As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2020.
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material under Section 240.14a-12
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
March 11, 2020
Dear Shareholder:
The accompanying materials relate to the Joint Annual Meetings of
Shareholders (collectively, the "Meeting") of each fund listed above (each a
"Fund" and collectively the "Funds"). The Meeting will be held at the Wheaton,
Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite
400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 12:00 noon
Central Time.
At the Meeting, you will be asked to vote on a proposal to elect one of
the Trustees of your Fund (the "Proposal") and to transact such other business
as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements
thereof. The Proposal is described in the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual
Meetings of Shareholders and Joint Proxy Statement.
YOUR PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETING IS VERY IMPORTANT. If you cannot attend
the Meeting, you may participate by proxy. As a Shareholder, you cast one vote
for each full share of a Fund that you own and a proportionate fractional vote
for any fraction of a share that you own. Please take a few moments to read the
enclosed materials and then cast your vote on the enclosed proxy card.
VOTING TAKES ONLY A FEW MINUTES. EACH SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
After you have voted on the Proposal, please be sure to sign your proxy
card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
We appreciate your participation in this important Meeting.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
/s/ James A. Bowen
James A. Bowen
Chairman of the Boards
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS
The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance
to you and will avoid the time and expense to your Fund involved in validating
your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.
1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the
registration on the proxy card.
2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party
signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration.
3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy
should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For
example:
REGISTRATION VALID SIGNATURE
CORPORATE ACCOUNTS
(1) ABC Corp. ABC Corp.
(2) ABC Corp. John Doe, Treasurer
(3) ABC Corp.
c/o John Doe, Treasurer John Doe
(4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan John Doe, Trustee
TRUST ACCOUNTS
(1) ABC Trust Jane B. Doe, Trustee
(2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee
u/t/d 12/28/78 Jane B. Doe
CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS
(1) John B. Smith, Cust.
f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr., UGMA John B. Smith
(2) John B. Smith John B. Smith, Jr., Executor
|
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on April 22, 2020
March 11, 2020
To the Shareholders of the above Funds:
Notice is hereby given that the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders
(collectively, the "Meeting") of the funds listed above (each a "Fund" and
collectively the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business trust, will be held at
the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty
Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at
12:00 noon Central Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect one Trustee (the Class I Trustee) of each Fund.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Trustees of each Fund has fixed the close of business on
February 3, 2020 as the record date for the determination of shareholders of
such Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
By Order of the Boards of Trustees,
/s/ W. Scott Jardine
W. Scott Jardine
Secretary
|
SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY
CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS ARE SET FORTH
FOLLOWING THE LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS.
This page intentionally left blank.
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on April 22, 2020
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
March 11, 2020
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WILL FIRST BE
MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT MARCH 20, 2020.
This Joint Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Boards of Trustees of the funds listed above
(each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business
trust, for use at the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders of the Funds to be
held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 12:00 noon Central Time, at the Wheaton,
Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., the investment advisor to each
Fund, located at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, and
at any adjournments or postponements thereof (collectively, the "Meeting"). A
Notice of Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and a proxy card accompany this
Joint Proxy Statement. The Board of Trustees of each Fund has determined that
the use of this Joint Proxy Statement is in the best interests of the Fund in
light of the same matter being considered and voted on by shareholders.
The principal offices of First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First
Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy
Fund are located at 10 Westport Road, Suite C101A, Wilton, Connecticut 06897.
The principal offices of each of the other Funds are located at 120 East Liberty
Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.
Proxy solicitations for the Funds will be made primarily by mail. However,
proxy solicitations may also be made by telephone or personal interviews
conducted by officers and service providers of the Funds, including any agents
or affiliates of such service providers.
The costs incurred in connection with the preparation of this Joint Proxy
Statement and its enclosures will be paid by the Funds. The Funds will also
reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy
solicitation materials from the Funds to the person(s) for whom they hold Fund
shares.
The close of business on February 3, 2020 has been fixed as the record
date (the "Record Date") for the determination of shareholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
Each Fund has one class of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01
per share, known as common shares ("Shares").
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020. THIS JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT
HTTPS://WWW.FTPORTFOLIOS.COM/LOADCONTENT/GEHUKPJ1GA4Y. EACH FUND'S
MOST RECENT ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON
THE INTERNET AT HTTPS://WWW.FTPORTFOLIOS.COM. TO FIND A REPORT, SELECT
YOUR FUND UNDER THE "CLOSED-END FUNDS" TAB, SELECT THE "NEWS & LITERATURE"
LINK, AND GO TO THE "QUARTERLY/SEMI-ANNUAL OR ANNUAL REPORTS" HEADING.
IN ADDITION, THE FUNDS WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, COPIES OF THEIR MOST
RECENT ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON REQUEST.
TO REQUEST A COPY, PLEASE WRITE TO FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. ("FIRST TRUST
ADVISORS" OR THE "ADVISOR"), AT 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, SUITE 400, WHEATON,
ILLINOIS 60187, OR CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 988-5891.
YOU MAY CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 988-5891 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN
DIRECTIONS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE IN PERSON.
In order that your Shares may be represented at the Meeting, you are
requested to:
o indicate your instructions on the proxy card;
o date and sign the proxy card;
o mail the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope which requires
no postage if mailed in the continental United States; and
o allow sufficient time for the proxy card to be received BY 12:00
NOON CENTRAL TIME, on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020. (However, proxies
received after this date may still be voted in the event the Meeting
is adjourned or postponed to a later date.)
-2-
VOTING
As described further in the proposal, for each Fund, the affirmative vote
of the holders of a plurality of the Shares present and entitled to vote at the
Meeting will be required to elect the specified nominee as the Class I Trustee
of that Fund provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes
(i.e., Shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not
been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote and
(ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a
particular matter) will have no effect on the approval of the proposal.
If the enclosed proxy card is properly executed and returned in time to be
voted at the Meeting, the Shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance
with the instructions marked thereon, or, if no instructions are marked thereon,
will be voted in the discretion of the persons named on the proxy card.
Accordingly, unless instructions to the contrary are marked thereon, a properly
executed and returned proxy will be voted FOR the election of the specified
nominee as the Class I Trustee and at the discretion of the named proxies on any
other matters that may properly come before the Meeting, as deemed appropriate.
Any shareholder who has given a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time
prior to its exercise either by attending the Meeting and voting his or her
Shares in person, or by timely submitting a letter of revocation or a
later-dated proxy to the applicable Fund at its address above. A list of
shareholders of record entitled to notice of and to be present and to vote at
the Meeting will be available at the Advisor's Wheaton, Illinois offices,
located at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, for
inspection by any shareholder during regular business hours beginning on the
second business day after notice is given of the Meeting, subject to
restrictions that may be imposed on a requesting shareholder on the copying, use
or distribution of the information contained in the list. Shareholders will need
to show valid identification and proof of Share ownership to be admitted to the
Meeting or to inspect the list of shareholders.
Under the By-Laws of each Fund, a quorum is constituted by the presence in
person or by proxy of the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent
(33-1/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on a
matter. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present with
respect to a Fund, all Shares present and entitled to vote, including
abstentions and broker non-votes, shall be counted. Any meeting of shareholders
may be postponed prior to the meeting with notice to the shareholders entitled
to vote at that meeting. Any meeting of shareholders may, by action of the
chairman of the meeting, be adjourned to a time and place announced at the
meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies without further notice with
respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting, whether or not
a quorum is present with respect to such matter. In addition, upon motion of the
chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be submitted to a vote
of the shareholders, and in that case, any adjournment must be approved by the
vote of holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote with
respect to the matter or matters adjourned, and without further notice if the
time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting. Unless a
proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any Shares present and entitled to
vote at a meeting, including broker non-votes, may, at the discretion of the
proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment.
-3-
OUTSTANDING SHARES
On the Record Date, each Fund had the following number of Shares
outstanding:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
TICKER SHARES
FUND SYMBOL(1) OUTSTANDING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND MFD 8,547,442
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FEN 20,020,835
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND FFA 19,982,838
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND FMY 4,213,115
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND FEO 5,056,575
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FGB 14,362,212
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FIF 17,550,236
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND FEI 47,007,240
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND FPF 60,765,997
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND FPL 25,699,753
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND FDEU 17,231,908
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
1 The Shares of each of the Funds are listed on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") except for the Shares of First Trust Energy Income and Growth
Fund, which are listed on the NYSE American LLC.
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Shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to one vote for
each full Share the shareholder owns and a proportionate fractional vote for any
fraction of a Share the shareholder owns.
