ThZeal - The Zeal

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

W. Scott Jardine, Esq.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
Wheaton, IL 60187
(Name and address of agent for service)

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

The registrant’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:

Table of Contents

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2019

Shareholder Letter	1
Fund Performance Overview	2
Portfolio Management	4
Understanding Your Fund Expenses	5
Consolidated Portfolio of Investments	6
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities	8
Consolidated Statement of Operations	9
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets	10
Consolidated Financial Highlights	11
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	12
Additional Information	18

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 the series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the “Trust”) described in this report (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund; hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”) to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. When evaluating the information included in this 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 the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The 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 shares may therefore be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money by investing in the Fund. See “Risk Considerations” in the Additional Information section of this report for a discussion of certain other risks of investing in the Fund.

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

How to Read This Report

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

The statistical information that follows may help you understand the 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 the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, the statement of additional information, and other Fund regulatory filings.

Shareholder Letter

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Semi-Annual Letter from the Chairman and CEO

June 30, 2019

Dear Shareholders,

One thing we can all agree on and expect: headline news coming out of Washington, DC continues to influence the financial markets. As January 2019 unfolded, the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history was wrapping up while we were beginning to learn about President Trump’s approach to international trade policy. By June’s end, trade talks with China were reengaging and the threat of 5% tariffs on Mexican imports was averted. Investors breathed a collective sigh of relief and, once again, the free market began to rally.

At the Markets’ close on June 28, 2019, both U.S. and world equities had performed resiliently, as indicated by the S&P 500^® Index and the MSCI All Country World Index returns of 18.54% and 16.23%, respectively, for the calendar year-to-date. Bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned 6.11%, for the same period. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note yield fell from over 3% in late 2018 to just above 2% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 and the Federal Reserve has clearly indicated that another rate cut is on the way.

Despite the ongoing bluster of the news cycle, we believe the economy is doing well and productivity growth, due to deregulation and lower taxes on corporate profits, has improved over the last two years.

•	The Consumer Confidence Index of 121.5 for June remains strong.
•	The U.S. inflation rate hovers near 2%, on average, as it has for the last decade.
•	June’s unemployment rate of 3.7% barely moved from May’s 3.6%, the lowest level since December of 1969.

Before you reach for the antacids due to the latest political equivocation, keep a balanced perspective in view. Remember, no one can predict the inevitable and expected market fluctuations. Speak periodically with your investment professional who can provide insight when it comes to investing and discovering opportunities when they arise.

Thank you for giving First Trust the opportunity to be a part of your financial plan. We value our relationship with you.

Sincerely,

James A. Bowen

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.

Page 1

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to provide total return by providing investors with commodity exposure while seeking a relatively stable risk profile. The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve attractive risk-adjusted return by investing in commodity futures contracts and exchange-traded commodity linked instruments (collectively, “Commodities Instruments”) through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Fund will not invest directly in Commodities instruments. The Fund expects to gain exposure to these investments exclusively by investing in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is advised by First Trust Advisors L.P., the Fund’s advisor (the “Advisor”).

The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund with exposure to commodity markets within the limits of current federal income tax laws applicable to investment companies such as the Fund, which limit the ability of investment companies to invest directly in Commodities Instruments. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund, but unlike the Fund, it may invest without limitation in Commodities Instruments. Except as otherwise noted, references to the Fund’s investments include the Fund’s indirect investments through the Subsidiary. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary seeks to make investments generally in Commodities Instruments while managing volatility. Investment weightings of the underlying Commodities Instruments held by the Subsidiary are rebalanced in an attempt to stabilize risk levels. The dynamic weighting process is designed to result in a disciplined, systematic investment process, which is keyed off of the Advisor’s volatility forecasting process. The Subsidiary may have both long and short positions in Commodities Instruments. However, for a given Commodity Instrument the Subsidiary will provide a net long exposure.

