making LIBOR available as
a reference rate over a phase-out period that began in early 2022. However, subsequent announcements by the FCA, the LIBOR administrators, and other regulators indicate that it is possible that the most widely used
LIBOR rates may continue until mid-2023. The unavailability or replacement of LIBOR may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with
closing out positions and entering into new trades. Any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests can be difficult to ascertain, and they may
vary depending on a variety of factors. In the United States, it is anticipated that in many instances the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) will replace LIBOR as the reference rate for many
floating rate instruments. There is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of SOFR, or any alternative reference rate, will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or
that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same volume or liquidity. As a result, the transition process might lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR
to determine interest rates; a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments; increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of any applicable hedging strategies against
instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR; and/ or costs incurred in connection with temporary borrowings and closing out positions and entering into new agreements. Any such effects (as well as other
unforeseen effects) of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates could result in losses to the Fund.
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage by the Fund can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains from the securities and investments purchased with leverage proceeds do not cover the cost of
leverage, the return to the common shares will be less than if leverage had not been used. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common shareholders including: (i) the likelihood of greater volatility
of net asset value and market price of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; (ii) the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings will reduce the return to the common shareholders
or will result in fluctuations in the dividends paid on the common shares; (iii) in a declining market, the use of leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the common shares than if the
Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares; and (iv) when the Fund uses certain types of leverage, the investment advisory fee payable to the Advisor and by
the Advisor to the Sub-Advisor will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage.
Management Risk and
Reliance on Key Personnel. The implementation of the Fund’s investment strategy depends upon the continued contributions of certain key employees of the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, some of whom have unique
talents and experience and would be difficult to replace. The loss or interruption of the services of a key member of the portfolio management team could have a negative impact on the Fund.
Market Discount from Net
Asset Value. Shares of closed-end investment companies such as the Fund frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Fund cannot predict whether its common shares will trade at, below
or above net asset value.
Market Risk. Securities held by the Fund, as well as shares of the Fund itself, are subject to market fluctuations caused by factors such as general economic conditions, political events,
regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of the Fund could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result of the risk of loss
associated with these market fluctuations. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could
have a significant negative impact on the Fund and its investments. For example, the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders,
restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe impacts, on markets worldwide. 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. Also, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine which has caused and could continue to cause
significant market disruptions and volatility across markets globally, including 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. As the global pandemic and conflict in Ukraine have illustrated, such events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than
others. Recent and potential future bank failures 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. These events also may adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the Fund’s
portfolio securities or other instruments and could result in disruptions in the trading markets. Any of such circumstances could have a materially negative impact on the value of the Fund’s shares and result in
increased market volatility. During any such events, the Fund’s shares may trade at increased premiums or discounts to their net asset value and the bid/ask spread on the Fund’s shares may widen.
Non-U.S. Securities
Risk. Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers, which are generally denominated in non-U.S. currencies, may involve certain risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S.
issuers. These risks include: (i) there may be less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) non-U.S.
markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. market; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the
economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) certain non-U.S. countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of non-U.S. issuers to make payments of principal and interest to investors located in the United States due to blockage of non-U.S. currency exchanges or otherwise; and (vii)
withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In
addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad, including in the event the issuer of a non-U.S. security defaults or enters bankruptcy, administration or other proceedings. These
risks may be more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region or in emerging markets.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service
providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure
relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through
controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
Potential Conflicts of
Interest Risk. First Trust, MacKay and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, First Trust and MacKay currently manage and may in the
future manage and/or advise other investment funds or accounts with the same or substantially similar investment objective and strategies as the Fund. In addition, while the Fund is using certain types of leverage,
the amount of the fees paid to First Trust (and by First Trust to MacKay) for investment advisory and management services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on
managed assets. Therefore, First Trust and MacKay could have a financial incentive to leverage the Fund.