To the knowledge of the Board of Trustees of each Fund, as of the Record
Date, no single shareholder or "group" (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) beneficially
owned more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding Shares, except as described in the
following table. A control person is one who owns, either directly or
indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or otherwise
acknowledges the existence of control. A party that controls a Fund may be able
to significantly affect the outcome of any item presented to shareholders for
approval. Information as to beneficial ownership of Shares, including percentage
of outstanding Shares beneficially owned, is based on (1) securities position
listing reports as of the Record Date and (2) reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by shareholders on the dates indicated in such
filings. The Funds do not have any knowledge of the identity of the ultimate
beneficiaries of the Shares listed below.
-4-
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES BENEFICIALLY % OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC 1,498,235 Shares 17.53%
499 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave. 910,594 Shares 10.65%
Omaha, NE 68154
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 779,792 Shares 9.12%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 698,692 Shares 8.17%
4804 Deer Lake Drive E.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 649,014 Shares 7.59%
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 S. 6th Street - P09 591,457 Shares 6.92%
Minneapolis, MN 55402
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 500,117 Shares 5.85%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza 494,950 Shares 5.79%
Jersey City, NJ 07399
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC 2,647,260 Shares 13.22%
1 N. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 2,304,527 Shares 11.51%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 1,887,347 Shares 9.43%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 1,839,523 Shares 9.19%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza 1,365,531 Shares 6.82%
Jersey City, NJ 07399
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
4804 Deer Lake Drive E. 1,117,735 Shares 5.58%
Jacksonville, FL 32246
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave 1,084,639 Shares 5.42%
Omaha, NE 68154
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
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-5-
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES BENEFICIALLY % OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 4,060,693 Shares 20.32%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway 3,536,262 Shares 17.70%
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 2,769,537 Shares 13.86%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 1,305,880 Shares 6.54%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 S. 6th Street - P09 1,170,198 Shares 5.86%
Minneapolis, MN 55402
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
The Bank of New York Mellon
525 William Penn Place
Suite 153-0400 1,009,298 Shares 5.05%
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sit Investment Associates, Inc.(1)
Sit Fixed Income Advisors II, LLC(1)
3300 IDS Center 1,757,645 Shares(1) 41.72%(1)
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
The Northern Trust Company
801 S. Canal Street 1,070,093 Shares 25.40%
Chicago, IL 60607
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
1607 Capital Partners, LLC(2)
13 S. 13th Street, Suite 400 571,025 Shares(2) 13.55%(2)
Richmond, VA 23219
and
The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust(2)
500 South Buena Vista Street 358,541 Shares(2) 8.51%(2)
Burbank, CA 91521-0500
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive 427,442 Shares 10.15%
North Quincy, MA 02171
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Edward D. Jones & Co. 410,086 Shares 9.73%
201 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC 278,084 Shares 6.60%
499 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
(1) Information is according to Amendment No. 16 to Schedule 13D filed with
the SEC pursuant to a joint filing agreement on January 21, 2020. Such
filing states that the reporting persons have shared voting power and
shared dispositive power with respect to the Shares held.
(2) Information is according to Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13G filed with the
SEC pursuant to a joint filing agreement on February 14, 2020. Such filing
states that (a) 1607 Capital Partners, LLC, an investment adviser, is the
beneficial owner of Shares based on having voting power which includes the
power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such securities and investment
power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition
of, such securities and (b) The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master
Trust is a client of 1607 Capital Partners, LLC and is the beneficial
owner of Shares solely due to being able to terminate without condition
the investment management agreement with 1607 Capital Partners, LLC in
less than sixty days.
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-6-
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES BENEFICIALLY % OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 257,043 Shares 6.10%
550 South 4th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 964,643 Shares 19.08%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Lazard Asset Management LLC(1)
30 Rockefeller Plaza 702,151 Shares(1) 13.87%(1)
New York, NY 10112
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 472,839 Shares 9.35%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 383,406 Shares 7.58%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 370,661 Shares 7.33%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
The Northern Trust Company
801 S. Canal Street 296,072 Shares 5.86%
Chicago, IL 60607
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1776 Heritage Drive 282,107 Shares 5.58%
North Quincy, MA 02171
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
4804 Deer Lake Drive E. 268,440 Shares 5.31%
Jacksonville, FL 32246
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave. 267,521 Shares 5.29%
Omaha, NE 68154
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 2,520,644 Shares 17.55%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 2,440,883 Shares 17.00%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway 1,206,972 Shares 8.40%
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza 1,152,024 Shares 8.02%
Jersey City, NJ 07399
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
200 Regency Forest Drive 974,569 Shares 6.79%
Cary, NC 27518
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave. 921,870 Shares 6.42%
Omaha, NE 68154
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
LPL Financial Corporation
1055 LPL Way 842,156 Shares 5.86%
Fort Mill, SC 29715
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
(1) Information is according to Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February
10, 2020. Such filing states that the reporting person has (a) sole voting
power with respect to 496,079 Shares and (b) sole dispositive power with
respect to 702,151 Shares.
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-7-
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES BENEFICIALLY % OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 792,397 Shares 5.52%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Nova R. Wealth, Inc.(1)
6711 West 121st Street 784,883.56 Shares(1) 5.5%(1)
Overland Park, KS 66209
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 3,709,456 Shares 21.14%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 1,903,857 Shares 10.85%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
The Bank of New York Mellon
525 William Penn Place, Suite 153-0400 1,440,819 Shares 8.21%
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 1,351,600 Shares 7.70%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Advisors Asset Management, Inc.(2)
18925 Base Camp Road 1,064,241 Shares(2) 6.064%(2)
Monument, CO 80132
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway 963,063 Shares 5.49%
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 934,227 Shares 5.32%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave. 905,412 Shares 5.16%
Omaha, NE 68154
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 S. 6th Street - P09 904,383 Shares 5.15%
Minneapolis, MN 55402
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 17,935,009 Shares 38.15%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 3,167,123 Shares 6.74%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway 2,375,570 Shares 5.05%
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 22,900,822 Shares 37.69%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 5,539,402 Shares 9.12%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
(1) Information is according to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6,
2018.
(2) Information is according to Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the
SEC on February 13, 2020. According to such filing, the reporting person
holds (a) sole voting power with respect to 1,056,659 Shares and (b) sole
dispositive power with respect to 1,064,241 Shares.
|
-8-
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES BENEFICIALLY % OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 3,594,489 Shares 5.92%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 S. 6th Street - P09 3,218,423 Shares 5.30%
Minneapolis, MN 55402
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
4804 Deer Lake Drive E. 3,129,672 Shares 5.15%
Jacksonville, FL 32246
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor 6,504,668 Shares 25.31%
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 2,476,127 Shares 9.63%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.
901 3rd Avenue South 1,684,043 Shares 6.55%
Minneapolis, MN 55474
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Pershing LLC
One Pershing Plaza 1,589,348 Shares 6.18%
Jersey City, NJ 07399
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.
200 S. 108th Ave. 1,483,824 Shares 5.77%
Omaha, NE 68154
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive 1,385,351 Shares 5.39%
Phoenix, AZ 85016
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 1,326,420 Shares 5.16%
St. Louis, MO 63103
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 2,568,288 Shares 14.90%
1300 Thames Street, 6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21231
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
1 N. Jefferson Ave. 2,506,219 Shares 14.54%
St. Louis, MO 63103
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway 2,493,680 Shares 14.47%
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
UBS Financial Services Inc.
1000 Harbor Blvd. 1,223,410 Shares 7.10%
Weehawken, NJ 07086
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC
499 Washington Blvd. 1,164,613 Shares 6.76%
Jersey City, NJ 07310
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------------
|
-9-
PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF ONE (1) CLASS I TRUSTEE OF EACH FUND
ONE (1) CLASS I TRUSTEE IS TO BE ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EACH FUND
BY HOLDERS OF SHARES OF SUCH FUND. CURRENT TRUSTEE ROBERT F. KEITH IS THE
NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS THE CLASS I TRUSTEE BY SHAREHOLDERS OF EACH FUND FOR A
THREE-YEAR TERM.
Each Fund has established a staggered Board of Trustees pursuant to its
By-Laws, and, accordingly, Trustees are divided into the following three (3)
classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Robert F. Keith is currently the Class
I Trustee of each Fund for a term expiring at the Meeting or until his successor
is elected and qualified. If elected, Mr. Keith will hold office for a
three-year term expiring at each Fund's 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.
Richard E. Erickson, Thomas R. Kadlec, James A. Bowen and Niel B. Nielson are
current and continuing Trustees. Dr. Erickson and Mr. Kadlec are the Class II
Trustees for a term expiring at each Fund's 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.
Mr. Bowen and Mr. Nielson are the Class III Trustees for a term expiring at each
Fund's 2022 annual meeting of shareholders. Each Trustee serves until his
successor is elected and qualified, or until he earlier resigns or is otherwise
removed.
