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 any series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI (the “Trust”) described in this report (each such series is referred to as a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) 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 any Fund described in this report will achieve its investment objective. Each 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 a Fund. See “Risk Considerations” in the Additional Information section of this report for a discussion of certain other risks of investing in the Funds.

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 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 each Fund’s web page at www.ftportfolios.com.

How to Read This Report

This report contains information that may help you evaluate your investment. It includes details about each Fund and presents data and analysis that provide insight into each Fund’s performance and investment approach.

By reading the market overview by Robert F. Carey, Chief Market Strategist of the Advisor, you may obtain an understanding of how the market environment affected the performance of each Fund. The statistical information that follows may help you understand each Fund’s performance compared to that of relevant market benchmarks.

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 each Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, the statement of additional information, and other Fund regulatory filings.

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Shareholder Letter

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI

Semi-Annual Letter from the Chairman and CEO

September 30, 2021

Dear Shareholders,

First Trust is pleased to provide you with the semi-annual report for certain series of the First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI (the “Funds”), which contains detailed information about the Funds for the six months ended September 30, 2021. Please note that the First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF was incepted on June 22, 2021, and so the information in this letter and the semi-annual report prior to that date will not apply to this Fund.

A great deal has changed over the past 18 months. Suffice it to say that the dominant story in 2020 was the onset of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. It is still a huge story 20 months later, mostly due to the arrival of the Delta variant in the U.S. and the subsequent surge in cases around mid-2021. The Delta variant is twice as contagious as the previous variants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). Fortunately, we have come to learn that the existing vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been effective in providing protection against the Delta variant, particularly with respect to keeping the people already vaccinated out of the intensive care unit. As I’m sure you are aware, a significant percentage of the U.S. population has chosen not to be vaccinated. These individuals have proven to be much more vulnerable to the virus and account for the lion’s share of hospitalizations, according to the CDC. While it is these individuals right to choose, unless mandated by a private company or government agency, the universe of people that have not gotten vaccinated is large enough that it has likely delayed the full economic recovery, at least on the margin, in our opinion. In the U.S., the path chosen by the federal government to help mitigate the economic fallout from the pandemic has been to inject trillions of dollars of liquidity (stimulus) into the financial system. To date, it appears to have been effective, however, it has contributed to a new and potentially ominous headwind for the economy: inflation.

The Consumer Price Index came in at 5.4% year-over-year in September 2021, the largest increase since 2008, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”). The BLS also reported that the Producer Price Index was up 8.6% compared to a year ago, its highest level since 1981. These two barometers of inflation are clearly elevated. Why is rising inflation worth noting? It tends to reduce the purchasing power of the currency one uses over time. In the case of the U.S., it reduces how much consumers can buy with their dollars. A modest amount of inflation can be a sign that the economy is healthy. Too much inflation can derail an economy. While we are not even close to that point yet, investors should monitor the direction of inflation moving forward because the U.S. economy has yet to fully reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic and millions of workers remain on the sideline. Earlier this year, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell proclaimed that the spike in inflation in the U.S. would be relatively short-lived, or “transitory.” He cited the pandemic-related bottlenecks in the global supply chain for creating shortages in such critical industries as semiconductors as being largely responsible for the sharp rise in prices. With prices rising nearly across the board, his take on inflation is losing credibility with each passing month, in my opinion. If inflation continues to run hotter-than-expected, we believe that the Federal Reserve will likely have to alter its easy monetary policy in favor of one that boosts interest rates and bond yields.

The markets have performed quite well over the past 18 months. I believe that the combination of the federal government’s efforts in fast-tracking the vaccines, its decisiveness in injecting trillions of dollars of capital into the financial system to help backstop it, and the ability of millions of workers to adapt to working efficiently from home helped boost the confidence levels of investors throughout. Having said that, I still feel we need to fully reopen the U.S. economy, put the millions of people out of work back to work and remedy the global supply chain bottlenecks. While investors should be prepared for the possibility of some additional volatility moving forward, due to inflationary pressures, the potential for higher interest rates and bond yields, and next year’s mid-term election season, we encourage them to stay the course.

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 Funds again in six months.

Sincerely,

James A. Bowen

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.

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Market Overview

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2021

Robert F. Carey, CFA

Senior Vice President and Chief Market Strategist

First Trust Advisors L.P.

Mr. Carey is responsible for the overall management of research and analysis of the First Trust product line. Mr. Carey has more than 30 years of experience as an Equity and Fixed-Income Analyst and is a recipient of the Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. in Physics. He is also a member of the Investment Analysts Society of Chicago and the CFA Institute. Mr. Carey has appeared as a guest on such programs as Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and WBBM Radio, and has been quoted by several publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Reporter, Bloomberg News Service, and Registered Rep.