Preferred Securities
Risk. Preferred securities combine some of the characteristics of both common stocks and bonds. Preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in a
company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income, subjecting them to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Generally, holders of preferred securities have no voting rights with
respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may obtain limited rights. In certain circumstances, an
issuer of preferred securities may defer payment on the securities and, in some cases, redeem the securities prior to a specified date. Preferred securities may also be substantially less liquid than other securities,
including common stock.
Short Selling Risk. The Fund engages in short selling. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own but can borrow in the market and allows the Fund to profit from
a decline in the market price (to the extent such decline exceeds the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities). If a security sold short increases in price, the Fund may have to cover its short
position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss. Because losses on short sales arise from increases in the value of the security sold short, such losses are theoretically unlimited. It is
possible that the Fund’s long securities positions will decline in value at the same time that the value of its short securities positions increase, thereby increasing potential losses to the Fund. In addition,
the Fund’s short selling strategies will limit its ability to fully benefit from increases in the fixed-income markets.
The Fund may not be able
to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. Thus, the Fund may
not be able to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its
contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund. Further, when the Fund is selling a security short, it must maintain a segregated account of cash or high-grade securities equal to the margin requirement. As a
result, the Fund may maintain high levels of cash or other liquid assets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities.
Valuation Risk. Unlike publicly traded common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed-income securities trading. Fixed-income securities generally trade
on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed-income
securities may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data, lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes
may lead to inaccurate asset pricing.
|
| Share Price |
$ 11.40
|
| NAV Per Share |
$ 12.72
|
| Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
| Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] |
Common Shares
|
| Outstanding Security, Held [Shares] | shares |
33,291,015
|
| Credit Agency Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Credit Agency Risk. Credit ratings are determined by credit rating agencies and are only the opinions of such entities. Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do
not evaluate market risk or the liquidity of securities. Any shortcomings or inefficiencies in credit rating agencies’ processes for determining credit ratings may adversely affect the credit ratings of
securities held by the Fund or such credit rating agency’s ability to evaluate creditworthiness and, as a result, may adversely affect those securities’ perceived or actual credit risk.
|
| Credit And Below Investment Grade Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Credit and Below-Investment
Grade Securities Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or other obligated party of a debt security in the Fund’s portfolio will fail to pay dividends and/or interest or repay principal when due.
Below-investment grade instruments including instruments that are not rated but judged to be of comparable quality, are commonly referred to as high-yield securities or “junk” bonds and are
considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business
developments. High-yield securities are often unsecured and subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for high-yield securities tend to be very volatile, and these securities are generally less
liquid than investment grade securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund is subject to the following specific risks: (i) increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and to a deteriorating
economic environment; (ii) greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality; (iii) adverse company specific events more likely to render the issuer unable to make dividend, interest and/or principal
payments; (iv) negative perception of the high-yield market which may depress the price and liquidity of high-yield securities; (v) volatility; and (vi) liquidity.
|
| Currency Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Currency Risk. The value of securities denominated or quoted in foreign currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations.
The Fund’s investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the Fund’s investments are denominated or quoted. Further, the Fund’s investment performance may
be significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated or quoted in another currency will increase or decrease in response to
changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.
|
| Cyber Security Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Cyber Security Risk. The Fund is susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the
Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Such events could cause the Fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated
with corrective measures and/or financial loss. Cyber security breaches may involve unauthorized access to the Fund’s digital information systems 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, cyber security breaches of the Fund’s third-party
service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, or Sub-Advisor, as applicable, or issuers in which the Fund invests, can also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct
cyber security breaches. The Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially because
the Fund does not directly control the cyber
security systems of issuers or third
party service providers. Substantial costs may be incurred by the Fund in order to resolve or prevent cyber incidents in the future.
|
| Distressed Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Distressed Securities
Risk. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding. The Fund may be required to incur certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its
investment. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied. Distressed
securities might be repaid only after lengthy workout, bankruptcy or similar proceedings, during which the issuer may not make any interest or other payments. Because there typically is substantial uncertainty
regarding the outcome of such proceedings, there is a high risk of loss, including loss of the entire investment.