REQUIRED VOTE: For each Fund, the nominee for election as the Class I
Trustee must be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of
the Shares of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled
to vote thereon, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will have no effect on the approval of the proposal. Proxies cannot be voted for
a greater number of persons than the number of seats open for election.
Unless you give contrary instructions on your proxy card, your Shares will
be voted FOR the election of the nominee listed if your proxy card has been
properly executed and timely received by the applicable Fund. If the nominee
should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for election prior to the
Meeting, the proxies named on your proxy card intend to vote FOR any substitute
nominee recommended by a Fund's Board of Trustees in accordance with the Fund's
procedures.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EACH FUND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE.
-10-
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
The general supervision of the duties performed for each Fund under its
respective investment management agreement with the Advisor is the
responsibility of that Fund's Board of Trustees. The Trustees set broad policies
for the Funds and choose the Funds' officers. The following is a list of the
Trustees and executive officers of each Fund and a statement of their present
positions and principal occupations during the past five years, the number of
portfolios each Trustee oversees and the other trusteeships or directorships
each Trustee holds, if applicable. As noted above, each Fund has established a
staggered Board of Trustees consisting of five (5) Trustees divided into three
(3) classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The length of the term of office
of each Trustee is generally three years, and when each Trustee's term begins
and ends depends on the Trustee's designated class and when the Trustee's
successor is elected and qualified. James A. Bowen is deemed an "interested
person" (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act")) ("Interested Trustee") of the Funds due to his position as
Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor. Except for Mr. Bowen, each Trustee is
not an "interested person" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) and is
therefore referred to as an "Independent Trustee." The officers of the Funds
serve indefinite terms.
The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.
-11-
The following tables identify the Trustees and executive officers of the
Funds. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all persons is c/o First Trust
Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, IL 60187.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER
NUMBER OF TRUSTEESHIPS
PORTFOLIOS IN OR
TERM OF OFFICE(1) THE FIRST TRUST DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION(S) AND YEAR FIRST PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) FUND COMPLEX HELD BY TRUSTEE
NAME AND HELD WITH ELECTED OR DURING PAST 5 OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5
YEAR OF BIRTH FUNDS APPOINTED(2) YEARS TRUSTEE YEARS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard E. Erickson Trustee Class II Physician; Officer, Wheaton 172 None
1951 Orthopedics; Limited
Since 2004 Partner, Gundersen Real
Estate Limited Partnership
(June 1992 to December
2016); Member, Sportsmed LLC
(April 2007 to November
2015)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas R. Kadlec Trustee Class II President, ADM Investor 172 Director of ADM
1957 Services, Inc. (Futures Investor
Since 2004 Commission Merchant) Services, Inc.,
ADM Investor
Services
International,
Futures Industry
Association and
National Futures
Association
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert F. Keith Trustee Class I President, Hibs Enterprises 172 Director of Trust
1956 Nominee (Financial and Management Company of
Consulting) Illinois
Since 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Niel B. Nielson Trustee Class III Senior Advisor (August 2018 172 None
1954 to present), Managing
Since 2004 Director and Chief Operating
Officer (January 2015 to
August 2018), Pelita Harapan
Educational Foundation
(Educational Products and
Services); President and
Chief Executive Officer (June
2012 to September 2014),
Servant Interactive LLC
(Educational Products and
Services); President and
Chief Executive Officer (June
2012 to September 2014), Dew
Learning LLC (Educational
Products and Services)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER
NUMBER OF TRUSTEESHIPS
PORTFOLIOS IN OR
TERM OF OFFICE(1) THE FIRST TRUST DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION(S) AND YEAR FIRST PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) FUND COMPLEX HELD BY TRUSTEE
NAME AND HELD WITH ELECTED OR DURING PAST 5 OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5
YEAR OF BIRTH FUNDS APPOINTED(2) YEARS TRUSTEE YEARS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James A. Bowen(3) Trustee and Class III Chief Executive Officer, 172 None
1955 Chairman of First Trust Advisors L.P.
the Board Since 2004 and First Trust Portfolios
L.P.; Chairman of the Board
of Directors, BondWave LLC
(Software Development
Company) and Stonebridge
Advisors LLC (Investment
Advisor)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
-12-
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TERM OF OFFICE(1)
NAME AND POSITIONS AND AND LENGTH OF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
YEAR OF BIRTH OFFICES WITH FUNDS SERVICE(2) DURING PAST 5 YEARS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James M. Dykas President and Indefinite Term Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer
1966 Chief Executive (January 2016 to present), Controller
Officer Since 2012 (January 2011 to January 2016), Senior Vice
President (April 2007 to January 2016), First
Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios
L.P.; Chief Financial Officer (January 2016 to
present), BondWave LLC (Software Development
Company) and Stonebridge Advisors LLC
(Investment Advisor)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald P. Swade Treasurer, Chief Indefinite Term Senior Vice President (July 2016 to present),
1972 Financial Officer Vice President (April 2012 to July 2016),
and Chief Since 2016 First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust
Accounting Officer Portfolios L.P.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W. Scott Jardine Secretary and Indefinite Term General Counsel, First Trust Advisors L.P. and
1960 Chief Legal First Trust Portfolios L.P.; Secretary and
Officer Since 2004 General Counsel, BondWave LLC (Software
Development Company); Secretary, Stonebridge
Advisors LLC (Investment Advisor)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel J. Lindquist Vice President Indefinite Term Managing Director, First Trust Advisors L.P.
1970 and First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Since 2005
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristi A. Maher Chief Compliance Indefinite Term Deputy General Counsel, First Trust Advisors
1966 Officer and L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Assistant Chief Compliance
Secretary Officer since
2011 and
Assistant
Secretary since
2004
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Currently, Robert F. Keith, as the Class I Trustee, is serving a term for
each of the Funds until the Meeting or until his successor is elected and
qualified. Richard E. Erickson and Thomas R. Kadlec, as the Class II
Trustees, are each serving a term for each of the Funds until the Funds'
2021 annual meetings of shareholders or until their respective successors
are elected and qualified. James A. Bowen and Niel B. Nielson, as the
Class III Trustees, are each serving a term for each of the Funds until
the Fund's 2022 annual meetings of shareholders or until their respective
successors are elected and qualified. Executive officers of the Funds have
an indefinite term.
(2) For executive officers, unless otherwise specified, length of service
represents the year the person first became an executive officer of a
Fund. Except as otherwise provided below, all Trustees and executive
officers were elected or appointed (i) in 2004 for the then-existing
Funds, (ii) in 2005 for First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, (iii) in 2006
for First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund, (iv) in 2007 for First
Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, (v) in 2011 for
First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund, (vi) in 2012 for First Trust MLP
and Energy Income Fund, (vii) in 2013 for First Trust Intermediate
Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP &
Energy Fund and (viii) in 2015 for First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity
Income Fund. Robert F. Keith was appointed Trustee of all then-existing
funds in the First Trust Fund Complex in June 2006. James M. Dykas was
elected (a) Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting
Officer of all then-existing funds in the First Trust Fund Complex in
January 2012, effective January 23, 2012 and (b) President and Chief
Executive Officer of all then-existing funds in the First Trust Fund
Complex in December 2015, effective January 2016. Donald P. Swade was
elected Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of
all then-existing funds in the First Trust Fund Complex in December 2015,
effective January 2016. Daniel J. Lindquist was elected Vice President of
all then-existing funds in the First Trust Fund Complex on December 12,
2005. Kristi A. Maher was elected Chief Compliance Officer of all
then-existing funds in the First Trust Fund Complex in December 2010,
effective January 1, 2011; before January 1, 2011, W. Scott Jardine served
as Chief Compliance Officer.
(3) Mr. Bowen is deemed an "interested person" of the Funds due to his
position as Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.,
investment advisor of the Funds.
|
UNITARY BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
The same five persons serve as Trustees on each Fund's Board of Trustees
and on the boards of all other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex (the "First
Trust Funds"), which is known as a "unitary" board leadership structure. The
unitary board structure was adopted for the First Trust Funds because of the
efficiencies it achieves with respect to the governance and oversight of the
First Trust Funds. Each First Trust Fund is subject to the rules and regulations
of the 1940 Act (and other applicable securities laws), which means that many of
the First Trust Funds face similar issues with respect to certain of their
fundamental activities, including risk management, portfolio liquidity,
portfolio valuation and financial reporting. In addition, all of the First Trust
Funds that are closed-end funds (the "First Trust Closed-end Funds") are managed
by the Advisor and, except for First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred &
-13-
Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund, they employ
common service providers for custody, fund accounting, administration and
transfer agency that provide substantially similar services to the First Trust
Closed-end Funds pursuant to substantially similar contractual arrangements.