State of the Global Economy

The International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) reported in its latest release that global gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth is expected to come in at 5.9% in 2021 and 4.9% in 2022, up from -3.1% in 2020. Keep in mind that the onset of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic in the U.S. and most global regions occurred in the first quarter of 2020. The IMF sees the U.S. economy growing at 6.0% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, up from -3.4% in 2020. With respect to all Advanced Economies, the IMF is projecting GDP growth of 5.2% in 2021 and 4.5% in 2022, up from -4.5% in 2020. Lastly, the IMF projects Emerging Market and Developing Economies to grow at a rate of 6.4% in 2021 and 5.1% in 2022, up from -2.1% in 2020. Looking ahead to 2022, the outlook for growth is encouraging, but down a bit from the strong pandemic-induced recovery in 2021. The IMF is concerned that inflationary pressures stemming from the global supply chain bottlenecks could push prices higher if the problems persist. That scenario could, in turn, cause central banks to raise rates quickly to try and prevent inflation from overheating.

One of the better barometers for judging the overall business climate is mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) activity, in our opinion. M&A deals totaled $4.3 trillion over the first nine months of 2021, the most ever recorded for that period, according to data from Refinitiv. The $1.52 trillion in deal value registered in the third quarter of 2021 was the highest ever for a calendar quarter. Executives are expanding their businesses aggressively in the current climate.

Performance of Global Stocks and Bonds

With respect to U.S. equities, the S&P 500^®, S&P MidCap 400^®, and S&P SmallCap 600^® Indices posted total returns of 9.18%, 1.81% and 1.54%, respectively, for the six-month period ended September 30, 2021. Large-capitalization (“cap”) stocks significantly outperformed their mid- and small-cap counterparts in the period. Investors may have favored well-capitalized companies in the period due to the surge in the volume of Delta variant cases of COVID-19, in our opinion. All 11 sectors that comprise the S&P 500^® Index were up on a total return basis. The top performer was the Real Estate sector, up 14.08%, while the worst result came from the Industrials sector, up 0.06%.

A Bloomberg survey of 21 equity strategists found that their average 2021 year-end price target for the S&P 500^® Index was 4,466 as of September 21, 2021, up from 4,335 on August 20, 2021, according to its own release. The highest and lowest estimates were 4,825 (up from 4,700) and 3,800 (unchanged), respectively. On September 30, 2021, the S&P 500^® Index closed at 4,307.54, which was 5.06% below its all-time closing high of 4,536.95 on September 2, 2021. As of October 1, 2021, Bloomberg’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 consensus earnings growth rate estimates for the S&P 500^® Index stood at 44.90%, 8.95% and 9.80%, respectively.

Over the past six months, the MSCI World ex USA and MSCI Emerging Markets Indices posted total returns of 4.95% (USD) and -3.45% (USD), respectively, according to Bloomberg. The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index of higher quality debt posted a total return of 0.42% (USD), while the Bloomberg EM Hard Currency Aggregate Index of emerging markets debt rose by 1.99% (USD), according Bloomberg. Over that same period, the U.S. dollar rose by 1.07% against a basket of major currencies, as measured by the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY). The modest increase in the dollar had little impact on the performance of these foreign indices, in our opinion.

In the U.S. bond market, the top-performing major debt group we track was high yield corporate bonds. The Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index posted a total return of 3.65% for the six-month period ended September 30, 2021. The worst-performing U.S. debt group that we track was long maturity Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMAs”). The Bloomberg GNMA 30-Year Index posted a total return of -0.02%. The yield on the benchmark 10-Year Treasury Note (“T-Note”) increased by 25 points in the period to close at 1.49% on September 30, 2021, according to Bloomberg. For comparative purposes, the average yield on the 10-Year T-Note was 2.04% for the 10-year period ended September 30, 2021.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited)

First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO)

The First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Banks Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXO.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the banking sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising the banking sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. This classification includes companies providing a broad range of financial services, including retail banking, loans and money transmissions.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	5.63%	96.57%	12.76%	12.82%	82.32%	83.41%
Market Price	5.73%	96.80%	12.69%	12.84%	81.71%	83.52%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Banks Index^TM	6.01%	98.23%	13.54%	13.60%	88.68%	89.85%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Banks Index	8.51%	85.58%	15.95%	15.78%	109.55%	108.93%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Banks Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Financials	100.0%
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
New York Community Bancorp, Inc.	8.0%
PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.	8.0
JPMorgan Chase & Co.	8.0
Popular, Inc.	8.0
Citigroup, Inc.	7.6
Fifth Third Bancorp	4.3
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.	4.2
Zions Bancorp N.A.	4.2
Wells Fargo & Co.	4.0
First Horizon Corp.	3.9
Total	60.2%

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 indices do not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore do 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.

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Information showing the number of days the market price of the Fund’s shares was greater (at a premium) and less (at a discount) than the Fund’s net asset value for the most recently completed year, and the most recently completed calendar quarters since that year (or life of the Fund, if shorter), is available at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/etf/home.aspx.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)

