First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI)

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") announces the declaration of the monthly distributions for certain exchange-traded funds advised by FTA. The following dates apply to today's distribution declarations: Expected Ex-Dividend Date: February 20, 2026 Record Date: February 20, 2026 Payable Date: February 27, 2026 Ticker Exchange Fund Name Frequency Ordinary Income Per Share Amount       ACTIVELY MANAGED EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS           First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund.

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF is rated a hold due to capped upside and vulnerability in prolonged downturns. FTQI delivers an attractive 11.3% yield with consistent monthly distributions, appealing to income-focused investors, especially those nearing retirement. The fund's ATM-heavy option strategy prioritizes income over growth, causing underperformance versus traditional index ETFs during bull markets.

B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of First Trust NASDAQ BuyWrite Income ETF (NASDAQ: FTQI) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 62,028 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,213,000. B. Riley Wealth

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") announces the declaration of the monthly distributions for certain exchange-traded funds advised by FTA.

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF offers high monthly income with an 11.4% yield, focusing on capital preservation over growth. FTQI consistently underperforms peers like GPIQ and QQQI in total return, despite its longer operating history and similar or higher yields. The fund's option-writing strategy caps upside potential, making FTQI less suitable for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation or AI market growth.

FTQI offers a high 12% yield by writing covered calls on the Nasdaq-100, appealing to income-focused investors seeking equity exposure. The strategy limits upside potential but can outperform during flat or declining markets, making it a useful hedge or income alternative. Investors should be aware of higher fees, tracking error, and tax implications, as well as the capped returns from covered call writing.

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF offers a 12% yield from short call options on the Nasdaq 100 Index combined with a portfolio of 189 stocks. A major shift in distribution policy in May 2022 boosted yield, but this likely comes at the cost of capital decay. FTQI has lagged competitors such as JEPQ, while its expense ratio remains among the highest.

WHEATON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") announces the declaration of the monthly distributions for certain exchange-traded funds advised by FTA. The following dates apply to today's distribution declarations: Expected Ex-Dividend Date: July 22, 2025 Record Date: July 22, 2025 Payable Date: July 31, 2025 Ticker   Exchange   Fund Name   Frequency   Ordinary Income Per Share Amount     ACTIVELY MANAGED EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS     First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III   FCAL.

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.

FTQI offers double-digit yields, but lacks downside protection, suffering significant drawdowns similar to QQQ during market selloffs. BUYW and JEPQ are better alternatives for income investors seeking more diversification and improved total return performance. JEPQ stands out with a 57% three-year total return, outperforming both FTQI and the S&P 500 in the referenced period.

The fund strategy focuses on using options against constituents of the Nasdaq-100, currently offering a 11.7% dividend yield. The price has remained quite stable over the last decade, but has underperformed peer option ETFs. The distribution policy seems to be recently changed and it's not yet determined if these higher payout amounts will negatively impact the fund's stability.

FTQI employs a buy-write strategy on the NASDAQ-100, aiming for a high yield of 12% through monthly distributions. FTQI's strategy involves selling call options on 100% of its holdings, capping upside potential and making it suitable for income-focused investors. The fund has underperformed the NASDAQ 100 due to its capped gains, delivering 76% ROI over 10 years compared to the index's 436%.

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF holds stocks of the Nasdaq Composite, and sells call options on the Nasdaq 100 index for income. FTQI has lagged some competitors on various time frames. The option strategy or distribution policy changed in 2022 to pay a higher yield, making historical data useless to evaluate FTQI.

This article analyzes the First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF and argues that it's not ideal for investors seeking growth from Nasdaq stocks. The fund aims to generate income through a covered-call strategy on the Nasdaq-100 Index, but utilizes in-the-money call options. Growth stocks, however, aim for price appreciation, which these calls restrict since they are ITM options.

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF combines a stock portfolio with an index option overlay to generate additional cash flow. The buy-write strategy offers partial hedging against price declines and improved returns in flat or slightly bullish markets. FTQI's top holdings include Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia, with a diverse sector composition.

The Nasdaq-100 Index has been enjoying a huge rally from the start of November and has now hit levels not seen in nearly two years. Investors looking to ride the Nasdaq bulls could consider ETFs.