ThZeal - The Zeal

DEF 14A 1 defin_proxy.txt DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2020. =============================================================================== U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material under Section 240.14a-12 MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant) Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 March 11, 2020 Dear Shareholder: The accompanying materials relate to the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders (collectively, the "Meeting") of each fund listed above (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"). The Meeting will be held at the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 12:00 noon Central Time. At the Meeting, you will be asked to vote on a proposal to elect one of the Trustees of your Fund (the "Proposal") and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Proposal is described in the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and Joint Proxy Statement. YOUR PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETING IS VERY IMPORTANT. If you cannot attend the Meeting, you may participate by proxy. As a Shareholder, you cast one vote for each full share of a Fund that you own and a proportionate fractional vote for any fraction of a share that you own. Please take a few moments to read the enclosed materials and then cast your vote on the enclosed proxy card. VOTING TAKES ONLY A FEW MINUTES. EACH SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED. After you have voted on the Proposal, please be sure to sign your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. We appreciate your participation in this important Meeting. Thank you. Sincerely, /s/ James A. Bowen James A. Bowen Chairman of the Boards INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and will avoid the time and expense to your Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly. 1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card. 2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration. 3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example: REGISTRATION VALID SIGNATURE CORPORATE ACCOUNTS (1) ABC Corp. ABC Corp. (2) ABC Corp. John Doe, Treasurer (3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, Treasurer John Doe (4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan John Doe, Trustee TRUST ACCOUNTS (1) ABC Trust Jane B. Doe, Trustee (2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee u/t/d 12/28/78 Jane B. Doe CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS (1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr., UGMA John B. Smith (2) John B. Smith John B. Smith, Jr., Executor MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS To be held on April 22, 2020 March 11, 2020 To the Shareholders of the above Funds: Notice is hereby given that the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders (collectively, the "Meeting") of the funds listed above (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business trust, will be held at the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 12:00 noon Central Time, for the following purposes: 1. To elect one Trustee (the Class I Trustee) of each Fund. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Board of Trustees of each Fund has fixed the close of business on February 3, 2020 as the record date for the determination of shareholders of such Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. By Order of the Boards of Trustees, /s/ W. Scott Jardine W. Scott Jardine Secretary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS ARE SET FORTH FOLLOWING THE LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This page intentionally left blank. MACQUARIE/FIRST TRUST GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE/UTILITIES DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST MORTGAGE INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FIRST TRUST ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FIRST TRUST MLP AND ENERGY INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST INTERMEDIATE DURATION PREFERRED & INCOME FUND FIRST TRUST NEW OPPORTUNITIES MLP & ENERGY FUND FIRST TRUST DYNAMIC EUROPE EQUITY INCOME FUND 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS To be held on April 22, 2020 JOINT PROXY STATEMENT March 11, 2020 THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WILL FIRST BE MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT MARCH 20, 2020. This Joint Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Boards of Trustees of the funds listed above (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business trust, for use at the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders of the Funds to be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 12:00 noon Central Time, at the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., the investment advisor to each Fund, located at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (collectively, the "Meeting"). A Notice of Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and a proxy card accompany this Joint Proxy Statement. The Board of Trustees of each Fund has determined that the use of this Joint Proxy Statement is in the best interests of the Fund in light of the same matter being considered and voted on by shareholders. The principal offices of First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund are located at 10 Westport Road, Suite C101A, Wilton, Connecticut 06897. The principal offices of each of the other Funds are located at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Proxy solicitations for the Funds will be made primarily by mail. However, proxy solicitations may also be made by telephone or personal interviews conducted by officers and service providers of the Funds, including any agents or affiliates of such service providers. The costs incurred in connection with the preparation of this Joint Proxy Statement and its enclosures will be paid by the Funds. The Funds will also reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy solicitation materials from the Funds to the person(s) for whom they hold Fund shares. The close of business on February 3, 2020 has been fixed as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Each Fund has one class of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, known as common shares ("Shares"). IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020. THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT HTTPS://WWW.FTPORTFOLIOS.COM/LOADCONTENT/GEHUKPJ1GA4Y. EACH FUND'S MOST RECENT ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT HTTPS://WWW.FTPORTFOLIOS.COM. TO FIND A REPORT, SELECT YOUR FUND UNDER THE "CLOSED-END FUNDS" TAB, SELECT THE "NEWS & LITERATURE" LINK, AND GO TO THE "QUARTERLY/SEMI-ANNUAL OR ANNUAL REPORTS" HEADING. IN ADDITION, THE FUNDS WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, COPIES OF THEIR MOST RECENT ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST A COPY, PLEASE WRITE TO FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. ("FIRST TRUST ADVISORS" OR THE "ADVISOR"), AT 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE, SUITE 400, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187, OR CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 988-5891. YOU MAY CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 988-5891 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN DIRECTIONS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE IN PERSON. In order that your Shares may be represented at the Meeting, you are requested to: o indicate your instructions on the proxy card; o date and sign the proxy card; o mail the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the continental United States; and o allow sufficient time for the proxy card to be received BY 12:00 NOON CENTRAL TIME, on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020. (However, proxies received after this date may still be voted in the event the Meeting is adjourned or postponed to a later date.) -2- VOTING As described further in the proposal, for each Fund, the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Shares present and entitled to vote at the Meeting will be required to elect the specified nominee