The First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Food & Beverage Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXG.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the food and beverage sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising either the beverages sector or food producers sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”). The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. These classifications include: (i) manufacturers and shippers of cider or malt products; (ii) producers, distillers, vintners, blenders and shippers of wine and spirits; (iii) manufacturers, bottlers and distributors of non-alcoholic beverages; (iv) companies that grow crops or raise livestock, operate fisheries or own non-tobacco plantations; (v) food producers, including meatpacking, snacks, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and frozen seafood; (vi) producers of pet food; and (vii) manufacturers of dietary supplements, vitamins and related items.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	-5.23%	16.50%	5.10%	5.30%	28.22%	29.64%
Market Price	-6.62%	16.05%	5.08%	5.30%	28.09%	29.63%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Food & Beverage Index^TM	-4.97%	17.28%	5.77%	5.98%	32.38%	33.88%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Food, Beverage and Tobacco Index	0.03%	14.16%	7.33%	7.62%	42.45%	44.69%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Food & Beverage Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Consumer Staples	95.1%
Materials	3.9
Consumer Discretionary	1.0
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
Bunge Ltd.	8.8%
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A	8.2
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.	8.1
Darling Ingredients, Inc.	7.9
Hershey (The) Co.	7.8
General Mills, Inc.	4.2
Conagra Brands, Inc.	4.2
Kellogg Co.	4.1
B&G Foods, Inc.	4.0
JM Smucker (The) Co.	4.0
Total	61.3%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN)

The First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Oil & Gas Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXN.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the oil and gas sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising either the oil & gas producers sector or the oil equipment, services & distribution sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”). The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. These classifications include: (i) companies engaged in the exploration for and drilling, production, refining and supply of oil and gas products; (ii) integrated oil and gas companies engaged in the exploration for, and drilling, production, refining, distribution and retail sales of, oil and gas products; (iii) suppliers of equipment and services to oil fields and offshore platforms, such as drilling, exploration, seismic-information services and platform construction; and (iv) operators of pipelines carrying oil, gas or other forms of fuel.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	23.47%	106.17%	-0.06%	1.02%	-0.31%	5.22%
Market Price	23.46%	106.50%	-0.06%	1.03%	-0.30%	5.28%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Oil & Gas Index^TM	24.05%	108.32%	0.60%	1.68%	3.01%	8.75%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Energy Index	9.48%	86.93%	-1.21%	-0.07%	-5.91%	-0.36%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Oil & Gas Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Energy	100.0%
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
SM Energy Co.	9.5%
Centennial Resource Development, Inc./DE, Class A	9.0
Cheniere Energy, Inc.	7.7
Williams (The) Cos., Inc.	7.2
Kinder Morgan, Inc.	7.1
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.	4.7
Targa Resources Corp.	3.8
ONEOK, Inc.	3.8
Equitrans Midstream Corp.	3.7
ConocoPhillips	3.7
Total	60.2%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH)

The First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXH.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the pharmaceutical sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising the pharmaceuticals sub-sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. This classification includes vaccine producers and manufacturers of prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	0.28%	7.58%	6.32%	6.00%	35.88%	34.05%
Market Price	0.32%	7.62%	6.32%	6.02%	35.84%	34.16%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index^TM	0.63%	8.07%	7.01%	6.69%	40.31%	38.49%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Pharmaceuticals Index	6.09%	15.98%	11.54%	11.38%	72.63%	71.92%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Health Care	100.0%
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.	8.2%
Merck & Co., Inc.	8.1
Pfizer, Inc.	7.8
Johnson & Johnson	7.8
AbbVie, Inc.	7.2
Catalent, Inc.	4.3
Horizon Therapeutics PLC	4.2
Alkermes PLC	4.1
Gilead Sciences, Inc.	4.0
Zoetis, Inc.	4.0
Total	59.7%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

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Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD)

The First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Retail Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXD.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the retail sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising either the food & drug retailers sector or the general retailers sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. This classification includes: (i) operators of pharmacies, including wholesalers and distributors catering to these businesses; (ii) supermarkets, food-oriented convenience stores and other food retailers and distributors; (iii) retailers and wholesalers specializing mainly in clothing, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories; (iv) retail outlets and wholesalers; (v) retailers and wholesalers concentrating on the sale of home improvement products; (vi) providers of consumer services such as online marketplaces, auction houses, day-care centers, dry cleaners, schools, consumer rental companies, veterinary clinics, hair salons and providers of funerals, lawn maintenance, consumer storage, heating and cooling installation and plumbing services; and (vii) retailers and wholesalers concentrating on a single class of goods, such as electronics, books, automotive parts or closeouts.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	8.63%	28.99%	12.58%	12.50%	80.81%	80.81%
Market Price	8.59%	28.98%	12.57%	12.51%	80.77%	80.87%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Retail Index^TM	9.03%	29.88%	13.32%	13.23%	86.83%	86.80%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Retail Index	7.08%	14.94%	20.76%	21.09%	156.80%	161.73%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Retail Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

Page 12

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Consumer Discretionary	72.6%
Consumer Staples	15.7
Health Care	7.6
Industrials	3.2
Energy	0.9
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
GameStop Corp., Class A	6.7%
CVS Health Corp.	5.8
AutoZone, Inc.	5.3
Walmart, Inc.	5.0
Kroger (The) Co.	4.7
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.	4.4
Costco Wholesale Corp.	4.2
Target Corp.	3.9
Dollar General Corp.	3.9
Home Depot (The), Inc.	3.7
Total	47.6%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Page 13

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)