|
| Fixed Income Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Fixed-Income
Securities Risk. An investment in fixed-income securities is subject to certain risks, including:
| •
| Issuer Risk. The value of fixed-income securities may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods and services. In addition, an issuer of fixed-income securities may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
|
| •
| Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt security will repay principal prior to the scheduled maturity date. During periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a
security may exercise its option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest the proceeds from such prepayment in lower yielding securities, which may result in a decline in the
Fund’s income and distributions to common shareholders.
|
| •
| Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that
are below the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.
|
|
| Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts Risk. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve certain risks, including the risk of failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and the risk that the use
of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged. While forward foreign currency
exchange contracts may limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also may limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase. In addition,
because forward currency exchange contracts are privately negotiated transactions, there can be no assurance that the Fund will have flexibility to roll-over a forward currency exchange contract upon its expiration if
it desires to do so. Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the value of a portfolio security traded in that currency or prevent a loss if the value of the security
declines. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level
it anticipates. The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency exchange transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and prevailing market conditions.
|
| Illiquid And Restricted Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Illiquid and Restricted
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are restricted and/or illiquid. Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable
securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. Restricted securities may be illiquid as they generally are not listed on an exchange and may have no active trading
market. Investments in restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase these
securities. Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities
generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid and restricted securities are also
more difficult to value, especially in challenging markets.
|
| Inflation Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Inflation Risk. The Fund invests in securities that are subject to inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as
inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions may decline. This risk is more prevalent with respect to debt securities. Inflation
creates uncertainty over the future real value (after inflation) of an investment. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or
global economy, and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund investors.
|
| Leverage Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage by the Fund can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains from the securities and investments purchased with leverage proceeds do not cover the cost of
leverage, the return to the common shares will be less than if leverage had not been used. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common shareholders including: (i) the likelihood of greater volatility
of net asset value and market price of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; (ii) the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings will reduce the return to the common shareholders
or will result in fluctuations in the dividends paid on the common shares; (iii) in a declining market, the use of leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the common shares than if the
Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares; and (iv) when the Fund uses certain types of leverage, the investment advisory fee payable to the Advisor and by
the Advisor to the Sub-Advisor will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage.
|
| Management Risk And Reliance On Key Personnel [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Management Risk and
Reliance on Key Personnel. The implementation of the Fund’s investment strategy depends upon the continued contributions of certain key employees of the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, some of whom have unique
talents and experience and would be difficult to replace. The loss or interruption of the services of a key member of the portfolio management team could have a negative impact on the Fund.
|
| Market Discount From Net Asset Value [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Market Discount from Net
Asset Value. Shares of closed-end investment companies such as the Fund frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Fund cannot predict whether its common shares will trade at, below
or above net asset value.
|
| Market Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Market Risk. Securities held by the Fund, as well as shares of the Fund itself, are subject to market fluctuations caused by factors such as general economic conditions, political events,
regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of the Fund could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result of the risk of loss
associated with these market fluctuations. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could
have a significant negative impact on the Fund and its investments. For example, the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders,
restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe impacts, on markets worldwide. 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. Also, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine which has caused and could continue to cause
significant market disruptions and volatility across markets globally, including 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. As the global pandemic and conflict in Ukraine have illustrated, such events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than
others. Recent and potential future bank failures 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. These events also may adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the Fund’s
portfolio securities or other instruments and could result in disruptions in the trading markets. Any of such circumstances could have a materially negative impact on the value of the Fund’s shares and result in
increased market volatility. During any such events, the Fund’s shares may trade at increased premiums or discounts to their net asset value and the bid/ask spread on the Fund’s shares may widen.
|
| Non U S Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Non-U.S. Securities
Risk. Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers, which are generally denominated in non-U.S. currencies, may involve certain risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S.
issuers. These risks include: (i) there may be less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) non-U.S.
markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. market; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the
economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) certain non-U.S. countries may
impose restrictions on the ability of non-U.S. issuers to make payments of principal and interest to investors located in the United States due to blockage of non-U.S. currency exchanges or otherwise; and (vii)
withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In
addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad, including in the event the issuer of a non-U.S. security defaults or enters bankruptcy, administration or other proceedings. These
risks may be more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region or in emerging markets.