Because of the similar and often overlapping issues facing the First Trust
Funds, including among the First Trust Closed-end Funds, the Board of Trustees
of each of the First Trust Funds (such Boards of Trustees referred to herein
collectively as the "Board") believes that maintaining a unitary board structure
promotes efficiency and consistency in the governance and oversight of all First
Trust Funds and reduces the costs, administrative burdens and possible conflicts
that may result from having multiple boards. In adopting a unitary board
structure, the Trustees seek to provide effective governance through
establishing a board the overall composition of which will, as a body, possess
the appropriate skills, diversity, independence and experience to oversee the
business of the First Trust Funds.
Annually, the Board reviews its governance structure and the committee
structures, their performance and functions and reviews any processes that would
enhance Board governance over the Funds' business. The Board has determined that
its leadership structure, including the unitary board and committee structure,
is appropriate based on the characteristics of the funds it serves and the
characteristics of the First Trust Fund Complex as a whole. The Board is
composed of four Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee. The Interested
Trustee serves as the Chairman of the Board of each Fund. An individual who is
not a Trustee serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of each Fund.
In order to streamline communication between the Advisor and the
Independent Trustees and create certain efficiencies, the Board has a Lead
Independent Trustee who is responsible for: (i) coordinating activities of the
Independent Trustees; (ii) working with the Advisor, Fund counsel and the
independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees to determine the agenda
for Board meetings; (iii) serving as the principal contact for and facilitating
communication between the Independent Trustees and the Funds' service providers,
particularly the Advisor; and (iv) any other duties that the Independent
Trustees may delegate to the Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent
Trustee is selected by the Independent Trustees and serves a three-year term or
until his successor is selected. Niel B. Nielson currently serves as the Lead
Independent Trustee.
The Board has established four standing committees (as described below)
and has delegated certain of its responsibilities to those committees. The Board
and its committees meet frequently throughout the year to oversee the Funds'
activities, review contractual arrangements with and performance of service
providers, oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, and review Fund
performance. The Independent Trustees are represented by independent legal
counsel at all Board and committee meetings (other than meetings of the Dividend
and Pricing Committee). Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all the
Trustees, except where a different vote is required by applicable law.
The three Committee Chairmen and the Lead Independent Trustee currently
rotate every three years in serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee, the
Nominating and Governance Committee or the Valuation Committee, or as Lead
Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee and the immediately preceding
Lead Independent Trustee also serve on the Executive Committee with the
Interested Trustee.
Including the Funds, the First Trust Fund Complex includes: 15 closed-end
funds advised by First Trust Advisors; First Trust Series Fund, an open-end
management investment company with three portfolios advised by First Trust
Advisors; First Trust Variable Insurance Trust, an open-end management
investment company with three portfolios advised by First Trust Advisors; and
First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First
Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, First Trust
Exchange-Traded Fund V, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI, First Trust
-14-
Exchange-Traded Fund VII, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, First Trust
Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund and First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R)
Fund II, exchange-traded funds with, in the aggregate, 151 portfolios (each such
portfolio, an "ETF" and each such exchange-traded fund, an "ETF Trust") advised
by First Trust Advisors.
The four standing committees of the Board are: the Executive Committee
(also known as the Dividend and Pricing Committee), the Nominating and
Governance Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Audit Committee. The
Executive Committee, which meets between Board meetings, is authorized to
exercise all powers of and to act in the place of the Board of Trustees to the
extent permitted by each Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. The members of
the Executive Committee of a Fund are authorized to exercise all of the powers
and authority of the Board in respect of the issuance and sale, through an
underwritten public offering, of the Shares of the Fund and all other such
matters relating to such financing, including determining the price at which
such Shares are to be sold, approval of the final terms of the underwriting
agreement, and approval of the members of the underwriting syndicate. Such
Committee is also responsible for the declaration and setting of dividends. Mr.
Nielson, Mr. Bowen and Dr. Erickson are members of the Executive Committee. The
number of meetings of the Executive Committee held for each Fund during its last
fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto.
The Nominating and Governance Committee of each Fund is responsible for
appointing and nominating persons to the Board of Trustees of that Fund. Messrs.
Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Nominating and Governance
Committee, and each is an Independent Trustee who is also an "independent
director" within the meaning of the listing rules of the primary national
securities exchange on which the Funds' shares are listed for trading. The
Nominating and Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted and
approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds' website at
https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's
webpage). If there is no current or anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees
of a Fund, the Nominating and Governance Committee will not actively seek
recommendations from other parties, including shareholders. In 2014, the Board
of Trustees adopted a mandatory retirement age of 75 for Trustees, beyond which
age Trustees are ineligible to serve. The Nominating and Governance Committee
Charter provides that the Committee will not consider new trustee candidates who
are 72 years of age or older or will turn 72 years old during the initial term.
When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of a Fund occurs or is anticipated to
occur and nominations are sought to fill such vacancy, the Nominating and
Governance Committee may seek nominations from those sources it deems
appropriate in its discretion, including shareholders of the applicable Fund.
The Nominating and Governance Committee may retain a search firm to identify
candidates. To submit a recommendation for nomination as a candidate for a
position on the Board of Trustees of a Fund, shareholders of the applicable Fund
shall mail such recommendation to W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, at 120 East
Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Such recommendation shall
include the following information: (i) evidence of Fund ownership of the person
or entity recommending the candidate (if a Fund shareholder); (ii) a full
description of the proposed candidate's background, including their education,
experience, current employment and date of birth; (iii) names and addresses of
at least three professional references for the candidate; (iv) information as to
whether the candidate is an "interested person" in relation to the Fund, as such
term is defined in the 1940 Act, and such other information that may be
considered to impair the candidate's independence; and (v) any other information
that may be helpful to the Committee in evaluating the candidate (see also
"ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS" below). If a recommendation is
received with satisfactorily completed information regarding a candidate during
a time when a vacancy exists on the Board or during such other time as the
Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, the
recommendation will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and
Governance Committee and the counsel to the Independent Trustees. In connection
with the evaluation of candidates, the review process may include, without
limitation, personal interviews, background checks, written submissions by the
-15-
candidates and third party references. Under no circumstances shall the
Nominating and Governance Committee evaluate nominees recommended by a
shareholder of a Fund on a basis substantially different than that used for
other nominees for the same election or appointment of Trustees. The number of
meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee held for each Fund during
its last fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto.
The Valuation Committee of each Fund is responsible for the oversight of
the valuation procedures of that Fund (the "Valuation Procedures"), for
determining the fair value of that Fund's securities or other assets under
certain circumstances as described in the Valuation Procedures, and for
evaluating the performance of any pricing service for that Fund. Messrs.
Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Valuation Committee. The
number of meetings of the Valuation Committee held for each Fund during its last
fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto.
The Audit Committee of each Fund is responsible for overseeing that Fund's
accounting and financial reporting process, the system of internal controls,
audit process and evaluating and appointing independent auditors (subject also
to Board approval). The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted
and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds' website at
https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's
webpage). Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson, all of whom are
"independent directors" within the meaning of the listing rules of the primary
national securities exchange on which the Funds' shares are listed for trading,
serve on the Audit Committee. Messrs. Kadlec and Keith have each been determined
to qualify as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" as such term is defined in
Form N-CSR. The number of meetings of the Audit Committee held for each Fund
during its last fiscal year is shown in Schedule 1 hereto.
In carrying out its responsibilities, as described below under
"INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES--Pre-Approval," the Audit Committee pre-approves all
audit services and permitted non-audit services for each Fund (including the
fees and terms thereof) and non-audit services to be performed for the Advisor
by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche"), the Funds' independent
registered public accounting firm ("independent auditors"), if the engagement
relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds.
During each Fund's last fiscal year, each Trustee, with the exception of
Mr. Bowen, attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the
Board and of each committee on which the Trustee served during the Fund's last
fiscal year. With respect to First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, during
such Fund's last fiscal year, Mr. Bowen attended at least 75% of the aggregate
number of meetings of the Board and of the Dividend and Pricing Committee (the
only committee on which he served). With respect to each of the other Funds,
during the Fund's last fiscal year, Mr. Bowen attended 100% (7 out of 7) of the
Fund's regular and special Board meetings, but the following percentages of the
Fund's Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings: (a) 0% (0 out of 12 meetings)
for First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund,
First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust New
Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund; (b) 25% (1 out of 4 meetings) for
Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund,
First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, First Trust
Enhanced Equity Income Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund;
and (c) approximately 8% (1 out of 12 meetings) for First Trust Energy
Infrastructure Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund. With
respect to each Fund, all of the Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings that
Mr. Bowen did not attend were for ordinary course dividend declarations. In
general, before such Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings were held, Mr.
Bowen was informed of the applicable dividend recommendations.
-16-
RISK OVERSIGHT
As part of the general oversight of each Fund, the Board is involved in
the risk oversight of the Funds. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews
policies and procedures designed to address the Funds' risks. Oversight of
investment and compliance risk, including oversight of sub-advisors, is
performed primarily at the Board level in conjunction with the Advisor's
advisory oversight group and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO").