The First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Semiconductor Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXL.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the semiconductor sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising the semiconductors sub-sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. This classification includes producers and distributors of semiconductors and other integrated chips, including other products related to the semiconductor industry, such as semiconductor capital equipment and motherboards.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	4.12%	41.10%	27.46%	28.19%	236.36%	248.51%
Market Price	4.23%	41.37%	27.33%	28.23%	234.75%	249.03%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Semiconductor Index^TM	4.45%	42.03%	28.28%	29.03%	247.35%	260.10%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Semiconductors Index	11.26%	36.10%	27.73%	28.49%	240.02%	252.71%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Semiconductor Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

Page 14

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Information Technology	100.0%
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
Texas Instruments, Inc.	8.3%
Intel Corp.	8.1
Broadcom, Inc.	8.0
Synaptics, Inc.	7.8
Amkor Technology, Inc.	7.5
ON Semiconductor Corp.	4.3
Analog Devices, Inc.	4.2
Cirrus Logic, Inc.	4.1
KLA Corp.	4.1
Micron Technology, Inc.	4.0
Total	60.4%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Page 15

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)

The First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (the “Fund”) 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 US Smart Transportation Index^TM (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FTXR.” The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is owned and is developed, maintained and sponsored by Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Index Provider”).

The Index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the transportation sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. The Index’s initial selection universe consists of the component securities of the NASDAQ US Benchmark Index that have been classified as comprising the industrial transportation sector, the automobiles & parts sector or the airlines sub-sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ US Benchmark Index is an index seeking to track the performance of small, mid and large capitalization U.S. companies. These classifications include: (i) operators of mail and package delivery services; (ii) providers of on-water transportation for commercial markets; (iii) providers of industrial railway transportation and railway lines; (iv) companies that manage airports, train depots, roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, and providers of logistic services to shippers of goods; (v) companies that provide commercial trucking services; (vi) makers of motorcycles and passenger vehicles; (vii) manufacturers and distributors of new and replacement parts for motorcycles and automobiles; (viii) manufacturers, distributors and retreaders of automobile, truck and motorcycle tires; and (ix) companies providing primarily passenger air transport.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 9/30/21	1 Year Ended 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21	5 Years Ended 9/30/21	Inception (9/20/16) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV	-5.80%	32.62%	9.64%	10.23%	58.40%	63.17%
Market Price	-5.89%	32.52%	9.61%	10.22%	58.19%	63.11%
Index Performance
Nasdaq US Smart Transportation Index^TM	-5.89%	32.90%	10.21%	10.80%	62.56%	67.49%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Industrial Transportation Index	-3.59%	15.39%	17.05%	17.83%	119.73%	128.16%
NASDAQ US Benchmark Index	8.40%	32.02%	17.03%	17.27%	119.50%	122.74%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Nasdaq^® and Nasdaq US Smart Transportation Index^TM are registered trademarks and service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. (together with its affiliates hereinafter referred to as the “Corporations”) and are licensed for use by First Trust. The Fund has not been passed on by the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Fund is not issued, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Corporations. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUND.

Page 16

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Long-Term Investments
Industrials	80.1%
Consumer Discretionary	19.9
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Long-Term Investments
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.	7.9%
United Rentals, Inc.	7.1
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.	6.9
Ford Motor Co.	6.6
CSX Corp.	5.6
General Motors Co.	4.3
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.	4.0
PACCAR, Inc.	3.9
Norfolk Southern Corp.	3.9
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	3.9
Total	54.1%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Page 17

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV)

The First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of an index called the Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index (the “Index”). The shares of the Fund are listed and traded on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. under the ticker symbol “MDEV.”

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the Index. The Index is developed, maintained and sponsored by Indxx, LLC (the “Index Provider”). The Index is composed of common stock and depositary receipts issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies that comprise the medical devices industry, as determined by the Index Provider. Companies comprising the medical devices industry are those companies that focus on developing equipment, instruments, and machines to diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases.

Performance
		Cumulative Total Returns
		Inception (6/22/21) to 9/30/21
Fund Performance
NAV		2.70%
Market Value		2.94%
Index Performance
Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index		3.09%
MSCI World Health Care Index		1.52%

(See Notes to Fund Performance Overview on page 20.)

Indxx and Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index are trademarks of Indxx, LLC (“Indxx”) and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by First Trust. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx, and Indxx makes no representation regarding the advisability of trading in such product. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by Indxx without regard to First Trust or the Fund.

Page 18

Table of Contents

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) (Continued)

Sector Allocation	% of Total Investments
Health Care	100.0%
Total	100.0%

Top Ten Holdings	% of Total Investments
WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class H	2.6%
DexCom, Inc.	2.6
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.	2.6
Straumann Holding AG	2.5
Sonova Holding AG	2.5
PerkinElmer, Inc.	2.5
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.	2.4
ResMed, Inc.	2.4
Terumo Corp.	2.4
Danaher Corp.	2.4
Total	24.9%

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Page 19

Table of Contents

Notes to Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited)

Total returns for the period since inception are calculated from the inception date of each Fund. “Average Annual Total Returns” represent the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. “Cumulative Total Returns” represent the total change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.