The remainder of the Fund’s assets will primarily be invested in: (1) short-term investment grade fixed income securities that include U.S. government and agency securities, sovereign debt obligations of non-U.S. countries, and repurchase agreements; (2) money market instruments; (3) ETFs and other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (4) cash and other cash equivalents. The Fund uses such instruments as investments and to collateralize the Subsidiary’s Commodities Instruments exposure on a day-to-day basis.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns		Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 6/30/19	1 Year Ended 6/30/19	5 Years Ended 6/30/19	Inception (10/22/13) to 6/30/19	5 Years Ended 6/30/19	Inception (10/22/13) to 6/30/19
Fund Performance
NAV	3.68%	-9.61%	-10.87%	-7.75%	-43.76%	-36.80%
Market Price	3.46%	-9.62%	-10.92%	-7.77%	-43.92%	-36.87%
Index Performance
Bloomberg Commodity Index	5.06%	-6.75%	-9.15%	-7.28%	-38.11%	-34.94%
S&P GSCI^® Total Return Index	13.34%	-11.49%	-13.33%	-11.02%	-51.08%	-48.54%
S&P 500^® Index	18.54%	10.42%	10.71%	11.79%	66.33%	88.52%

Total returns for the period since inception are calculated from the inception date of the 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.

The 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 between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the stock exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed for trading as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of the Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after its inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the Fund, the NAV of the 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 the Fund at NAV and Market Price, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike the Fund, 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. 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 the Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of the Fund may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Page 2

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

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

Bid/Ask Midpoint vs. NAV through June 30, 2019

The following Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums charts are provided to show the frequency at which the bid/ask midpoint price for the Fund was at a discount or premium to the daily NAV. The following tables are for comparative purposes only and represent the period January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019. Shareholders may pay more than NAV when they buy Fund shares and receive less than NAV when they sell those shares because shares are bought and sold at current market price. Data presented represents past performance and cannot be used to predict future results.

Number of Days Bid/Ask Midpoint At/Above NAV
For the Period	0.00%–0.49%	0.50%–0.99%	1.00%–1.99%	>=2.00%
1/1/14 – 12/31/14	188	5	1	0
1/1/15 – 12/31/15	122	4	1	0
1/1/16 – 12/31/16	142	1	0	0
1/1/17 – 12/31/17	120	1	0	0
1/1/18 – 12/31/18	115	0	0	0
1/1/19 – 6/30/19	59	0	0	0
Number of Days Bid/Ask Midpoint Below NAV
For the Period	0.00%–0.49%	0.50%–0.99%	1.00%–1.99%	>=2.00%
1/1/14 – 12/31/14	57	1	0	0
1/1/15 – 12/31/15	124	1	0	0
1/1/16 – 12/31/16	109	0	0	0
1/1/17 – 12/31/17	130	0	0	0
1/1/18 – 12/31/18	135	1	0	0
1/1/19 – 6/30/19	65	0	0	0

Page 3

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Understanding Your Fund Expenses

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), 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 Fund 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 and held through the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

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 Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this six-month period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the 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 Fund 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 January 1, 2019	Ending Account Value June 30, 2019	Annualized Expense Ratio Based on the Six-Month Period	Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period (a)
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,036.80	0.95%	$4.80
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,020.08	0.95%	$4.76

(a)	Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratios as indicated in the table multiplied by the average account value over the period (January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the six-month period).

Page 5

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Principal Value	Description	Stated Coupon	Stated Maturity	Value
U.S. TREASURY BILLS – 85.1%
$12,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/05/19	$11,997,406
14,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/11/19	13,992,524
16,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/18/19	15,984,539
27,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/25/19	26,964,990
17,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/01/19	16,970,649
14,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/08/19	13,969,613
15,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/15/19	14,960,859
14,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/22/19	13,957,655
6,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	09/12/19	5,974,967
6,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	11/07/19	5,955,764
	Total U.S. Treasury Bills			140,728,966
	(Cost $140,703,445)

