SEC Form N-CSRS filed by First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund
$FTHY
Investment Managers
Finance
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-23199
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
120 East Liberty Drive
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
W. Scott Jardine, Esq.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Name and address of agent for
service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 630-765-8000
Date of fiscal year end: May 31
Date of reporting period:
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
First
Trust
High
Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Report
For
the Six Months Ended
November
30, 2023
Table
of Contents
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Report
November
30, 2023
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Caution
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the goals, beliefs, plans or current expectations of
First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust” or the “Advisor”) and its representatives, taking into account the information
currently available to them. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to current or historical fact.
For example, forward-looking statements include the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,”
“expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “would” or other
words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes.
Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements
of First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (the “Fund”) to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. When evaluating the information included in this report, you are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the judgment of the Advisor and its representatives
only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events
and circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
Performance
and Risk Disclosure
There
is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that
the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and that the value of the Fund’s shares may therefore be less than
what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money by investing in the Fund. See “Principal Risks” in the Additional
Information section of this report for a discussion of certain other risks of investing in the Fund.
Performance
data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than
the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.ftportfolios.com
or speak with your financial advisor. Investment returns, net asset value and common share price will fluctuate and Fund shares, when
sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The
Advisor may also periodically provide additional information on Fund performance on the Fund’s web page at www.ftportfolios.com.
How
to Read This Report
This
report contains information that may help you evaluate your investment in the Fund. It includes details about the Fund and presents data
and analysis that provide insight into the Fund’s performance and investment approach.
By
reading the portfolio commentary by the portfolio management team of the Fund, you may obtain an understanding of how the market environment
affected the Fund’s performance. The statistical information that follows may help you understand the Fund’s performance compared
to that of a relevant market benchmark.
It
is important to keep in mind that the opinions expressed by personnel of the Advisor are just that: informed opinions. They should not
be considered to be promises or advice. The opinions, like the statistics, cover the period through the date on the cover of this report.
The material risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, the statement of additional information, this report and
other Fund regulatory filings.
Shareholder
Letter
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Letter from the Chairman and CEO
November
30, 2023
Dear
Shareholders,
First
Trust is pleased to provide you with the semi-annual report for the First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (the “Fund”),
which contains detailed information about the Fund for the six months ended November 30, 2023.
Rising
prices and the direction of central bank policy continue to dominate headlines on a global scale. As of December 12, 2023, just one of
the eleven countries that comprise the so-called “Group of Ten” had a rate of inflation that was below its target for the
metric. To rein in these price increases, central banks across the globe have been implementing more restrictive monetary policies. Over
the past twelve months, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) increased the Federal Funds target rate (upper bound) from 4.00% (where
it stood on November 30, 2022) to 5.50% as of November 30, 2023. Inflation, as measured by the 12-month change in the rate of the Consumer
Price Index, stood at 3.1% at the end of November 2023, marking the thirty-third consecutive month that the metric has been elevated above
the Fed’s stated goal of 2.0%.
As
many investors are likely aware, tighter monetary policy often leads to lower economic growth. In their October 2023 publication of the
World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund projected that the growth in world economic output is expected to slow from 3.5%
in 2022 to 2.9% in 2024. The economic growth in advanced economies is projected to plummet from 2.6% in 2022 to 1.4% over the same period.
The impact of higher rates on consumers and businesses cannot be overstated. For consumers, rising interest rates typically increase the
cost of borrowing for large purchases, such as homes and automobiles. Assuming a 20% down payment, the rise in mortgage rates since the
Fed began its current tightening cycle amounts to a 31% increase in monthly interest payments on a new 30-year mortgage for the median
new home, according to Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust. For corporations, the rising cost of debt financing often leads
to a contraction in business investment as free capital dries up and expansion projects slow. Refinitiv Lipper reported that the value
of global merger and acquisitions activity stood at just $2.38 trillion year-to-date through October 2023, representing a decline of 20%
compared to the same period last year and the lowest January to October total in a decade.
The
financial markets battled a myriad of headwinds over the past year, from geopolitical uncertainty resulting from war (the conflicts between
Israel and Hamas and Russia and Ukraine) to sticky inflation and the looming threat of an economic recession. While calls for a recession
may concern some investors, the following may offer solace. Data from Bloomberg reveals that the S&P 500®
Index has posted positive total returns over the 3-year period following every recession since 1948.
Thank
you for giving First Trust the opportunity to play a role in your financial future. We value our relationship with you and will report
on the Fund again in six months.
Sincerely,
James
A. Bowen
Chairman
of the Board of Trustees
Chief
Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.
Page
1
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
“AT
A GLANCE”
As
of November 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Performance | |||
| Average
Annual Total Returns | |||
| 6
Months Ended 11/30/23 |
1
Year Ended 11/30/23 |
Inception
(6/25/20) to 11/30/23 | |
| Fund Performance(3) | |||
| NAV(4) | 7.22% | 9.13% | 1.69% |
| Market Value | 6.39% | 3.48% | -2.32% |
| Index Performance | |||
| ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index | 5.50% | 8.62% | 3.72% |
| (1) | Most recent distribution paid through November 30, 2023. Subject to change in the future. |
| (2) | Distribution rates are calculated by annualizing the most recent distribution paid through the report date and then dividing by Common Share Price or NAV, as applicable, as of November 30, 2023. Subject to change in the future. |
| (3) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain, and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and changes in NAV per share for NAV returns and changes in Common Share Price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. |
| (4) | On January 3, 2023, the fair value methodology used to value the senior loan investments held by the Fund was changed. Prior to that date, the senior loans were valued using the bid side price provided by a pricing service. After such date, the senior loans were valued using the midpoint between the bid and ask price provided by a pricing service. The change in the Fund’s fair value methodology on January 3, 2023, resulted in a one-time increase in the Fund’s NAV of approximately $0.018 per share on that date, which represented a positive impact on the Fund’s performance of 0.11%. Without the change to the pricing methodology, the performance of the Fund on a NAV basis would have been 7.15%, 8.99%, and 1.65%, in the six-month, one-year, and since inception periods ended November 30, 2023, respectively. |
Page
2
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
“AT
A GLANCE” (Continued)
As
of November 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| (5) | The ratings are by S&P Global Ratings except where otherwise indicated. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations except for those debt obligations that are only privately rated. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Investment grade is defined as those issuers that have a long-term credit rating of BBB- or higher. The credit ratings shown relate to the creditworthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities in the Fund, and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings are subject to change. |
| (6) | Percentages are based on long-term positions. Money market funds are excluded. |
Page
3
Portfolio
Commentary
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Report
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Advisor
The
First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust”) Leveraged Finance Team is comprised of 18 experienced investment professionals specializing
in below investment grade securities. The team is comprised of portfolio management, research, trading and operations personnel. As of
November 30, 2023, the First Trust Leveraged Finance Team managed or supervised approximately $5.7 billion in senior secured bank loans
and high yield bonds. These assets are managed across various strategies, including two closed-end funds, an open-end fund, and five exchange-traded
funds on behalf of retail and institutional clients.
Portfolio
Management Team
William
Housey, CFA – Managing Director of Fixed Income, Senior Portfolio Manager
Jeffrey
Scott, CFA – Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Commentary
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund
The
investment objective of the First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (“FTHY” or the “Fund”) is to provide
current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its
Managed Assets in high yield debt securities of any maturity that are rated below investment grade at the time of purchase or unrated
securities determined by the First Trust Leveraged Finance Team to be of comparable quality. “Managed Assets” means the total
asset value of the Fund minus the sum of its liabilities, other than the principal amount of borrowings. High yield debt securities include
U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt obligations and senior secured floating rate loans (“Senior Loans”). Securities rated below
investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities and are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful.
Market
Recap
At
the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) June 2023 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) held its
target terminal Federal Funds rate steady at 5.00-5.25%, leaving the target rate 500 basis points (“bps”) higher than it was
in March 2022. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell was clear in saying that “inflation pressures continue to run high, and the process of
getting inflation back down to 2.0% has a long way to go,” suggesting that future rate hikes remained under consideration. Shortly
after, the FOMC raised its target for the Federal Funds target rate to 5.25-5.50% at the July meeting, and subsequently held this target
rate steady at both the September and October meetings.
For
the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield increased 69 bps from 3.64% to 4.33%. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury
yield reached 4.99% in mid-October 2023 before retreating lower in the concluding weeks of the reporting period. The S&P 500®
Index closed at 4,568 on November 30, 2023, providing a 10.17% return throughout the reporting period.
High-Yield
Bond Market
During
the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, high-yield bond spreads over U.S. Treasuries tightened by 87 bps to T+384 bps. The long-term
average spread of the high-yield asset class is T+547 bps (December 1997 – November 2023). Throughout the reporting period, high
yield funds realized $600 million in net outflows; however, despite realizing cumulative outflows, high-yield funds experienced their
largest monthly inflow (+$11.30 billion) since May 2020 in November 2023. In the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, B rated high-yield
bond issues returned 4.82%, underperforming both BB rated issues (5.74%) and CCC rated issues (7.11%). The average price of the high-yield
asset class increased from $87.48 at the beginning of the period to $89.94 at the end of the period. Additionally, the default rate of
the JP Morgan High Yield Bond Universe increased from 1.49% at the beginning of the period to 2.08% at the end of the period. The current
default rate is below the long-term average default rate of 2.99%, dating back to March 1999.
Page
4
Portfolio
Commentary (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Report
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Performance
Analysis
| Average
Annual Total Returns | |||
| 6
Months Ended 11/30/23 |
1
Year Ended 11/30/23 |
Inception
(6/25/20) to 11/30/23 | |
| Fund Performance(1) | |||
| NAV(2) | 7.22% | 9.13% | 1.69% |
| Market Value | 6.39% | 3.48% | -2.32% |
| Index Performance | |||
| ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index | 5.50% | 8.62% | 3.72% |
Performance figures assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike the Fund, the index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by the Fund. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. The Fund’s past performance does not predict future performance.
During
the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, the Fund returned 7.22% on a net asset value (“NAV”) basis and 6.39% on a market
value basis. The ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index (the “Index”) returned 5.50% over the same period. The Fund’s
market price discount to NAV widened by 68 bps over the period, ending at a discount of 12.89% on November 30, 2023. The Fund ended the
period well diversified across 208 securities (average position size of 0.48%), while the top 10 issuers comprised 30.89% of the Fund.
The Fund was also well diversified across 38 different industries, the largest three of which were Media at 17.31%, Software at 16.08%
and Insurance at 14.21%.
The
Fund’s overweight allocation to and security selection within the Media industry proved the largest contributor to the Fund’s
outperformance during the six-month period ended November 30, 2023. The Fund maintained an average weight of 18.99% to the Media industry
over the reporting period; this compares to the Index’s average weight of 9.13% over the reporting period. Specifically, the Fund’s
overweight positions in both a provider of high-speed internet and cable television services, as well as a domestic broadcaster, drove
its outperformance in the sector. The use of leverage also proved a large contributor to the Fund’s outperformance as asset prices
generated positive returns that exceeded the cost of leverage. The Fund strategically increased leverage from 17.84% of adjusted net assets
(net assets plus borrowings) at the beginning of the reporting period to 19.29% at the end of the reporting period. The Fund continues
to prudently manage the floating cost of leverage by investing in assets with sufficient returns and a floating rate
| (1) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and changes in NAV per share for NAV returns and changes in Common Share price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. |
| (2) | On January 3, 2023, the fair value methodology used to value the senior loan investments held by the Fund was changed. Prior to that date, the senior loans were valued using the bid side price provided by a pricing service. After such date, the senior loans were valued using the midpoint between the bid and ask price provided by a pricing service. The change in the Fund’s fair value methodology on January 3, 2023, resulted in a one-time increase in the Fund’s NAV of approximately $0.018 per share on that date, which represented a positive impact on the Fund’s performance of 0.11%. Without the change to the pricing methodology, the performance of the Fund on a NAV basis would have been 7.15%, 8.99%, and 1.65%, in the six-month, one-year, and since inception periods ended November 30, 2023, respectively. |
Page
5
Portfolio
Commentary (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Semi-Annual
Report
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
component.
The Fund’s security selection within the Technology & Electronics industry also proved a tailwind to performance, specifically
its positions in an internet media company and a unified communications provider. The Fund’s security selection within the Insurance
industry partially offset this tailwind; notably, the Fund’s positions in high quality insurance companies generated positive returns,
yet lagged the benchmark. Finally, the Fund’s underweight allocation to and security selection within the Diversified Financial
Services industry presented an additional headwind to performance.(3)
From
an asset class perspective, the Fund’s security selection within high-yield bonds bolstered performance. The Fund’s allocation
to senior loans also proved a tailwind to performance as senior loans (+7.07%) outperformed high-yield bonds (+5.50%) over the period.
The Fund allocated 17.81% to senior loans as of November 30, 2023. From a credit rating perspective, the Fund’s overweight allocation
to and security selection within CCC and below rated assets, as well as the Fund’s underweight allocation to and security selection
within BB rated assets, further contributed to outperformance. The Fund’s security selection within B rated assets partially offset
this tailwind. The derivative position in the Fund had a de minimis negative impact on performance during the period.
The
Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable monthly distribution, which may be changed at any time. The practice has
no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. However, the Advisor believes the practice helps
maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.
The monthly distribution rate began and ended the period at $0.13 per share. At the $0.13 per share monthly distribution rate, the annualized
distribution rate at November 30, 2023 was 10.01% based on NAV and 11.49% based on market price. The Fund’s distributions throughout
the reporting period consisted of net investment income earned by the Fund. Certain distributions may have also included return of capital
or short-term capital gains. The final determination of the source and tax status of all 2023 distributions will be made after the end
of 2023 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV. The foregoing is not to be construed as tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for
further information regarding tax matters.
