LDSF ETF — First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus

First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus (LDSF)

LDSF is an ETF. As of August 20, 2026, its distribution rate is 4.70%, its trailing-12-month yield is 5.04%, its expense ratio is 0.77%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 99/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 22.0% over the past 7.6 years, 216.0 points behind SPY at 238.0%.

At the current 4.70% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $470 per year, or $39.17 per month on an equivalent basis.

First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus is an ETF that invests at least 80% of its net assets in other U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds focused on income-generating securities with a duration of three years or less, seeking to provide shorter-term fixed-income exposure. The fund distributes monthly income at a current high distribution rate, with an expense ratio of 0.77%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking shorter-duration bond exposure through a diversified ETF-of-ETFs structure.

LDSF performance versus SPY

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Fund total return is 22.0% over the past 7.6 years, 216.0 points behind SPY at 238.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 1.7%.

LDSF key facts

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

99 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

4.65%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Fixed Income

Inception date

01/03/2019

Expense ratio

0.77%

Distribution rate

4.70%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

5.04%

Last close

$18.90

AUM

$162,524,794

Average volume

113848.0

Last dividend

$0.0740

Ex-dividend date

07/21/2026

Payment date

07/31/2026

Beta

0.47

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (4.70%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (5.04%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Primary sources: First Trust fund 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.

LDSF risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 1.7%.

Who may consider LDSF — and who may not

LDSF may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. 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.

Frequently asked questions

More funds from First Trust.