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First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII - First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF(ILDR)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ILDR
10/28/2026: ILDR (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is an actively managed fund targeting companies with high research and development intensity that demonstrate strong innovation leadership. Its main strengths include a rigorous selection process and the backing of a reputable issuer, though it carries higher expenses compared to passive technology ETFs. It serves primarily as a growth-oriented satellite holding. Investors should monitor market interest rate trends and sector-specific regulatory environments, as these are the primary risks to its high-growth portfolio. The fund is best suited for long-term growth investors who are willing to accept market-leading volatility.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The fund is explicitly designed to capture growth from companies leading in technological and business innovation. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The fund’s focus on market leaders often aligns well with momentum strategies during bull markets. |
| Value investor | Weak fit | Innovation stocks are typically priced for high growth, making them less suitable for traditional value metrics. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | The portfolio prioritizes capital appreciation over dividend yield, making it poor for income-seeking investors. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The high exposure to disruptive technology and growth stocks inherently involves significant volatility. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Growth-oriented investors with a long-term horizon who are comfortable with volatility and seek exposure to disruptive innovators.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term investors looking to complement a core index portfolio with a satellite allocation to innovation.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Growth-oriented innovation stocks often experience significant price swings. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | The fund is highly sensitive to overall market sentiment regarding technology and growth sectors. |
| Concentration | Medium | The focus on innovation leaders can lead to overweighting in specific high-growth industries. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The active management fee is higher than passive index alternatives. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower trading volume compared to massive ETFs may impact execution costs for large orders. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The success of the fund depends on the management team's ability to identify companies with lasting innovation moats. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
ILDR exhibits higher-than-market volatility due to its concentrated focus on high-growth, innovation-dependent companies.
Market Risk
The fund faces significant systematic risk regarding interest rates and market sentiment toward high-multiple stocks.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Information Technology Sector | 45 | This provides core exposure to the drivers of digital transformation and software innovation. |
| Healthcare | Healthcare Innovation & Biotech | 25 | This captures growth from medical advancements, genomics, and specialized pharmaceutical research. |
| Communication Services | Communication Services Sector | 15 | This segment includes companies leading in internet infrastructure and media disruption. |
| Industrials | Industrial Innovation | 10 | This represents companies innovating in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5 | Small cash allocation used for daily liquidity and portfolio rebalancing needs. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 54.14% | Avg. Invested days 53 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/28/2026 |
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