The
Fund experienced zero defaults in the last twelve-month (“LTM”) period, while the JP Morgan High Yield Bond Universe experienced
22 defaults over the same LTM period. Since inception, the Fund has experienced two defaults, compared to 58 defaults within the JP Morgan
High Yield Bond Universe over the same period. The Fund’s LTM default rate of 0.00% compares to the JP Morgan High Yield Bond Universe’s
LTM default rate of 2.08%.
Market
and Fund Outlook
Our
market framework centers on our view that the Fed’s interest rate hiking cycle is nearing its end and may be shifting towards interest
rate cuts in 2024. Moreover, we view today’s fixed income markets as significantly more balanced when it comes to income and interest
rate risk. Elevated yields continue to support future positive returns in fixed income. However, we expect market volatility to continue
as investors attempt to gauge the likelihood of a recession. Consequently, within our strategies, we favor higher credit quality and defensive
positioning, with overweight allocations to sectors we believe will exhibit limited cyclicality. We believe higher interest rates have
created attractive opportunities in the corporate credit landscape; as we assess such market opportunities, we continue to employ our
bottom-up credit underwriting process and rigorous approach to risk management.
| (3) | Industry sector classifications for performance attribution are based on the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index’s Level 3 Subgroup. |
Page
6
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES – 87.0% | ||||||||
| Aerospace & Defense – 1.2% | ||||||||
| $158,000 |
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 09/01/28 | $145,400 | ||||
| 2,598,000 |
TransDigm, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.25% | 03/15/26 | 2,582,232 | ||||
| 4,311,000 |
TransDigm, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.75% | 08/15/28 | 4,324,101 | ||||
| 7,051,733 | ||||||||
| Agricultural Products & Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 623,000 |
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.88% | 05/15/28 | 596,321 | ||||
| Apparel Retail – 0.8% | ||||||||
| 4,040,000 |
Nordstrom, Inc. (b) |
4.00% | 03/15/27 | 3,801,801 | ||||
| 1,146,000 |
Nordstrom, Inc. (b) |
4.38% | 04/01/30 | 953,687 | ||||
| 4,755,488 | ||||||||
| Application Software – 2.1% | ||||||||
| 2,892,000 |
Alteryx, Inc. (a) (b) |
8.75% | 03/15/28 | 2,910,888 | ||||
| 5,755,000 |
GoTo Group, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 08/31/27 | 3,402,271 | ||||
| 3,000,000 |
McAfee Corp. (a) (b) |
7.38% | 02/15/30 | 2,593,962 | ||||
| 1,513,000 |
Open Text Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.13% | 12/01/31 | 1,293,793 | ||||
| 1,576,000 |
RingCentral, Inc. (a) (b) |
8.50% | 08/15/30 | 1,571,524 | ||||
| 11,772,438 | ||||||||
| Automobile Manufacturers – 0.7% | ||||||||
| 3,369,000 |
Ford Motor Co. (b) |
9.63% | 04/22/30 | 3,861,730 | ||||
| Broadcasting – 13.9% | ||||||||
| 5,708,000 |
Gray Television, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.88% | 07/15/26 | 5,341,518 | ||||
| 8,201,000 |
Gray Television, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.00% | 05/15/27 | 7,460,901 | ||||
| 3,409,000 |
Gray Television, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 10/15/30 | 2,436,902 | ||||
| 13,053,000 |
iHeartCommunications, Inc. (b) |
8.38% | 05/01/27 | 9,148,657 | ||||
| 22,177,000 |
Nexstar Media, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.63% | 07/15/27 | 21,022,142 | ||||
| 1,031,000 |
Nexstar Media, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 11/01/28 | 913,546 | ||||
| 611,000 |
Scripps Escrow II, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 01/15/29 | 513,967 | ||||
| 17,974,000 |
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 02/15/27 | 15,704,782 | ||||
| 7,069,000 |
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.13% | 09/01/26 | 6,510,266 | ||||
| 343,000 |
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 07/01/29 | 318,990 | ||||
| 8,987,000 |
Tegna Inc. (b) |
4.63% | 03/15/28 | 8,206,749 | ||||
| 2,027,000 |
Univision Communications, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.63% | 06/01/27 | 1,999,838 | ||||
| 79,578,258 | ||||||||
| Building Products – 0.3% | ||||||||
| 588,000 |
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc (a) (b) |
6.50% | 08/01/30 | 587,761 | ||||
| 574,000 |
Standard Industries, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 01/15/28 | 540,050 | ||||
| 858,000 |
Standard Industries, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.38% | 07/15/30 | 752,876 | ||||
| 1,880,687 | ||||||||
| Cable & Satellite – 7.1% | ||||||||
| 7,413,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
5.38% | 06/01/29 | 6,878,868 | ||||
| 4,567,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
6.38% | 09/01/29 | 4,409,670 | ||||
| 3,427,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 03/01/30 | 3,001,355 | ||||
| 3,993,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 08/15/30 | 3,428,540 | ||||
| 1,155,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
4.25% | 02/01/31 | 964,221 | ||||
| 3,219,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
7.38% | 03/03/31 | 3,222,541 | ||||
| 1,621,000 |
CCO Holdings, LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 06/01/33 | 1,297,977 | ||||
| 2,370,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
7.50% | 04/01/28 | 1,623,152 | ||||
| 667,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
11.25% | 05/15/28 | 666,472 | ||||
| 10,569,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
5.75% | 01/15/30 | 5,979,887 | ||||
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
7
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (Continued) | ||||||||
| Cable & Satellite (Continued) | ||||||||
| $3,000,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
4.63% | 12/01/30 | $1,654,730 | ||||
| 250,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
3.38% | 02/15/31 | 170,693 | ||||
| 10,306,000 |
CSC Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
4.50% | 11/15/31 | 7,302,425 | ||||
| 40,600,531 | ||||||||
| Casinos & Gaming – 4.2% | ||||||||
| 1,438,000 |
Boyd Gaming Corp. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 06/15/31 | 1,273,695 | ||||
| 1,999,000 |
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 10/15/29 | 1,757,841 | ||||
| 77,000 |
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.00% | 02/15/30 | 77,142 | ||||
| 71,000 |
CDI Escrow Issuer, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.75% | 04/01/30 | 66,709 | ||||
| 9,182,000 |
Fertitta Entertainment, LLC/Fertitta Entertainment Finance Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
6.75% | 01/15/30 | 7,756,903 | ||||
| 930,000 |
Light & Wonder (FKA Scientific Games International Inc) (a) (b) |
7.50% | 09/01/31 | 944,253 | ||||
| 170,000 |
MGM Resorts International (b) |
6.75% | 05/01/25 | 170,468 | ||||
| 582,000 |
MGM Resorts International (b) |
5.75% | 06/15/25 | 579,108 | ||||
| 284,000 |
Scientific Games Holdings L.P./Scientific Games US FinCo, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.63% | 03/01/30 | 254,397 | ||||
| 2,694,000 |
Station Casinos, LLC (a) (b) |
4.50% | 02/15/28 | 2,438,676 | ||||
| 1,624,000 |
VICI Properties L.P./VICI Note Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
3.50% | 02/15/25 | 1,571,805 | ||||
| 7,698,000 |
VICI Properties L.P./VICI Note Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
4.25% | 12/01/26 | 7,258,031 | ||||
| 60,000 |
VICI Properties L.P./VICI Note Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
3.75% | 02/15/27 | 55,599 | ||||
| 24,204,627 | ||||||||
| Commercial Printing – 0.8% | ||||||||
| 2,000,000 |
Multi-Color Corp. (LABL, Inc.) (a) (b) |
6.75% | 07/15/26 | 1,902,659 | ||||
| 471,000 |
Multi-Color Corp. (LABL, Inc.) (a) (b) |
10.50% | 07/15/27 | 428,430 | ||||
| 2,612,000 |
Multi-Color Corp. (LABL, Inc.) (a) (b) |
9.50% | 11/01/28 | 2,523,849 | ||||
| 4,854,938 | ||||||||
| Construction & Engineering – 0.6% | ||||||||
| 3,855,000 |
Pike Corp. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 09/01/28 | 3,514,970 | ||||
| Construction Materials – 0.9% | ||||||||
| 74,000 |
GYP Holdings III Corp. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 05/01/29 | 64,240 | ||||
| 5,167,000 |
Summit Materials, LLC (a) (b) |
5.25% | 01/15/29 | 4,836,286 | ||||
| 160,000 |
Summit Materials, LLC (a) (b) |
7.25% | 01/15/31 | 161,179 | ||||
| 5,061,705 | ||||||||
| Consumer Finance – 0.5% | ||||||||
| 3,056,000 |
FirstCash, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 09/01/28 | 2,801,461 | ||||
| Diversified Financial Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 638,000 |
GTCR W-2 Merger Sub, LLC (a) (b) |
7.50% | 01/15/31 | 650,489 | ||||
| Diversified Support Services – 0.3% | ||||||||
| 901,000 |
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.75% | 03/15/28 | 918,759 | ||||
| 625,000 |
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.75% | 03/15/31 | 649,281 | ||||
| 1,568,040 | ||||||||
| Electric Utilities – 0.4% | ||||||||
| 1,588,000 |
Vistra Operations Co., LLC (a) (b) |
5.00% | 07/31/27 | 1,512,419 | ||||
| 641,000 |
Vistra Operations Co., LLC (a) (b) |
7.75% | 10/15/31 | 656,627 | ||||
| 2,169,046 | ||||||||
| Electrical Components & Equipment – 0.0% | ||||||||
| 333,000 |
Sensata Technologies, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.75% | 02/15/31 | 281,876 | ||||
Page
8
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (Continued) | ||||||||
| Environmental & Facilities Services – 0.5% | ||||||||
| $2,822,000 |
Waste Pro USA, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 02/15/26 | $2,665,605 | ||||
| Financial Exchanges & Data – 0.4% | ||||||||
| 2,550,000 |
MSCI, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.25% | 08/15/33 | 2,039,430 | ||||
| Food Distributors – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 603,000 |
US Foods, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 02/15/29 | 559,411 | ||||
| Health Care Facilities – 2.1% | ||||||||
| 1,510,000 |
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
5.00% | 04/15/29 | 1,410,732 | ||||
| 2,218,000 |
HCA, Inc. (b) |
5.88% | 02/15/26 | 2,222,846 | ||||
| 569,000 |
HCA, Inc. (b) |
5.38% | 09/01/26 | 566,330 | ||||
| 7,842,000 |
Select Medical Corp. (a) (b) |
6.25% | 08/15/26 | 7,791,086 | ||||
| 250,000 |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. (b) |
5.13% | 11/01/27 | 240,121 | ||||
| 12,231,115 | ||||||||
| Health Care Services – 1.7% | ||||||||
| 2,013,000 |
DaVita, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 06/01/30 | 1,702,967 | ||||
| 551,000 |
DaVita, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.75% | 02/15/31 | 431,811 | ||||
| 10,403,000 |
Global Medical Response, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.50% | 10/01/25 | 7,708,207 | ||||
| 9,842,985 | ||||||||
| Health Care Supplies – 2.3% | ||||||||
| 9,847,000 |
Medline Borrower L.P. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 04/01/29 | 8,747,204 | ||||
| 4,833,000 |
Medline Borrower L.P. (a) (b) |
5.25% | 10/01/29 | 4,377,128 | ||||
| 13,124,332 | ||||||||
| Health Care Technology – 2.7% | ||||||||
| 6,527,000 |
AthenaHealth Group, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.50% | 02/15/30 | 5,661,966 | ||||
| 1,365,000 |
HealthEquity, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 10/01/29 | 1,230,872 | ||||
| 8,552,000 |
Verscend Escrow Corp. (a) (b) |
9.75% | 08/15/26 | 8,591,493 | ||||
| 15,484,331 | ||||||||
| Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines – 0.0% | ||||||||
| 289,000 |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.38% | 08/15/28 | 266,228 | ||||
| Household Products – 0.6% | ||||||||
| 1,121,000 |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.50% | 12/31/27 | 1,089,338 | ||||
| 1,746,000 |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 06/15/28 | 1,562,146 | ||||
| 650,000 |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.38% | 03/31/29 | 561,145 | ||||
| 3,212,629 | ||||||||
| Human Resource & Employment Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 314,000 |
TriNet Group, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.13% | 08/15/31 | 317,376 | ||||
| Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 0.6% | ||||||||
| 3,627,000 |
Calpine Corp. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 03/15/28 | 3,416,264 | ||||
| Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components – 1.5% | ||||||||
| 2,049,000 |
Emerald Debt Merger Sub, LLC (a) (b) |
6.63% | 12/15/30 | 2,046,439 | ||||
| 6,597,000 |
Gates Global, LLC/Gates Corp. (a) (b) |
6.25% | 01/15/26 | 6,530,205 | ||||
| 8,576,644 | ||||||||
| Insurance Brokers – 13.5% | ||||||||
| 12,321,000 |
Alliant Holdings Intermediate, LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer (a) (b) |
6.75% | 10/15/27 | 11,828,160 | ||||
| 7,588,000 |
Alliant Holdings Intermediate, LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer (a) (b) |
6.75% | 04/15/28 | 7,588,635 | ||||
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
9
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (Continued) | ||||||||
| Insurance Brokers (Continued) | ||||||||
| $210,000 |
Alliant Holdings Intermediate, LLC/Alliant Holdings Co-Issuer (a) (b) |
5.88% | 11/01/29 | $190,071 | ||||
| 12,603,000 |
AmWINS Group, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.88% | 06/30/29 | 11,352,132 | ||||
| 8,980,000 |
AssuredPartners, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.00% | 08/15/25 | 8,965,036 | ||||
| 13,689,000 |
AssuredPartners, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.63% | 01/15/29 | 12,245,021 | ||||
| 2,092,000 |
BroadStreet Partners, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.88% | 04/15/29 | 1,903,010 | ||||
| 675,000 |
Brown & Brown, Inc. (b) |
2.38% | 03/15/31 | 537,972 | ||||
| 1,211,000 |
GTCR AP Finance, Inc. (a) (b) |
8.00% | 05/15/27 | 1,208,234 | ||||
| 12,908,000 |
HUB International Ltd. (a) (b) |
7.00% | 05/01/26 | 12,851,802 | ||||
| 4,934,000 |
HUB International Ltd. (a) (b) |
5.63% | 12/01/29 | 4,477,138 | ||||
| 800,000 |
National Financial Partners Corp. (NFP) (a) (b) |
6.88% | 08/15/28 | 713,152 | ||||
| 3,801,000 |
Ryan Specialty Group, LLC (a) (b) |
4.38% | 02/01/30 | 3,435,154 | ||||
| 77,295,517 | ||||||||
| Integrated Telecommunication Services – 1.0% | ||||||||
| 61,000 |
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.00% | 03/01/27 | 46,608 | ||||
| 8,267,000 |
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.13% | 03/01/28 | 5,559,091 | ||||
| 5,605,699 | ||||||||
| Interactive Media & Services – 1.4% | ||||||||
| 8,270,000 |
Cars.com, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.38% | 11/01/28 | 7,834,169 | ||||
| Internet Services & Infrastructure – 2.0% | ||||||||
| 6,210,000 |
Go Daddy Operating Co., LLC/GD Finance Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
5.25% | 12/01/27 | 6,013,066 | ||||
| 5,979,000 |
Go Daddy Operating Co., LLC/GD Finance Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
3.50% | 03/01/29 | 5,269,596 | ||||
| 11,282,662 | ||||||||
