(GDEC) First Trust Exchange Traded - Ratings and Ratios

The First Trust Exchange Traded Fund VIII - FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) is designed to provide investors with a defined outcome strategy. Under normal market conditions, the fund allocates substantially all of its assets to FLEX® Options, which are tied to the performance of the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (SPY). These FLEX Options are highly customizable exchange-traded contracts, allowing the fund to tailor key terms such as strike prices, expiration dates, and option styles to achieve its investment objectives. The fund is classified as non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its holdings in a limited number of securities or assets.

GDEC is listed on the BATS exchange under the ticker symbol GDEC and falls under the Defined Outcome ETF category. It is structured to offer moderate downside protection against declines in the S&P 500 while participating in potential upside movements, within predetermined parameters. The funds strategy is geared toward risk-managed exposure to U.S. large-cap equities, making it suitable for investors seeking a buffered approach to equity market volatility.

Based on the provided and , here is a 3-month forecast: - Technical Outlook: GDEC is currently trading at 33.84, slightly below its 20-day SMA of 34.30 but above its 200-day SMA of 33.16. The 50-day SMA of 34.10 suggests a neutral to slightly bullish short-term trend. The ATR of 0.25 indicates low volatility, with potential price movements remaining within a narrow range. - Fundamental Outlook: With an AUM of 454.03M USD, the fund has sufficient scale to maintain liquidity and tracking efficiency. The moderate buffer strategy aligns with current market conditions, where investors may seek downside protection without sacrificing upside potential. Over the next three months, GDEC is expected to trade in line with the S&P 500, with muted downside risk and limited upside participation.