[SCHEDULE 13G/A] First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF SEC Filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

On 30 Jun 2025, First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and parent The Charger Corporation filed Amendment 6 to Schedule 13G on FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF – October (CUSIP 33740U695). The group now beneficially owns 1,242,325 units, or 19.96 % of the fund.

The shares are held across unit investment trusts and other vehicles sponsored or advised by First Trust. The reporting parties claim zero sole voting or dispositive power; voting rights for 1,186,930 units and dispositive authority over all 1,242,325 units are shared. They certify the position is passive and acquired in the ordinary course of business, with no intent to influence control.

Crossing the 5 % threshold obligates disclosure and highlights First Trust–managed products’ sizable exposure to the ETF’s performance, though practical control remains limited.

Positive

• First Trust entities disclose a substantial 19.96 % ownership stake, suggesting significant institutional confidence and potential liquidity support for the ETF.

Negative

• No sole voting power limits First Trust’s ability to influence fund governance despite large ownership, and mass redemptions from UITs could create concentration risk.

Insights

ETF Analyst

TL;DR: First Trust discloses a passive ~20 % stake; large but non-controlling, impact on ETF flow dynamics.

The aggregated 1.24 M units indicate meaningful demand from First Trust-sponsored UITs and advisory accounts. While beneficial ownership is high, the lack of sole voting and dispositive power plus certification of passivity reduce governance implications. Investors may view the stake as validation of the ETF’s strategy, but concentration risk exists should UIT redemptions trigger sizeable outflows. Overall, disclosure is noteworthy yet operationally neutral for market control.

Securities Lawyer

TL;DR: Filing satisfies 13G obligations; no activism signal, regulatory impact low.

Amendment 6 corrects ownership data and re-affirms passive status under Rule 13d-1(b). The joint filing structure is common for entities with shared control relationships (Charger Corp as GP). Because sole voting power is zero, Section 13D concerns are minimal. Certification language aligns with 14a-11 safe-harbor, reducing litigation exposure. From a compliance viewpoint the event is routine and not materially impactful to the issuer beyond transparency.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 5)

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII

(Name of Issuer)

FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September

(Title of Class of Securities)

33740U711

(CUSIP Number)

06/30/2025

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 33740U711

1

Names of Reporting Persons

First Trust Portfolios L.P.

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ILLINOIS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 0.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 55,260.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,237,513.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

21.43 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

BD

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 33740U711

1

Names of Reporting Persons

First Trust Advisors L.P.

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ILLINOIS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,182,253.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,237,513.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,237,513.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

21.43 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IA

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 33740U711

1

Names of Reporting Persons

The Charger Corporation

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ILLINOIS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,182,253.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,237,513.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,237,513.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

21.43 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: Attn: Legal Department, 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: First Trust Portfolios L.P. First Trust Advisors L.P. The Charger Corporation
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(c)	Citizenship: Illinois, USA
(d)	Title of class of securities: FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September
(e)	CUSIP No.: 33740U711
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: 1,237,513
(b)	Percent of class: 21.43 %
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 1,182,253
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 1,237,513
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required. This Schedule 13G filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1). The Charger Corporation is the General Partner of both First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Portfolios L.P. acts as sponsor of certain unit investment trusts which hold shares of the issuer. The total number of shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts is set forth in Row (8) above with respect to First Trust Portfolios L.P. No individual unit investment trust sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. holds more than 3% of any registered investment company issuer's shares. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., acts as portfolio supervisor of the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P., certain of which hold shares of the issuer. Neither First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. nor The Charger Corporation have the power to vote the shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. These shares are voted by the trustee of such unit investment trusts so as to insure that the shares are ordinarily voted as closely as possible in the same manner and in the same general proportion as are the shares held by owners other than such unit investment trusts. Subject to the requirements of Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as further explained in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and related Trust Agreements of the unit investment trusts, First Trust Portfolios L.P., on behalf of the unit investment trusts, may enter into an agreement with a deposited fund which may permit the shares of such fund to be voted in the best interest of unit holders at the discretion of First Trust Portfolios L.P. The difference, if any, between the aggregate amount of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person, as set forth in Row (9) above, and the number of shares of the issuer held by the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. represents shares of the issuer which are either held in other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or separately managed accounts for which First Trust Advisors L.P. serves as investment advisor and/or investment sub-advisor. Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the issuer identified in this filing.
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary. See Item 6.
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under ?? 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

First Trust Portfolios L.P.

Signature:	/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:	James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:	07/23/2025

First Trust Advisors L.P.

Signature:	/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:	James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:	07/23/2025

The Charger Corporation

Signature:	/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:	James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date:	07/23/2025

Exhibit Information

Please see Exhibit 99.1 for Joint Filing Agreement

FAQ

How many UCON shares does First Trust own according to the Schedule 13G/A?

The filing reports 1,242,325 shares beneficially owned.

What percentage of the UCON ETF’s outstanding shares does this represent?

The stake equals 19.96 % of the outstanding class.

Does First Trust have sole voting control over the shares?

No. The group has 0 sole voting power; voting is shared on 1,186,930 units.

Why was the Schedule 13G filed instead of a Schedule 13D?

The entities certify the investment is passive and made in the ordinary course, qualifying for the short-form 13G.

Who are the reporting persons in the filing?

The reporting group comprises First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P., and The Charger Corporation.

What is the event date triggering this filing?

The reportable event occurred on 30 June 2025.

Does the filing indicate an intention to influence control of UCON?

No. The certification explicitly states the securities were not acquired to change or influence control of the issuer.