| Investment Banking & Brokerage – 0.2% | ||||||||
| 1,045,000 |
LPL Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 11/15/27 | 984,339 | ||||
| IT Consulting & Other Services – 0.4% | ||||||||
| 613,000 |
CDK Global Inc. (Central Parent, Inc.) (a) (b) |
7.25% | 06/15/29 | 612,887 | ||||
| 2,000,000 |
Gartner, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 07/01/28 | 1,875,108 | ||||
| 2,487,995 | ||||||||
| Leisure Facilities – 0.0% | ||||||||
| 283,000 |
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.25% | 08/15/29 | 259,702 | ||||
| Leisure Products – 0.3% | ||||||||
| 1,413,000 |
Acushnet Co. (a) (b) |
7.38% | 10/15/28 | 1,452,218 | ||||
| Managed Health Care – 1.8% | ||||||||
| 6,806,000 |
Centene Corp. (b) |
4.25% | 12/15/27 | 6,430,479 | ||||
| 968,000 |
Molina Healthcare, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.38% | 06/15/28 | 898,453 | ||||
| 2,577,000 |
MPH Acquisition Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
5.50% | 09/01/28 | 2,241,294 | ||||
| 1,296,000 |
MPH Acquisition Holdings, LLC (a) (b) |
5.75% | 11/01/28 | 1,005,029 | ||||
| 10,575,255 | ||||||||
| Metal, Glass & Plastic Containers – 2.5% | ||||||||
| 903,000 |
Ball Corp. (b) |
6.88% | 03/15/28 | 923,147 | ||||
| 4,227,000 |
Ball Corp. (b) |
2.88% | 08/15/30 | 3,504,908 | ||||
| 5,419,000 |
Berry Global, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.63% | 07/15/27 | 5,302,362 | ||||
| 75,000 |
Crown Americas, LLC (b) |
5.25% | 04/01/30 | 71,003 | ||||
| 4,321,000 |
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.25% | 05/15/31 | 4,294,037 | ||||
| 14,095,457 | ||||||||
Page
10
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (Continued) | ||||||||
| Movies & Entertainment – 1.2% | ||||||||
| $4,380,000 |
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.63% | 03/15/26 | $4,264,626 | ||||
| 2,620,000 |
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 10/15/27 | 2,465,394 | ||||
| 394,000 |
WMG Acquisition Corp. (a) (b) |
3.00% | 02/15/31 | 325,891 | ||||
| 7,055,911 | ||||||||
| Office Services & Supplies – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 520,000 |
Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (a) (b) |
5.00% | 12/15/29 | 470,197 | ||||
| Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials – 3.4% | ||||||||
| 12,810,000 |
Graham Packaging Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
7.13% | 08/15/28 | 11,283,881 | ||||
| 6,990,000 |
Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer, Inc./Pactiv Evergreen Group Issuer, LLC (a) (b) |
4.00% | 10/15/27 | 6,402,455 | ||||
| 180,000 |
Pactiv, LLC (b) |
7.95% | 12/15/25 | 181,288 | ||||
| 1,070,000 |
Sealed Air Corp. (a) (b) |
6.13% | 02/01/28 | 1,059,306 | ||||
| 566,000 |
Sealed Air Corp. (a) (b) |
5.00% | 04/15/29 | 528,097 | ||||
| 19,455,027 | ||||||||
| Personal Care Products – 0.2% | ||||||||
| 1,389,000 |
Prestige Brands, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 01/15/28 | 1,321,165 | ||||
| Pharmaceuticals – 0.2% | ||||||||
| 1,259,000 |
IQVIA, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.50% | 05/15/30 | 1,271,212 | ||||
| Research & Consulting Services – 0.9% | ||||||||
| 973,000 |
Clarivate Science Holdings Corp. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 07/01/28 | 878,886 | ||||
| 3,114,000 |
Clarivate Science Holdings Corp. (a) (b) |
4.88% | 07/01/29 | 2,789,165 | ||||
| 1,493,000 |
CoreLogic, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 05/01/28 | 1,251,903 | ||||
| 4,919,954 | ||||||||
| Restaurants – 1.0% | ||||||||
| 5,088,000 |
IRB Holding Corp. (a) (b) |
7.00% | 06/15/25 | 5,083,189 | ||||
| 812,000 |
Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC (a) (b) |
9.38% | 05/01/29 | 853,651 | ||||
| 5,936,840 | ||||||||
| Security & Alarm Services – 0.3% | ||||||||
| 2,000,000 |
Brink’s (The) Co. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 10/15/27 | 1,876,521 | ||||
| Specialized Consumer Services – 0.8% | ||||||||
| 4,932,000 |
Aramark Services, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.00% | 02/01/28 | 4,671,695 | ||||
| Specialized Finance – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 1,149,000 |
Radiate HoldCo, LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.50% | 09/15/26 | 857,206 | ||||
| Specialty Chemicals – 1.3% | ||||||||
| 8,153,000 |
Avantor Funding, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.63% | 07/15/28 | 7,633,660 | ||||
| Systems Software – 5.7% | ||||||||
| 2,724,000 |
Boxer Parent Co., Inc. (a) (b) |
9.13% | 03/01/26 | 2,727,575 | ||||
| 3,484,000 |
Gen Digital, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.13% | 09/30/30 | 3,562,115 | ||||
| 1,000,000 |
Oracle Corp. (b) |
6.15% | 11/09/29 | 1,049,655 | ||||
| 1,000,000 |
Oracle Corp. (b) |
6.25% | 11/09/32 | 1,053,502 | ||||
| 1,796,000 |
Oracle Corp. (b) |
6.50% | 04/15/38 | 1,923,420 | ||||
| 22,995,000 |
SS&C Technologies, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 09/30/27 | 22,275,031 | ||||
| 32,591,298 | ||||||||
| Trading Companies & Distributors – 2.1% | ||||||||
| 1,794,000 |
Herc Holdings, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 07/15/27 | 1,743,314 | ||||
| 1,035,000 |
SRS Distribution, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.13% | 07/01/29 | 914,871 | ||||
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
11
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (Continued) | ||||||||
| Trading Companies & Distributors (Continued) | ||||||||
| $588,000 |
SRS Distribution, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.00% | 12/01/29 | $512,039 | ||||
| 8,786,000 |
United Rentals, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.00% | 12/15/29 | 8,779,122 | ||||
| 11,949,346 | ||||||||
|
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes |
498,823,733 | |||||||
| (Cost $531,794,937) | ||||||||
| Principal Value |
Description | Rate (c) | Stated Maturity (d) |
Value | ||||
| SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS – 21.9% | ||||||||
| Application Software – 7.9% | ||||||||
| 705,785 |
Applied Systems, Inc., 2026 Term Loan, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 4.50%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
9.89% | 09/18/26 | 709,152 | ||||
| 8,609,622 |
Gainwell Acquisition Corp. (fka Milano), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.49% | 10/01/27 | 8,322,620 | ||||
| 4,397,599 |
Greeneden U.S. Holdings II, LLC (Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.), Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1
Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.46% | 12/01/27 | 4,408,087 | ||||
| 6,398,085 |
Informatica Corporation, Initial Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 2.75%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
8.21% | 10/29/28 | 6,395,685 | ||||
| 3,124,082 |
Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), 2020 June New Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.75%, 1.00%
Floor (b) |
9.21% | 09/15/24 | 3,131,252 | ||||
| 8,877,441 |
Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), 2nd Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 6.25%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
11.60% | 02/23/29 | 8,078,471 | ||||
| 1,871,873 |
Internet Brands, Inc. (Web MD/MH Sub I. LLC), Initial Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor
(b) |
9.21% | 09/13/24 | 1,875,383 | ||||
| 110,976 |
ION Trading Technologies Limited, Term Loan B, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.75%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
10.24% | 04/01/28 | 110,460 | ||||
| 5,798,394 |
LogMeIn, Inc. (GoTo Group, Inc.), Term Loan B, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.75%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
10.28% | 08/31/27 | 3,855,932 | ||||
| 3,538,182 |
RealPage, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 6.50%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
11.96% | 04/22/29 | 3,529,337 | ||||
| 1,193,924 |
Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG, Inc.), 2021 Term Loan, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.25%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
8.76% | 05/03/26 | 1,196,163 | ||||
| 3,669,025 |
Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG, Inc.), Initial Term Loan B, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.75%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.23% | 05/03/26 | 3,682,931 | ||||
| 45,295,473 | ||||||||
| Cable & Satellite – 0.3% | ||||||||
| 1,542,555 |
Cablevision (aka CSC Holdings, LLC), March 2017 Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.25%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
7.69% | 07/17/25 | 1,512,089 | ||||
| Education Services – 0.0% | ||||||||
| 142,291 |
Ascensus Holdings, Inc. (Mercury), Second Lien Term Loan, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 6.50%, 0.50% Floor |
12.18% | 08/02/29 | 136,184 | ||||
| Electric Utilities – 0.4% | ||||||||
| 2,499,223 |
PG&E Corp., Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
8.46% | 06/23/25 | 2,504,496 | ||||
| Electronic Equipment & Instruments – 0.5% | ||||||||
| 2,921,338 |
Verifone Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.64% | 08/20/25 | 2,780,573 | ||||
Page
12
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Rate (c) | Stated Maturity (d) |
Value | ||||
| SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (Continued) | ||||||||
| Health Care Facilities – 0.5% | ||||||||
| $445,372 |
Charlotte Buyer, Inc., Initial Term B Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 5.25%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
10.57% | 02/11/28 | $445,619 | ||||
| 2,430,772 |
Select Medical Corp., Tranche B-1, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
8.35% | 03/08/27 | 2,434,564 | ||||
| 2,880,183 | ||||||||
| Health Care Technology – 6.5% | ||||||||
| 1,950,701 |
Ciox Health (Healthport/CT Technologies Intermediate Holdings, Inc.), New Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR +
CSA + 4.25%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.71% | 12/16/25 | 1,859,262 | ||||
| 9,319,915 |
Navicure, Inc. (Waystar Technologies, Inc.), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.46% | 10/23/26 | 9,356,029 | ||||
| 17,695,157 |
Verscend Technologies, Inc. (Cotiviti), New Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.46% | 08/27/25 | 17,737,537 | ||||
| 7,951,465 |
Zelis Payments Buyer, Inc., New Term Loan B-1, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.50%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
8.96% | 09/30/26 | 7,966,732 | ||||
| 36,919,560 | ||||||||
| Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components – 0.8% | ||||||||
| 4,323,751 |
Filtration Group Corporation, 2023 Extended Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
9.71% | 10/21/28 | 4,336,355 | ||||
| Insurance Brokers – 3.8% | ||||||||
| 539,273 |
Alliant Holdings I, LLC, Term Loan B-5, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
8.83% | 11/05/27 | 540,482 | ||||
| 6,486,925 |
HUB International Ltd., 2023 Refinancing Term Loan B-5, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 4.25%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.66% | 06/20/30 | 6,520,397 | ||||
| 939,058 |
HUB International Ltd., Term Loan B4, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.37% | 11/10/29 | 942,772 | ||||
| 5,234,286 |
OneDigital Borrower LLC, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.25%, 0.50% Floor (b) |
9.70% | 11/16/27 | 5,224,471 | ||||
| 5,335,930 |
Ryan Specialty Group, LLC, Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.00%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
8.45% | 09/01/27 | 5,352,605 | ||||
| 3,275,024 |
USI, Inc. (fka Compass Investors Inc.), 2023 Refi Tranche, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 3.25%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
8.64% | 09/27/30 | 3,275,270 | ||||
| 21,855,997 | ||||||||
| Integrated Telecommunication Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 450,834 |
Altice France S.A., Term Loan B-13, 3 Mo. LIBOR + 4.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.64% | 08/14/26 | 421,448 | ||||
| 61,000 |
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., Initial Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.00%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
8.46% | 03/09/27 | 52,311 | ||||
| 473,759 | ||||||||
| Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.2% | ||||||||
| 1,344,253 |
WCG Purchaser Corp. (WIRB-Copernicus Group), Term Loan B, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.00%, 1.00% Floor (b) |
9.46% | 01/08/27 | 1,325,433 | ||||
| Metal, Glass & Plastic Containers – 0.5% | ||||||||
| 2,661,286 |
ProAmpac PG Borrower, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + 4.50%, 0.75% Floor (b) |
9.87%-9.89% | 09/15/28 | 2,647,980 | ||||
| Security & Alarm Services – 0.1% | ||||||||
| 726,880 |
Garda World Security Corp., Term Loan B-2, 3 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 4.25%, 0.00% Floor (b) |
9.75% | 10/30/26 | 726,782 | ||||
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
13
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Principal Value |
Description | Rate (c) | Stated Maturity (d) |
Value | ||||
| SENIOR FLOATING-RATE LOAN INTERESTS (Continued) | ||||||||
| Systems Software – 0.3% | ||||||||
| $1,807,320 |
BMC Software Finance, Inc. (Boxer Parent), 2021 Replacement Dollar Term Loan, 1 Mo. CME Term SOFR + CSA + 3.75%,
0.00% Floor (b) |
9.21% | 10/02/25 | $1,809,661 | ||||
|
Total Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests |
125,204,525 | |||||||
| (Cost $127,844,256) | ||||||||
| Principal Value |
Description | Stated Coupon |
Stated Maturity |
Value | ||||
| FOREIGN CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES – 13.6% | ||||||||
| Application Software – 3.8% | ||||||||
| 1,721,000 |
ION Trading Technologies S.A.R.L. (a) (b) |
5.75% | 05/15/28 | 1,464,916 | ||||
| 11,666,000 |
Open Text Corp. (a) (b) |
6.90% | 12/01/27 | 12,005,625 | ||||
| 6,881,000 |
Open Text Corp. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 02/15/28 | 6,269,656 | ||||
| 2,108,000 |
Open Text Corp. (a) (b) |
3.88% | 12/01/29 | 1,845,328 | ||||
| 21,585,525 | ||||||||
| Automotive Parts & Equipment – 1.5% | ||||||||
| 8,691,000 |
Clarios Global LP (Power Solutions) (a) (b) |
8.50% | 05/15/27 | 8,759,372 | ||||
| Building Products – 0.2% | ||||||||
| 973,000 |
Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (a) |
5.45% | 11/19/29 | 925,528 | ||||
| Data Processing & Outsourced Services – 0.8% | ||||||||
| 5,748,000 |
Paysafe Finance PLC/Paysafe Holdings US Corp. (a) (b) |
4.00% | 06/15/29 | 4,754,918 | ||||
| Environmental & Facilities Services – 1.1% | ||||||||
| 473,000 |
GFL Environmental, Inc. (a) (b) |
3.75% | 08/01/25 | 457,219 | ||||
| 3,000,000 |
GFL Environmental, Inc. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 12/15/26 | 2,912,734 | ||||
| 1,300,000 |
GFL Environmental, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.00% | 08/01/28 | 1,161,291 | ||||
| 1,686,000 |
GFL Environmental, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.75% | 06/15/29 | 1,541,657 | ||||