Each Fund’s per share net asset value (“NAV”) is the value of one share of the Fund and is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of outstanding shares. The price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is determined by using the midpoint of the national best bid and offer price (“NBBO”) as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Under SEC rules, the NBBO consists of the highest displayed buy and lowest sell prices among the various exchanges trading the Fund at the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Prior to January 1, 2019, the price used was the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the stock exchange on which shares of the Fund were listed for trading as of the time that the Fund’s NAV was calculated. Since shares of each Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after the Fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the Fund, the NAV of each Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate market returns. NAV and market returns assume that all distributions have been reinvested in each Fund at NAV and Market Price, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike each Fund, the indices do not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore do not incur the expenses incurred by each Fund. These expenses negatively impact the performance of each Fund. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower. The total returns presented reflect the reinvestment of dividends on securities in the indices. The returns presented do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares of each Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of each Fund may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Each Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Page 20

Table of Contents

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI

Understanding Your Fund Expenses

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF, First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF or First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, if any, and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or since inception) and held through the six-month (or shorter) period ended September 30, 2021.

Actual Expenses

The first line in the following table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this six-month (or shorter) period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not each Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as brokerage commissions. Therefore, the second line in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

	Beginning Account Value April 1, 2021	Ending Account Value September 30, 2021	Annualized Expense Ratio Based on the Six-Month Period	Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period (a)
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,056.30	0.60%	$3.09
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)
Actual	$1,000.00	$947.70	0.60%	$2.93
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,234.70	0.60%	$3.36
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,002.80	0.60%	$3.01
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,086.30	0.60%	$3.14
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,041.20	0.60%	$3.07
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04

Page 21

Table of Contents

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI

Understanding Your Fund Expenses (Continued)

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

	Beginning Account Value April 1, 2021	Ending Account Value September 30, 2021	Annualized Expense Ratio Based on the Six-Month Period	Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period (a)
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)
Actual	$1,000.00	$942.00	0.60%	$2.92
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,022.06	0.60%	$3.04
	Beginning Account Value June 22, 2021 (b)	Ending Account Value September 30, 2021	Annualized Expense Ratio Based on the the Number of Days in the Period	Expenses Paid During the Period June 22, 2021 (b) to September 30, 2021 (c)
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,027.00	0.70%	$1.96
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.56	0.70%	$3.55

(a)	Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratios as indicated in the table multiplied by the average account value over the period (April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021), multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the six-month period).
(b)	Inception date.
(c)	Actual expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio as indicated in the table multiplied by the average account value over the period (June 22, 2021 through September 30, 2021), multiplied by 101/365. Hypothetical expenses are assumed for the most recent six-month period.

Page 22

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%
	Banks – 88.2%
101,371	Bank of America Corp.	$4,303,199
250,130	Citigroup, Inc.	17,554,123
205,376	Citizens Financial Group, Inc.	9,648,564
57,261	Comerica, Inc.	4,609,510
37,053	Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.	4,395,227
57,706	East West Bancorp, Inc.	4,474,523
231,433	Fifth Third Bancorp	9,822,017
4,714	First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A	3,974,703
548,716	First Horizon Corp.	8,938,584
45,206	First Republic Bank	8,719,333
272,519	Huntington Bancshares, Inc.	4,213,144
295,753	Investors Bancorp, Inc.	4,468,828
112,454	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	18,407,595
208,279	KeyCorp	4,502,992
30,228	M&T Bank Corp.	4,514,250
94,124	PNC Financial Services Group (The), Inc.	18,414,419
236,857	Popular, Inc.	18,396,683
207,158	Regions Financial Corp.	4,414,537
16,320	Signature Bank	4,443,610
37,460	Silvergate Capital Corp., Class A (a)	4,326,630
7,563	SVB Financial Group (a)	4,892,353
98,197	Synovus Financial Corp.	4,309,866
74,170	Truist Financial Corp.	4,350,071
73,744	US Bancorp	4,383,343
196,794	Wells Fargo & Co.	9,133,210
43,379	Western Alliance Bancorp	4,720,503
155,328	Zions Bancorp N.A.	9,613,250
		203,945,067
	Consumer Finance – 3.7%
70,141	Discover Financial Services	8,616,822
	Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 8.0%
1,436,655	New York Community Bancorp, Inc.	18,489,750
	Total Investments – 99.9%	231,051,639
	(Cost $214,026,045) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.1%	333,997
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$231,385,636


(a)	Non-income producing security.

(b)

Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $19,022,491 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $1,996,897. The net unrealized appreciation was $17,025,594.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 231,051,639	$ 231,051,639	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Page 23