Shares	Description	Value
MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 5.4%
9,000,000	Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class - 2.19% (c)	9,000,000
	(Cost $9,000,000)
	Total Investments – 90.5%	149,728,966
	(Cost $149,703,445) (d)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 9.5%	15,665,892
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$165,394,858

The following futures contracts of the Fund’s wholly-owned subsidiary were open at June 30, 2019 (see Note 2B - Futures Contracts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

Futures Contracts Long:	Number of Contracts	Notional Value	Expiration Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)/ Value
Brent Crude Futures	61	$3,925,350	Aug–19	$(136,142)
Brent Crude Futures	60	3,828,000	Oct–19	(176,871)
Brent Crude Futures	47	2,987,320	Nov–19	167,490
Cattle Feeder Futures	32	2,189,600	Aug–19	(146,831)
Cattle Feeder Futures	18	1,230,300	Sep–19	3,500
Cocoa Futures	276	6,693,000	Sep–19	(106,411)
Coffee “C” Futures	116	4,761,075	Sep–19	322,893
Copper Futures	204	13,838,850	Sep–19	76,613
Corn Futures	214	4,617,050	Dec–19	123,563
Cotton No. 2 Futures	151	4,989,040	Dec–19	(307,546)
Gasoline RBOB Futures	20	1,593,144	Jul–19	39,806
Gasoline RBOB Futures	56	4,360,843	Aug–19	(143,549)
Gasoline RBOB Futures	35	2,496,060	Sep–19	(120,671)
Gasoline RBOB Futures	34	2,365,482	Oct–19	165,835
Gold 100 Oz. Futures	103	14,561,110	Aug–19	1,270,208
KC HRW Wheat Futures	185	4,268,875	Sep–19	(12,438)
Lean Hogs Futures	39	1,185,600	Aug–19	(206,440)
Lean Hogs Futures	45	1,275,300	Oct–19	(288,480)
Lean Hogs Futures	48	1,366,080	Dec–19	(186,900)
Lean Hogs Futures	37	1,128,500	Feb–20	33,260
Live Cattle Futures	103	4,299,220	Aug–19	(252,105)
Live Cattle Futures	94	3,963,980	Oct–19	(85,419)
LME Lead Futures	54	2,606,850	Aug–19	163,938
LME Nickel Futures	44	3,346,464	Aug–19	159,720
LME Primary Aluminum Futures	87	3,899,231	Aug–19	(7,375)
LME Zinc Futures	86	5,390,050	Aug–19	(75,589)

Page 6

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Futures Contracts Long: (Continued)	Number of Contracts	Notional Value	Expiration Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)/ Value
Low Sulphur Gasoil “G” Futures	33	$1,981,650	Sep–19	$(125,799)
Low Sulphur Gasoil “G” Futures	38	2,293,300	Oct–19	67,201
Low Sulphur Gasoil “G” Futures	44	2,641,100	Dec–19	(216,525)
Natural Gas Futures	65	1,483,300	Aug–19	(314,917)
Natural Gas Futures	193	5,224,510	Dec–19	(755,712)
NY Harbor ULSD Futures	59	4,805,833	Jul–19	(275,127)
NY Harbor ULSD Futures	12	988,596	Nov–19	38,798
Platinum Futures	36	1,513,980	Oct–19	65,630
Silver Futures	150	11,505,750	Sep–19	(80,562)
Soybean Futures	85	3,922,750	Nov–19	(75,336)
Soybean Meal Futures	107	3,455,030	Dec–19	(104,760)
Soybean Oil Futures	177	3,061,746	Dec–19	(89,156)
Sugar #11 (World) Futures	407	5,752,701	Sep–19	(144,800)
WTI Crude Futures	11	642,400	Sep–19	(30,395)
WTI Crude Futures	50	2,911,000	Oct–19	(44,791)
WTI Crude Futures	49	2,841,020	Nov–19	(129,349)
WTI Crude Futures	20	1,154,200	Dec–19	96,220
	Total	$163,345,240		$(1,845,321)