| 6,072,901 | ||||||||
| Integrated Telecommunication Services – 1.3% | ||||||||
| 3,069,000 |
Altice France S.A. (a) (b) |
10.50% | 05/15/27 | 1,633,021 | ||||
| 2,511,000 |
Altice France S.A. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 01/15/28 | 1,924,177 | ||||
| 1,000,000 |
Altice France S.A. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 01/15/29 | 727,102 | ||||
| 4,590,000 |
Altice France S.A. (a) (b) |
5.13% | 07/15/29 | 3,287,610 | ||||
| 7,571,910 | ||||||||
| Metal, Glass & Plastic Containers – 1.2% | ||||||||
| 7,245,000 |
Trivium Packaging Finance B.V. (a) (b) |
5.50% | 08/15/26 | 6,970,775 | ||||
| Restaurants – 2.1% | ||||||||
| 14,344,000 |
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance, Inc. (a) (b) |
4.00% | 10/15/30 | 12,376,613 | ||||
| Security & Alarm Services – 0.7% | ||||||||
| 4,034,000 |
Garda World Security Corp. (a) (b) |
7.75% | 02/15/28 | 4,075,913 | ||||
| Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.9% | ||||||||
| 2,721,000 |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/XO Management Holding, Inc. (a) (b) |
7.88% | 05/01/27 | 2,301,136 | ||||
| 3,858,000 |
VistaJet Malta Finance PLC/XO Management Holding, Inc. (a) (b) |
6.38% | 02/01/30 | 2,701,800 | ||||
| 5,002,936 | ||||||||
|
Total Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes |
78,096,391 | |||||||
| (Cost $81,918,767) | ||||||||
Page
14
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Shares | Description | Value | ||
| COMMON STOCKS – 0.0% | ||||
| Pharmaceuticals – 0.0% | ||||
| 220,989 |
Akorn, Inc. (e) (f) (g) |
$248,613 | ||
| (Cost $2,534,056) | ||||
| MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 0.4% | ||||
| 2,069,779 |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class - 5.23% (b) (h) |
2,069,779 | ||
| (Cost $2,069,779) | ||||
|
Total Investments – 122.9% |
704,443,041 | |||
| (Cost $746,161,795) | ||||
|
Outstanding Loan – (23.9)% |
(137,000,000) | |||
|
Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 1.0% |
5,914,361 | |||
|
Net Assets – 100.0% |
$573,357,402 | |||
| (a) | This security, sold within the terms of a private placement memorandum, is exempt from registration upon resale under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, this security has been determined to be liquid by First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor”). Although market instability can result in periods of increased overall market illiquidity, liquidity for each security is determined based on security specific factors and assumptions, which require subjective judgment. At November 30, 2023, securities noted as such amounted to $531,493,253 or 92.7% of net assets. |
| (b) | All or a portion of this security serves as collateral for the outstanding loan. At November 30, 2023, the segregated value of these securities amounts to $703,132,716. |
| (c) | Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests (“Senior Loans”) in which the Fund invests pay interest at rates which are periodically predetermined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. These base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more major European banks, such as the LIBOR, (ii) the SOFR obtained from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Financial Research or another major financial institution, (iii) the prime rate offered by one or more United States banks or (iv) the certificate of deposit rate. Certain Senior Loans are subject to a LIBOR or SOFR floor that establishes a minimum LIBOR or SOFR rate. When a range of rates is disclosed, the Fund holds more than one contract within the same tranche with identical LIBOR or SOFR period, spread and floor, but different LIBOR or SOFR reset dates. |
| (d) | Senior Loans generally are subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment. As a result, the actual remaining maturity of Senior Loans may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown. |
| (e) | This issuer has filed for protection in bankruptcy court. |
| (f) | Security received in a transaction exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers (see Note 2E - Restricted Securities in the Notes to Financial Statements). |
| (g) | Non-income producing security. |
| (h) | Rate shown reflects yield as of November 30, 2023. |
| Abbreviations throughout the Portfolio of Investments: | |
| CME | – Chicago Mercantile Exchange |
| CSA | – Credit Spread Adjustment |
| LIBOR | – London Interbank Offered Rate |
| SOFR | – Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
15
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Portfolio
of Investments (Continued)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Valuation
Inputs
A
summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2023 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation
in the Notes to Financial Statements):
| Total Value at 11/30/2023 |
Level
1 Quoted Prices |
Level
2 Significant Observable Inputs |
Level
3 Significant Unobservable Inputs | |
|
Corporate Bonds and Notes* |
$ 498,823,733 | $ — | $ 498,823,733 | $ — |
|
Senior Floating-Rate Loan Interests* |
125,204,525 | — | 125,204,525 | — |
|
Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes* |
78,096,391 | — | 78,096,391 | — |
|
Common Stocks* |
248,613 | — | 248,613 | — |
|
Money Market Funds |
2,069,779 | 2,069,779 | — | — |
|
Total Investments |
$ 704,443,041 | $ 2,069,779 | $ 702,373,262 | $— |
| * | See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout. |
Page
16
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| ASSETS: | |
|
Investments, at value |
$ 704,443,041 |
|
Cash |
33,480 |
| Receivables: | |
|
Interest |
10,126,956 |
|
Investment securities sold |
829,024 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
15,152 |
|
Total Assets |
715,447,653 |
| LIABILITIES: | |
|
Outstanding loan |
137,000,000 |
| Payables: | |
|
Investment securities purchased |
3,167,500 |
|
Interest and fees on loan |
934,513 |
|
Investment advisory fees |
799,418 |
|
Legal fees |
71,708 |
|
Administrative fees |
45,423 |
|
Audit and tax fees |
30,785 |
|
Custodian fees |
23,159 |
|
Shareholder reporting fees |
4,890 |
|
Transfer agent fees |
2,932 |
|
Trustees’ fees and expenses |
2,293 |
|
Financial reporting fees |
771 |
|
Other liabilities |
6,859 |
|
Total Liabilities |
142,090,251 |
|
NET ASSETS |
$573,357,402 |
| NET ASSETS consist of: | |
|
Paid-in capital |
$ 713,913,444 |
|
Par value |
367,730 |
|
Accumulated distributable earnings (loss) |
(140,923,772) |
|
NET ASSETS |
$573,357,402 |
|
NET ASSET VALUE, per Common Share (par value $0.01 per Common Share) |
$15.59 |
|
Number of |
|
|
Investments, at cost |
$746,161,795 |
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
17
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Statement
of Operations
For
the Six Months Ended November 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| INVESTMENT INCOME: | ||
|
Interest |
$ 25,774,140 | |
|
Other |
23,383 | |
|
Total investment income |
25,797,523 | |
| EXPENSES: | ||
|
Investment advisory fees |
4,700,731 | |
|
Interest and fees on loan |
4,524,688 | |
|
Administrative fees |
182,577 | |
|
Legal fees |
63,447 | |
|
Shareholder reporting fees |
57,740 | |
|
Audit and tax fees |
32,824 | |
|
Custodian fees |
20,808 | |
|
Listing expense |
17,956 | |
|
Trustees’ fees and expenses |
9,591 | |
|
Transfer agent fees |
9,117 | |
|
Financial reporting fees |
4,625 | |
|
Other |
18,485 | |
|
Total expenses |
9,642,589 | |
|
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) |
16,154,934 | |
| NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): | ||
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||
|
Investments |
(13,604,840) | |
|
Swap contracts |
(147,114) | |
|
Net realized gain (loss) |
(13,751,954) | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
33,238,385 | |
|
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) |
19,486,431 | |
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS |
$ 35,641,365 | |
Page
18
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Statements
of Changes in Net Assets
| Six
Months Ended 11/30/2023 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended 5/31/2023 | ||
| OPERATIONS: | |||
|
Net investment income (loss) |
$ 16,154,934 | $ 33,809,782 | |
|
Net realized gain (loss) |
(13,751,954) | (66,424,648) | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
33,238,385 | 13,008,655 | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
35,641,365 | (19,606,211) | |
| DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM: | |||
|
Investment operations |
(28,682,932) | (35,642,807) | |
|
Return of capital |
— | (21,134,688) | |
|
Total distributions to shareholders |
(28,682,932) | (56,777,495) | |
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets |
6,958,433 | (76,383,706) | |
| NET ASSETS: | |||
|
Beginning of period |
566,398,969 | 642,782,675 | |
|
End of period |
$ 573,357,402 | $ 566,398,969 | |
| COMMON SHARES: | |||
|
Common Shares at end of period |
36,772,989 | 36,772,989 |
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
19
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Statement
of Cash Flows
For
the Six Months Ended November 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
$35,641,365 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
|
Purchases of investments |
(253,145,558) | |
|
Sales, maturities and paydown of investments |
252,651,574 | |
|
Net amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on investments |
(1,317,839) | |
|
Net realized gain/loss on investments |
13,604,840 | |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments |
(33,238,385) | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
|
Decrease in interest receivable |
217,234 | |
|
Decrease in prepaid expenses |
16,378 | |
|
Increase in interest and fees payable on loan |
193,662 | |
|
Increase in investment advisory fees payable |
6,142 | |
|
Decrease in audit and tax fees payable |
(23,176) | |
|
Increase in legal fees payable |
48,291 | |
|
Decrease in shareholder reporting fees payable |
(24,081) | |
|
Increase in administrative fees payable |
5,723 | |
|
Increase in custodian fees payable |
15,946 | |
|
Increase in transfer agent fees payable |
1,415 | |
|
Decrease in trustees’ fees and expenses payable |
(5,454) | |
|
Increase in other liabilities payable |
1,936 | |
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
$14,650,013 | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders from investment operations |
(28,682,932) | |
|
Repayment of borrowing |
(68,000,000) | |
|
Proceeds from borrowing |
82,000,000 | |
|
Cash used in financing activities |
(14,682,932) | |
|
Decrease in cash |
(32,919) | |
|
Cash at beginning of period |
66,399 | |
|
Cash at end of period |
$33,480 | |
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||
|
Cash paid during the period for interest and fees |
$4,331,026 |
Page
20
See
Notes to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
Financial
Highlights
For
a Common Share outstanding throughout each period
| Six
Months Ended 11/30/2023 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended | Period Ended 5/31/2021 (a) | ||||||
| 5/31/2023 | 5/31/2022 | |||||||
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ 15.40 | $ 17.48 | $ 21.13 | $ 20.00 | ||||
| Income from investment operations: | ||||||||
|
Net investment income (loss) |
0.44 (b) | 0.92 | 1.16 | 1.08 | ||||
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.53 | (1.46) | (3.14) | 1.12 | ||||
|
Total from investment operations |
0.97 | (0.54) | (1.98) | 2.20 | ||||
| Distributions paid to shareholders from: | ||||||||
|
Net investment income |
(0.78) | (0.97) | (1.29) | (1.07) | ||||
|
Net realized gain |
— | — | (0.38) | — | ||||
|
Return of capital |
— | (0.57) | — | — | ||||
|
Total distributions paid to Common Shareholders |
(0.78) | (1.54) | (1.67) | (1.07) | ||||
|
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | $15.40 | $17.48 | $21.13 | ||||
|
Market value, end of period |
$ | $13.52 | $16.07 | $19.86 | ||||
|
Total return based on net asset value (c) |
7.22% | (1.86)% | (9.73)% | 11.49% | ||||
|
Total return based on market value (c) |
6.39% | (6.27)% | (11.70)% | 4.79% | ||||
| Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data: | ||||||||
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) |
$ 573,357 | $ 566,399 | $ 642,783 | $ 776,142 | ||||
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets |
3.42% (d) | 3.05% | 2.41% | 2.28% (d) | ||||
|
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense |
1.82% (d) | 1.86% | 2.02% | 1.93% (d) | ||||
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
5.74% (d) | 5.75% | 5.81% | 5.62% (d) | ||||
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
21% | 35% | 39% | 54% | ||||
| Indebtedness: | ||||||||
|
Total loan outstanding (in 000’s) |
$ 137,000 | $ 123,000 | $ 278,000 | $ 309,000 | ||||
|
Asset coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (e) |
$ 5,185 | $ 5,605 | $ 3,312 | $ 3,512 | ||||
| (a) | The Fund was seeded on May 21, 2020 and commenced operations on June 25, 2020. |
| (b) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
| (c) | Total return is based on the combination of reinvested dividend, capital gain and return of capital distributions, if any, at prices obtained by the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and changes in net asset value per share for net asset value returns and changes in Common Share Price for market value returns. Total returns do not reflect sales load and are not annualized for periods of less than one year. Past performance is not indicative of future results. |
| (d) | Annualized. |
| (e) | Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the loan outstanding) from the Fund’s total assets, and dividing by the outstanding loan balance in 000’s. |
See
Notes to Financial Statements
Page
21
Notes
to Financial Statements
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
1. Organization
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized
as a Massachusetts business trust on June 25, 2020, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund trades under the ticker symbol “FTHY” on the New York
Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
2. Significant
Accounting Policies
The
Fund is considered an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting
Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting
policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
A. Portfolio
Valuation
The
net asset value (“NAV”) of the Common Shares of the Fund is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE,
normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If the NYSE closes early on a valuation day, the NAV is determined
as of that time. Domestic debt securities and foreign securities are priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal
markets for those securities. The Fund’s NAV per Common Share is calculated by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including
accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses, dividends declared but unpaid and any borrowings of
the Fund), by the total number of Common Shares outstanding.
