FCVT ETF — First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF

First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF (FCVT)

Updated October 16, 2026.

FCVT is an ETF. its distribution rate is 1.19%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.33%, its expense ratio is 0.95%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 40/100 (Caution). Total return is 156.0% over the past 10.9 years, 178.0 points behind SPY at 334.0%.

First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF is an ETF that invests at least 80% of its assets in U.S. and non-U.S. convertible securities—debt or preferred securities that can be converted into common stock—blending bond and equity characteristics. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate with monthly distributions and has an expense ratio of 0.95%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking yield from securities that offer both bond-like income and equity upside potential.

FCVT performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 156.0% over the past 10.9 years, 178.0 points behind SPY at 334.0%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 4.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 17.0%.

FCVT key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

40 · Caution

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.48%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

11/03/2015

Expense ratio

0.95%

Distribution rate

1.19%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

1.33%

Last close

$45.20 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$94,801,347

Average volume

4658.0

Dividend

$0.045

Ex-dividend date

09/24/2026

Payment date

09/30/2026

Beta

1.27

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.19%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.33%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FCVT risks and drawbacks

FCVT's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 17.0%.

Who may consider FCVT — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on FCVT

• All tickers starting with F

Frequently asked questions

More securities from First Trust.