There were no changes to the First Trust Models covered within the report this week.

Among the First Trust funds with notable performance to kick off 2026 is the First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID), which has gained 10% through Tuesday’s (3/17) close and outperforming the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by roughly 11%. On the default trend chart, GRID has maintained a buy signal and positive trend since April 2025. Action starting 2026 brought about a second buy signal as the fund rallied to an all-time chart high at $178 in February. March kicked off with a reversal down into Os before action last week brought the chart back into a column of Xs to $170. GRID has maintained near and long-term positive relative strength versus the market since May of last year, which along with the positive trend picture, brings the ETF’s fund score to a near perfect 5.72 (out of 6), which is stronger than the average score for a fund within the Infrastructure (4.22) group. Okay to consider here on the recent reversal up to the mid $170s. Initial support lies at $162, while additional can be found at $146.  GRID has been a part of the First Trust Thematic Focus Five Model (FT5THEME.TR) since February of this year.

This weekly overview is designed to be used as a "radar" screen to bring your attention to potentially important technical changes that may require your attention and potential action. When evaluating the Fund Score, the strongest issues have scores of 4 or higher while those ETFs with scores below a 3 are no longer considered solid citizens.

The ETFs with the most relative strength buy signals (suggesting outperformance) versus the others in the group are listed at the top. These ETFs should be overweighted in the portfolio. Those ETFs with the least amount of relative strength buy signals versus the others in the group are listed at the bottom. These ETFs should be underweighted in the portfolio.

The First Trust ETF Portfolios are designed to identify major sector themes in the market place through the use of the Point & Figure relative strength tools. For more information on the portfolio construction and back testing, see the model info file on the models page.  To enter a portfolio amount and see shares to be purchased as well as modify the portfolio to your specifications, click here. (Note: The First Trust ETF Portfolios will be updated Wednesday mornings by 9:30 am EST) 

Weekly Changes:  There were no changes to any of the First Trust Models covered within the report this week.

* - Dates prior to 1/9/2008, which is when the First Trust Sector ETF Model Portfolio became available in the First Trust Weekly ETF Report, are representative of when the position was added to the backtested model.

* - The next evaluation date for the Focus Five Model is Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. Dates prior to 10/20/2009, which is when the First Trust Focus Five ETF Model Portfolio became available in the First Trust Weekly ETF Report, are representative of when the position was added to the backtested model.

* - The next evaluation date for the Thematic Focus Five Model is Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. Dates prior to 9/13/2023, which is when the First Trust Thematic Focus Five ETF Model Portfolio became available in the First Trust Weekly ETF Report, are representative of when the position was added to the backtested model.

* - The next evaluation date for the International Focus Five Model is Wednesday, April 1st, 2026. Dates prior to 2/22/2012, which is when the First Trust International Focus Five ETF Model Portfolio became available in the First Trust Weekly ETF Report, are representative of when the position was added to the backtested model.

Am I better off owning the managed mutual fund or the unmanaged ETF? The table below will help you answer that question. For each of the nine major asset classes and sectors, see the Top 20 mutual funds in NAV compared to the First Trust Universe of ETFs. The results are ordered by Fund Score, from highest to lowest. The Fund Score is a snapshot of the overall health of the fund based upon relative strength versus the broad market, relative strength versus its peers, and other trend measures. Those ETFs and Funds with a score above 3 are considered solid citizens with those having scores of 4 and above ideal candidates for purchase. Those ETFs and Funds with a score below 3 should be examined closer from a technical basis as they are not holding their ground versus the market and their peer group.
 

(Click any link above to see the Fund Score of the First Trust ETFs and the funds with the largest Net Assets in that category)