FTHI: Defensive Income ETF That Can Navigate Market Uncertainty

First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF offers an 8.6% dividend yield, making it attractive for income-focused investors seeking monthly payouts and tax efficiency. FTHI uses a covered call strategy on the S&P 500, prioritizing income over price appreciation, and has shown resilience during volatile markets. While FTHI underperforms peers like DIVO in long-term total returns, its higher yield and defensive qualities suit retirees and conservative investors.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 15, 2025

FTHI's Strategy Isn't Enough To Overcome Structural Limits

The First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF's dividend-focused stock selection fails to deliver meaningful income enhancements over the S&P 500, limiting its appeal versus alternatives like JEPI. The ETF's option-writing strategy offers limited downside protection and caps upside, with sector allocations and holdings closely mirroring the S&P 500. FTHI's yield is primarily sustained by capital return and option income, not by superior dividend yields, and its NAV growth remains modest.

Seeking Alpha • Jul 30, 2025

First Trust Adds New Income Generating ETF

First Trust today announced the launch of the actively managed First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) on the NYSE Arca. FTBI aims to deliver a steady stream of income that closely matches the performance of the Bloomberg Moderate Allocation Income Focus Index.

ETF Trends • May 29, 2025

FTHI: Tax-Efficient Dividend Income From Solid Option ETF

FTHI is a high-quality, diversified option ETF with a strong track record, offering a 9.2% yield and monthly distributions—ideal for income-focused investors. The fund's strategy of writing out-of-the-money options on S&P 500 stocks generates reliable income while preserving capital, though it caps upside in bull markets. FTHI underperforms traditional index ETFs during strong market growth, but could outperform if market returns slow, making it attractive in lower-growth environments.

Seeking Alpha • May 19, 2025

FTHI: Why DIVO Looks Better (Rating Downgrade)

First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF holds 166 stocks and 9 short positions in call options, aiming to enhance distributions. FTHI meets its primary objective of providing income with a yield close to 9%, but price history points to a decay in inflation-adjusted value. Among popular buy-write ETFs, DIVO looks more compelling than FTHI, with a better balance between income and preservation of capital.

Seeking Alpha • Mar 3, 2025

FTHI: Is The Trade-Off Between Income And Growth Worth It?

FTHI leverages a buy-write strategy on the S&P 500, offering a 9% distribution yield but capping upside potential. FTHI's strategy involves selling call options, generating monthly income but limiting growth, making it suitable for income-focused investors rather than those seeking capital appreciation. The fund underperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade, highlighting the trade-off between steady income and limited growth in a strong bull market.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 19, 2024

FTHI: Low Volatility, Not Great Track Record

Covered call ETFs like FTHI offer attractive monthly distributions and reduced volatility but lag the S&P 500 in long-term performance due to capped gains in the long portion of portfolio. FTHI's defensive allocation and options strategy result in lower valuations and consistent income, making it suitable for income-focused portfolios, not broad equity exposure. Despite lower valuations and profitability on par with the S&P 500, FTHI's performance is less competitive in bullish markets due to limited upside.

Seeking Alpha • Sep 10, 2024

FTHI: A Covered Call Play That Deserves More Attention

First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF uses options to increase income and capital appreciation. The FTHI ETF holds positions in well-known, large-cap companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon. FTHI has a sector allocation that includes technology, healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities to mitigate concentration risk.

Seeking Alpha • May 24, 2024

Buyback Bonanza: The Top 7 ETFs to Profit From Corporate Cash Splurges

80% of S&P 500 companies are entering pre-earnings buyback blackouts, according to Bloomberg. Analysts anticipate a potential rebound post-blackout.

InvestorPlace • Apr 16, 2024

FTHI: Beating Peers Lately, But Yield History Is Weird

First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF is an actively managed fund holding 179 stocks and rolling short positions in S&P 500 call options. FTHI return has been average relative to peers over the last 3 years, but it has outperformed for 12 months. The fund meets its primary objective of providing income, although distribution history raises a doubt about yield sustainability.

Seeking Alpha • Mar 10, 2024