Oversight of other risks also occurs at the Committee level. The Advisor's
advisory oversight group reports to the Board at quarterly meetings regarding,
among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance
as well as information related to sub-advisors and their operations and
processes. The Board reviews reports on the Funds' and the service providers'
compliance policies and procedures at each quarterly Board meeting and receives
an annual report from the CCO regarding the operations of the Funds' and the
service providers' compliance programs. In addition, the Independent Trustees
meet privately each quarter with the CCO. The Audit Committee reviews with the
Advisor the Funds' major financial risk exposures and the steps the Advisor has
taken to monitor and control these exposures, including the Funds' risk
assessment and risk management policies and guidelines. The Audit Committee
also, as appropriate, reviews in a general manner the processes other Board
committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management.
The Nominating and Governance Committee monitors all matters related to the
corporate governance of the Funds. The Valuation Committee monitors valuation
risk and compliance with the Funds' Valuation Procedures and oversees the
pricing services and actions by the Advisor's Pricing Committee with respect to
the valuation of portfolio securities.
Not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified nor can controls
be developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. It may not be
practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, the
processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their
effectiveness, and some risks are simply beyond the reasonable control of the
Funds or the Advisor or other service providers. For instance, as the use of
Internet technology has become more prevalent, the Funds and their service
providers have become more susceptible to potential operational risks through
breaches in cyber security (generally, intentional and unintentional events that
may cause a Fund or a service provider to lose proprietary information, suffer
data corruption or lose operational capacity). There can be no guarantee that
any risk management systems established by the Funds, their service providers,
or issuers of the securities in which the Funds invest to reduce cyber security
risks will succeed, and the Funds cannot control such systems put in place by
service providers, issuers or other third parties whose operations may affect
the Funds and/or their shareholders. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain
risks (such as investment related risks) to achieve a Fund's goals. As a result
of the foregoing and other factors, the Funds' ability to manage risk is subject
to substantial limitations.
BOARD DIVERSIFICATION AND TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS
As described above, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board
oversees matters related to the selection and nomination of Trustees. The
Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to establish an effective Board with
an appropriate range of skills and diversity, including, as appropriate,
differences in background, professional experience, education, vocations, and
other individual characteristics and traits in the aggregate. Each Trustee must
meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time
availability, and if qualifying as an Independent Trustee, independence from the
Advisor, sub-advisors, underwriters or other service providers, including any
affiliates of these entities.
Listed below for the nominee and each continuing Trustee are the
experiences, qualifications and attributes that led to the conclusion, as of the
date of this Joint Proxy Statement, that the nominee and each continuing Trustee
should serve as a trustee.
-17-
NOMINEE
Independent Trustee
Robert F. Keith is President of Hibs Enterprises, a financial and
management consulting firm. Mr. Keith has been with Hibs Enterprises since 2003.
Prior thereto, Mr. Keith spent 18 years with ServiceMaster and Aramark,
including three years as President and COO of ServiceMaster Consumer Services,
where he led the initial expansion of certain products overseas, five years as
President and COO of ServiceMaster Management Services Company, and two years as
President of Aramark ServiceMaster Management Services. Mr. Keith is a certified
public accountant and also has held the positions of Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer of ServiceMaster, at which time he oversaw the financial
aspects of ServiceMaster's expansion of its Management Services division into
Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Mr. Keith has served as a Trustee of the First
Trust Funds since June 2006. Mr. Keith has also served as Chairman of the Audit
Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), Chairman of the Nominating and
Governance Committee (2010 - 2011), and Chairman of the Valuation Committee
(2014 - 2016) of the First Trust Funds. He also served as Lead Independent
Trustee (2012 - 2013) and on the Executive Committee (2012 - 2016) of the First
Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance
Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds.
CONTINUING TRUSTEES
Independent Trustees
Richard E. Erickson, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon. He also has been
President of Wheaton Orthopedics, a co-owner and director of a fitness center
and a limited partner of two real estate companies. Dr. Erickson has served as a
Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since
1999. Dr. Erickson has also served as the Lead Independent Trustee (2008 - 2009
and 2017 - 2019) and on the Executive Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 -
present), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2003 - 2007 and
2014 - 2016), Chairman of the Valuation Committee (June 2006 - 2007 and 2010 -
2011) and Chairman of the Audit Committee (2012 - 2013) of the First Trust
Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (since January
1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds.
Thomas R. Kadlec is President of ADM Investor Services Inc. ("ADMIS"), a
futures commission merchant and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Archer Daniels
Midland Company ("ADM"). Mr. Kadlec has been employed by ADMIS and its
affiliates since 1990 in various accounting, financial, operations and risk
management capacities. Mr. Kadlec serves on the boards of several international
affiliates of ADMIS and served as a member of ADM's Integrated Risk Committee
from 2008 - 2018, which was tasked with the duty of implementing and
communicating enterprise-wide risk management. In 2014, Mr. Kadlec was elected
to the board of the Futures Industry Association. In 2017, Mr. Kadlec was
elected to the board of the National Futures Association. Mr. Kadlec has served
as a Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since
2003. Mr. Kadlec also served on the Executive Committee from the organization of
the first First Trust Closed-end Fund in 2003 through 2005 (and 2014 - 2019)
until he was elected as the first Lead Independent Trustee in December 2005,
serving as such through 2007 (and 2014 - 2016). He also served as Chairman of
the Valuation Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), Chairman of the Audit
Committee (2010 - 2011) and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee
(2012 - 2013) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the
Audit Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds.
-18-
Niel B. Nielson, Ph.D., has been the Senior Advisor of Pelita Harapan
Educational Foundation, a global provider of educational products and services,
since August 2018. Prior thereto, Mr. Nielson served as the Managing Director
and Chief Operating Officer of Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation for three
years. Mr. Nielson formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Servant Interactive LLC (providing educational products and services) from June
2012 to September 2014, and he served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Dew Learning LLC from June 2012 to September 2014. Mr. Nielson formerly
served as President of Covenant College (2002 - 2012), and as a partner and
trader (of options and futures contracts for hedging options) for Ritchie
Capital Markets Group (1996 - 1997), where he held an administrative management
position at this proprietary derivatives trading company. He also held prior
positions in new business development for ServiceMaster Management Services
Company, and in personnel and human resources for NationsBank of North Carolina,
N.A. and Chicago Research and Trading Group, Ltd. ("CRT"). His international
experience includes serving as a director of CRT Europe, Inc. for two years,
directing out of London all aspects of business conducted by the U.K. and
European subsidiary of CRT. Prior to that, Mr. Nielson was a trader and manager
at CRT in Chicago. Mr. Nielson has served as a Trustee of each Fund since its
inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999. Mr. Nielson has also served
as Chairman of the Audit Committee (2003 - 2007 and 2014 - 2016), Chairman of
the Valuation Committee (2012 - 2013), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance
Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), and Lead Independent Trustee and a
member of the Executive Committee (2010 - 2011) of the First Trust Funds. He
currently serves as Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee
(since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds.
Interested Trustee
James A. Bowen is the Chairman of the Board of the First Trust Funds and
Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors and First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Until January 23, 2012, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the First Trust Funds. Mr. Bowen also serves on the Executive Committee. He has
over 36 years of experience in the investment company business in sales, sales
management and executive management. Mr. Bowen has served as a Trustee of each
Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999.
OTHER INFORMATION
Independent Trustees
During the past five years, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of
their immediate family members, has been a director, trustee, officer, general
partner or employee of, or consultant to, First Trust Advisors, First Trust
Portfolios L.P. (an affiliate of First Trust Advisors), any sub-advisor to any
fund in the First Trust Fund Complex, or any of their affiliates.