as the Class I Trustee of that Fund provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., Shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) will have no effect on the approval of the proposal. If the enclosed proxy card is properly executed and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the Shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon, or, if no instructions are marked thereon, will be voted in the discretion of the persons named on the proxy card. Accordingly, unless instructions to the contrary are marked thereon, a properly executed and returned proxy will be voted FOR the election of the specified nominee as the Class I Trustee and at the discretion of the named proxies on any other matters that may properly come before the Meeting, as deemed appropriate. Any shareholder who has given a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise either by attending the Meeting and voting his or her Shares in person, or by timely submitting a letter of revocation or a later-dated proxy to the applicable Fund at its address above. A list of shareholders of record entitled to notice of and to be present and to vote at the Meeting will be available at the Advisor's Wheaton, Illinois offices, located at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, for inspection by any shareholder during regular business hours beginning on the second business day after notice is given of the Meeting, subject to restrictions that may be imposed on a requesting shareholder on the copying, use or distribution of the information contained in the list. Shareholders will need to show valid identification and proof of Share ownership to be admitted to the Meeting or to inspect the list of shareholders. Under the By-Laws of each Fund, a quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on a matter. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present with respect to a Fund, all Shares present and entitled to vote, including abstentions and broker non-votes, shall be counted. Any meeting of shareholders may be postponed prior to the meeting with notice to the shareholders entitled to vote at that meeting. Any meeting of shareholders may, by action of the chairman of the meeting, be adjourned to a time and place announced at the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies without further notice with respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter. In addition, upon motion of the chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be submitted to a vote of the shareholders, and in that case, any adjournment must be approved by the vote of holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote with respect to the matter or matters adjourned, and without further notice if the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting, including broker non-votes, may, at the discretion of the proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment. -3- OUTSTANDING SHARES On the Record Date, each Fund had the following number of Shares outstanding:

Shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to one vote for each full Share the shareholder owns and a proportionate fractional vote for any fraction of a Share the shareholder owns. To the knowledge of the Board of Trustees of each Fund, as of the Record Date, no single shareholder or "group" (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) beneficially owned more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding Shares, except as described in the following table. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or otherwise acknowledges the existence of control. A party that controls a Fund may be able to significantly affect the outcome of any item presented to shareholders for approval. Information as to beneficial ownership of Shares, including percentage of outstanding Shares beneficially owned, is based on (1) securities position listing reports as of the Record Date and (2) reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by shareholders on the dates indicated in such filings. The Funds do not have any knowledge of the identity of the ultimate beneficiaries of the Shares listed below. -4-

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-9- PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF ONE (1) CLASS I TRUSTEE OF EACH FUND ONE (1) CLASS I TRUSTEE IS TO BE ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EACH FUND BY HOLDERS OF SHARES OF SUCH FUND. CURRENT TRUSTEE ROBERT F. KEITH IS THE NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS THE CLASS I TRUSTEE BY SHAREHOLDERS OF EACH FUND FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM. Each Fund has established a staggered Board of Trustees pursuant to its By-Laws, and, accordingly, Trustees are divided into the following three (3) classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Robert F. Keith is currently the Class I Trustee of each Fund for a term expiring at the Meeting or until his successor is elected and qualified. If elected, Mr. Keith will hold office for a three-year term expiring at each Fund's 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. Richard E. Erickson, Thomas R. Kadlec, James A. Bowen and Niel B. Nielson are current and continuing Trustees. Dr. Erickson and Mr. Kadlec are the Class II Trustees for a term expiring at each Fund's 2021 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Bowen and Mr. Nielson are the Class III Trustees for a term expiring at each Fund's 2022 annual meeting of shareholders. Each Trustee serves until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he earlier resigns or is otherwise removed. REQUIRED VOTE: For each Fund, the nominee for election as the Class I Trustee must be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Shares of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the approval of the proposal. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of seats open for election. Unless you give contrary instructions on your proxy card, your Shares will be voted FOR the election of the nominee listed if your proxy card has been properly executed and timely received by the applicable Fund. If the nominee should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for election prior to the Meeting, the proxies named on your proxy card intend to vote FOR any substitute nominee recommended by a Fund's Board of Trustees in accordance with the Fund's procedures. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EACH FUND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE. -10- MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS The general supervision of the duties performed for each Fund under its respective investment management agreement with the Advisor is the responsibility of that Fund's Board of Trustees. The Trustees set broad policies for the Funds and choose the Funds' officers. The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of each Fund and a statement of their present positions and principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each Trustee oversees and the other trusteeships or directorships each Trustee holds, if applicable. As noted above, each Fund has established a staggered Board of Trustees consisting of five (5) Trustees divided into three (3) classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The length of the term of office of each Trustee is generally three years, and when each Trustee's term begins and ends depends on the Trustee's designated class and when the Trustee's successor is elected and qualified. James A. Bowen is deemed an "interested person" (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act")) ("Interested Trustee") of the Funds due to his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor. Except for Mr. Bowen, each Trustee is not an "interested person" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) and is therefore referred to as an "Independent Trustee." The officers of the Funds serve indefinite terms. The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. -11- The following tables identify the Trustees and executive officers of the Funds. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all persons is c/o First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, IL 60187.