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%
	Beverages – 19.5%
143	Boston Beer (The) Co., Inc., Class A (a)	$72,894
1,165	Brown-Forman Corp., Class B	78,067
4,359	Coca-Cola (The) Co.	228,717
387	Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A	81,537
6,881	Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc.	235,055
1,721	Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B	79,820
839	Monster Beverage Corp. (a)	74,528
1,758	National Beverage Corp.	92,278
1,569	PepsiCo, Inc.	235,993
		1,178,889
	Chemicals – 3.9%
5,582	Corteva, Inc.	234,890
	Food & Staples Retailing – 1.4%
2,406	US Foods Holding Corp. (a)	83,392
	Food Products – 74.0%
8,182	Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.	491,002
8,085	B&G Foods, Inc.	241,661
684	Beyond Meat, Inc. (a)	71,998
6,484	Bunge Ltd.	527,279
1,961	Campbell Soup Co.	81,989
7,411	Conagra Brands, Inc.	251,011
6,589	Darling Ingredients, Inc. (a)	473,749
4,246	General Mills, Inc.	253,996
2,762	Hershey (The) Co.	467,468
1,797	Hormel Foods Corp.	73,677
931	Ingredion, Inc.	82,868
1,985	JM Smucker (The) Co.	238,259
3,887	Kellogg Co.	248,457
2,273	Kraft Heinz (The) Co.	83,692
1,256	Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.	77,081
948	McCormick & Co., Inc.	76,816
3,954	Mondelez International, Inc., Class A	230,044
6,252	Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A	493,533
		4,464,580
	Specialty Retail – 1.1%
2,558	GrowGeneration Corp. (a)	63,106
	Total Investments – 99.9%	6,024,857
	(Cost $6,316,421) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.1%	7,779
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$6,032,636


(a)	Non-income producing security.

(b)

Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $18,174 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $309,738. The net unrealized depreciation was $291,564.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 6,024,857	$ 6,024,857	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

Page 24

See Notes to Financial Statements

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 100.0%
	Energy Equipment & Services – 4.4%
33,260	Baker Hughes Co.	$822,520
5,846	ChampionX Corp. (a)	130,717
6,828	Halliburton Co.	147,621
5,066	Helmerich & Payne, Inc.	138,859
1,617	Nabors Industries Ltd. (a)	156,008
10,354	NOV, Inc. (a)	135,741
4,863	Schlumberger N.V.	144,139
123,803	Transocean Ltd. (a)	469,214
		2,144,819
	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 95.6%
170,247	Antero Midstream Corp.	1,773,974
68,575	Antero Resources Corp. (a)	1,289,896
17,186	APA Corp.	368,296
106,512	Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.	2,317,701
3,989	Callon Petroleum Co. (a)	195,780
663,724	Centennial Resource Development, Inc./DE, Class A (a)	4,446,951
38,705	Cheniere Energy, Inc.	3,780,317
17,489	Chevron Corp.	1,774,259
69,490	CNX Resources Corp. (a)	876,964
100,486	Comstock Resources, Inc. (a)	1,040,030
26,911	ConocoPhillips	1,823,758
7,973	Delek US Holdings, Inc. (a)	143,275
23,005	Devon Energy Corp.	816,908
1,769	Diamondback Energy, Inc.	167,471
4,223	EOG Resources, Inc.	338,980
9,544	EQT Corp. (a)	195,270
179,884	Equitrans Midstream Corp.	1,824,024
17,198	Exxon Mobil Corp.	1,011,586
3,298	Hess Corp.	257,607
4,220	HollyFrontier Corp.	139,809
208,050	Kinder Morgan, Inc.	3,480,676
57,799	Kosmos Energy Ltd. (a)	171,085
94,599	Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A	1,682,916
67,975	Marathon Oil Corp.	929,218
23,047	Marathon Petroleum Corp.	1,424,535
4,745	Matador Resources, Co.	180,500
6,416	Murphy Oil Corp.	160,207
5,311	Occidental Petroleum Corp.	157,099
32,228	ONEOK, Inc.	1,868,902
5,004	Ovintiv, Inc.	164,531
13,113	PBF Energy, Inc., Class A (a)	170,076
23,233	PDC Energy, Inc.	1,101,012
1,920	Phillips 66	134,458
909	Pioneer Natural Resources Co.	151,358
9,331	Range Resources Corp. (a)	211,161
177,222	SM Energy Co.	4,675,116
29,981	Southwestern Energy Co. (a)	166,095
38,539	Targa Resources Corp.	1,896,504
42,756	Tellurian, Inc. (a)	167,176

Shares	Description	Value

	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (Continued)
2,054	Valero Energy Corp.	$144,951
137,097	Williams (The) Cos., Inc.	3,556,296
		47,176,728
	Total Investments – 100.0%	49,321,547
	(Cost $44,887,545) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.0%	13,357
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$49,334,904


(a)	Non-income producing security.
(b)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $4,911,498 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $477,496. The net unrealized appreciation was $4,434,002.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 49,321,547	$ 49,321,547	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Page 25

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%
	Biotechnology – 31.7%
11,917	AbbVie, Inc.	$1,285,487
23,846	Alkermes PLC (a)	735,411
8,852	BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. (a)	684,171
3,130	Blueprint Medicines Corp. (a)	321,795
10,242	Gilead Sciences, Inc.	715,404
6,896	Horizon Therapeutics PLC (a)	755,388
7,343	Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)	246,284
3,469	United Therapeutics Corp. (a)	640,308
1,458	Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)	264,466
		5,648,714
	Health Care Providers & Services – 3.9%
14,201	Cardinal Health, Inc.	702,382
	Pharmaceuticals – 64.3%
11,149	Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.	659,686
5,715	Catalent, Inc. (a)	760,495
13,720	Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. (a)	270,010
8,747	Elanco Animal Health, Inc. (a)	278,942
2,886	Eli Lilly & Co.	666,810
127,498	Endo International PLC (a)	413,093
22,425	Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (a)	270,221
2,217	Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (a)	288,676
8,611	Johnson & Johnson	1,390,676
19,320	Merck & Co., Inc.	1,451,125
27,649	Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (a)	276,490
4,924	Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (a)	275,744
7,130	Perrigo Co. PLC	337,463
32,361	Pfizer, Inc.	1,391,847
25,978	Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc. (a)	1,457,626
367,257	TherapeuticsMD, Inc. (a)	272,284
3,644	Zoetis, Inc.	707,446
19,714	Zogenix, Inc. (a)	299,456
		11,468,090
	Total Investments – 99.9%	17,819,186
	(Cost $17,131,742) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.1%	24,378
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$17,843,564