Executive Officers
The executive officers of each Fund hold the same positions with each fund
in the First Trust Fund Complex (representing 172 portfolios) as they hold with
the Funds.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES HELD IN THE FUNDS BY TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the dollar range and number of equity
securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in each Fund and the dollar range
of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in all funds in the
First Trust Fund Complex, including the Funds, as of December 31, 2019:
-19-
------------------------- ---------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERESTED INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEE TRUSTEES
------------------------- ---------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND James A. Bowen Richard E. Erickson Thomas R. Kadlec Robert F. Keith Niel B.Nielson
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST
GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/
UTILITIES DIVIDEND & $0 $10,001-$50,000 $1-$10,000 $0 $10,001-$50,000
INCOME FUND (0 Shares) (1,208 Shares) (800 Shares) (0 Shares) (1,712 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY $0 $10,001-$50,000 $10,001-$50,000 $0 $10,001-$50,000
INCOME AND GROWTH FUND (0 Shares) (636 Shares) (700 Shares) (0 Shares) (789 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED $50,001-$100,000 $1-$10,000 $10,001-$50,000 $0 $10,001-$50,000
EQUITY INCOME FUND (4,003 Shares) (486 Shares) (850 Shares) (0 Shares) (621 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE $0 $0 $1-$10,000 $0 $1-$10,000
INCOME FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (650 Shares) (0 Shares) (641 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN
EMERGING OPPORTUNITY $0 $0 $10,001-$50,000 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000
FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (1,000 Shares) (600 Shares) (454 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY
FINANCE AND FINANCIAL $0 $0 $10,001-$50,000 $0 $0
OPPORTUNITIES FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (2,000 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
ENERGY INCOME FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST
INTERMEDIATE DURATION $0 $0 $10,001-$50,000 $10,001-$50,000 $0
PREFERRED & INCOME FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (1,000 Shares) (512 Shares) (0 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST NEW
OPPORTUNITIES MLP & $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
ENERGY FUND (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC
EUROPE EQUITY INCOME Over $100,000 $0 $0 $10,001-$50,000 $10,001-$50,000
FUND (71,288 Shares) (0 Shares) (0 Shares) (1,650 Shares) (3,000 Shares)
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN
ALL REGISTERED
INVESTMENT COMPANIES IN Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000
THE FIRST TRUST FUND
COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
------------------------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
|
The Independent Trustees have adopted a policy that establishes the
expectation that each Independent Trustee will have invested an amount in the
funds in the First Trust Fund Complex he oversees in the aggregate of at least
one year's annual retainer for Board service, with investments allocated among
the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex depending on what is suitable for the
Trustee's personal investment needs.
As of December 31, 2019, the Independent Trustees and their immediate
family members did not own, beneficially or of record, any class of securities
of First Trust Advisors or any sub-advisor or principal underwriter of any Fund
or any person, other than a registered investment company, directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with First Trust
Advisors or any sub-advisor or principal underwriter of any Fund, nor, since the
beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year of any Fund, did any
Independent Trustee purchase or sell securities of First Trust Advisors, or any
sub-advisor to any fund in the First Trust Fund Complex, their parents or any
subsidiaries of any of the foregoing.
-20-
As of December 31, 2019, the Trustees and executive officers of each Fund
as a group beneficially owned the following number of Shares of each Fund, which
is less than 1% of each Fund's Shares outstanding:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FUND SHARES OWNED
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND 3,720
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND 2,125
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND 5,960
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND 1,291
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND 2,054
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND 2,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND 1,512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND 77,938
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
|
COMPENSATION
Effective January 1, 2019, the fixed annual retainer paid to the
Independent Trustees was $255,000 per year and an annual per fund fee of $2,500
for each closed-end fund and actively managed fund and $250 for each index fund.
Effective January 1, 2020, the fixed annual retainer paid to the Independent
Trustees is $255,000 per year and an annual per fund fee of $2,500 for each
closed-end fund and actively managed fund, $750 for each defined outcome fund
and $250 for each index fund. The fixed annual retainer is allocated equally
among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex. Additionally, the Lead
Independent Trustee is paid $30,000 annually, the Chairmen of the Audit
Committee or Valuation Committee are each paid $20,000 annually and the Chairman
of the Nominating and Governance Committee is paid $10,000 annually to serve in
such capacities with compensation allocated pro rata among each fund in the
First Trust Fund Complex based on its net assets. Trustees are also reimbursed
by the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex for travel and out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with all meetings. Each Committee Chairman and
the Lead Independent Trustee rotate every three years.
The number of Board meetings held by each Fund during its last fiscal year
is shown in Schedule 1 hereto.
-21-
The aggregate fees and expenses paid to all Trustees by each Fund for its
last fiscal year (including reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket expenses)
amounted to the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
AGGREGATE FEES AND
FUND EXPENSES PAID
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND $16,234
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND $16,630
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND $16,588
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND $16,196
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND $16,315
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND $16,220
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND $16,481
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND $16,808
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND $17,766
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND $16,421
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND $16,527
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
|
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
compensation of each Fund's Trustees (including reimbursement for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses) for each Fund's most recently completed fiscal year. The
Funds have no retirement or pension plans. The executive officers and the
Interested Trustee of each Fund receive no compensation from the Funds for
serving in such capacities.
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION FOR EACH FUND'S FISCAL YEAR
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
INTERESTED INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEE TRUSTEES
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
James A. Richard E. Thomas R. Robert F. Niel B.
FUND Bowen Erickson Kadlec Keith Nielson
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND(1) $0 $4,067 $4,059 $4,062 $4,046
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND(1) $0 $4,196 $4,159 $4,174 $4,101
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND(2) $0 $4,174 $4,148 $4,159 $4,107
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND(3) $0 $4,055 $4,049 $4,051 $4,041
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND(2) $0 $4,085 $4,079 $4,082 $4,069
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL
OPPORTUNITIES FUND(1) $0 $4,063 $4,055 $4,058 $4,044
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND(1) $0 $4,148 $4,121 $4,132 $4,080
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND(3) $0 $4,254 $4,204 $4,224 $4,126
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED &
INCOME FUND(3) $0 $4,567 $4,447 $4,493 $4,259
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
|
-22-
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
INTERESTED INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEE TRUSTEES
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
James A. Richard E. Thomas R. Robert F. Niel B.
FUND Bowen Erickson Kadlec Keith Nielson
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND(3) $0 $4,128 $4,106 $4,115 $4,072
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND(2) $0 $4,153 $4,133 $4,142 $4,099
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR SERVING THE FIRST TRUST
FUND COMPLEX(4) $0 $458,125 $451,450 $454,098 $440,930
------------------------------------------------------ -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(1) For fiscal year ended November 30, 2019.
(2) For fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
(3) For fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.
(4) For the calendar year ended December 31, 2019 for services to four
portfolios of First Trust Series Fund and three portfolios of First Trust
Variable Insurance Trust, open-end funds; 15 closed-end funds; and 149
series of the ETF Trusts. Compensation includes, with respect to certain
ETFs, compensation paid by the Advisor rather than by the ETF directly
pursuant to the terms of the advisory agreement between the applicable ETF
Trust and the Advisor.
|
ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Each Fund's Board of Trustees seeks to have as many Trustees as possible
in attendance at annual meetings of shareholders. The policy of the Nominating
and Governance Committee relating to attendance by Trustees at annual meetings
of shareholders is contained in the Funds' Nominating and Governance Committee
Charter, which is available on each Fund's website located at
https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's
webpage). In addition, for each Fund, the attendance of the Board of Trustees at
last year's annual shareholder meeting is available on such Fund's website
located at https://www.ftportfolios.com. To find the Board of Trustees'
attendance, select your Fund under the "Closed-End Funds" tab, select the "News
& Literature" link, and go to the "Shareholder Updates and Information" heading.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in its
oversight of the Funds' accounting and financial reporting process. The Audit
Committee operates pursuant to a charter (the "Charter") that was most recently
reviewed by the Board of Trustees on December 9, 2019, a copy of which is
available on each Fund's website located at https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to
News & Literature on the applicable Fund's webpage). As set forth in the
Charter, management of the Funds has the primary responsibility for establishing
and maintaining systems for accounting, reporting, disclosure and internal
controls. The Funds' independent auditors have the primary responsibility to
plan and implement an audit, with proper consideration given to the accounting,
reporting and internal controls.
In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee reviewed and
discussed with management and the independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP,
the audited financial statements of the First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, the
First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, the First Trust Intermediate Duration
Preferred & Income Fund and the First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 at a meeting held on December 19,
2019; the Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend &
Income Fund, the First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, the First Trust
Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund and the First Trust Energy
Infrastructure Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 at a meeting
held on January 15, 2020; and the First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund, the
First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund and the First Trust Dynamic
Europe Equity Income Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 at a
-23-
meeting held on February 20, 2020, and discussed the audits of such financial
statements with the independent auditors and management.
In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors
the accounting principles applied by the Funds and such other matters brought to
the attention of the Audit Committee by the independent auditors as required by
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") Auditing Standard 1301,
Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee also received from the
independent auditors the written disclosures and letter required by PCAOB Ethics
and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning
Independence, delineating relationships between the independent auditors and the
Funds, and discussed the impact that any such relationships may have on the
objectivity and independence of the independent auditors.
The members of the Funds' Audit Committee are not full-time employees of
the Funds and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. As
such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members
to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or
procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Funds' Audit
Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by Fund
management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's
considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of
the Funds' financial statements has been carried out in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are
presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that
the independent auditors are in fact "independent."