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UNITARY BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE The same five persons serve as Trustees on each Fund's Board of Trustees and on the boards of all other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex (the "First Trust Funds"), which is known as a "unitary" board leadership structure. The unitary board structure was adopted for the First Trust Funds because of the efficiencies it achieves with respect to the governance and oversight of the First Trust Funds. Each First Trust Fund is subject to the rules and regulations of the 1940 Act (and other applicable securities laws), which means that many of the First Trust Funds face similar issues with respect to certain of their fundamental activities, including risk management, portfolio liquidity, portfolio valuation and financial reporting. In addition, all of the First Trust Funds that are closed-end funds (the "First Trust Closed-end Funds") are managed by the Advisor and, except for First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & -13- Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund, they employ common service providers for custody, fund accounting, administration and transfer agency that provide substantially similar services to the First Trust Closed-end Funds pursuant to substantially similar contractual arrangements. Because of the similar and often overlapping issues facing the First Trust Funds, including among the First Trust Closed-end Funds, the Board of Trustees of each of the First Trust Funds (such Boards of Trustees referred to herein collectively as the "Board") believes that maintaining a unitary board structure promotes efficiency and consistency in the governance and oversight of all First Trust Funds and reduces the costs, administrative burdens and possible conflicts that may result from having multiple boards. In adopting a unitary board structure, the Trustees seek to provide effective governance through establishing a board the overall composition of which will, as a body, possess the appropriate skills, diversity, independence and experience to oversee the business of the First Trust Funds. Annually, the Board reviews its governance structure and the committee structures, their performance and functions and reviews any processes that would enhance Board governance over the Funds' business. The Board has determined that its leadership structure, including the unitary board and committee structure, is appropriate based on the characteristics of the funds it serves and the characteristics of the First Trust Fund Complex as a whole. The Board is composed of four Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee. The Interested Trustee serves as the Chairman of the Board of each Fund. An individual who is not a Trustee serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of each Fund. In order to streamline communication between the Advisor and the Independent Trustees and create certain efficiencies, the Board has a Lead Independent Trustee who is responsible for: (i) coordinating activities of the Independent Trustees; (ii) working with the Advisor, Fund counsel and the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees to determine the agenda for Board meetings; (iii) serving as the principal contact for and facilitating communication between the Independent Trustees and the Funds' service providers, particularly the Advisor; and (iv) any other duties that the Independent Trustees may delegate to the Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee is selected by the Independent Trustees and serves a three-year term or until his successor is selected. Niel B. Nielson currently serves as the Lead Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees (as described below) and has delegated certain of its responsibilities to those committees. The Board and its committees meet frequently throughout the year to oversee the Funds' activities, review contractual arrangements with and performance of service providers, oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, and review Fund performance. The Independent Trustees are represented by independent legal counsel at all Board and committee meetings (other than meetings of the Dividend and Pricing Committee). Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all the Trustees, except where a different vote is required by applicable law. The three Committee Chairmen and the Lead Independent Trustee currently rotate every three years in serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee or the Valuation Committee, or as Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee and the immediately preceding Lead Independent Trustee also serve on the Executive Committee with the Interested Trustee. Including the Funds, the First Trust Fund Complex includes: 15 closed-end funds advised by First Trust Advisors; First Trust Series Fund, an open-end management investment company with three portfolios advised by First Trust Advisors; First Trust Variable Insurance Trust, an open-end management investment company with three portfolios advised by First Trust Advisors; and First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund V, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VI, First Trust -14- Exchange-Traded Fund VII, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund and First Trust Exchange-Traded AlphaDEX(R) Fund II, exchange-traded funds with, in the aggregate, 151 portfolios (each such portfolio, an "ETF" and each such exchange-traded fund, an "ETF Trust") advised by First Trust Advisors. The four standing committees of the Board are: the Executive Committee (also known as the Dividend and Pricing Committee), the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Audit Committee. The Executive Committee, which meets between Board meetings, is authorized to exercise all powers of and to act in the place of the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by each Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. The members of the Executive Committee of a Fund are authorized to exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in respect of the issuance and sale, through an underwritten public offering, of the Shares of the Fund and all other such matters relating to such financing, including determining the price at which such Shares are to be sold, approval of the final terms of the underwriting agreement, and approval of the members of the underwriting syndicate. Such Committee is also responsible for the declaration and setting of dividends. Mr. Nielson, Mr. Bowen and Dr. Erickson are members of the Executive Committee. The number of meetings of the Executive Committee held for each Fund during its last fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto. The Nominating and Governance Committee of each Fund is responsible for appointing and nominating persons to the Board of Trustees of that Fund. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and each is an Independent Trustee who is also an "independent director" within the meaning of the listing rules of the primary national securities exchange on which the Funds' shares are listed for trading. The Nominating and Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds' website at https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's webpage). If there is no current or anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees of a Fund, the Nominating and Governance Committee will not actively seek recommendations from other parties, including shareholders. In 2014, the Board of Trustees adopted a mandatory retirement age of 75 for Trustees, beyond which age Trustees are ineligible to serve. The Nominating and Governance Committee Charter provides that the Committee will not consider new trustee candidates who are 72 years of age or older or will turn 72 years old during the initial term. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of a Fund occurs or is anticipated to occur and nominations are sought to fill such vacancy, the Nominating and Governance Committee may seek nominations from those sources it deems appropriate in its discretion, including shareholders of the applicable Fund. The Nominating and Governance Committee may retain a search firm to identify candidates. To submit a recommendation for nomination as a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees of a Fund, shareholders of the applicable Fund shall mail such recommendation to W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Such recommendation shall include the following information: (i) evidence of Fund ownership of the person or entity recommending the candidate (if a Fund shareholder); (ii) a full description of the proposed candidate's background, including their education, experience, current employment and date of birth; (iii) names and addresses of at least three professional references for the candidate; (iv) information as to whether the candidate is an "interested person" in relation to the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, and such other information that may be considered to impair the candidate's independence; and (v) any other information that may be helpful to the Committee in evaluating the candidate (see also "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS" below). If a recommendation is received with satisfactorily completed information regarding a candidate during a time when a vacancy exists on the Board or during such other time as the Nominating and Governance Committee is accepting recommendations, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the counsel to the Independent Trustees. In connection with the evaluation of candidates, the review process may include, without limitation, personal interviews, background checks, written submissions by the -15- candidates and third party references. Under no circumstances shall the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluate nominees recommended by a shareholder of a Fund on a basis substantially different than that used for other nominees for the same election or appointment of Trustees. The number of meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee held for each Fund during its last fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto. The Valuation Committee of each Fund is responsible for the oversight of the valuation procedures of that Fund (the "Valuation Procedures"), for determining the fair value of that Fund's securities or other assets under certain circumstances as described in the Valuation Procedures, and for evaluating the performance of any pricing service for that Fund. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson are members of the Valuation Committee. The number of meetings of the Valuation Committee held for each Fund during its last fiscal year is shown on Schedule 1 hereto. The Audit Committee of each Fund is responsible for overseeing that Fund's accounting and financial reporting process, the system of internal controls, audit process and evaluating and appointing independent auditors (subject also to Board approval). The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds' website at https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's webpage). Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Keith and Nielson, all of whom are "independent directors" within the meaning of the listing rules of the primary national securities exchange on which the Funds' shares are listed for trading, serve on the Audit Committee. Messrs. Kadlec and Keith have each been determined to qualify as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. The number of meetings of the Audit Committee held for each Fund during its last fiscal year is shown in Schedule 1 hereto. In carrying out its responsibilities, as described below under "INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES--Pre-Approval," the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit services and permitted non-audit services for each Fund (including the fees and terms thereof) and non-audit services to be performed for the Advisor by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche"), the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm ("independent auditors"), if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds. During each Fund's last fiscal year, each Trustee, with the exception of Mr. Bowen, attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of each committee on which the Trustee served during the Fund's last fiscal year. With respect to First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, during such Fund's last fiscal year, Mr. Bowen attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of the Dividend and Pricing Committee (the only committee on which he served). With respect to each of the other Funds, during the Fund's last fiscal year, Mr. Bowen attended 100% (7 out of 7) of the Fund's regular and special Board meetings, but the following percentages of the Fund's Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings: (a) 0% (0 out of 12 meetings) for First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund; (b) 25% (1 out of 4 meetings) for Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund, First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund; and (c) approximately 8% (1 out of 12 meetings) for First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund. With respect to each Fund, all of the Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings that Mr. Bowen did not attend were for ordinary course dividend declarations. In general, before such Dividend and Pricing Committee meetings were held, Mr. Bowen was informed of the applicable dividend recommendations. -16- RISK OVERSIGHT As part of the general oversight of each Fund, the Board is involved in the risk oversight of the Funds. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Funds' risks. Oversight of investment and compliance risk, including oversight of sub-advisors, is performed primarily at the Board level in conjunction with the Advisor's advisory oversight group and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO"). Oversight of other risks also occurs at the Committee level. The Advisor's advisory oversight group reports to the Board at quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance as well as information related to sub-advisors and their operations and processes. The Board reviews reports on the Funds' and the service providers' compliance policies and procedures at each quarterly Board meeting and receives an annual report from the CCO regarding the operations of the Funds' and the service providers' compliance programs. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet privately each quarter with the CCO. The Audit Committee reviews with the Advisor the Funds' major financial risk exposures and the steps the Advisor has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including the Funds' risk assessment and risk management policies and guidelines. The Audit Committee also, as appropriate, reviews in a general manner the processes other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Nominating and Governance Committee monitors all matters related to the corporate governance of the Funds. The Valuation Committee monitors valuation risk and compliance with the Funds' Valuation Procedures and oversees the pricing services and actions by the Advisor's Pricing Committee with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. Not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified nor can controls be developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. It may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, the processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and some risks are simply beyond the reasonable control of the Funds or the Advisor or other service providers. For instance, as the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent, the Funds and their service providers have become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security (generally, intentional and unintentional events that may cause a Fund or a service provider to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity). There can be no guarantee that any risk management systems established by the Funds, their service providers, or issuers of the securities in which the Funds invest to reduce cyber security risks will succeed, and the Funds cannot control such systems put in place by service providers, issuers or other third parties whose operations may affect the Funds and/or their shareholders. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment related risks) to achieve a Fund's goals. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Funds' ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations. BOARD DIVERSIFICATION AND TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS As described above, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board oversees matters related to the selection and nomination of Trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to establish an effective Board with an appropriate range of skills and diversity, including, as appropriate, differences in background, professional experience, education, vocations, and other individual characteristics and traits in the aggregate. Each Trustee must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability, and if qualifying as an Independent Trustee, independence from the Advisor, sub-advisors, underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities. Listed below for the nominee and each continuing Trustee are the experiences, qualifications and attributes that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this Joint Proxy Statement, that the nominee and each continuing Trustee should serve as a trustee. -17- NOMINEE ------- Independent Trustee Robert F. Keith is President of Hibs Enterprises, a financial and management consulting firm. Mr. Keith has been with Hibs Enterprises since 2003. Prior thereto, Mr. Keith spent 18 years with ServiceMaster and Aramark, including three years as President and COO of ServiceMaster Consumer Services, where he led the initial expansion of certain products overseas, five years as President and COO of ServiceMaster Management Services Company, and two years as President of Aramark ServiceMaster Management Services. Mr. Keith is a certified public accountant and also has held the positions of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of ServiceMaster, at which time he oversaw the financial aspects of ServiceMaster's expansion of its Management Services division into Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Mr. Keith has served as a Trustee of the First Trust Funds since June 2006. Mr. Keith has also served as Chairman of the Audit Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2010 - 2011), and Chairman of the Valuation Committee (2014 - 2016) of the First Trust Funds. He also served as Lead Independent Trustee (2012 - 2013) and on the Executive Committee (2012 - 2016) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds. CONTINUING TRUSTEES ------------------- Independent Trustees Richard E. Erickson, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon. He also has been President of Wheaton Orthopedics, a co-owner and director of a fitness center and a limited partner of two real estate companies. Dr. Erickson has served as a Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999. Dr. Erickson has also served as the Lead Independent Trustee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019) and on the Executive Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - present), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2003 - 2007 and 2014 - 2016), Chairman of the Valuation Committee (June 2006 - 2007 and 2010 - 2011) and Chairman of the Audit Committee (2012 - 2013) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds. Thomas R. Kadlec is President of ADM Investor Services Inc. ("ADMIS"), a futures commission merchant and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Archer Daniels Midland Company ("ADM"). Mr. Kadlec has been employed by ADMIS and its affiliates since 1990 in various accounting, financial, operations and risk management capacities. Mr. Kadlec serves on the boards of several international affiliates of ADMIS and served as a member of ADM's Integrated Risk Committee from 2008 - 2018, which was tasked with the duty of implementing and communicating enterprise-wide risk management. In 2014, Mr. Kadlec was elected to the board of the Futures Industry Association. In 2017, Mr. Kadlec was elected to the board of the National Futures Association. Mr. Kadlec has served as a Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 2003. Mr. Kadlec also served on the Executive Committee from the organization of the first First Trust Closed-end Fund in 2003 through 2005 (and 2014 - 2019) until he was elected as the first Lead Independent Trustee in December 2005, serving as such through 2007 (and 2014 - 2016). He also served as Chairman of the Valuation Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), Chairman of the Audit Committee (2010 - 2011) and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2012 - 2013) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds. -18- Niel B. Nielson, Ph.D., has been the Senior Advisor of Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation, a global provider of educational products and services, since August 2018. Prior thereto, Mr. Nielson served as the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Pelita Harapan Educational Foundation for three years. Mr. Nielson formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Servant Interactive LLC (providing educational products and services) from June 2012 to September 2014, and he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Dew Learning LLC from June 2012 to September 2014. Mr. Nielson formerly served as President of Covenant College (2002 - 2012), and as a partner and trader (of options and futures contracts for hedging options) for Ritchie Capital Markets Group (1996 - 1997), where he held an administrative management position at this proprietary derivatives trading company. He also held prior positions in new business development for ServiceMaster Management Services Company, and in personnel and human resources for NationsBank of North Carolina, N.A. and Chicago Research and Trading Group, Ltd. ("CRT"). His international experience includes serving as a director of CRT Europe, Inc. for two years, directing out of London all aspects of business conducted by the U.K. and European subsidiary of CRT. Prior to that, Mr. Nielson was a trader and manager at CRT in Chicago. Mr. Nielson has served as a Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999. Mr. Nielson has also served as Chairman of the Audit Committee (2003 - 2007 and 2014 - 2016), Chairman of the Valuation Committee (2012 - 2013), Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2008 - 2009 and 2017 - 2019), and Lead Independent Trustee and a member of the Executive Committee (2010 - 2011) of the First Trust Funds. He currently serves as Lead Independent Trustee and on the Executive Committee (since January 1, 2020) of the First Trust Funds. Interested Trustee James A. Bowen is the Chairman of the Board of the First Trust Funds and Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors and First Trust Portfolios L.P. Until January 23, 2012, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the First Trust Funds. Mr. Bowen also serves on the Executive Committee. He has over 36 years of experience in the investment company business in sales, sales management and executive management. Mr. Bowen has served as a Trustee of each Fund since its inception and of the First Trust Funds since 1999. OTHER INFORMATION Independent Trustees During the past five years, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, has been a director, trustee, officer, general partner or employee of, or consultant to, First Trust Advisors, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (an affiliate of First Trust Advisors), any sub-advisor to any fund in the First Trust Fund Complex, or any of their affiliates. Executive Officers The executive officers of each Fund hold the same positions with each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex (representing 172 portfolios) as they hold with the Funds. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES HELD IN THE FUNDS BY TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following table sets forth the dollar range and number of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in each Fund and the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in all funds in the First Trust Fund Complex, including the Funds, as of December 31, 2019: -19-