(a)	All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for open futures contracts.
(b)	Zero coupon bond.
(c)	Rate shown reflects yield as of June 30, 2019.
(d)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $2,820,459 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $4,640,259. The net unrealized depreciation was $1,819,800. The amounts presented are inclusive of derivative contracts.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2019 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

ASSETS TABLE
	Total Value at 6/30/2019	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
U.S. Treasury Bills	$ 140,728,966	$ —	$ 140,728,966	$ —
Money Market Funds	9,000,000	9,000,000	—	—
Total Investments	149,728,966	9,000,000	140,728,966	—
Futures Contracts	2,794,675	2,794,675	—	—
Total	$ 152,523,641	$ 11,794,675	$ 140,728,966	$—
LIABILITIES TABLE
	Total Value at 6/30/2019	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Futures Contracts	$ (4,639,996)	$ (4,639,996)	$ —	$ —

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page 7

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

Consolidated Financial Highlights

For a share outstanding throughout each period

	Six Months Ended 6/30/2019 (Unaudited)	Year Ended December 31,
	Six Months Ended 6/30/2019 (Unaudited)	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
Net asset value, beginning of period	$ 17.92	$ 20.77	$ 20.43	$ 20.32	$ 26.24	$ 29.78
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)	0.16	0.18	(0.03)	(0.20)	(0.34)	(0.38)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	0.50	(2.89)	0.62	0.31	(5.58)	(3.16)
Total from investment operations	0.66	(2.71)	0.59	0.11	(5.92)	(3.54)
Distributions paid to shareholders from:
Net investment income	—	(0.11)	(0.25)	—	—	—
Return of capital	—	(0.03)	—	—	—	—
Total distributions	—	(0.14)	(0.25)	—	—	—
Net asset value, end of period	$18.58	$17.92	$20.77	$20.43	$20.32	$26.24
Total return (a)	3.68%	(13.04)%	2.89%	0.54%	(22.56)%	(11.89)%
Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)	$ 165,395	$ 168,520	$ 188,005	$ 199,297	$ 184,000	$ 175,910
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets	0.95% (b)	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets	1.35% (b)	0.75%	(0.33)%	(0.81)%	(0.92)%	(0.92)%
Portfolio turnover rate (c)	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%

(a)	Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. 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. Total return is calculated for the time period presented and is not annualized for periods of less than a year.
(b)	Annualized.
(c)	Portfolio turnover is calculated for the time period presented and is not annualized for periods of less than a year and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions, derivatives and in-kind transactions.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page 11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

1. Organization

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 6, 2012, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

The Trust consists of two funds that are currently offering shares. This report covers the First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), a non-diversified series of the Trust, which trades under the ticker “FTGC” on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and commenced operations on October 22, 2013. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value (“NAV”), only in large specified blocks consisting of 50,000 shares called a “Creation Unit.” The Fund’s Creation Units are generally issued and redeemed for cash, and in certain circumstances, in-kind for securities in which the Fund invests. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide total return by providing investors with commodity exposure while seeking a relatively stable risk profile. Under normal market conditions, the Fund, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, FT Cayman Subsidiary II (the “Subsidiary”), organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, invests in a portfolio of commodity futures contracts and exchange-traded commodity linked instruments (collectively, “Commodities Instruments”). The Fund will not invest directly in Commodities Instruments. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to these investments exclusively by investing in the Subsidiary. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of each fiscal quarter. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is considered an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The consolidated financial statements include the accounts on a consolidated basis of the Subsidiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If the NYSE closes early on a valuation day, the NAV is determined as of that time. The Fund’s NAV is calculated 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 shares outstanding.

