Diversified High Income Closed-End Portfolio, Series 68
The Multi-Sector Approach
The Diversified High Income Closed-End Portfolio seeks to provide investors with a high rate of current
monthly income by investing across a broad range of high income paying closed-end funds. Because
different sectors follow different cycles and react differently to changes in global economies and interest
rates, spreading assets across this spectrum of closed-end funds has the potential to reduce the overall risk
of the portfolio.
When selecting closed-end funds for this portfolio, we look at several factors
including:
Discount | We favor funds which are trading at a discount to net asset value and we favor those
which are trading at a greater discount relative to their peers.
Consistent Dividend | We favor funds which have a history of paying a consistent dividend.
Expense Ratio | We favor funds which have a lower than average expense ratio relative to
their peers
Diversification | We limit exposure to individual fund companies/managers
Liquidity | We favor larger funds and more liquid funds.
Closed-End Features
Portfolio Control | Unlike open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds maintain a relatively fixed
pool of investment capital. This allows portfolio managers to better adhere to their investment
philosophies through greater flexibility and control. In addition, closed-end funds don’t have to
manage fund liquidity to meet potentially large redemptions.
Diversification | The portfolio offers investors diversification by investing in a broad range
of closed-end funds that are further diversified across hundreds of individual securities.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss
Income Distributions | Closed-end funds are structured to generally provide a more stable
income stream than other managed investment products because they are not subjected to cash
inflows and outflows, which can dilute dividends over time. However, stable income cannot
be assured
Portfolio Objectives
This unit investment trust seeks a high rate of current monthly income, with capital
appreciation as a secondary objective by investing in a diversified pool of closed-end
funds. There is, however, no assurance that the objectives of the portfolio will be achieved.
Not FDIC Insured Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value |
You should consider the portfolio's investment objective, risks, and
charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial professional
or call First Trust Portfolios, L.P. at 1-800-621-1675 to request a prospectus,
which contains this and other information about the portfolio. Read it carefully
before you invest.
Risk Considerations
An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made with an understanding of the risks associated with an investment in a portfolio of closed-end funds. Closed-end
funds are subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the fund’s investment objective, and to manage the fund’s portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of market
turmoil and as investors’ perceptions regarding the funds or their underlying investments change. Unlike open-end funds, which trade at prices based on a current determination of the fund’s net asset value, closed-end funds
frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value in the secondary market. Certain of the funds employ the use of leverage which increases the volatility of such funds.
Common stocks are subject to certain risks, such as an economic recession and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the stock market.
A floating-rate security is an instrument in which the interest rate payable on the obligation fluctuates on a periodic basis based upon changes in an interest rate benchmark. As a result, the yield on such a security will generally
decline in a falling interest rate environment, causing the trust to experience a reduction in the income it receives from such securities.
Investing in high-yield securities should be viewed as speculative and you should review your ability to assume the risks associated with investments which utilize such securities. High-yield securities are subject to numerous
risks, including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the junk bond market, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal. High-yield security prices tend to fluctuate more than higher
rated securities and are affected by short-term credit developments to a greater degree.
Options are subject to various risks including that their value may be adversely affected if the market for the option becomes less liquid or smaller. In addition, options will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the
stock subject to the option, an increase in interest rates, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the common stock and the remaining time to expiration.
The yield on funds which invest in senior loans will generally decline in a falling interest rate environment and increase in a rising interest rate environment. Senior loans are generally below investment grade quality (“junk”
bonds). An investment in senior loans involves the risk that the borrowers may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due.
Covenant-lite loans contain fewer or no maintenance covenants and may hinder the funds’ ability to reprice credit risk and mitigate potential loss especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks,
including currency fluctuations, political risks, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and
exchange control restrictions impacting non-U.S. issuers.
As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the trust
has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity.
Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility
within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain investments as well as performance.
The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the potential impacts of any future public health crisis, may cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against future variants of the disease.
The value of the securities held by the trust may be subject to
steep declines or increased volatility due to changes in
performance or perception of the issuers.
It is important to note that an investment can be made in the underlying funds directly rather
than through the trust. These direct investments can be made without paying the trust’s sales
charge, operating expenses and organizational costs.
This UIT is a buy and hold strategy and investors should consider their ability to hold the trust
until maturity. There may be tax consequences unless units are purchased in an IRA or other
qualified plan.
For a discussion of additional risks of investing in the trust see the “Risk Factors” section of
the prospectus.