The
Fund’s investments are valued daily at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities,
at fair value. Market value prices represent readily available market quotations such as last sale or official closing prices from a national
or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from third-party pricing services. Fair value prices represent
any prices not considered market value prices and are either obtained from a third-party pricing service or are determined by the Pricing
Committee of the Fund’s investment advisor, First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust” or the “Advisor”),
in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, and in accordance with provisions of the 1940
Act and rules thereunder. Investments valued by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, if any, are footnoted as such in the footnotes
to the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund’s investments are valued as follows:
Senior
Loans are not listed on any securities exchange or board of trade. Senior Loans are typically bought and sold by institutional investors
in individually negotiated private transactions that function in many respects like an over-the-counter secondary market, although typically
no formal market-makers exist. This market, while having grown substantially since its inception, generally has fewer trades and less
liquidity than the secondary market for other types of securities. Some Senior Loans have few or no trades, or trade infrequently, and
information regarding a specific Senior Loan may not be widely available or may be incomplete. Accordingly, determinations of the market
value of Senior Loans may be based on infrequent and dated information. Because there is less reliable, objective data available, elements
of judgment may play a greater role in valuation of Senior Loans than for other types of securities. Typically, Senior Loans are fair
valued using information provided by a third-party pricing service. The third-party pricing service primarily uses over-the-counter pricing
from dealer runs and broker quotes from indicative sheets to value the Senior Loans. If the third-party pricing service cannot or does
not provide a valuation for a particular Senior Loan or such valuation is deemed unreliable, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee may
value such Senior Loan at a fair value according to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, and in accordance with
the provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder. Fair valuation of a Senior Loan is based on the consideration of all available information,
including, but not limited to the following:
| 1) | the most recent price provided by a pricing service; |
| (1) | The terms “security” and “securities” used throughout the Notes to Financial Statements include Senior Loans. |
Page
22
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| 2) | available market prices for the fixed-income security; |
| 3) | the fundamental business data relating to the borrower/issuer; |
| 4) | an evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold; |
| 5) | the type, size and cost of the security; |
| 6) | the financial statements of the borrower/issuer, or the financial condition of the country of issue; |
| 7) | the credit quality and cash flow of the borrower/issuer, or country of issue, based on the Pricing Committee’s, sub-advisor’s or portfolio manager’s analysis, as applicable, or external analysis; |
| 8) | the information as to any transactions in or offers for the security; |
| 9) | the price and extent of public trading in similar securities (or equity securities) of the borrower/issuer, or comparable companies; |
| 10) | the coupon payments; |
| 11) | the quality, value and salability of collateral, if any, securing the security; |
| 12) | the business prospects of the borrower/issuer, including any ability to obtain money or resources from a parent or affiliate and an assessment of the borrower’s/issuer’s management; |
| 13) | the prospects for the borrower’s/issuer’s industry, and multiples (of earnings and/or cash flows) being paid for similar businesses in that industry; |
| 14) | the borrower’s competitive position within the industry; |
| 15) | the borrower’s ability to access additional liquidity through public and/or private markets; and |
| 16) | other relevant factors. |
Corporate
bonds, corporate notes, and other debt securities are fair valued on the basis of valuations provided by a third-party pricing service
approved by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, which may use the following valuation inputs when available:
| 1) | benchmark yields; |
| 2) | reported trades; |
| 3) | broker/dealer quotes; |
| 4) | issuer spreads; |
| 5) | benchmark securities; |
| 6) | bids and offers; and |
| 7) | reference data including market research publications. |
Common
stocks and other equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange (excluding Nasdaq, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) and the London
Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”)) are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are
principally traded or, for Nasdaq and AIM securities, the official closing price. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange
are valued at the last sale price or official closing price, as applicable, at the close of the securities exchange representing the primary
exchange for such securities.
Shares
of open-end funds are valued based on NAV per share.
Equity
securities traded in an over-the-counter market are valued at the close price or the last trade price.
Credit
default swaps are fair valued using a third-party pricing service or, if the third-party pricing service does not provide a value, by
quotes provided by the selling dealer or financial institution.
Certain
securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Advisor’s Pricing
Committee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be
publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”)) for which a third-party
pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market or
fair value price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is
likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or
make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the third-party pricing
service, does not reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security would appear to
be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale. When fair value prices are used,
generally they will differ from market quotations or official closing prices on the applicable exchanges. A variety of factors may be
considered in determining the fair value of such securities, including, but not limited to, the following:
| 1) | the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded or, for Nasdaq and AIM securities, the official closing price; |
Page
23
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| 2) | the type of security; |
| 3) | the size of the holding; |
| 4) | the initial cost of the security; |
| 5) | transactions in comparable securities; |
| 6) | price quotes from dealers and/or third-party pricing services; |
| 7) | relationships among various securities; |
| 8) | information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange; |
| 9) | an analysis of the issuer’s financial statements; |
| 10) | the existence of merger proposals or tender offers that might affect the value of the security; and |
| 11) | other relevant factors. |
The
Fund is subject to fair value accounting standards that define fair value, establish the framework for measuring fair value and provide
a three-level hierarchy for fair valuation based upon the inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date. The three levels of the
fair value hierarchy are as follows:
| • | Level 1 – Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. An active market is a market in which transactions for the investment occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
| • | Level 2 – Level 2 inputs are observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, and include the following: |
| o | Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets. |
| o | Quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are non-active. A non-active market is a market where there are few transactions for the investment, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly. |
| o | Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates). |
| o | Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. |
| • | Level 3 – Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investment. |
The
inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those
investments. A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2023, is included with the Fund’s
Portfolio of Investments.
B. Swap
Agreements
The
Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts (“CDS”) for investment purposes or to manage credit risk. A CDS is an agreement
between two parties (“Counterparties”) to exchange the credit risk of an issuer. Swap agreements may be privately negotiated
in the over-the-counter market as a bilateral contract or centrally cleared. The Fund may also use credit default swap indices (“CDX”)
to take on additional credit risk and obtain exposure to the high yield debt market.
A
buyer of a CDS is said to buy protection by paying a fixed payment over the life of the agreement and in some situations an upfront payment
to the seller of the CDS. If a defined credit event occurs (such as payment default or bankruptcy), the Fund as a protection buyer would
cease paying its fixed payment, the Fund would deliver eligible bonds issued by the reference entity to the seller, and the seller would
pay the full notional value, or the “par value,” of the referenced obligation to the Fund. A seller of a CDS is said to sell
protection and thus would receive a fixed payment over the life of the agreement and an upfront payment, if applicable. If a credit event
occurs, the Fund as a protection seller would cease to receive the fixed payment stream, the Fund would pay the buyer “par value”
or the full notional value of the referenced obligation, and the Fund would receive the eligible bonds issued by the reference entity.
In turn, these bonds may be sold in order to realize a recovery value. Alternatively, the seller of the CDS and its Counterparty may agree
to net the notional amount and the market value of the bonds and make a cash payment equal to the difference to the buyer of protection.
If no credit event occurs, the Fund receives the fixed payment over the life of the agreement. As the seller, the Fund would effectively
add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional
amount of the CDS. In connection with these agreements, cash and securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms
of the respective swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default under the swap agreement or bankruptcy/insolvency
of a party to the swap agreement. In the event of a default by the Counterparty, the Fund will seek withdrawal of this collateral and
may incur certain costs exercising its right with respect to the collateral. If a Counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to
perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays
Page
24
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
in
obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no
recovery in such circumstances.
Upon
entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities
in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Cash deposited is segregated and included in “Cash
segregated as collateral for open swap contracts” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The daily change in valuation of centrally
cleared swaps is included in “variation margin on swaps payable” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received
from (paid to) the Counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as “net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts” on
the Statement of Operations.
Credit
default swap contracts are marked to market daily based upon quotations from brokers, market makers or an independent pricing service
and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). For a credit default swap contract sold by the
Fund, payment of the agreed upon amount made by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as the
cost of the reference debt obligation purchased/received. At November 30, 2023, the Fund had no swap contracts.
C. Security
Transactions and Investment Income
Security
transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified
cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Market premiums and discounts are amortized to the earliest call date of
each respective borrowing.
The
United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”),
ceased making LIBOR available as a reference rate over a phase-out period that began December 31, 2021. The overnight and 12-month USD
LIBOR settings permanently ceased as of June 30, 2023. The FCA announced that the 1-, 3- and 6-month USD LIBOR settings will continue
to be published using a synthetic methodology to serve as a fallback for non-U.S. contracts until September 2024. In response to the discontinuation
of LIBOR, investors have added fallback provisions to existing contracts for investments whose value is tied to LIBOR, with most fallback
provisions requiring the adoption of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as a replacement rate. There is no assurance
that any alternative reference rate, including SOFR, will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or
that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same volume or liquidity. At this time, it is not possible to predict the full
impact of the elimination of LIBOR and the establishment of an alternative reference rate on the Fund or its investments.
Securities
purchased or sold on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitment basis may have extended settlement periods. The value
of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. Due to the nature of the Senior Loan market, the actual
settlement date may not be certain at the time of the purchase or sale for some of the Senior Loans. Interest income on such Senior Loans
is not accrued until settlement date. The Fund maintains liquid assets with a current value at least equal to the amount of its when-issued,
delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitments until payment is made. At November 30, 2023, the Fund had no when-issued, delayed-delivery
or forward purchase commitments.
D. Unfunded
Loan Commitments
The
Fund may enter into certain credit agreements, all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments
at the borrower’s discretion. Unfunded loan commitments are marked-to-market daily, and any unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations. In connection with these commitments, the Fund earns
a commitment fee typically set as a percentage of the commitment amount. The commitment fees are included in “Other” under
Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. The Fund had no unfunded loan commitments as of November 30, 2023.
E. Restricted
Securities
The
Fund holds restricted securities, which are securities that may not be offered for public sale without first being registered under the
1933 Act. Prior to registration, restricted securities may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration under Rule 144A under
the 1933 Act, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of November 30, 2023, the Fund held restricted securities as shown in the
following table that the Advisor has deemed illiquid pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Although market
instability can result in periods of increased overall market illiquidity, liquidity for each security is determined based on security-specific
factors and assumptions, which require subjective judgment. The Fund does not have the right to demand that such securities be registered.
These securities are valued according to the valuation procedures as stated in the Portfolio Valuation note (Note 2A) and are not expressed
as a discount to the carrying value of a comparable unrestricted security.
Page
25
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Security | Acquisition Date |
Shares | Current Price | Carrying Cost |
Value | %
of Net Assets |
| Akorn, Inc. | 10/15/2020 | 220,989 | $1.13 | $2,534,056 | $248,613 | 0.04% |
F. Dividends
and Distributions to Shareholders
The
Fund will distribute to holders of its Common Shares monthly dividends of all or a portion of its net income after the payment of interest
and dividends in connection with leverage, if any. Distributions of any net long-term capital gains earned by the Fund are distributed
at least annually. Distributions will automatically be reinvested into additional Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend
Reinvestment Plan unless cash distributions are elected by the shareholder.