The Fund’s investments are valued daily at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value. Market value prices represent last sale or official closing prices from a national or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from third-party pricing services. Fair value prices represent any prices not considered market value prices and are either obtained from a third-party pricing service or are determined by the Pricing Committee of the Fund’s investment advisor, First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust” or the “Advisor”), in accordance with valuation procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, and in accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act. Investments valued by the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, if any, are footnoted as such in the footnotes to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments. The Fund’s investments are valued as follows:

Exchange-traded futures contracts are valued at the closing price in the market where such contracts are principally traded. If no closing price is available, exchange-traded futures contracts are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price.

U.S. Treasuries are fair valued on the basis of valuations provided by a third-party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

Shares of open-end funds are valued at fair value which is based on NAV per share.

If the Fund’s investments are not able to be priced by their pre-established pricing methods, such investments may be valued by the Trust’s Board of Trustees or its delegate, the Advisor’s Pricing Committee, at fair value. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such investments.

Page 12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Valuing the Fund’s holdings using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those holdings that may differ from current market valuations. The Subsidiary’s holdings will be valued in the same manner as the Fund’s holdings.

The Fund is subject to fair value accounting standards that define fair value, establish the framework for measuring fair value and provide a three-level hierarchy for fair valuation based upon the inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•	Level 1 – Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. An active market is a market in which transactions for the investment occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
•	Level 2 – Level 2 inputs are observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, and include the following:

o	Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets.
o	Quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are non-active. A non-active market is a market where there are few transactions for the investment, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly.
o	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates).
o	Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

•	Level 3 – Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investment.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments. A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2019, is included with the Fund’s Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

B. Futures Contracts

The Fund, through the Subsidiary, may purchase and sell exchange-listed commodity contracts. When the Subsidiary purchases a listed futures contract, it agrees to purchase a specified reference asset (e.g., commodity) at a specified future date. When the Subsidiary sells or shorts a listed futures contract, it agrees to sell a specified reference asset (e.g., commodity) at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the Subsidiary enters into the contract. The exchange clearing corporation is the ultimate counterparty for all exchange-listed contracts, so credit risk is limited to the creditworthiness of the exchange’s clearing corporation. Margin deposits are posted as collateral with the clearing broker and, in turn, with the exchange clearing corporation. Open futures contracts can be closed out prior to settlement by entering into an offsetting transaction in a matching futures contract. If the Subsidiary is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Subsidiary will continue to be required to maintain margin deposits on the futures contract. When the contract is closed or expires, the Subsidiary records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed or expired. This gain or loss is included in “Net realized gain (loss) on futures” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Exchange-listed commodity futures contracts are generally based upon commodities within the six principal commodity groups: energy, industrial metals, agriculture, precious metals, foods and fibers, and livestock. The price of a commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity. These storage costs include the time value of money invested in the physical commodity plus the actual costs of storing the commodity less any benefits from ownership of the physical commodity that are not obtained by the holder of a futures contract (this is sometimes referred to as the “convenience yield”). To the extent that these storage costs change for an underlying commodity while the Subsidiary is in a long position on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Subsidiary must deposit funds, called margin, with its custodian in the name of the clearing broker equal to a specified percentage of the current value of the contract. Open futures contracts are marked-to-market daily with the change in value recognized as a component of “Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. This daily fluctuation in value of the contracts is also known as variation margin and is included as “Variation margin” payable or receivable on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Page 13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

1940 Act Rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. As the Subsidiary continues to engage in the described securities trading practices and properly segregates assets, the segregated assets will function as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Subsidiary may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Subsidiary’s outstanding portfolio investments. Additionally, such segregated assets generally ensure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Subsidiary arising from such investment activities.

C. Cash

The Fund holds assets equal to or greater than the full notional exposure of the futures contracts. These assets may consist of cash and other short-term securities to comply with SEC guidance with respect to coverage of futures contracts by registered investment companies. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had restricted cash held of $2,413,740, which is included in “Cash segregated as collateral for open futures contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

D. Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded using the effective interest method.

E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom the shares were purchased makes such option available. Such shares will generally be reinvested by the broker based upon the market price of those shares and investors may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by the broker.

