First Trust Global Portfolios

What First Trust Global Portfolios does

First Trust Global Portfolios is a London-headquartered asset management firm that distributes UCITS-compliant ETFs and fund products to European professional and institutional investors. It operates through two affiliated private entities, First Trust Global Portfolios Management Limited (FTGPM), the management company of First Trust Global Funds ICAV, and First Trust Global Portfolios Limited (FTGP), established in December 2011 to distribute funds and act as sub-adviser in certain European jurisdictions. Both affiliates sit within the wider First Trust group alongside U.S.-based First Trust Advisors L.P. and First Trust Portfolios L.P., with First Trust Advisors L.P. serving as investment adviser to the funds and the parent group reporting assets under management exceeding $342 billion as of April 30, 2026. The stated core methodology is rules-based investing and thematic ETF construction, a discipline First Trust says it has practiced since 2006.

The firm's product range spans UCITS ETFs covering themes such as smart grid infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud computing, blockchain, and European infrastructure; Target Outcome UCITS ETFs offering buffer and income strategies developed in partnership with Vest Financial LLC; U.S.-domiciled funds including thematic exposures such as the Global Wind Energy ETF; and UCITS open-end funds. Underlying technology consists of rules-based and smart-beta index construction methodologies rather than disclosed AI/ML systems. Distribution runs through the London Stock Exchange and additional European exchanges, with website content gated behind access codes issued by First Trust representatives, indicating a consultative enterprise field sales motion rather than a self-serve retail channel.

First Trust Global Portfolios earns revenue primarily through management fees embedded in the Total Expense Ratios of its UCITS ETF products (a TER of 0.60% has been disclosed for products such as FTEI), with revenue mechanics that are recurring in nature. The customer base is segmented horizontally across professional investors and institutional investors, both requiring UCITS-compliant vehicles with transparent rules-based construction, with no disclosed named-customer dependency. Growth signals include a parent AUM progression from approximately $319 billion to over $342 billion between March and April 2026, recent thematic product launches, and continued partnership expansion with index and methodology providers.

Name

First Trust Global Portfolios

Legal name

First Trust Global Portfolios Management Limited

Website

https://ftglobalportfolios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Trust Global Portfolios is a London-based asset manager distributing UCITS ETFs and Target Outcome strategies to European professional and institutional investors as the European arm of First Trust Advisors L.P., overseeing group assets exceeding $342 billion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ETF Asset Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Sector & Industry Equity ETFs (FSAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Real Assets & Infrastructure ETFs (REITs, Infrastructure, Natural Resources) (FSAAAFAH), Multi-Asset & Allocation ETFs (Balanced, Target Risk) (FSAAAFAF)

Keywords

• UCITS ETF management
• Thematic investing
• Target outcome strategies
• Smart beta ETFs
• Asset management

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: Revenue generated through management fees embedded in expense ratios charged on UCITS ETF products. Total Expense Ratio of 0.60% disclosed for certain ETFs. Dividends distributed to shareholders from underlying fund assets.
2. Fund Distribution Fees: Distribution and marketing of ETFs under First Trust Global Funds ICAV umbrella, with FTGPM acting as Management Company and FTGP as European distributor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Trust Global Portfolios manages and distributes UCITS-compliant exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and open-end funds through First Trust Global Funds ICAV, covering thematic, smart beta, target outcome (buffer and income), and U.S. domiciled strategies. The firm is the European distribution arm of the broader First Trust organization, which has over $342 billion in assets under management and pioneered rules-based and thematic ETF investing since 2006.

Product overview

First Trust Global Portfolios is an asset management company offering a diversified range of investment products. The core offerings include UCITS ETFs (covering thematic areas such as smart grid infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud computing, blockchain, and European infrastructure), Target Outcome UCITS ETFs® (buffer and income strategies developed with Vest Financial LLC), U.S. Domiciled Funds (including wind energy and commodity strategies), and UCITS Open-End Funds. The company operates under the First Trust Global Funds ICAV umbrella structure and partners with First Trust Advisors L.P. as investment adviser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UCITS ETFs

Quantifiable outcome

• First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund attracted over $3 billion in inflows in 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IndxxcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2026Index provider for the First Trust Indxx Europe Infrastructure UCITS ETF (FTEI). Indxx developed the underlying index providing exposure to up to 50 listed European companies in energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure sectors.
• Vest Financial LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVest Financial LLC is the pioneer behind Target Outcome Strategies. First Trust leverages Vest's expertise to provide access to buffer and income strategies targeting downside protection and consistent income generation. The partnership is central to First Trust's Target Outcome Investment offering.
• First Trust Advisors L.P.coreOthersFirst Trust Advisors L.P. serves as investment adviser to First Trust Global Funds ICAV and related funds, with over $342 billion in assets under management. The firm provides investment management expertise and is an affiliate of First Trust Global Portfolios Management Limited.
• Boston Consulting GroupminorOthersBoston Consulting Group analysts provide market research cited by First Trust, forecasting EUR12 trillion in infrastructure investment needed across Europe between 2025 and 2040, supporting the investment thesis for the First Trust Indxx Europe Infrastructure UCITS ETF.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• iShares (BlackRock): World's largest ETF issuer offering UCITS ETFs across thematic, infrastructure, smart beta, and target outcome strategies. Directly comparable product categories with significantly larger AUM and broader distribution.
• State Street SPDR: Major global ETF issuer with deep UCITS offerings across sector, thematic, and factor exposures. Overlaps in thematic and infrastructure categories where First Trust competes.
• Vanguard: Large passive ETF/fund provider with European UCITS offerings. Less directly comparable in thematic and target outcome categories but competes for institutional flows in factor and broad-market exposures.

Direct peers

• VanEck: Thematic-focused ETF issuer with European UCITS offerings in similar themes (clean energy, cybersecurity, infrastructure). Closely comparable in thematic niche positioning and rules-based methodology.
• Amundi ETF: Largest European-headquartered ETF issuer with deep UCITS ETF lineup spanning thematic, infrastructure, smart beta, and factor exposures. A natural direct competitor to First Trust Global Portfolios in European institutional channels.
• Xtrackers (DWS): Major UCITS ETF issuer with broad thematic, infrastructure, and factor ETF offerings. Comparable in product category and European institutional distribution focus.
• Lyxor ETF (Société Générale): European UCITS ETF issuer with broad thematic, factor, and sector product range. Comparable in UCITS regulatory framework and European institutional distribution model.
• Invesco ETP: Global ETF/ETP provider with strong thematic, smart beta, and factor UCITS offerings. Direct competitor in European professional and institutional segments with overlapping product categories.
• WisdomTree Europe: Specialist in thematic and factor-based UCITS ETFs with strong European institutional presence. Comparable in niche thematic positioning and rules-based methodology.

Emerging players

• HANetf: European white-label and thematic UCITS ETF platform enabling independent asset managers to launch ETFs. Comparable in thematic UCITS focus but operates a different platform-based business model.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-trust-global-portfolios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Trust Global Portfolios