(XMAR) First Trust Exchange Traded - Ratings and Ratios

The First Trust Exchange Traded Fund VIII - Cboe Vest US Equity Enhance and Moderate Buffer ETF (BATS:XMAR) is designed to provide a defined outcome investment strategy. Under normal market conditions, the fund allocates substantially all of its assets in FLEX® Options tied to the performance of the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust. These options are structured to offer enhanced returns while providing a moderate buffer against losses during market downturns. The fund is classified as non-diversified, meaning it can concentrate its investments in a smaller number of securities, which may increase risk.

The funds investment strategy focuses on capital preservation and growth by utilizing a buffered outcome approach. This means that within a specific time frame, the ETF is designed to limit losses to a predetermined level while allowing for participation in potential gains, up to a cap. The use of FLEX® Options allows for precise risk management, aiming to deliver returns that align with the funds stated objectives.

From a technical perspective, XMAR has shown a stable price pattern with key moving averages converging around the 36.64 level. The 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day SMAs are at 36.64, 36.44, and 35.43, respectively, indicating a slight upward trend. The Average True Range (ATR) of 0.11 suggests low volatility, while the average 20-day volume of 16,115 shares reflects moderate trading activity.

Fundamentally, the ETF manages assets under management (AUM) of $167.63 million, which is modest but sufficient for maintaining liquidity in its investment strategy. The funds focus on the S&P 500 ETF provides exposure to the broader U.S. equity market, with the added layer of downside protection through its options strategy.