Preferred Income Portfolio, Series 126

The Preferred Income Portfolio is a unit investment trust that is diversified across preferred stocks and trust preferred securities from several companies and because the portfolio remains fixed, you have the confidence of knowing what you own.

About Preferred Securities

• Preferred stocks are equity securities of the issuing company which pay income in the form of dividends.


• Trust preferred securities are securities issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes or preferred stocks, distributions on which are treated as interest, rather than dividends, for federal tax purposes.


• Preferred securities typically have a yield advantage over common stocks as well as comparably rated fixed income investments.


• Preferred securities are “senior securities” which have preference over common stocks, but not debt, of an issuer.

The Current Opportunity In Preferred Securities

• Current yields on preferred securities are attractive relative to many other income-producing securities.


• Preferred securities offer diversification and historically low correlation to other asset classes, which may reduce portfolio volatility.


• Preferred securities offer the potential for capital appreciation and have historically proven to be a more reliable source of income than common stocks as they are senior in the capital structure, have produced a more stable stream of income and have been less volatile.

Call Protection

The securities in the portfolio provide call protection, which helps provide consistent distributions through the life of the trust. If a preferred security does not have call protection, it can be “called” or paid off prior to its stated maturity. Call protection is beneficial to investors when interest rates are low or falling because if the securities are called, there is the risk that the proceeds will be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return. The securities chosen for the portfolio have call protection, which may provide for consistent distributions over the life of the trust.

Portfolio Objective

This unit investment trust seeks a high rate of current income; however, there is no assurance the objective will be met.

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.

Risk Considerations
An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made with an understanding of the risks involved with owning preferred stocks and trust preferred securities, such as an economic recession, volatile interest rates and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the trust preferred securities or the general condition of the stock market.

You should be aware that the portfolio is concentrated in preferred stocks and trust preferred securities issued by companies in the financials sector which involves additional risks, including limited diversification. The financials sector is subject to the adverse effects of volatile interest rates, economic recession, decreases in the availability of capital, increased competition from new entrants in the field, and the potential for increased regulation. Preferred stocks and trust preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.

Companies involved in the real estate industry are subject to changes in the real estate market, vacancy rates and competition, volatile interest rates and economic recession.

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.

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.