Based on its consideration of the Funds' audited financial statements and
the discussions referred to above with Fund management and Deloitte & Touche
LLP, and subject to the limitations on the responsibilities and role of the
Audit Committee as set forth in the Charter and discussed above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board the inclusion of each Fund's audited
financial statements in each Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the years
ended October 31, November 30 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Funds:
Thomas R. Kadlec
Richard E. Erickson
Robert F. Keith
Niel B. Nielson
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES
Deloitte & Touche has been selected to serve as the independent auditors
for each Fund for its current fiscal year, and acted as the independent auditors
for each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year. Deloitte & Touche has
advised the Funds that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, Deloitte &
Touche professionals did not have any direct or material indirect ownership
interest in the Funds inconsistent with independent professional standards
pertaining to independent registered public accounting firms. Representatives of
Deloitte & Touche are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have
the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be
available should any matter arise requiring their presence. In reliance on Rule
32a-4 under the 1940 Act, each Fund is not seeking shareholder ratification of
the selection of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors.
Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees
During each of the last two fiscal years of the Funds, Deloitte & Touche
has billed each Fund and the Advisor for the fees set forth below. With respect
to First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, fees billed for
-24-
services to Stonebridge Advisors LLC ("Stonebridge"), such Fund's sub-advisor,
are also listed below; an affiliate of the Advisor owns a majority interest in
Stonebridge.
--------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
AUDIT-RELATED TAX ALL OTHER
AUDIT FEES(1) FEES FEES(2) FEES
--------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ---------------------- --------------------
FEES BILLED TO: 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE/ UTILITIES
DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND(3)
Fund $49,000 $49,000 $0 $0 $16,050 $30,332 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND
GROWTH FUND(3)
Fund $82,000 $57,000 $0 $0 $42,000 $42,044 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY
INCOME FUND(4)
Fund $38,000 $38,000 $0 $0 $5,200 $5,266 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME
FUND(5)
Fund $45,000 $45,000 $0 $0 $21,700 $19,560 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING
OPPORTUNITY FUND(4)
Fund $53,000 $53,000 $0 $0 $5,200 $6,311 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE
AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
FUND(3)
Fund $42,000 $42,000 $0 $0 $4,450 $5,200 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND(3)
Fund $44,000 $44,000 $0 $0 $5,550 $6,373 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY
INCOME FUND(5)
Fund $82,000 $57,000 $0 $0 $42,000 $42,000 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE
DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME
FUND(5)
Fund $28,000 $28,000 $0 $0 $4,450 $5,200 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Sub-Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES
MLP & ENERGY FUND(5)
Fund $82,000 $57,000 $0 $0 $42,000 $42,000 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE
EQUITY INCOME FUND(4)
Fund $39,500 $39,500 $0 $0 $16,800 $18,248 $0 $0
Advisor N/A N/A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
--------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
(1) These fees were the aggregate fees billed for professional services for
the audit of the Fund's annual financial statements and services that are
normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements. For 2018, a portion of the amounts shown for First Trust
Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund and
First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund included fees attributable
to a shelf offering.
(2) These fees were for tax consultation or tax return preparation and
professional services rendered for PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment
Company) Identification Services.
(3) These fees were for the fiscal years ended November 30.
(4) These fees were for the fiscal years ended December 31.
(5) These fees were for the fiscal years ended October 31.
|
-25-
Non-Audit Fees
During each of the last two fiscal years of the Funds, Deloitte & Touche
has billed each Fund and the Advisor for the non-audit fees listed below for
services provided to the entities indicated. With respect to First Trust
Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, non-audit fees billed for
services provided to Stonebridge, such Fund's sub-advisor, are also listed
below; an affiliate of the Advisor owns a majority interest in Stonebridge.
AGGREGATE NON-AUDIT FEES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FUND 2018 2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND(1)
Fund $16,050 $30,332
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND(1)
Fund $42,000 $42,044
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND(2)
Fund $5,200 $5,266
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND(3)
Fund $21,700 $19,560
Advisor $48,190(4) $28,500(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND(2)
Fund $5,200 $6,311
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND(1)
Fund $4,450 $5,200
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND(1)
Fund $5,550 $6,373
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND(3)
Fund $42,000 $42,000
Advisor $48,190(4) $28,500(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND(3)
Fund $4,450 $5,200
Advisor $48,190(4) $28,500(5)
Sub-Advisor $3,000(4) $18,500(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND(3)
Fund $42,000 $42,000
Advisor $48,190(4) $28,500(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND(2)
Fund $16,800 $18,248
Advisor $48,190(4) $75,670(6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- -------------------
(1) These fees were for the fiscal years ended November 30.
(2) These fees were for the fiscal years ended December 31.
(3) These fees were for the fiscal years ended October 31.
(4) These fees relate to 2017 federal and state tax matters and consulting
fees.
(5) These fees relate to 2018 federal and state tax matters and professional
services rendered for an Illinois Private Letter Ruling.
(6) These fees relate to 2018 federal and state tax matters, professional
services rendered for an Illinois Private Letter Ruling and professional
fees related to the First Trust Security Assessment Project.
|
-26-
Pre-Approval
Pursuant to its Charter and its Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval
Policy, the Audit Committee of each Fund 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 each Fund by its independent auditors. The
Chairman of the Audit Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on
behalf of the Audit Committee up to $25,000 and report any such pre-approval to
the full Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee is also responsible for the pre-approval of the
independent auditors' engagements for non-audit services with the Advisor and
any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Advisor
that provides ongoing services to the respective Fund, if the engagement relates
directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds, subject to the
de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Rule 2-01 of
Regulation S-X. If the independent auditors have provided non-audit services to
the Advisor or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control
with the Advisor that provides ongoing services to the respective Fund that were
not pre-approved pursuant to its policies, the Audit Committee will consider
whether the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with the
auditors' independence.
None of the Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees, or All Other Fees,
if any, or the Aggregate Non-Audit Fees disclosed above that were required to be
pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to its Pre-Approval Policy were
pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the pre-approval exceptions
included in Regulation S-X.
Because the Audit Committee has not been informed of any such services,
the Audit Committee of each Fund has not considered whether the provision of
non-audit services that were rendered to the Advisor and any entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Advisor that provides ongoing
services to the respective Fund that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph
(c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the
principal accountant's independence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in a Fund's Proxy Statement. To be
considered for presentation at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders of a Fund
and included in the Fund's proxy statement relating to such meeting, a
shareholder proposal must be submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act
("Rule 14a-8") and must be received at the principal executive offices of the
applicable Fund not later than November 20, 2020. Such a proposal will be
included in a Fund's proxy statement if it meets the requirements of Rule 14a-8.
Timely submission of a proposal does not mean that such proposal will be
included in a Fund's proxy statement.
Other Shareholder Proposals. In addition to any requirements of law,
including the proxy rules under the 1934 Act, under the Funds' By-Laws, any
proposal to elect any person nominated by shareholders for election as Trustee
and any other proposals by shareholders may only be brought before an annual
meeting of a Fund if timely written notice (the "Shareholder Notice") is
provided to the Secretary of the Fund and the other conditions summarized below
are met. In accordance with the advance notice provisions included in the Funds'
By-Laws, unless a greater or lesser period is required under applicable law, to
be timely, the Shareholder Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the Fund's principal executive offices, Attn: W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, not
less than forty-five (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the first
-27-
anniversary date of the date of the proxy statement released to shareholders for
the preceding year's annual meeting. However, if and only if the annual meeting
is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty (30) days
before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year
and ends thirty (30) days after such anniversary date (an annual meeting date
outside such period being referred to herein as an "Other Annual Meeting Date"),
such Shareholder Notice must be given as described above by the later of the
close of business on (i) the date forty-five (45) days prior to such Other
Annual Meeting Date or (ii) the tenth (10th) business day following the date
such Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed.
Any shareholder submitting a nomination of any person or persons (as the
case may be) for election as a Trustee or Trustees of a Fund is required to
deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice: (i) a statement in writing setting
forth: (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and
nationality of the person or persons to be nominated; (B) the class or series
and number of all Shares of the Fund owned of record or beneficially by each
such person or persons, as reported to such shareholder by such nominee(s); (C)
any other information regarding each such person required by paragraphs (a),
(d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of
Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the 1934 Act (or any successor provision
thereto); (D) any other information regarding the person or persons to be
nominated that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other
filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for
election of trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether such shareholder
believes any nominee is or will be an "interested person" of the Fund (as
defined in the 1940 Act) and, if not an "interested person," information
regarding each nominee that will be sufficient for the Fund to make such
determination; and (ii) the written and signed consent of any person nominated
to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected. In addition, the
Trustees may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as
they may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of
such proposed nominee to serve as a Trustee.