Distributions
from net investment income and realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ
from U.S. GAAP. Certain capital accounts in the financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to reflect
their tax character. These permanent differences are primarily due to the varying treatment of income and gain/loss on portfolio securities
held by the Fund and have no impact on net assets or NAV per share. Temporary differences, which arise from recognizing certain items
of income, expense and gain/loss in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes, will reverse at some point in the future.
The
tax character of distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023, was as follows:
| Distributions paid from: | |
|
Ordinary income |
$35,642,807 |
|
Capital gains |
— |
|
Return of capital |
21,134,688 |
As
of May 31, 2023, the components of distributable earnings and net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
|
Undistributed ordinary income |
$— |
|
Undistributed capital gains |
— |
|
Total undistributed earnings |
— |
|
Accumulated capital and other losses |
(69,905,200) |
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(77,977,005) |
|
Total accumulated earnings (losses) |
(147,882,205) |
|
Other |
— |
|
Paid-in capital |
714,281,174 |
|
Total net assets |
$566,398,969 |
G. Income
Taxes
The
Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which includes distributing substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains to
shareholders. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes. However, due to the timing and amount of distributions,
the Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which approximately 98% of the Fund’s taxable income exceeds the
distributions from such taxable income for the calendar year.
The
Fund intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws, which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward indefinitely
following the year of the loss and offset such loss against any future realized capital gains. The Fund is subject to certain limitations
under U.S. tax rules on the use of capital loss carryforwards and net unrealized built-in losses. These limitations apply when there has
been a 50% change in ownership. At May 31, 2023, the Fund had $69,905,200 of non-expiring capital loss carryforwards for federal income
tax purposes.
Certain
losses realized during the current fiscal year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year
for federal income tax purposes. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023, the Fund did not incur any net ordinary losses.
Page
26
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
The
Fund is subject to accounting standards that establish a minimum threshold for recognizing, and a system for measuring, the benefits of
a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Taxable years ended 2021, 2022, and 2023 remain open to federal and state
audit. As of November 30, 2023, management has evaluated the application of these standards to the Fund and has determined that no provision
for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for uncertain tax positions.
As
of November 30, 2023, the aggregate cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, and net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
on investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| Tax Cost | Gross Unrealized Appreciation |
Gross Unrealized (Depreciation) |
Net
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |||
| $746,161,795 | $4,566,380 | $(46,285,134) | $(41,718,754) |
H. Expenses
The
Fund will pay all expenses directly related to its operations.
3. Investment
Advisory Fee, Affiliated Transactions and Other Fee Arrangements
First
Trust, the investment advisor to the Fund, is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general
partner, The Charger Corporation. The Charger Corporation is an Illinois corporation controlled by James A. Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
of First Trust. First Trust is responsible for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the Fund’s investment portfolio, managing
the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain administrative services necessary for the management of the Fund. For these investment
management services, First Trust is entitled to a monthly fee calculated at an annual rate of 1.35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
First Trust also provides fund reporting services to the Fund for a flat annual fee in the amount of $9,250.
The
Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and custodian in accordance with
certain fee arrangements. As administrator and fund accountant, BNYM is responsible for providing certain administrative and accounting
services to the Fund, including maintaining the Fund’s books of account, records of the Fund’s securities transactions, and
certain other books and records. As custodian, BNYM is responsible for custody of the Fund’s assets. BNYM is a subsidiary of The
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, a financial holding company.
Computershare,
Inc. (“Computershare”) serves as the Fund’s transfer agent in accordance with certain fee arrangements. As transfer
agent, Computershare is responsible for maintaining shareholder records for the Fund.
Each
Trustee who is not an officer or employee of First Trust, any sub-advisor or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”)
is paid a fixed annual retainer that is allocated equally among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex. Each Independent Trustee is
also paid an annual per fund fee that varies based on whether the fund is a closed-end or other actively managed fund, a target outcome
fund or an index fund.
Additionally,
the Lead Independent Trustee and the Chairs of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Valuation Committee are paid
annual fees to serve in such capacities, with such compensation allocated pro rata among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex based
on net assets. Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all meetings. The Lead Independent
Trustee and Committee Chairs rotate every three years. The officers and “Interested” Trustee receive no compensation from
the Fund for acting in such capacities.
4. Purchases
and Sales of Securities
The
cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended November 30, 2023,
were $142,059,829 and $142,183,163, respectively.
5. Derivative
Transactions
The
following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), if any, recognized
for the six months ended November 30, 2023, on derivative instruments, as well as the primary underlying risk exposure associated with
each instrument. The Fund did not hold any derivative instruments as of November 30, 2023.
Page
27
Notes
to Financial Statements (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
| Statement of Operations Location | |
| Credit Risk Exposure | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts | $(147,114) |
The
average notional value of credit default swaps was $491,803 for the six months ended November 30, 2023. There were no open credit default
swaps at November 30, 2023.
6. Borrowings
The
Fund has a committed facility agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch that has
a maximum commitment amount of $280,000,000. Prior to June 7, 2023, the maximum commitment amount was $315,000,000. The borrowing rate
under the facility is equal to Term SOFR plus 1.05%. In addition, under the facility, the Fund pays a commitment fee of 0.35% on the undrawn
amount of such facility when the utilization is below 90% of the maximum commitment amount. Prior to July 20, 2023, the borrowing rate
under the facility was equal to Term SOFR plus 0.80% and the commitment fee was 0.30%. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the
average amount outstanding was $133,491,803 with a weighted average interest rate of 6.30%. As of November 30, 2023, the Fund had outstanding
borrowings of $137,000,000, which approximates fair value, under the Credit Agreement. The borrowings are categorized as Level 2 within
the fair value hierarchy. The high and low annual interest rates for the six months ended November 30, 2023 were 6.47% and 6.04%, respectively.
The weighted average interest rate at November 30, 2023 was 6.40%.
7. Indemnification
The
Fund has a variety of indemnification obligations under contracts with its service providers. The Fund’s maximum exposure under
these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of
loss to be remote.
8. Subsequent
Events
Management
has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined
that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements that have not already been disclosed.
Page
28
Additional
Information
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Dividend
Reinvestment Plan
If
your Common Shares are registered directly with the Fund or if you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that participates in
the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), unless you elect, by written notice to the Fund, to receive cash
distributions, all dividends, including any capital gain distributions, on your Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by Computershare
Trust Company N.A. (the “Plan Agent”), in additional Common Shares under the Plan. If you elect to receive cash distributions,
you will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you by the Plan Agent, as the dividend paying agent.
If
you decide to participate in the Plan, the number of Common Shares you will receive will be determined as follows:
| (1) | If Common Shares are trading at or above net asset value (“NAV”) at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at a price equal to the greater of (i) NAV per Common Share on that date or (ii) 95% of the market price on that date. |
| (2) | If Common Shares are trading below NAV at the time of valuation, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Shares may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Fund. The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Shares in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases is necessary to comply with federal securities laws. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments. |
You
may elect to opt-out of or withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent, or by telephone at (866) 340-1104,
in accordance with such reasonable requirements as the Plan Agent and the Fund may agree upon. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated,
you will receive a certificate for each whole share in your account under the Plan, and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction
of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus brokerage commissions.
The
Plan Agent maintains all Common Shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts,
including information you may need for tax records. Common Shares in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form.
The Plan Agent will forward to each participant any proxy solicitation material and will vote any shares so held only in accordance with
proxies returned to the Fund. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Shares you have received under the Plan.
There
is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Shares. However, all participants will pay a pro
rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases.
Automatically
reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions.
Capital gains and income are realized although cash is not received by you. Consult your financial advisor for more information.
If
you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan
and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above.
The
Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Trustees the change is warranted. There is no
direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge
payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained by writing Computershare, Inc., P.O. Box 43006, Providence,
RI 02940-3006.
Proxy
Voting Policies and Procedures
A
description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies and information on how the Fund voted proxies
relating to portfolio investments during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request,
by calling (800) 988-5891; (2) on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com;
and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.
Portfolio
Holdings
The
Fund files portfolio holdings information for each month in a fiscal quarter within 60 days after the end of the relevant fiscal quarter
on Form N-PORT. Portfolio holdings information for the third month of each fiscal quarter will be publicly available on the
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SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio
holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year is included in the semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders, respectively,
and is filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR. The semi-annual and annual report for the Fund is available to investors within 60 days after
the period to which it relates. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT and Forms N-CSR are available on the SEC’s website listed above.
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
The
Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) on September 11, 2023. At the Annual Meeting, Richard
E. Erickson and Thomas R. Kadlec were elected by the Common Shareholders of the First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund as
Class I Trustees for a three-year term expiring at the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2026. The number of votes cast in
favor of Mr. Erickson was 28,358,536 and the number of votes withheld was 1,365,508. The number of votes cast in favor of Mr. Kadlec was
28,279,066 and the number of votes withheld was 1,444,978. James A. Bowen, Denise M. Keefe, Robert F. Keith, Niel B. Nielson, and Bronwyn
Wright are the other current and continuing Trustees.
Board
of Trustees
Effective
September 10, 2023, the exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and variable insurance funds (collectively, the “Funds”)
advised by First Trust Advisors L.P. (“FTA”) announced the appointment of Ms. Bronwyn Wright as a Trustee of all Funds except
the exchange-traded funds included in the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund. Ms. Wright has acted as an independent director to a number
of Irish collective investment funds since 2009. Ms. Wright is a former Managing Director of Citibank Europe plc and Head of Securities
and Fund Services for Citi Ireland. In these positions, she was responsible for the management and strategic direction of Citi Ireland’s
securities and fund services business which included funds, custody, security finance/lending and global agency and trust. She also had
responsibility for leading, managing and growing the Trustee, Custodian and Depositary business in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg,
Jersey and Cayman.
Principal
Risks
The
Fund is a closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund
is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The following discussion summarizes the principal risks associated with investing
in the Fund, which includes the risk that you could lose some or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and, in accordance therewith, files reports,
proxy statements and other information that is available for review.
CDX
Risk. CDX is an equally-weighted index of credit default swaps that is designed to track a representative
segment of the credit default swap market (e.g., high yield). A credit default swap is a financial derivative that allows an investor
to swap or offset their credit risk with that of another investor. CDX provides exposure to a basket of underlying credit default swaps
in lieu of buying or selling credit default swaps on individual debt securities. The CDX investments in which the Fund will invest are
cleared on an exchange. Regardless of whether the Fund buys or sells CDX credit protection, such investments can result in gains or losses
that may exceed gains or losses the Fund would have incurred investing directly in high yield debt securities, which may impact the Fund’s
net asset value. It is also possible that returns from CDX investments may not correlate with returns of the broader high yield credit
market. There are additional costs associated with investing in CDX, including the payment of premiums when the Fund is a buyer of CDX
credit protection. When the Fund sells CDX credit protection, it assumes additional credit risk. Investment exposure to CDX credit protection
is subject to the risks of the underlying credit default swap obligations, which include general market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk
and counterparty risk. Counterparty risk may be mitigated somewhat compared to buying or selling credit protection using individual credit
default swaps because CDX investments are cleared on an exchange.
Consumer
Discretionary Companies Risk. Consumer discretionary companies, such as retailers, media companies and
consumer services companies, provide non-essential goods and services. These companies manufacture products and provide discretionary
services directly to the consumer, and the success of these companies is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international
economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending.
Changes in demographics and consumer tastes can also affect the demand for, and success of, consumer discretionary products in the marketplace.
Corporate
Debt Obligations Risk. The market value of corporate debt obligations generally may be expected to rise
and fall inversely with interest rates. The market value of corporate debt obligations also may be affected by factors directly related
to the issuer, such as investors’ perceptions of the creditworthiness of the issuer, the issuer’s financial performance, perceptions
of the issuer in the marketplace, performance of management of the issuer, the issuer’s capital structure and use of financial leverage
and demand for the
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issuer’s
goods and services. There is a risk that the issuers of corporate debt may not be able to meet their obligations on interest and/or principal
payments at the time called for by an instrument.
Credit
Agency Risk. Credit ratings are determined by credit rating agencies and are only the opinions of such
entities. Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risk or the liquidity
of securities. Any shortcomings or inefficiencies in credit rating agencies’ processes for determining credit ratings may adversely
affect the credit ratings of securities held by the Fund or such credit rating agency’s ability to evaluate creditworthiness and,
as a result, may adversely affect those securities’ perceived or actual credit risk.
Credit
and Below-Investment Grade Securities Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or other obligated
party of a debt security in the Fund’s portfolio will fail to pay, or it is perceived that it will fail to pay, dividends and/or
interest or repay principal, when due. Below-investment grade instruments, including instruments that are not rated but judged to be of
comparable quality, are commonly referred to as high yield securities or “junk” bonds and are considered speculative with
respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal and are more susceptible to default or decline
in market value than investment grade securities due to adverse economic and business developments. High yield securities are often unsecured
and subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for high yield securities tend to be very volatile, and these securities
are generally less liquid than investment grade securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund is subject to the following specific
risks: (i) increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and to a deteriorating economic environment; (ii) greater risk of loss
due to default or declining credit quality; (iii) adverse company specific events more likely to render the issuer unable to make dividend,
interest and/or principal payments; (iv) negative perception of the high yield market which may depress the price and liquidity of high
yield securities; (v) volatility; and (vi) liquidity.