The Independent Trustees have adopted a policy that establishes the expectation that each Independent Trustee will have invested an amount in the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex he oversees in the aggregate of at least one year's annual retainer for Board service, with investments allocated among the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex depending on what is suitable for the Trustee's personal investment needs. As of December 31, 2019, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own, beneficially or of record, any class of securities of First Trust Advisors or any sub-advisor or principal underwriter of any Fund or any person, other than a registered investment company, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with First Trust Advisors or any sub-advisor or principal underwriter of any Fund, nor, since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year of any Fund, did any Independent Trustee purchase or sell securities of First Trust Advisors, or any sub-advisor to any fund in the First Trust Fund Complex, their parents or any subsidiaries of any of the foregoing. -20- As of December 31, 2019, the Trustees and executive officers of each Fund as a group beneficially owned the following number of Shares of each Fund, which is less than 1% of each Fund's Shares outstanding:

COMPENSATION Effective January 1, 2019, the fixed annual retainer paid to the Independent Trustees was $255,000 per year and an annual per fund fee of $2,500 for each closed-end fund and actively managed fund and $250 for each index fund. Effective January 1, 2020, the fixed annual retainer paid to the Independent Trustees is $255,000 per year and an annual per fund fee of $2,500 for each closed-end fund and actively managed fund, $750 for each defined outcome fund and $250 for each index fund. The fixed annual retainer is allocated equally among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex. Additionally, the Lead Independent Trustee is paid $30,000 annually, the Chairmen of the Audit Committee or Valuation Committee are each paid $20,000 annually and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee is paid $10,000 annually to serve in such capacities with compensation allocated pro rata among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex based on its net assets. Trustees are also reimbursed by the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with all meetings. Each Committee Chairman and the Lead Independent Trustee rotate every three years. The number of Board meetings held by each Fund during its last fiscal year is shown in Schedule 1 hereto. -21- The aggregate fees and expenses paid to all Trustees by each Fund for its last fiscal year (including reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket expenses) amounted to the following:

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of each Fund's Trustees (including reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket expenses) for each Fund's most recently completed fiscal year. The Funds have no retirement or pension plans. The executive officers and the Interested Trustee of each Fund receive no compensation from the Funds for serving in such capacities.

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ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS Each Fund's Board of Trustees seeks to have as many Trustees as possible in attendance at annual meetings of shareholders. The policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee relating to attendance by Trustees at annual meetings of shareholders is contained in the Funds' Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, which is available on each Fund's website located at https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's webpage). In addition, for each Fund, the attendance of the Board of Trustees at last year's annual shareholder meeting is available on such Fund's website located at https://www.ftportfolios.com. To find the Board of Trustees' attendance, select your Fund under the "Closed-End Funds" tab, select the "News & Literature" link, and go to the "Shareholder Updates and Information" heading. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the Funds' accounting and financial reporting process. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter (the "Charter") that was most recently reviewed by the Board of Trustees on December 9, 2019, a copy of which is available on each Fund's website located at https://www.ftportfolios.com (go to News & Literature on the applicable Fund's webpage). As set forth in the Charter, management of the Funds has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining systems for accounting, reporting, disclosure and internal controls. The Funds' independent auditors have the primary responsibility to plan and implement an audit, with proper consideration given to the accounting, reporting and internal controls. In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the audited financial statements of the First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, the First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, the First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and the First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 at a meeting held on December 19, 2019; the Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, the First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, the First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund and the First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 at a meeting held on January 15, 2020; and the First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund, the First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund and the First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 at a -23- meeting held on February 20, 2020, and discussed the audits of such financial statements with the independent auditors and management. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the accounting principles applied by the Funds and such other matters brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by the independent auditors as required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") Auditing Standard 1301, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee also received from the independent auditors the written disclosures and letter required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, delineating relationships between the independent auditors and the Funds, and discussed the impact that any such relationships may have on the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors. The members of the Funds' Audit Committee are not full-time employees of the Funds and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Funds' Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by Fund management and the independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Funds' financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that the independent auditors are in fact "independent." Based on its consideration of the Funds' audited financial statements and the discussions referred to above with Fund management and Deloitte & Touche LLP, and subject to the limitations on the responsibilities and role of the Audit Committee as set forth in the Charter and discussed above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board the inclusion of each Fund's audited financial statements in each Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the years ended October 31, November 30 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Funds: Thomas R. Kadlec Richard E. Erickson Robert F. Keith Niel B. Nielson INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES Deloitte & Touche has been selected to serve as the independent auditors for each Fund for its current fiscal year, and acted as the independent auditors for each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year. Deloitte & Touche has advised the Funds that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, Deloitte & Touche professionals did not have any direct or material indirect ownership interest in the Funds inconsistent with independent professional standards pertaining to independent registered public accounting firms. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence. In reliance on Rule 32a-4 under the 1940 Act, each Fund is not seeking shareholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors. Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees During each of the last two fiscal years of the Funds, Deloitte & Touche has billed each Fund and the Advisor for the fees set forth below. With respect to First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, fees billed for -24- services to Stonebridge Advisors LLC ("Stonebridge"), such Fund's sub-advisor, are also listed below; an affiliate of the Advisor owns a majority interest in Stonebridge.