Without limiting the foregoing, any shareholder who gives a Shareholder
Notice of any matter proposed to be brought before a shareholder meeting
(whether or not involving nominees for Trustees) is required to deliver, as part
of such Shareholder Notice: (i) the description of and text of the proposal to
be presented; (ii) a brief written statement of the reasons why such shareholder
favors the proposal; (iii) such shareholder's name and address as they appear on
the Fund's books; (iv) any other information relating to the shareholder that
would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required
to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to the
matter(s) proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder; (v) the class or series and number of all
Shares of the Fund owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder; (vi)
any material interest of such shareholder in the matter proposed (other than as
a shareholder); (vii) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the shareholder meeting to act on the matter(s) proposed;
(viii) if the proposal involves nominee(s) for Trustees, a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each proposed nominee
and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the
nomination(s) are to be made by the shareholder; and (ix) in the case of a
shareholder (a "Beneficial Owner") that holds Shares entitled to vote at the
meeting through a nominee or "street name" holder of record, evidence
establishing such Beneficial Owner's indirect ownership of, and entitlement to
vote, Shares at the meeting of shareholders. Shares "beneficially owned" means
all Shares which such person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules
13d-3 and 13d-5 under the 1934 Act.
In addition, the By-Laws provide that, unless required by federal law, no
matters shall be considered at or brought before any annual or special meeting
unless such matter has been deemed a proper matter for shareholder action by at
least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Trustees. Timely
submission of a proposal does not mean that such proposal will be brought before
the meeting.
-28-
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Shareholders of a Fund who want to communicate with the Board of Trustees
or any individual Trustee should write the Fund to the attention of the Fund
Secretary, W. Scott Jardine. The letter should indicate that you are a Fund
shareholder. If the communication is intended for a specific Trustee and so
indicates, it will be sent only to that Trustee. If a communication does not
indicate a specific Trustee, it will be sent to the Chairman of the Nominating
and Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees and the independent legal
counsel to the Independent Trustees for further distribution as deemed
appropriate by such persons.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR, SUB-ADVISORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND TRANSFER AGENTS
First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton,
Illinois 60187, serves as each Fund's investment advisor. First Trust Advisors
is also responsible for providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other
administrative services to each Fund and also provides fund reporting services
to each Fund for a flat annual fee. Delaware Investments Fund Advisers, 2005
Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 serves as the investment
sub-advisor to Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend &
Income Fund. Energy Income Partners, LLC, 10 Wright Street, Westport,
Connecticut 06880, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Energy
Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund, First Trust MLP
and Energy Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund. An
affiliate of the Advisor owns an interest in Energy Income Partners, LLC.
Chartwell Investment Partners, LLC, 1205 Westlakes Drive, Suite 100, Berwyn,
Pennsylvania 19312, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Enhanced
Equity Income Fund. Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., 1900 Market Street, 2nd
Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the investment sub-advisor to
First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund. Confluence Investment Management
LLC, 20 Allen Avenue, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63119, serves as the
investment sub-advisor to First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial
Opportunities Fund. Stonebridge Advisors LLC, 10 Westport Road, Suite C101,
Wilton, Connecticut 06897, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust
Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund. An affiliate of the Advisor owns
a majority interest in Stonebridge Advisors LLC. Janus Capital Management LLC,
151 Detroit Street, Denver, Colorado 80206, serves as the investment sub-advisor
to First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund.
The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York
10286, acts as the administrator, fund accountant and custodian, and BNY Mellon
Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware
19809, acts as the transfer agent, to each Fund except for First Trust
Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe
Equity Income Fund. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, acts as the administrator, fund accountant and
custodian, and Computershare, Inc., P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky
40233-5000, acts as the transfer agent, to First Trust Intermediate Duration
Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act require
the Funds' Trustees, the Funds' officers subject to such provisions, certain
persons affiliated with First Trust Advisors and any sub-advisor, and persons
who beneficially own more than 10% of a Fund's Shares to file reports of
ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC. Based upon a review of certain
related forms filed with the SEC and certain written representations, each Fund
believes that during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019, November 30, 2019
and December 31, 2019, as applicable, all such filing requirements applicable to
such persons were met, except as follows: On October 7, 2019, one late Form 3
-29-
was filed for Michael P. Magee, an officer of Chartwell Investment Partners, LLC
("Chartwell"), the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Enhanced Equity Income
Fund. In addition, on March 3, 2020, one late Form 4 was filed for Douglas W.
Kugler, an officer of Chartwell, with respect to his acquisition of Shares of
First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund on October 15, 2014.
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year end for First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust MLP
and Energy Income Fund, First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income
Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund is October 31. The
fiscal year end for Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities
Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust
Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund and First Trust Energy
Infrastructure Fund is November 30. The fiscal year end for First Trust Enhanced
Equity Income Fund, First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund and First
Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund is December 31.
DELIVERY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
Annual reports will be sent to shareholders of record of each Fund
following the Fund's fiscal year end. Each Fund will furnish, without charge, a
copy of its annual report and/or semi-annual report as available upon request.
Such written or oral requests should be made by writing to the Advisor at 120
East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 or by calling toll-free
(800) 988-5891.
Please note that only one annual or semi-annual report or proxy statement
may be delivered to two or more shareholders of a Fund who share an address,
unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate
copy of an annual or semi-annual report or proxy statement, or for instructions
as to how to request a separate copy of such documents or as to how to request a
single copy if multiple copies of such documents are received, shareholders
should contact the Advisor at the address and phone number set forth above.
Pursuant to a request, a separate copy will be delivered promptly.
OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
No business other than the proposal to elect Mr. Keith as the Class I
Trustee of each Fund, as described above, is expected to come before the
Meeting, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise,
including any question as to an adjournment of the Meeting, the persons named on
the enclosed proxy card will vote thereon according to their best judgment in
the interests of the Funds.
March 11, 2020
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. SHAREHOLDERS ARE THEREFORE
URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN
THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
-30-
SCHEDULE 1
NUMBER OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
HELD DURING EACH FUND'S LAST FISCAL YEAR
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE/ NOMINATING
DIVIDEND AND
AUDIT AND PRICING GOVERNANCE VALUATION
BOARD COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
FUND MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL 7 8 4 4 5
INFRASTRUCTURE/ UTILITIES
DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND(1)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND 7 8 4 4 5
GROWTH FUND(1)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY 7 9 4 4 5
INCOME FUND(2)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME 7 8 12 4 5
FUND(3)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING 7 9 4 4 5
OPPORTUNITY FUND(2)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE
AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES 7 8 4 4 5
FUND(1)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST ENERGY 7 8 12 4 5
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND(1)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY 7 8 12 4 5
INCOME FUND(3)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE
DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME 7 8 12 4 5
FUND(3)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES 7 8 12 4 5
MLP & ENERGY FUND(3)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE 7 9 12 4 5
EQUITY INCOME FUND(2)
-------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(1) For fiscal year ended November 30, 2019.
(2) For fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
(3) For fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.
|
[BLANK BACK COVER]
FORM OF PROXY CARD
EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date this Proxy
Card and return in the
postage-paid envelope
VOTE IN PERSON
Attend Shareholder Meeting
120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
on April 22, 2020
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
PROXY
[NAME OF FUND]
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The undersigned holder of shares of the [NAME OF FUND], a Massachusetts
business trust, hereby appoints W. Scott Jardine, Kristi A. Maher, James M.
Dykas, Donald P. Swade and Erin E. Klassman as attorneys and proxies for the
undersigned, with full powers of substitution and revocation, to represent the
undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of the Fund that
the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Fund (the "Meeting") to be held at the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust
Advisors L.P., 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, at
12:00 Noon Central Time on the date indicated above, and any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Joint Annual
Meetings of Shareholders and Joint Proxy Statement dated March 11, 2020,
and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated
hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof (including, but not limited to, any questions as to
adjournments of the Meeting). A majority of the proxies present and acting at
the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present,
then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of
said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously
given. This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by
the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE SET FORTH.
----------------------- -------------------
----------------------- -------------------
XXXX_331138_031120
|
EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020
THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD FOR THIS MEETING ARE AVAILABLE AT:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/fir-31138
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE
VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE SET FORTH.
TO VOTE, MARK A BLOCK BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS
EXAMPLE: [X]
A PROPOSAL
1. Election of One Class I Trustee.
The Board of Trustees recommends that you vote FOR the election of the
Class I Nominee for a three-year term.
FOR WITHHOLD
01. Robert F. Keith [ ] [ ]
B AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES -- THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE
COUNTED. -- SIGN AND DATE BELOW
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card,
and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.
When signing as attorney, executor, guardian, administrator, trustee,
officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative
capacity, please give the full title under the signature.
DATE (mm/dd/yyyy)-- SIGNATURE 1--Please keep SIGNATURE 2--Please keep
Please print date below signature within the box signature within the box
----------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
/ /
----------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
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