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First Trust Board Approves Reorganizations of First Trust Canada AlphaDEX Fund, First Trust Australia AlphaDEX Fund, First Trust Hong Kong AlphaDEX Fund and First Trust South Korea AlphaDEX Fund into First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Advisors L.P. (“FTA”) announced today that the Boards of Trustees of First Trust Canada AlphaDEX® Fund (Nasdaq: FCAN), First Trust Australia AlphaDEX® Fund (NYSE Arca: FAUS), First Trust Hong Kong AlphaDEX® Fund (Nasdaq: FHK), and First Trust South Korea AlphaDEX® Fund (Nasdaq: FKO), each an index based exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), managed by FTA, approved the reorganizations of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO, respectively, into First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX® Fund (Nasdaq: FDT), an index based ETF managed by FTA. The reorganizations have also been approved by the Board of Trustees of the FDT. FDT will be the surviving fund for each reorganization.

Under the terms of the proposed transactions, which are expected to be tax‑free, the assets of each of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO would be transferred to, and the liabilities of each of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO would be assumed by, FDT, and shareholders of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO would receive shares of FDT with a net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO shares held by them, as applicable. It is currently expected that the transaction will be consummated no later than the second quarter of 2020, subject to requisite approvals by the shareholders of each of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO and satisfaction of applicable regulatory requirements and approvals and customary closing conditions. There is no assurance when or whether such approvals, or any other approvals required for the transactions, will be obtained. More information on the proposed transactions will be contained in a registration statement/proxy materials that will be filed with the SEC in the coming weeks. Upon completion of the proposed transactions, the investment objective and strategies of FDT will remain unchanged.

FCAN is an index based ETF that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an equity index called the NASDAQ AlphaDEX® Canada Index. FCAN pursues this investment objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index is composed of securities issued by small, mid and large cap companies operating in Canada, as classified by Nasdaq, Inc.

FAUS is an index based ETF that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an equity index called the NASDAQ AlphaDEX® Australia Index. FAUS pursues this investment objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index is composed of securities issued by small, mid and large cap companies operating in Australia, as classified by Nasdaq, Inc.

FHK is an index based ETF that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an equity index called the NASDAQ AlphaDEX® Hong Kong Index. FHK pursues this investment objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index is composed of securities issued by small, mid and large cap companies operating in Hong Kong, as classified by Nasdaq, Inc.

FKO is an index based ETF that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an equity index called the NASDAQ AlphaDEX® South Korea Index. FKO pursues this investment objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index is composed of securities issued by small, mid and large cap companies operating in South Korea, as classified by Nasdaq, Inc.

FDT is an index based ETF that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an equity index called the NASDAQ AlphaDEX® Developed Markets Ex-US Index. FDT pursues this investment objective by investing at least 90% of its net assets in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index is composed of securities issued by small, mid and large cap companies operating in developed markets excluding the United States, as classified by Nasdaq, Inc.

FTA is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the investment advisor of FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO and FDT. FTA and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately-held companies that provide a variety of investment services. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $145 billion as of December 31, 2019 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. FTA is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. FTA and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois.

Additional Information about the Proposed Reorganization and Where to Find It

This press release is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO or FDT, nor is this press release intended to solicit a proxy from any shareholder of FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO or FDT. The solicitation of the purchase or sale of securities or of proxies to effect the transaction may only be made by a final, effective Registration Statement, which includes a definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus, after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

This press release references a Registration Statement, which includes a Proxy Statement/Prospectus, to be filed by FDT. This Registration Statement has yet to be filed with the SEC. After the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, it may be amended or withdrawn and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not be distributed to shareholders of FCAN, FAUS, FHK or FKO unless and until the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO, FDT, FTA, FTP and their respective trustees, officers and employees, and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed reorganization. Investors and shareholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of FCAN’s, FAUS’s, FHK’s, FKO’s, FDT’s, FTA’s and FTP’s respective directors, trustees, officers and employees by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed reorganization when it is filed with the SEC.

Investors and security holders of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO are urged to read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC carefully in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed reorganization. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of FCAN, FAUS, FHK and FKO, as applicable, and FDT carefully. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will contain information with respect to the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds and other important information about FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO and FDT. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will constitute neither an offer to sell securities, nor will it constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

Investors may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents (when they become available) filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC may also be obtained after the Registration Statement becomes effective by calling FTA toll-free at (800) 621-1675.

The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. First Trust has no knowledge of and has not been provided any information regarding any investor. Financial advisors must determine whether particular investments are appropriate for their clients. First Trust believes the financial advisor is a fiduciary, is capable of evaluating investment risks independently and is responsible for exercising independent judgment with respect to its retirement plan clients.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are referred to as “forward‑looking statements” under the U.S. federal securities laws. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward‑looking statements due to numerous factors. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward‑looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward‑looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward‑looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. FTA, FCAN, FAUS, FHK, FKO and FDT undertake no responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward‑looking statements.

Contacts:

Ryan Issakainen – (630) 765-8689
Jim Dykas – (630) 517-7665

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