Credit
Default Swaps Risk. Credit default swap transactions involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested
in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty
risk and credit risks. With respect to a reference obligation, a buyer will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of
default occur. For a seller, if an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled
with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of
value. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap agreement, it is exposed to the risks of leverage since if an event of
default occurs with respect to a reference obligation, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
Current
Market Conditions Risk. Current market conditions risk is the risk that a particular investment, or
shares of the Fund in general, may fall in value due to current market conditions. As a means to fight inflation, which remains at elevated
levels, the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have raised interest rates and expect to continue to do so, and the Federal
Reserve has announced that it intends to reverse previously implemented quantitative easing. U.S. regulators have proposed several changes
to market and issuer regulations which would directly impact the Fund, and any regulatory changes could adversely impact the Fund’s
ability to achieve its investment strategies or make certain investments. Recent and potential future bank failures could result in disruption
to the broader banking industry or markets generally and reduce confidence in financial institutions and the economy as a whole, which
may also heighten market volatility and reduce liquidity. The ongoing adversarial political climate in the United States, as well as political
and diplomatic events both domestic and abroad, have and may continue to have an adverse impact the U.S. regulatory landscape, markets
and investor behavior, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments and operations. Other unexpected political,
regulatory and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial
markets and the broader economy. For example, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine which has caused and could continue to cause significant
market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting
from those hostilities have and could continue to have a significant impact on certain Fund investments as well as Fund performance and
liquidity. The economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as the financial markets generally, may be adversely impacted
by trade disputes and other matters. For example, the United States has imposed trade barriers and restrictions on China. In addition,
the Chinese government is engaged in a longstanding dispute with Taiwan, continually threatening an invasion. If the political climate
between the United States and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China were to attempt invading Taiwan, or if other
geopolitical conflicts develop or worsen, economies, markets and individual securities may be adversely affected, and the value of the
Fund’s assets may go down. The COVID-19 global pandemic, or any future public health crisis, and the ensuing policies enacted by
governments and central banks have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets,
negatively impacting global growth prospects. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective
against emerging future variants of the disease. As this global pandemic illustrated, such events may affect certain geographic regions,
countries, sectors and industries more significantly than others. Advancements in technology may also adversely impact markets and the
overall performance of the Fund. For instance, the economy may be significantly impacted by the advanced development and increased regulation
of artificial intelligence. These events, and any other future events, may adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the Fund’s
portfolio investments and could result in disruptions in the trading markets.
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Cyber
Security Risk. The Fund is susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security.
A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information,
suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Such events could cause the Fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage,
additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. Cyber security breaches may involve unauthorized
access to the Fund’s digital information systems through “hacking” or malicious software coding, but may also result
from outside attacks such as denial-of-service attacks through efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users. In addition,
cyber security breaches of the Fund’s third-party service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent or custodian, or
issuers in which the Fund invests, can also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches.
The Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security. However, there is no guarantee
that such efforts will succeed, especially because the Fund does not directly control the cyber security systems of issuers or third party
service providers. Substantial costs may be incurred by the Fund in order to resolve or prevent cyber incidents in the future.
Defaulted
and Distressed Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that may be in default or distressed—i.e.,
securities of companies whose financial condition is troubled or uncertain and that may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations
or financial restructurings. Distressed securities present a substantial risk of future default which may cause the Fund to incur losses,
including additional expenses, to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on
those securities. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when, in what manner and for what value the obligations
evidenced by the defaulted or distressed securities will eventually be satisfied.
In
addition, the Fund may invest in loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are likely to experience, financial difficulty. These loans
are subject to greater credit and liquidity risks than other types of loans. In addition, the Fund can invest in loans of borrowers that
have filed for bankruptcy protection or that have had involuntary bankruptcy petitions filed against them by creditors. A bankruptcy proceeding
or other court proceeding could delay or limit the ability of the Fund to collect the principal and interest payments on that borrower’s
loans or adversely affect the Fund’s rights in collateral relating to a loan.
Earnings
Risk. The Fund’s limited term may cause it to invest in lower yielding securities or hold the
proceeds of securities sold near the end of its term in cash or cash equivalents, which may adversely affect the performance of the Fund
or the Fund’s ability to maintain its dividend.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Investing in emerging market countries, as compared to foreign developed markets, involves
substantial additional risk due to more limited information about the issuer and/or the security (including limited financial and accounting
information); higher brokerage costs; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; less developed legal systems and
thinner trading markets; the possibility of currency blockages or transfer restrictions; an emerging market country’s dependence
on revenue from particular commodities or international aid; and the risk of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse political
or economic developments.
Emerging
market countries may lack the social, political and economic stability and characteristics of more developed countries, and their political
and economic structures may undergo unpredictable, significant and rapid changes from time to time, any of which could adversely impact
the value of investments in emerging markets as well as the availability of additional investments in such markets. The securities markets
of emerging market countries may be substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets
in the United States and other developed nations. The limited size of these securities markets and the limited trading volume of securities
issued by emerging market issuers could cause prices to be erratic and investments in emerging markets can become illiquid. As a result
of the foregoing risks, it may be difficult to assess the value or prospects of an investment in such securities.
Europe
Risk. The Fund is subject to certain risks associated specifically with investments in securities of
European issuers, in addition to the risks associated with investments in non-U.S. securities generally. Political or economic disruptions
in European countries, even in countries in which the Fund is not invested, may adversely affect security values and thus the Fund’s
holdings. A significant number of countries in Europe are member states in the European Union (“EU”), and the member states
no longer control their own monetary policies by directing independent interest rates for their currencies. In these member states, the
authority to direct monetary policies, including money supply and official interest rates for the Euro, is exercised by the European Central
Bank. In a 2016 referendum, the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the EU (“Brexit”). After years of negotiations between
the United Kingdom and the EU, a withdrawal agreement was reached whereby the United Kingdom formally left the EU. As the second largest
economy among EU members, the implications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal are difficult to gauge and cannot be fully known.
Trade between the United Kingdom and the EU is highly integrated through supply chains and trade in services, as well as through multinational
companies. The United Kingdom’s departure may negatively impact the EU and Europe as a whole by causing volatility within the EU,
triggering prolonged economic downturns in certain European countries or sparking additional member states to contemplate departing the
EU (thereby perpetuating political instability in the region).
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Foreign
Currency Risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the
value of the Fund’s investments. Currency exchange rates fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including changes in supply and
demand in the currency exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by
U.S. or foreign governments, central banks, or supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, and currency controls or
other political and economic developments in the U.S. or abroad.
Health
Care Companies Risk. Through the Fund’s investments in senior loans, the Fund may be significantly
exposed to companies in the health care sector. Health care companies are involved in medical services or health care, including
biotechnology research and production, drugs and pharmaceuticals and health care facilities and services. These companies are subject
to extensive competition, generic drug sales or the loss of patent protection, product liability litigation and increased government regulation.
Research and development costs of bringing new drugs to market are substantial, and there is no guarantee that the product will ever come
to market. Health care facility operators may be affected by the demand for services, efforts by government or insurers to limit rates,
restriction of government financial assistance and competition from other providers.
Illiquid
Securities Risk. The Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in lower-quality debt issued by
companies that are highly leveraged. Lower-quality debt tends to be less liquid than higher-quality debt. Moreover, smaller debt issues
tend to be less liquid than larger debt issues. Although the resale or secondary market for senior loans is growing, it is currently limited.
There is no organized exchange or board of trade on which senior loans are traded. Instead, the secondary market for senior loans is an
unregulated inter-dealer or inter-bank resale market. In addition, senior loans in which the Fund invests may require the consent of the
borrower and/or agent prior to the settlement of the sale or assignment. These consent requirements can delay or impede the Fund’s
ability to settle the sale of senior loans. Depending on market conditions, the Fund may have difficulty disposing its senior loans, which
may adversely impact its ability to obtain cash to repay debt, to pay dividends, to pay expenses or to take advantage of new investment
opportunities.
Illiquid
securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price
of illiquid securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund
pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid securities are also more difficult to value, especially in challenging
markets.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less
in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions
may decline. This risk is more prevalent with respect to debt securities. Inflation creates uncertainty over the future real value (after
inflation) of an investment. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors, including unexpected
shifts in the domestic or global economy, and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses
to Fund investors.
Information
Technology Companies Risk. Information technology companies produce and provide hardware, software and
information technology systems and services. Information technology companies are generally subject to the following risks: rapidly
changing technologies and existing product obsolescence; short product life cycles; fierce competition; aggressive pricing and reduced
profit margins; the loss of patent, copyright and trademark protections; cyclical market patterns; evolving industry standards; and frequent
new product introductions and new market entrants. Information technology companies may be smaller and less experienced companies,
with limited product lines, markets or financial resources and fewer experienced management or marketing personnel. Information
technology company stocks, particularly those involved with the internet, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that
are often unrelated to their operating performance. In addition, information technology companies are particularly vulnerable to
federal, state and local government regulation, and competition and consolidation, both domestically and internationally, including competition
from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Information technology companies also face competition for services of qualified
personnel and heavily rely on patents and intellectual property rights and the ability to enforce such rights to maintain a competitive
advantage.
Interest
Rate Risk. The yield on the Fund’s common shares may rise or fall as market interest rates rise
and fall, as senior loans pay interest at rates which float in response to changes in market rates. Changes in prevailing interest rates
can be expected to cause some fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value. Similarly, a sudden and significant increase in market
interest rates may cause a decline in the Fund’s net asset value.
Many
financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based upon the LIBOR. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the
“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, has ceased making LIBOR available as a reference rate over a phase-out period that began December 31,
2022. There is no assurance that any alternative reference rate, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) will
be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same
volume or liquidity. The unavailability or replacement of LIBOR may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments
and may result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades. Any potential
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effects
of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests can be difficult to ascertain, and they
may vary depending on a variety of factors, and they could result in losses to the Fund.
In
addition, for the Fund’s fixed rate investments, when market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally
will fall. Market value generally falls further for fixed rate securities with longer duration. During periods of rising interest rates,
the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected prepayments. This may lock in a below-market
yield, increase the security’s duration and further reduce the value of the security. Investments in fixed rate securities with
long-term maturities may experience significant price declines if long-term interest rates increase.
Leverage
Risk. The use of leverage by the Fund can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains
from the securities and investments purchased with leverage proceeds do not cover the cost of leverage, the return to the common shares
will be less than if leverage had not been used. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common shareholders including:
(i) the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without
leverage; (ii) the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings will reduce the return to the common shareholders or will result
in fluctuations in the dividends paid on the common shares; (iii) in a declining market, the use of leverage is likely to cause a greater
decline in the net asset value of the common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the
market price of the common shares; and (iv) when the Fund uses certain types of leverage, the investment advisory fee payable to the Advisor
will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage.
Limited
Term Risk. Because the assets of the Fund will be liquidated in connection with the Fund’s termination,
the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable,
which may cause the Fund to lose money. In particular, the Fund’s portfolio may still have significant remaining average maturity
and duration, and large exposures to lower-quality credits, as the termination date approaches, and if interest rates are high (and the
value of lower-quality fixed-income securities consequently low) at the time the Fund needs to liquidate its assets in connection with
the termination, the losses due to portfolio liquidation may be significant. Moreover, as the Fund approaches the termination date, its
portfolio composition may change as more of its portfolio holdings are called or sold, which may cause the returns to decrease and the
NAV of the Common Shares to fall. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of matured, called or sold securities, the Fund may distribute
the proceeds in one or more liquidating distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause fixed expenses to increase when
expressed as a percentage of assets under management, or the Fund may invest the proceeds in lower yielding securities or hold the proceeds
in cash, which may adversely affect its performance. Because the Fund will invest in below investment grade securities, it may be exposed
to the greater potential for an issuer of its securities to default, as compared to a fund that invests solely in investment grade securities.
As a result, should a Fund portfolio holding default, this may significantly reduce net investment income and, therefore, Common Share
dividends, and also may prevent or inhibit the Fund from fully being able to liquidate its portfolio at or prior to the termination date.
When terminated, the Fund’s final distribution will be based upon its NAV at the end of the term and investors in the Fund may receive
more or less than their original investment.
Management
Risk and Reliance on Key Personnel. The implementation of the Fund’s investment strategy depends
upon the continued contributions of certain key employees of the Advisor, some of whom have unique talents and experience and would be
difficult to replace. The loss or interruption of the services of a key member of the portfolio management team could have a negative
impact on the Fund.
Market
Discount from Net Asset Value. Shares of closed-end investment companies such as the Fund frequently
trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Fund cannot predict whether its common shares will trade at, below or above net asset
value.
Market
Risk. Investments held by the Fund, as well as shares of the Fund itself, are subject to market
fluctuations caused by real or perceived adverse economic conditions, political events, regulatory factors or market developments,
changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of the Fund could decline in value or underperform other investments
as a result of the risk of loss associated with these market fluctuations. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war,
acts of terrorism, market manipulation, government defaults, government shutdowns, regulatory actions, political changes, diplomatic developments,
the imposition of sanctions and other similar measures, spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions,
or other events could have a significant negative impact on the Fund and its investments. Any of such circumstances could have a materially
negative impact on the value of the Fund’s shares, the liquidity of an investment, and result in increased market volatility.
During any such events, the Fund’s shares may trade at increased premiums or discounts to their net asset value, the bid/ask spread
on the Fund’s shares may widen and the returns on investment may fluctuate.
Non-U.S.
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing
in securities of non-U.S. issuers, which are generally denominated in non-U.S. currencies, may involve certain risks not typically associated
with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include: (i) there may be less publicly available information about non-U.S.
issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) non-U.S. markets may be smaller,
less
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liquid
and more volatile than the U.S. market; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the
value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience
a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) certain non-U.S. countries may impose
restrictions on the ability of non-U.S. issuers to make payments of principal and interest to investors located in the United States due
to blockage of non-U.S. currency exchanges or otherwise; and (vii) withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund’s
return. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies.
In addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. These risks may be more pronounced to the extent
that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region or in emerging markets.
Operational
Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited
to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties,
failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third parties for a range of services, including
custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its
investment objective. Although the Fund and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there
is no way to completely protect against such risks.
Potential
Conflicts of Interest Risk. First Trust and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict
with the interests of the Fund. In particular, First Trust currently manages and may in the future manage and/or advise other investment
funds or accounts with the same or substantially similar investment objective and strategies as the Fund. In addition, while the Fund
is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to First Trust for investment advisory and management services are higher than if the Fund
did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on managed assets. Therefore, First Trust has a financial incentive to
leverage the Fund.
Prepayment
Risk. Loans and corporate bonds are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that the
borrower on a loan or issuer of a bond will repay principal (in part or in whole) prior to the scheduled maturity date. The degree to
which such repayment occurs may be affected by general business conditions, interest rates, the financial condition of the borrower or
issuer and competitive conditions among investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment,
either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced which, in turn, may result
in a decline in distributions to common shareholders. The Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds received on terms as favorable
as the prepaid loan or bond.
Reinvestment
Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the
Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called instruments at market interest rates that are below the Fund’s portfolio’s
current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the common shares’ market price, level of distributions or the overall return
of the Fund.
Second
Lien Loan Risk. A second lien loan may have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien or
it may be secured by a separate set of assets. Second lien loans are typically secured by a second priority security interest or lien
on specified collateral securing the borrower’s obligation under the interest. Because second lien loans are second to first lien
loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk. Specifically, these loans are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow
of the borrower and property securing the loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to those loans with
a higher priority. In addition, loans that have a lower than first lien priority on collateral of the borrower generally have greater
price volatility than those loans with a higher priority and may be less liquid.
Senior
Loan Risk. The Fund invests in senior loans and therefore is subject to the risks associated therewith.
Investments in senior loans are subject to the same risks as investments in other types of debt securities, including credit risk, interest
rate risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk (which may be heightened because of the limited public information available regarding senior
loans and because loan borrowers may be leveraged and tend to be more adversely affected by changes in market or economic conditions).
Further, no active trading market may exist for certain senior loans, which may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in
the event of the need to sell a senior loan and which may make it difficult to value senior loans. Senior loans may not be considered
“securities” and the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.
In
the event a borrower fails to pay scheduled interest or principal payments on a senior loan held by the Fund, the Fund will experience
a reduction in its income and a decline in the value of the senior loan, which will likely reduce dividends and lead to a decline in the
net asset value of the Fund’s common shares. If the Fund acquires a senior loan from another lender, for example, by acquiring a
participation, the Fund may also be subject to credit risks with respect to that lender. Although senior loans may be secured by specific
collateral, the value of the collateral may not equal the Fund’s investment when the senior loan is acquired or may decline below
the principal amount of the senior loan subsequent to the Fund’s investment. Also, to the extent that collateral consists of stock
of the borrower or its subsidiaries or affiliates, the Fund bears the risk that the stock may decline in value, be relatively illiquid,
and/or
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35
Additional
Information (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
may
lose all or substantially all of its value, causing the senior loan to be under collateralized. Therefore, the liquidation of the collateral
underlying a senior loan may not satisfy the issuer’s obligation to the Fund in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or
principal, and the collateral may not be readily liquidated. The senior loan market has seen a significant increase in loans with weaker
lender protections including, but not limited to, limited financial maintenance covenants or, in some cases, no financial maintenance
covenants (i.e., “covenant-lite loans”) that would typically be included in a traditional loan agreement and general weakening
of other restrictive covenants applicable to the borrower such as limitations on incurrence of additional debt, restrictions on payments
of junior debt or restrictions on dividends and distributions. Weaker lender protections such as the absence of financial maintenance
covenants in a loan agreement and the inclusion of “borrower-favorable” terms may impact recovery values and/or trading levels
of senior loans in the future. The absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement generally means that the lender may
not be able to declare a default if financial performance deteriorates. This may hinder the Fund’s ability to reprice credit risk
associated with a particular borrower and reduce the Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss.
As a result, the Fund’s exposure to losses on investments in senior loans may be increased, especially during a downturn in the
credit cycle or changes in market or economic conditions.
Valuation
Risk. The valuation of senior loans may carry more risk than that of common stock. Market quotations
may not be readily available for some senior loans and securities in which the Fund invests and valuation may require more research than
for liquid securities. In addition, elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation of senior loans and certain other securities
than for securities with a secondary market, because there is less reliable objective data available. These difficulties may lead
to inaccurate asset pricing.
| NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE |
Investment
Management Agreement
Board
Considerations Regarding Approval of the Continuation of the Investment Management Agreement
The
Board of Trustees of First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (the “Fund”), including the Independent Trustees,
unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Fund and First
Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor”). The Board approved the continuation of the Agreement for a one-year period ending June
30, 2024 at a meeting held on June 4–5, 2023. The Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests
of the Fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided and such other matters as the Board considered to be relevant
in the exercise of its business judgment.
To
reach this determination, the Board considered its duties under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”),
as well as under the general principles of state law, in reviewing and approving advisory contracts; the requirements of the 1940 Act
in such matters; the fiduciary duty of investment advisors with respect to advisory agreements and compensation; the standards used by
courts in determining whether investment company boards have fulfilled their duties; and the factors to be considered by the Board in
voting on such agreements. At meetings held on April 17, 2023 and June 4–5, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Trustees,
reviewed materials provided by the Advisor responding to requests for information from counsel to the Independent Trustees, submitted
on behalf of the Independent Trustees, that, among other things, outlined: the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund (including
the relevant personnel responsible for these services and their experience); the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund as compared to
fees charged to a peer group of funds (the “Expense Group”) and a broad peer universe of funds (the “Expense Universe”),
each assembled by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent source, and as compared to fees charged
to other clients of the Advisor; the expense ratio of the Fund as compared to expense ratios of the funds in the Fund’s Expense
Group and Expense Universe; performance information for the Fund, including comparisons of the Fund’s performance to that of one
or more relevant benchmark indexes and to that of a performance group of funds and a broad performance universe of funds (the “Performance
Universe”), each assembled by Broadridge; the nature of expenses incurred in providing services to the Fund and the potential for
the Advisor to realize economies of scale, if any; profitability and other financial data for the Advisor; any indirect benefits to the
Advisor; and information on the Advisor’s compliance program. The Board reviewed initial materials with the Advisor at the
meeting held on April 17, 2023, prior to which the Independent Trustees and their counsel met separately to discuss the information provided
by the Advisor. Following the April meeting, counsel to the Independent Trustees, on behalf of the Independent Trustees, requested
certain clarifications and supplements to the materials provided, and the information provided in response to those requests was considered
at an executive session of the Independent Trustees and their counsel held prior to the June 4–5, 2023 meeting, as well as at the
June meeting. The Board applied its business judgment to determine whether the arrangement between the Fund and the Advisor continues
to be a reasonable business arrangement from the Fund’s perspective. The Board determined that, given the totality of the
information provided with respect to the Agreement, the Board had received sufficient information to renew the Agreement. The Board
considered that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that the Advisor manages the Fund.
Page
36
Additional
Information (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
In
reviewing the Agreement, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisor under the Agreement.
The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund and reviewed all of the
services provided by the Advisor to the Fund, as well as the background and experience of the persons responsible for such services.
The Board noted that the Advisor’s Leveraged Finance Investment Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s
investments. The Board considered the background and experience of the members of the Leveraged Finance Investment Team and noted
the Board’s prior meetings with members of the Team. The Board considered the Advisor’s statement that it applies the
same oversight model internally with its Leveraged Finance Investment Team as it uses for overseeing external sub-advisors, including
portfolio risk monitoring and performance review. In reviewing the services provided, the Board noted the compliance program that
had been developed by the Advisor and considered that it includes a robust program for monitoring the Advisor’s and the Fund’s
compliance with the 1940 Act, as well as the Fund’s compliance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions. The
Board also considered a report from the Advisor with respect to its risk management functions related to the operation of the Fund.
Finally, as part of the Board’s consideration of the Advisor’s services, the Advisor, in its written materials and at the
April 17, 2023 meeting, described to the Board the scope of its ongoing investment in additional personnel and infrastructure to maintain
and improve the quality of services provided to the Fund and the other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex. In light of the information
presented and the considerations made, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by
the Advisor under the Agreement have been and are expected to remain satisfactory and that the Advisor has managed the Fund consistent
with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.
The
Board considered the advisory fee rate payable under the Agreement for the services provided. The Board received and reviewed information
showing the fee rates and expense ratios of the peer funds in the Expense Group, as well as advisory and unitary fee rates charged by
the Advisor to other fund and non-fund clients, as applicable. With respect to the Expense Group, the Board, at the April 17, 2023
meeting, discussed with Broadridge its methodology for assembling peer groups and discussed with the Advisor limitations in creating a
relevant peer group for the Fund, including that (i) the Fund is unique in its composition, which makes assembling peers with similar
strategies and asset mix difficult; and (ii) none of the peer funds are term funds. The Board took these limitations into account
in considering the peer data. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate payable
by the Fund, based on average managed assets, was above the median contractual advisory fee of the peer funds in the Expense Group.
With respect to fees charged to other clients, the Board considered differences between the Fund and other clients that limited their
comparability. In considering the advisory fee rate overall, the Board also considered the Advisor’s statement that it seeks
to meet investor needs through innovative and value-added investment solutions and the Advisor’s demonstrated long-term commitment
to the Fund and the other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex.
The
Board considered performance information for the Fund. The Board noted the process it has established for monitoring the Fund’s
performance and portfolio risk on an ongoing basis, which includes quarterly performance reporting from the Advisor for the Fund.
The Board determined that this process continues to be effective for reviewing the Fund’s performance. The Board received
and reviewed information comparing the Fund’s performance for the one-year period ended December 31, 2022 to the performance of
the funds in the Performance Universe and to that of a benchmark index. In reviewing the Fund’s performance as compared to
the performance of the Performance Universe, the Board took into account the limitations described above with respect to creating a relevant
peer group for the Fund. Based on the information provided on net asset value performance, the Board noted that the Fund underperformed
the Performance Universe median and the benchmark index for the one-year period ended December 31, 2022. In addition, the Board
considered information provided by the Advisor on the impact of leverage on the Fund’s returns. The Board also received information
on the Fund’s annual distribution rate as of December 31, 2022 and the Fund’s average trading discount for various periods
and comparable information for a peer group.
On
the basis of all the information provided on the fees, expenses and performance of the Fund and the ongoing oversight by the Board, the
Board concluded that the advisory fee continues to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services
provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the Agreement.
The
Board considered information and discussed with the Advisor whether there were any economies of scale in connection with providing advisory
services to the Fund at current asset levels and whether the Fund may benefit from any economies of scale. The Board noted the Advisor’s
statement that it believes that its expenses relating to providing advisory services to the Fund will increase during the next twelve
months as the Advisor continues to build infrastructure and add new staff. The Board concluded that due to the Fund’s closed-end
structure, the potential for realization of economies of scale as Fund assets grow was not a material factor to be considered. The
Board considered the revenues and allocated costs (including the allocation methodology) of the Advisor in serving as investment advisor
to the Fund for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and the estimated profitability level for the Fund calculated by the Advisor
based on such data, as well as complex-wide and product-line profitability data, for the same period. The Board noted the inherent
limitations in the profitability analysis and concluded that, based on the information provided, the Advisor’s profitability level
for the Fund was not unreasonable. In addition, the Board considered indirect benefits described by the Advisor that may be realized
from its relationship with the Fund, including the Advisor’s compensation for fund reporting services pursuant to a
Page
37
Additional
Information (Continued)
First
Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY)
November
30, 2023 (Unaudited)
separate
Fund Reporting Services Agreement. The Board also noted that the Advisor does not utilize soft dollars in connection with the Fund.
The Board concluded that the character and amount of potential indirect benefits to the Advisor were not unreasonable.
Based
on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined
that the terms of the Agreement continue to be fair and reasonable and that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests
of the Fund. No single factor was determinative in the Board’s analysis.
Page
38
INVESTMENT
ADVISOR
First
Trust Advisors L.P.
120
East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton,
IL 60187
ADMINISTRATOR,
FUND ACCOUNTANT, AND
CUSTODIAN
FUND ACCOUNTANT, AND
CUSTODIAN
The
Bank of New York Mellon
240
Greenwich Street
New
York, NY 10286
TRANSFER
AGENT
Computershare,
Inc.
P.O.
Box 43006
Providence,
RI 02940
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte
& Touche LLP
111
South Wacker Drive
Chicago,
IL 60606
LEGAL
COUNSEL
Chapman
and Cutler LLP
320
South Canal Street
Chicago,
IL 60606
(b) Not applicable.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
| (a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a) Not applicable.
| (b) | There have been no changes, as of the date of filing, in any of the Portfolio Managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this item in the registrant’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR. |
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)). |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
| (a) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
Item 13. Exhibits.
| (a)(1) | Not applicable. |
| (a)(2) | Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. |
| (a)(3) | Not applicable. |
| (a)(4) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| (Registrant) | First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Target Term Fund |
| By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ James M. Dykas | |
| James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
| Date: | February 5, 2024 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ James M. Dykas | |
| James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
| Date: | February 5, 2024 |
| By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Derek D. Maltbie | |
| Derek D. Maltbie, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (principal financial officer) |
| Date: | February 5, 2024 |
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.