Vest 2-Year Large Cap Buffered 20 Portfolio, Series 15
Delivering Upside Performance Potential With A Downside Buffer
The Vest 2-Year Large Cap Buffered 20 Portfolio is a Buffered Target Outcome UIT® which uses a disciplined options strategy designed to provide upside performance potential, subject to a cap, with
a downside buffer. The portfolios invest in FLexible EXchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) based on the price performance of shares of the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (“SPY”
or “reference asset”), an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is designed to track the returns of the S&P 500 Index. The ability of a portfolio to provide returns with a
capped upside and defined buffer against losses is dependent on unit holders purchasing units on the initial date of deposit and holding them until the
portfolio’s termination date.
How Does It Work?
Buffered Target Outcome UITs® are unit investment trusts (UITs) which are pooled investment vehicles with static portfolios that are held for a predetermined amount of time.
The intended return for units purchased on a portfolio’s initial date of deposit and held for the life of the portfolio is based on the performance of the reference asset and the
value of the FLEX Options on the FLEX Option expiration date. The intended return is subject to a capped amount per unit and may represent a return that is less than the
performance of the reference asset. Even if there are significant increases in the value of the reference asset, the amount received is capped.
Who Might Be Interested In Buffered Target Outcome UITs®?
Investors Saving for Life’s Milestones | Buffered UITs give investors the ability
to prioritize a buffer against downside losses (if held for the full Target Outcome
Period) ahead of potential upside returns.
Investors Reluctant to Fully Participate in Equity Markets | Buffered UITs
may be attractive to investors who are looking for the ability to be invested in the
equity markets without assuming the full downside risk of investing in equities. The
portfolios seek to limit the uncertainty of equity market exposure over the term
of the trust by combining a downside buffer with upside growth potential, to the
predetermined cap levels.
Investors With a Moderately Bullish View on Market Returns | Buffered
UITs may appeal to investors who anticipate moderate market returns and are
willing to forgo some potential upside, while gaining a buffer on the downside.
Investors Looking for a Complement to Their Equity Holdings | Buffered
UITs are an agile tool for risk management while participating in the upside potential
of the reference asset up to the capped amount.
About Vest
Vest is the creator of Target Outcome Investments®, which strive to buffer losses, amplify gains or provide consistent income to a diverse spectrum of investors.
Today, Vest’s Target Outcome StrategiesTM are available in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unit investment trusts (UITs), collective investment trusts
(CITs), and customizable managed accounts/sub-advisory services.
| Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value |
You should consider the portfolio's investment objectives, 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.
Definitions
The SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (“SPY”) is an is an exchange-traded fund based on the S&P 500 Index that is an unmanaged index of 500 companies used to measure large-cap U.S. stock market performance. NAV represents the net value of an entity and is calculated as the total value of the entity’s assets minus the total value of its liabilities. NAV represents the per unit value of the portfolio.
Risk Considerations
An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks involved with owning FLEX Options based on the reference asset.
The portfolio has characteristics unlike many other traditional investment products and may not be
appropriate for all investors.
The portfolio holds purchased and written FLEX Options. The FLEX Options are European style options,
which are exercisable at the strike price only on the FLEX Option expiration date. The FLEX Options held
by the portfolio give the option holder the right to buy or sell the reference asset on the FLEX Option
expiration date at the strike price. Prior to their expiration on the FLEX Option expiration date, the
value of the FLEX Options is determined as discussed under “The Value of the Securities” section of the
full prospectus. The value of the FLEX Options prior to their expiration on the FLEX Option expiration
date may vary because of factors other than fluctuations in the value of the reference asset. The value
of FLEX Options will be affected by changes in the value of the reference asset, the underlying index
and its underlying securities, a change in interest rates, a change in the expected dividend rate of the
reference asset, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the underlying
index and the remaining time to expiration. Additionally, the value of the FLEX Options does not
increase or decrease at the same rate as the reference asset, the underlying index or its underlying
securities due to “tracking error” as described in more detail in the full prospectus (although they
generally move in the same direction).
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, a change 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 FLEX Options represent indirect positions in the reference asset and are subject to risks associated
with changes in value as the price of the reference asset rises or falls. The investment in the FLEX
Options includes the risk that their value may be affected by market risk related to the reference asset,
the underlying index and the value of the securities in the underlying index held by the reference asset.
