Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
Help & Tutorial 
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
Upturn AI SWOT - About
First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON)
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)
Stock price based on last close (see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: UCON (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 8.4% | Avg. Invested days 65 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/14/2025 |
Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.57 | 52 Weeks Range 23.28 - 24.91 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 23.28 - 24.91 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF
ETF Overview
Overview
The First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UFIX) seeks to provide current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities globally, without being constrained by a traditional benchmark.
Reputation and Reliability
First Trust is a well-established ETF provider known for its innovative and diversified investment solutions.
Management Expertise
The ETF leverages TCW's expertise in fixed-income management, a firm with a long history and experienced team.
Investment Objective
Goal
To provide current income and secondarily, capital appreciation.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The fund does not track a specific index and has an unconstrained approach to fixed income investing, allowing flexibility in security selection, maturity, and geography.
Composition The ETF primarily holds fixed-income securities, including government bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and emerging market debt. It may also invest in derivatives.
Market Position
Market Share: UFIX's market share within the unconstrained bond ETF space is relatively small, indicating a niche position.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 72673370
Competitors
Key Competitors
- PIMCO Active Bond ETF (BOND)
- DoubleLine Total Return Bond ETF (DLBL)
- SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB)
Competitive Landscape
The unconstrained bond ETF market is competitive, with larger funds offering similar flexibility. UFIX differentiates itself through TCW's specific investment process. However, UFIX's smaller AUM may make it less liquid and potentially more volatile than larger peers. BOND offers a broader exposure and DLBL focuses more on mortgage-backed securities.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data should be sourced from financial data providers (e.g., Morningstar, Bloomberg).
Benchmark Comparison: Due to its unconstrained nature, a direct benchmark comparison is challenging. Performance should be compared against a composite of relevant fixed-income indices or peer group averages.
Expense Ratio: 0.55
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
UFIX's average trading volume is moderate, which may impact execution costs for larger trades.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread can vary depending on market conditions, typically wider than more liquid bond ETFs.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Interest rate movements, credit spreads, inflation expectations, and global economic growth influence UFIX's performance.
Growth Trajectory
The growth trajectory is dependent on investor demand for unconstrained fixed-income strategies and TCW's ability to generate alpha.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
UFIX benefits from TCW's deep expertise in fixed-income investing and the flexibility to invest across various sectors and geographies. This unconstrained approach aims to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns by actively managing duration, credit risk, and currency exposure. The fund's agility allows it to adapt to changing market conditions, potentially capturing opportunities missed by traditional benchmark-driven strategies. However, this flexibility also relies heavily on the manager's skill and judgment.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
UFIX's volatility can be higher than traditional bond ETFs due to its unconstrained mandate and exposure to a wider range of fixed-income securities.
Market Risk
The ETF is subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, inflation risk, and currency risk depending on its specific holdings.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking income and some capital appreciation with a tolerance for higher volatility than traditional bond funds, and those who believe in TCW's investment management capabilities.
Market Risk
UFIX may be suitable for long-term investors looking for a more actively managed bond allocation, but may not be appropriate for risk-averse investors or short-term traders.
Summary
The First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UFIX) offers an unconstrained approach to fixed-income investing, aiming to deliver income and capital appreciation. It benefits from TCW's expertise but carries higher volatility than traditional bond ETFs due to its flexible mandate. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon before investing. While the unconstrained nature is a benefit, it also puts added importance on the decision making process of the mangers.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- First Trust Website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
- Bloomberg
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual circumstances and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market share information is estimated and may vary.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website | ||
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in a portfolio of fixed income securities. Its average portfolio duration will vary from between 0 to 10 years. It may invest a significant portion of its assets in securitized investment products, including up to 50% of its net assets in each of asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.