-25- Non-Audit Fees During each of the last two fiscal years of the Funds, Deloitte & Touche has billed each Fund and the Advisor for the non-audit fees listed below for services provided to the entities indicated. With respect to First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund, non-audit fees billed for services provided to Stonebridge, such Fund's sub-advisor, are also listed below; an affiliate of the Advisor owns a majority interest in Stonebridge.

-26- Pre-Approval Pursuant to its Charter and its Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee of each Fund is responsible for the pre-approval of all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for each Fund by its independent auditors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Audit Committee up to $25,000 and report any such pre-approval to the full Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the pre-approval of the independent auditors' engagements for non-audit services with the Advisor and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Advisor that provides ongoing services to the respective Fund, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. If the independent auditors have provided non-audit services to the Advisor or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Advisor that provides ongoing services to the respective Fund that were not pre-approved pursuant to its policies, the Audit Committee will consider whether the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with the auditors' independence. None of the Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees, or All Other Fees, if any, or the Aggregate Non-Audit Fees disclosed above that were required to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to its Pre-Approval Policy were pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the pre-approval exceptions included in Regulation S-X. Because the Audit Committee has not been informed of any such services, the Audit Committee of each Fund has not considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Advisor and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Advisor that provides ongoing services to the respective Fund that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in a Fund's Proxy Statement. To be considered for presentation at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders of a Fund and included in the Fund's proxy statement relating to such meeting, a shareholder proposal must be submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act ("Rule 14a-8") and must be received at the principal executive offices of the applicable Fund not later than November 20, 2020. Such a proposal will be included in a Fund's proxy statement if it meets the requirements of Rule 14a-8. Timely submission of a proposal does not mean that such proposal will be included in a Fund's proxy statement. Other Shareholder Proposals. In addition to any requirements of law, including the proxy rules under the 1934 Act, under the Funds' By-Laws, any proposal to elect any person nominated by shareholders for election as Trustee and any other proposals by shareholders may only be brought before an annual meeting of a Fund if timely written notice (the "Shareholder Notice") is provided to the Secretary of the Fund and the other conditions summarized below are met. In accordance with the advance notice provisions included in the Funds' By-Laws, unless a greater or lesser period is required under applicable law, to be timely, the Shareholder Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Fund's principal executive offices, Attn: W. Scott Jardine, Secretary, not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the first -27- anniversary date of the date of the proxy statement released to shareholders for the preceding year's annual meeting. However, if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty (30) days before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year and ends thirty (30) days after such anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to herein as an "Other Annual Meeting Date"), such Shareholder Notice must be given as described above by the later of the close of business on (i) the date forty-five (45) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date or (ii) the tenth (10th) business day following the date such Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed. Any shareholder submitting a nomination of any person or persons (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee or Trustees of a Fund is required to deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice: (i) a statement in writing setting forth: (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person or persons to be nominated; (B) the class or series and number of all Shares of the Fund owned of record or beneficially by each such person or persons, as reported to such shareholder by such nominee(s); (C) any other information regarding each such person required by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the 1934 Act (or any successor provision thereto); (D) any other information regarding the person or persons to be nominated that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether such shareholder believes any nominee is or will be an "interested person" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and, if not an "interested person," information regarding each nominee that will be sufficient for the Fund to make such determination; and (ii) the written and signed consent of any person nominated to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected. In addition, the Trustees may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as they may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a Trustee. Without limiting the foregoing, any shareholder who gives a Shareholder Notice of any matter proposed to be brought before a shareholder meeting (whether or not involving nominees for Trustees) is required to deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice: (i) the description of and text of the proposal to be presented; (ii) a brief written statement of the reasons why such shareholder favors the proposal; (iii) such shareholder's name and address as they appear on the Fund's books; (iv) any other information relating to the shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to the matter(s) proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (v) the class or series and number of all Shares of the Fund owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder; (vi) any material interest of such shareholder in the matter proposed (other than as a shareholder); (vii) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the shareholder meeting to act on the matter(s) proposed; (viii) if the proposal involves nominee(s) for Trustees, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by the shareholder; and (ix) in the case of a shareholder (a "Beneficial Owner") that holds Shares entitled to vote at the meeting through a nominee or "street name" holder of record, evidence establishing such Beneficial Owner's indirect ownership of, and entitlement to vote, Shares at the meeting of shareholders. Shares "beneficially owned" means all Shares which such person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the 1934 Act. In addition, the By-Laws provide that, unless required by federal law, no matters shall be considered at or brought before any annual or special meeting unless such matter has been deemed a proper matter for shareholder action by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Trustees. Timely submission of a proposal does not mean that such proposal will be brought before the meeting. -28- SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS Shareholders of a Fund who want to communicate with the Board of Trustees or any individual Trustee should write the Fund to the attention of the Fund Secretary, W. Scott Jardine. The letter should indicate that you are a Fund shareholder. If the communication is intended for a specific Trustee and so indicates, it will be sent only to that Trustee. If a communication does not indicate a specific Trustee, it will be sent to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees and the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees for further distribution as deemed appropriate by such persons. INVESTMENT ADVISOR, SUB-ADVISORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND TRANSFER AGENTS First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, serves as each Fund's investment advisor. First Trust Advisors is also responsible for providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services to each Fund and also provides fund reporting services to each Fund for a flat annual fee. Delaware Investments Fund Advisers, 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 serves as the investment sub-advisor to Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund. Energy Income Partners, LLC, 10 Wright Street, Westport, Connecticut 06880, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund. An affiliate of the Advisor owns an interest in Energy Income Partners, LLC. Chartwell Investment Partners, LLC, 1205 Westlakes Drive, Suite 100, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund. Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., 1900 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund. Confluence Investment Management LLC, 20 Allen Avenue, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63119, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund. Stonebridge Advisors LLC, 10 Westport Road, Suite C101, Wilton, Connecticut 06897, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund. An affiliate of the Advisor owns a majority interest in Stonebridge Advisors LLC. Janus Capital Management LLC, 151 Detroit Street, Denver, Colorado 80206, serves as the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as the administrator, fund accountant and custodian, and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, acts as the transfer agent, to each Fund except for First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, acts as the administrator, fund accountant and custodian, and Computershare, Inc., P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky 40233-5000, acts as the transfer agent, to First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund. DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act require the Funds' Trustees, the Funds' officers subject to such provisions, certain persons affiliated with First Trust Advisors and any sub-advisor, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a Fund's Shares to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC. Based upon a review of certain related forms filed with the SEC and certain written representations, each Fund believes that during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019, November 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, as applicable, all such filing requirements applicable to such persons were met, except as follows: On October 7, 2019, one late Form 3 -29- was filed for Michael P. Magee, an officer of Chartwell Investment Partners, LLC ("Chartwell"), the investment sub-advisor to First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund. In addition, on March 3, 2020, one late Form 4 was filed for Douglas W. Kugler, an officer of Chartwell, with respect to his acquisition of Shares of First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund on October 15, 2014. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year end for First Trust Mortgage Income Fund, First Trust MLP and Energy Income Fund, First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund and First Trust New Opportunities MLP & Energy Fund is October 31. The fiscal year end for Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund and First Trust Energy Infrastructure Fund is November 30. The fiscal year end for First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund, First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund and First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund is December 31. DELIVERY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS Annual reports will be sent to shareholders of record of each Fund following the Fund's fiscal year end. Each Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its annual report and/or semi-annual report as available upon request. Such written or oral requests should be made by writing to the Advisor at 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 or by calling toll-free (800) 988-5891. Please note that only one annual or semi-annual report or proxy statement may be delivered to two or more shareholders of a Fund who share an address, unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of an annual or semi-annual report or proxy statement, or for instructions as to how to request a separate copy of such documents or as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies of such documents are received, shareholders should contact the Advisor at the address and phone number set forth above. Pursuant to a request, a separate copy will be delivered promptly. OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING No business other than the proposal to elect Mr. Keith as the Class I Trustee of each Fund, as described above, is expected to come before the Meeting, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise, including any question as to an adjournment of the Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote thereon according to their best judgment in the interests of the Funds. March 11, 2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. SHAREHOLDERS ARE THEREFORE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -30-

[BLANK BACK COVER] FORM OF PROXY CARD ------------------ EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT EASY VOTING OPTIONS: VOTE BY MAIL Vote, sign and date this Proxy Card and return in the postage-paid envelope VOTE IN PERSON Attend Shareholder Meeting 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 on April 22, 2020 Please detach at perforation before mailing. PROXY [NAME OF FUND] ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020 PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The undersigned holder of shares of the [NAME OF FUND], a Massachusetts business trust, hereby appoints W. Scott Jardine, Kristi A. Maher, James M. Dykas, Donald P. Swade and Erin E. Klassman as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full powers of substitution and revocation, to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of the Fund that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the "Meeting") to be held at the Wheaton, Illinois offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 120 E. Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, at 12:00 Noon Central Time on the date indicated above, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and Joint Proxy Statement dated March 11, 2020, and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof (including, but not limited to, any questions as to adjournments of the Meeting). A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given. This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE SET FORTH. ----------------------- ------------------- ----------------------- ------------------- XXXX_331138_031120 EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2020 THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD FOR THIS MEETING ARE AVAILABLE AT: https://www.proxy-direct.com/fir-31138 Please detach at perforation before mailing. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE SET FORTH. TO VOTE, MARK A BLOCK BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE: [X] A PROPOSAL 1. Election of One Class I Trustee. The Board of Trustees recommends that you vote FOR the election of the Class I Nominee for a three-year term. FOR WITHHOLD 01. Robert F. Keith [ ] [ ] B AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES -- THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED. -- SIGN AND DATE BELOW NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, guardian, administrator, trustee, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature. DATE (mm/dd/yyyy)-- SIGNATURE 1--Please keep SIGNATURE 2--Please keep Please print date below signature within the box signature within the box ----------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ / / ----------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scanner bar code -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx-31138 M xxxxxxxx