|
| Operational Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service
providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure
relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through
controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
|
| Potential Conflicts Of Interest Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Potential Conflicts of
Interest Risk. First Trust, MacKay and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, First Trust and MacKay currently manage and may in the
future manage and/or advise other investment funds or accounts with the same or substantially similar investment objective and strategies as the Fund. In addition, while the Fund is using certain types of leverage,
the amount of the fees paid to First Trust (and by First Trust to MacKay) for investment advisory and management services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on
managed assets. Therefore, First Trust and MacKay could have a financial incentive to leverage the Fund.
|
| Preferred Securities Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Preferred Securities
Risk. Preferred securities combine some of the characteristics of both common stocks and bonds. Preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in a
company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income, subjecting them to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Generally, holders of preferred securities have no voting rights with
respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may obtain limited rights. In certain circumstances, an
issuer of preferred securities may defer payment on the securities and, in some cases, redeem the securities prior to a specified date. Preferred securities may also be substantially less liquid than other securities,
including common stock.
|
| Short Selling Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Short Selling Risk. The Fund engages in short selling. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own but can borrow in the market and allows the Fund to profit from
a decline in the market price (to the extent such decline exceeds the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities). If a security sold short increases in price, the Fund may have to cover its short
position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss. Because losses on short sales arise from increases in the value of the security sold short, such losses are theoretically unlimited. It is
possible that the Fund’s long securities positions will decline in value at the same time that the value of its short securities positions increase, thereby increasing potential losses to the Fund. In addition,
the Fund’s short selling strategies will limit its ability to fully benefit from increases in the fixed-income markets.
The Fund may not be able
to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. Thus, the Fund may
not be able to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its
contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund. Further, when the Fund is selling a security short, it must maintain a segregated account of cash or high-grade securities equal to the margin requirement. As a
result, the Fund may maintain high levels of cash or other liquid assets, which may limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities.
|
| Valuation Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Valuation Risk. Unlike publicly traded common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed-income securities trading. Fixed-income securities generally trade
on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed-income
securities may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data, lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes
may lead to inaccurate asset pricing.
|
| Interest Rate Risk [Member] |
|
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
| Risk [Text Block] |
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. For fixed rate securities, when market interest rates rise,
the market value of such securities generally will fall. Investments in fixed rate securities with long-term maturities may experience significant price declines if long-term interest rates increase.
During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected prepayments. This may lock in a below-market yield, increase the
security’s duration and further reduce the value of the security. Fixed rate securities
with longer durations tend to be more
sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors
and time to maturity.
The interest rates
payable on floating rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. As short-term interest rates decline, interest payable on floating rate securities typically decreases.
Alternatively, during periods of rising interest rates, interest payable on floating rate securities typically increases. Changes in interest rates on floating rate securities may lag behind changes in
market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in interest rates. The value of floating rate securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in
general.
Many financial
instruments use or may use a floating rate based upon the LIBOR. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, intends to cease making LIBOR available as
a reference rate over a phase-out period that began in early 2022. However, subsequent announcements by the FCA, the LIBOR administrators, and other regulators indicate that it is possible that the most widely used
LIBOR rates may continue until mid-2023. The unavailability or replacement of LIBOR may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with
closing out positions and entering into new trades. Any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests can be difficult to ascertain, and they may
vary depending on a variety of factors. In the United States, it is anticipated that in many instances the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) will replace LIBOR as the reference rate for many
floating rate instruments. There is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of SOFR, or any alternative reference rate, will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or
that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same volume or liquidity. As a result, the transition process might lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR
to determine interest rates; a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments; increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of any applicable hedging strategies against
instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR; and/ or costs incurred in connection with temporary borrowings and closing out positions and entering into new agreements. Any such effects (as well as other
unforeseen effects) of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates could result in losses to the Fund.
|