First Trust Advisors L.P. (“FTA”) announces the First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (NYSE Arca: MARB) (the “Fund”), a series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III (the “Trust”), will change its investment strategies, name and other related matters, expected to occur early in the second quarter of 2026. The Fund’s new name will be the First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF and the Fund’s new ticker will be NTRL. In connection with the change to the Fund’s name, the Fund will adopt a non-fundamental investment policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in financial derivative instruments (exchange-traded or over-the-counter) that provide exposure to U.S exchange-listed equity securities, U.S. exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that provide exposure to U.S. exchange-listed equity securities and/or U.S. exchange-listed equity securities.

In connection with the changes described above, the Fund’s principal investment strategies will be revised such that the Fund will no longer pursue its current merger arbitrage strategy, and it will instead seek an equity market neutral approach where the overall performance of the Fund is driven primarily by the net performance of long and short positions, independent of directional movements in the market. The Fund will pursue its investment objective by establishing long and short positions in U.S. exchange-listed equity securities, including exposure obtained through ETFs and financial derivative instruments such as futures or total return swaps. The Fund will generally seek to have exposure ranging from approximately 150%-250% to long positions and approximately 150%-250% to short positions. Additionally, the Fund’s annual unitary management fee will be reduced to 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund’s portfolio management team will change to members of the First Trust Alternatives Investment Team, and the Fund will no longer have a sub-advisor.

FTA is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the Fund’s investment advisor. 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 $309 billion as of December 31, 2025 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and SMAs. 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.

You should consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. You can download a prospectus or contact FTA to request a prospectus, which contains other information about the Fund. Read it carefully before you invest. The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in its prospectus, shareholder reports and other regulatory filings.

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.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

This press release 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 FTA and its respective 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,” “will” 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 a 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 press release, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the judgment of FTA and its respective representatives only as of the date hereof. No obligation will be undertaken to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

The Fund’s daily closing price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com.

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