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First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II - First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF(RBLD)
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)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for RBLD
10/13/2026: RBLD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
RBLD provides targeted exposure to U.S. companies involved in next-generation infrastructure, focusing on grid modernization, communication networks, and industrial services. It achieves this by tracking an Alerian index designed to exclude traditional utility stocks in favor of growth-oriented infrastructure assets. The fund’s main strengths include its specialized thematic focus and reliable issuer backing, though it carries a higher expense ratio and moderate liquidity compared to broader market ETFs. Key risks include sensitivity to interest rates, which affect capital-intensive project financing, and potential policy changes regarding infrastructure investment. It is best suited for growth-oriented investors looking to complement their core portfolio with a dedicated stake in the future of U.S. infrastructure.
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 focus on next-generation technology and infrastructure modernization aligns with long-term growth objectives. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum suitability is conditional on a positive upturn signal for capital-intensive industrial sectors. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Many infrastructure firms trade based on project backlogs and earnings potential rather than deep-value multiples. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Mixed fit | While some infrastructure firms pay dividends, the 'NextGen' focus emphasizes growth over high current yield. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The sector's sensitivity to interest rates and government policy introduces volatility unsuitable for very low-risk mandates. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term thematic investor seeking exposure to secular growth trends like digital transformation and grid modernization.
Suitability
RBLD is best suited for long-term investors looking to add a specialized growth tilt to their industrial or infrastructure allocation.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium / high | Thematic ETFs concentrated in infrastructure can experience sharp price swings based on interest rate sentiment. |
| Market risk | Medium | Broad economic downturns typically reduce demand for the industrial and data services the fund holds. |
| Concentration | High | The focus on specific next-gen segments limits diversification compared to a total market fund. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The passive strategy generally tracks the index well, though the expense ratio is higher than broad market ETFs. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower trading volumes for specialized ETFs can occasionally lead to wider bid-ask spreads. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The fund depends on the regulatory and economic feasibility of large-scale infrastructure deployment. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
RBLD exhibits volatility typical of the industrial and energy-tech sectors, often influenced by macroeconomic cycles and sector-specific policy announcements.
Market Risk
The primary risks involve exposure to capital-intensive companies sensitive to debt financing costs and cyclical fluctuations in industrial spending.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electric Grid & Energy Infrastructure | 45 | This exposure captures companies essential for the transition to renewable energy and smart grid technology. |
| Industry | Communication & Data Infrastructure | 35 | Investments in this sector provide exposure to the backbone of the digital economy and 5G connectivity. |
| Industry | Industrial/Construction Services | 15 | These firms provide the engineering and construction services necessary to build and maintain modern infrastructure projects. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5 | A small cash reserve is held to manage liquidity and daily transaction requirements. |
Price Behavior

Steady Uptrend
The stock demonstrates consistent and steady upward price momentum.

Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 18.37% | Avg. Invested days 50 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |

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