Market risk is the risk that the value of the securities will fluctuate. Market value fluctuates in response
to various factors. These can include changes in interest rates, inflation, the financial condition of a
security’s issuer, perceptions of an issuer, ratings on a bond, or political or economic events affecting
the issuer. While the FLEX Options are individually related to the reference asset, the return on the
FLEX Options depends on the price of the reference asset at the close of the NYSE on the FLEX Option
expiration date and will be substantially determined by market conditions and the reference asset and
the value of the securities comprising the reference asset as of such time.
ETFs 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 ETFs 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, ETFs frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. Certain of
the ETFs may employ the use of leverage, which increases the volatility of such funds.
The intended return for units purchased on the portfolio’s initial date of deposit and held for the life of
the portfolio is based on the performance of the reference asset and the value of the FLEX Options on
the FLEX Option expiration date and is subject to a capped amount per Unit and may represent a return
that is worse than the performance of the reference asset. Even if there are significant increases in the
value of the reference asset, the amount you may receive is capped.
The reference asset invests in common stocks. 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
You should be aware that the reference asset is concentrated in stocks in the information technology
sector which involves additional risks, including limited diversification. The companies engaged in the
information technology sector are subject to fierce competition, high research and development costs,
and their products and services may be subject to rapid obsolescence. Technology company stocks,
especially those which are Internet related, may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations
that are often unrelated to their operating performance.
A portfolio may experience substantial downside from the FLEX Options and option contract positions
may expire worthless. A portfolio does not provide principal protection and you may not receive a return
of the capital you invest. You may experience significant losses on your investment up to an almost total
loss on your investment if the value of the reference asset decreases by greater than a specified level
from the initial reference asset level. A portfolio might not achieve its objective in certain circumstances.
You may realize a return (including a loss) that is higher or lower than the intended returns as a result
of redeeming units prior to the portfolio’s mandatory termination date and in various circumstances,
including where FLEX Options are otherwise liquidated by the portfolio prior to their expiration or
maturity, if the portfolio is unable to maintain the proportional relationship of the FLEX Options in
the portfolio or increases in potential expenses of the portfolio above estimated levels. A portfolio’s
investment strategy is designed to achieve its investment objective over the life of the portfolio. An
increase in the value of the written FLEX Options reduces the value of your units. As the value of the
written FLEX Options increases, the written FLEX Options have a more negative impact on the value of
your units. You should note that even if the value of the reference asset does not change, if the value of
a written FLEX Option increases (for example, based on increased volatility of the underlying index) your
units will lose value. After the premium is received on the written FLEX options, the written FLEX Options
will reduce the value of your units.
Credit risk is the risk that a security’s issuer, guarantor or counterparty of a security is unable or unwilling
to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of a
security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or willingness to make such payments.
The OCC is guarantor and central counterparty with respect to the FLEX Options. As a result, the ability of
the portfolio to meet its objective depends on the OCC being able to meet its obligations
Liquidity risk is the risk that the value of a security will fall if trading in the security is limited or absent.
No one can guarantee that a liquid trading market will exist for the securities. The FLEX Options are
listed on the CBOE; however, no one can guarantee that a liquid secondary trading market will exist for
the FLEX Options. Trading in the FLEX Options may be less deep and liquid than certain other securities.
The FLEX Options may be less liquid than certain non-customized options. In a less liquid market for
the FLEX Options, liquidating the FLEX Options may require the payment of a premium (for written
FLEX Options) or acceptance of a discounted price (for purchased FLEX Options) and may take longer to
complete. In a less liquid market for the FLEX Options, the liquidation of a large number of options may
more significantly impact the price. A less liquid trading market may adversely impact the value of the
FLEX Options and your units and result in the portfolio being unable to achieve its investment objective.
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 of the securities held by the reference asset.
The trust is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust, PDR, or Standard &
Poor’s® (together with their affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”). The Corporations have
not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of, descriptions and disclosures
relating to the trust or the FLEX Options. The Corporations make no representations or warranties, express
or implied, regarding the advisability of investing in the trust or the FLEX Options or results to be obtained
by the trust or the FLEX Options, shareholders or any other person or entity from use of the SPDR® S&P
500® ETF Trust. The Corporations have no liability in connection with the management, administration,
marketing or trading of the trust or the FLEX Options.