Distributions from net investment income and realized capital gains are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Certain capital accounts in the consolidated financial statements are periodically adjusted for permanent differences in order to reflect their tax character. These permanent differences are primarily due to the varying treatment of income and gain/loss on portfolio securities held by the Fund and have no impact on net assets or NAV per share. Temporary differences, which arise from recognizing certain items of income, expense and gain/loss in different periods for consolidated financial statement and tax purposes, will reverse at some time in the future.

The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, was as follows:

Distributions paid from:
Ordinary income	$1,138,976
Return of capital	273,624

As of December 31, 2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for the Fund were as follows:

Undistributed ordinary income	$—
Accumulated capital and other gain (loss)	(7,855,384)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	(2,870,092)

F. Income Taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which includes distributing substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes. However, due to the timing and amount of distributions, the Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which approximately 98% of the Fund’s taxable income exceeds the distributions from such taxable income for the calendar year.

The Subsidiary is classified as a controlled foreign corporation under Subchapter N of the Code. Therefore, the Fund is required to increase its taxable income by its share of the Subsidiary’s income, whether or not such earnings are distributed by the Subsidiary to the Fund. Net investment losses of the Subsidiary cannot be deducted by the Fund in the current period nor carried forward to offset taxable income in future periods.

Page 14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

limitations under U.S. tax rules on the use of capital loss carryforwards and net unrealized built-in losses. These limitations apply when there has been a 50% change in ownership. At December 31, 2018, the Fund had $259 capital loss carryforwards outstanding for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund is subject to accounting standards that establish a minimum threshold for recognizing, and a system for measuring, the benefits of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Taxable years ended 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 remain open to federal and state audit. As of June 30, 2019, management has evaluated the application of these standards to the Fund and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements for uncertain tax positions.

G. Expenses

Expenses, other than the investment advisory fee and other excluded expenses, are paid by the Advisor (See Note 3).

H. New Accounting Pronouncement

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” which amends the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The amendments of ASU 2018-13 include new, eliminated, and modified disclosure requirements of ASC 820. In addition, the amendments clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration of entities when evaluating disclosure requirements. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU. The Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 for these financial statements, which did not result in a material impact.

3. Investment Advisory Fee, Affiliated Transactions and Other Fee Arrangements

First Trust, the investment advisor to the Fund, is a limited partnership with one limited partner, Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., and one general partner, The Charger Corporation. The Charger Corporation is an Illinois corporation controlled by James A. Bowen, Chief Executive Officer of First Trust. First Trust is responsible for the selection and ongoing monitoring of the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s investment portfolios, managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain administrative services necessary for the management of the Fund.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor, First Trust manages the investment of the Fund’s assets and is responsible for the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s expenses, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, but excluding fee payments under the Investment Management Agreement, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees pursuant to a 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses. The Fund has agreed to pay First Trust an annual unitary management fee equal to 0.95% of its average daily net assets. First Trust also provides fund reporting services to the Fund for a flat annual fee in the amount of $9,250, which is covered under the annual unitary management fee. The Subsidiary does not pay First Trust a separate management fee.

The Trust has multiple service agreements with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”). Under the service agreements, BBH performs custodial, fund accounting, certain administrative services, and transfer agency services for the Fund. As custodian, BBH is responsible for custody of the Fund’s assets. As fund accountant and administrator, BBH is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Fund’s investments and cash. As transfer agent, BBH is responsible for maintaining shareholder records for the Fund.

Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of First Trust, any sub-advisor or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) is paid a fixed annual retainer that is allocated equally among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex. Each Independent Trustee is also paid an annual per fund fee that varies based on whether the fund is a closed-end or other actively managed fund, or is an index fund.

Additionally, the Lead Independent Trustee and the Chairmen of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Valuation Committee are paid annual fees to serve in such capacities, with such compensation allocated pro rata among each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex based on net assets. Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all meetings. The Lead Independent Trustee and Committee Chairmen rotate every three years. The officers and “Interested” Trustee receive no compensation from the Trust for acting in such capacities.