(a)	Non-income producing security.
(b)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $1,848,370 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $1,160,926. The net unrealized appreciation was $687,444.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 17,819,186	$ 17,819,186	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

Page 26

See Notes to Financial Statements

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 100.0%
	Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.1%
1,767	Copart, Inc. (a)	$245,118
	Diversified Consumer Services – 0.8%
2,465	Chegg, Inc. (a)	167,669
	Food & Staples Retailing – 15.6%
2,060	Costco Wholesale Corp.	925,661
25,511	Kroger (The) Co.	1,031,410
2,574	Sysco Corp.	202,059
4,039	Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	190,035
8,001	Walmart, Inc.	1,115,179
		3,464,344
	Health Care Providers & Services – 7.6%
1,678	AmerisourceBergen Corp.	200,437
15,077	CVS Health Corp.	1,279,434
1,005	McKesson Corp.	200,377
		1,680,248
	Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 6.7%
58	Amazon.com, Inc. (a)	190,532
2,327	Chewy, Inc., Class A (a)	158,492
4,806	eBay, Inc.	334,834
948	Etsy, Inc. (a)	197,146
2,840	Overstock.com, Inc. (a)	221,293
4,892	Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A (a)	195,436
730	Wayfair, Inc., Class A (a)	186,522
		1,484,255
	Multiline Retail – 17.0%
4,016	Dollar General Corp.	851,954
7,994	Dollar Tree, Inc. (a)	765,186
8,666	Kohl’s Corp.	408,082
22,812	Macy’s, Inc.	515,551
7,166	Nordstrom, Inc. (a)	189,541
2,832	Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (a)	170,713
3,804	Target Corp.	870,241
		3,771,268
	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.0%
25,853	Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (a)	210,702
	Road & Rail – 2.1%
4,306	Lyft, Inc., Class A (a)	230,759
5,238	Uber Technologies, Inc. (a)	234,662
		465,421
	Specialty Retail – 48.1%
3,362	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.	702,288

Shares	Description	Value

	Specialty Retail (Continued)
6,717	American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.	$173,299
695	AutoZone, Inc. (a)	1,180,103
3,038	Bath & Body Works, Inc.	191,485
7,444	Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. (a)	128,595
7,334	Best Buy Co., Inc.	775,277
684	Burlington Stores, Inc. (a)	193,962
1,637	CarMax, Inc. (a)	209,470
625	Carvana Co. (a)	188,462
6,669	Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.	798,746
963	Five Below, Inc. (a)	170,268
8,511	GameStop Corp., Class A (a)	1,493,425
7,670	Gap (The), Inc.	174,109
2,470	Home Depot (The), Inc.	810,802
617	Lithia Motors, Inc.	195,614
2,215	Lowe’s Cos., Inc.	449,335
1,579	O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (a)	964,864
294	RH (a)	196,072
1,732	Ross Stores, Inc.	188,528
2,819	TJX (The) Cos., Inc.	185,998
1,306	Tractor Supply Co.	264,609
529	Ulta Beauty, Inc. (a)	190,927
3,092	Victoria’s Secret & Co. (a)	170,864
3,604	Williams-Sonoma, Inc.	639,097
		10,636,199
	Total Investments – 100.0%	22,125,224
	(Cost $22,268,199) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.0%	9,884
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$22,135,108


(a)	Non-income producing security.
(b)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $776,769 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $919,744. The net unrealized depreciation was $142,975.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 22,125,224	$ 22,125,224	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Page 27

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 99.8%
	Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 2.6%
17,621	II-VI, Inc. (a)	$1,045,983
6,503	IPG Photonics Corp. (a)	1,030,075
		2,076,058
	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 97.2%
10,024	Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a)	1,031,470
10,715	Ambarella, Inc. (a)	1,668,754
242,174	Amkor Technology, Inc.	6,042,241
20,414	Analog Devices, Inc.	3,418,937
24,616	Applied Materials, Inc.	3,168,818
13,379	Broadcom, Inc.	6,487,878
13,062	Brooks Automation, Inc.	1,336,896
39,753	Cirrus Logic, Inc. (a)	3,273,660
13,060	Cree, Inc. (a)	1,054,334
9,238	Entegris, Inc.	1,163,064
123,057	Intel Corp.	6,556,477
9,785	KLA Corp.	3,273,180
5,473	Lam Research Corp.	3,114,958
17,865	Lattice Semiconductor Corp. (a)	1,154,972
18,138	Marvell Technology, Inc.	1,093,903
7,053	Microchip Technology, Inc.	1,082,565
45,131	Micron Technology, Inc.	3,203,398
2,242	Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.	1,086,653
4,959	NVIDIA Corp.	1,027,306
15,461	NXP Semiconductors N.V.	3,028,346
74,982	ON Semiconductor Corp. (a)	3,431,926
17,690	Qorvo, Inc. (a)	2,957,591
22,676	QUALCOMM, Inc.	2,924,750
7,040	Silicon Laboratories, Inc. (a)	986,726
6,049	Skyworks Solutions, Inc.	996,754
35,055	Synaptics, Inc. (a)	6,300,435
9,139	Teradyne, Inc.	997,705
34,846	Texas Instruments, Inc.	6,697,750
		78,561,447
	Total Investments – 99.8%	80,637,505
	(Cost $76,729,370) (b)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 0.2%	145,561
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$80,783,066


(a)	Non-income producing security.

(b)

Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $5,414,098 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $1,505,963. The net unrealized appreciation was $3,908,135.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2021 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Financial Statements):

	Total Value at 9/30/2021	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Common Stocks*	$ 80,637,505	$ 80,637,505	$ —	$ —

*	See Portfolio of Investments for industry breakout.

Page 28

See Notes to Financial Statements

Table of Contents

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

Shares	Description	Value
COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%
	Air Freight & Logistics – 20.3%
416,097	CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.	$36,200,439
714,149	Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.	85,076,570
167,510	FedEx Corp.	36,733,268
247,426	GXO Logistics, Inc. (a)	19,408,095
227,499	United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B	41,427,568
		218,845,940
	Airlines – 13.5%
352,929	Alaska Air Group, Inc. (a)	20,681,639
1,014,891	American Airlines Group, Inc. (a)	20,825,563
500,419	Delta Air Lines, Inc. (a)	21,322,853
1,337,537	JetBlue Airways Corp. (a)	20,450,941
406,527	Southwest Airlines Co. (a)	20,907,684
824,987	Spirit Airlines, Inc. (a)	21,400,163
435,109	United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (a)	20,698,135
		146,286,978
	Auto Components – 5.5%
264,330	Aptiv PLC (a)	39,377,240
474,155	BorgWarner, Inc.	20,488,238
		59,865,478
	Automobiles – 14.4%
5,036,702	Ford Motor Co. (a)	71,319,700
887,165	General Motors Co. (a)	46,762,467
27,507	Tesla, Inc. (a)	21,331,129
2,062,888	Workhorse Group, Inc. (a) (b)	15,781,093
		155,194,389
	Electrical Equipment – 3.6%
1,372,365	Blink Charging Co. (a) (b)	39,263,363
	Machinery – 9.8%
1,940,262	Nikola Corp. (a) (b)	20,702,595
537,248	PACCAR, Inc.	42,399,612
495,665	Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.	42,731,280
		105,833,487
	Road & Rail – 25.7%
2,024,334	CSX Corp.	60,203,693
250,878	JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	41,951,819
175,538	Norfolk Southern Corp.	41,997,467
261,000	Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.	74,640,780
205,247	Union Pacific Corp.	40,230,465
232,849	XPO Logistics, Inc. (a)	18,530,123
		277,554,347

Shares	Description	Value

	Trading Companies & Distributors – 7.1%
218,376	United Rentals, Inc. (a)	$76,634,690
	Total Common Stocks	1,079,478,672
	(Cost $1,064,428,940)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 3.0%
32,929,024	Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund - Institutional Class - 0.01% (c) (d)	32,929,024
	(Cost $32,929,024)
Principal Value	Description	Value
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 3.2%
$34,165,951	BNP Paribas S.A., 0.03% (c), dated 9/30/21, due 10/1/21, with a maturity value of $34,165,980. Collateralized by U.S. Treasury Notes, interest rates of 0.375% to 0.750%, due 4/15/24 to 1/31/28. The value of the collateral including accrued interest is $35,033,807. (d)	34,165,951
	(Cost $34,165,951)
	Total Investments – 106.1%	1,146,573,647
	(Cost $1,131,523,915) (e)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – (6.1)%	(66,381,084)
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$1,080,192,563


(a)	Non-income producing security.
(b)	All or a portion of this security is on loan (See Note 2D - Securities Lending in the Notes to Financial Statements). The remaining contractual maturity of all of the securities lending transactions is overnight and continuous. The aggregate value of such securities is $66,196,692 and the total value of the collateral held by the Fund is $67,094,975.
(c)	Rate shown reflects yield as of September 30, 2021.
(d)	This security serves as collateral for securities on loan.
(e)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2021, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $76,535,312 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $61,485,580. The net unrealized appreciation was $15,049,732.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Page 29

Shareholder Letter	2
Market Overview	3
Fund Performance Overview
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO)	4
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)	6
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN)	8
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH)	10
First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD)	12
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)	14
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)	16
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV)	18
Notes to Fund Performance Overview	20
Understanding Your Fund Expenses	21
Portfolio of Investments
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO)	23
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG)	24
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN)	25
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH)	26
First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD)	27
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)	28
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR)	29
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV)	31
Statements of Assets and Liabilities	34
Statements of Operations	36
Statements of Changes in Net Assets	38
Financial Highlights	42
Notes to Financial Statements	50
Additional Information	58