Page 15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, derivatives, and in-kind transactions, for the six months ended June 30, 2019, were $0 and $0, respectively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not have any in-kind purchases or sales.

5. Derivative Transactions

The following table presents the types of derivatives held by the Subsidiary at June 30, 2019, the primary underlying risk exposure and the location of these instruments as presented on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

		Asset Derivatives		Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument	Risk Exposure	Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location	Value	Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location	Value
Futures	Commodity Risk	Variation Margin Receivable	$ 2,794,675	Variation Margin Payable	$ 4,639,996

The following table presents the amount of net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2019, on derivative instruments, as well as the primary underlying risk exposure associated with each instrument.

Consolidated Statement of Operations Location
Commodity Risk Exposure
Net realized gain (loss) on futures	$(3,925,386)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures	8,883,882

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the notional value of futures contracts opened and closed were $487,458,620 and $499,890,181, respectively.

The Fund does not have the right to offset financial assets and liabilities related to futures contracts on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

6. Creations, Redemptions and Transaction Fees

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 shares in transactions with broker-dealers or large institutional investors that have entered into a participation agreement (an “Authorized Participant”). In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund, an Authorized Participant must deposit (i) a designated portfolio of securities determined by First Trust (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make or receive a cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component,” which is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the market value of the Deposit Securities, and/or (ii) cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Authorized Participants purchasing Creation Units must pay to BBH, as transfer agent, a creation transaction fee (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. The Creation Transaction Fee based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The Creation Transaction Fee is currently $250 plus 0.05% of the value of the creation. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per share times the number of shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. When the Fund permits an Authorized Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.

Authorized Participants redeeming Creation Units must pay to BBH, as transfer agent, a redemption transaction fee (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”), regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. The Redemption Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The Redemption Transaction Fee is currently $250 plus 0.05% of the value of the redemption. The Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions in cash. An Authorized Participant may request cash redemption in lieu of securities; however, the Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request.

Page 16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

7. Distribution Plan

The Board of Trustees adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to reimburse First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”), the distributor of the Fund, for amounts expended to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units or to provide investor services. FTP may also use this amount to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are Authorized Participants for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services.

No 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and pursuant to a contractual arrangement, no 12b-1 fees will be paid any time before April 30, 2021.

8. Indemnification

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has a variety of indemnification obligations under contracts with its service providers. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events to the Fund through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements that have not already been disclosed.

Page 17

Additional Information

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies and information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio investments during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 988-5891; (2) on the Fund’s website at www.ftportfolios.com; and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files portfolio holdings information for each month in a fiscal quarter within 60 days after the end of the relevant fiscal quarter on Form N-PORT. Portfolio holdings information for the third month of each fiscal quarter will be publicly available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year is included in the semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders, respectively, and is filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR. The semi-annual and annual report for the Fund is available to investors within 60 days after the period to which it relates. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT and Forms N-CSR are available on the SEC’s website listed above.

Risk Considerations

Risks are inherent in all investing. Certain general risks that may be applicable to a Fund are identified below, but not all of the material risks relevant to each Fund are included in this report and not all of the risks below apply to each Fund. The material risks of investing in each Fund are spelled out in its prospectus, statement of additional information and other regulatory filings. Before investing, you should consider each Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses, and read each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information carefully. You can download each Fund’s prospectus at www.ftportfolios.com or contact First Trust Portfolios L.P. at (800) 621-1675 to request a prospectus, which contains this and other information about each Fund.

Concentration Risk. To the extent that a fund is able to invest a large percentage of its assets in a single asset class or the securities of issuers within the same country, state, region, industry or sector, an adverse economic, business or political development may affect the value of the fund’s investments more than if the fund were more broadly diversified. A fund that tracks an index will be concentrated to the extent the fund’s corresponding index is concentrated. A concentration makes a fund more susceptible to any single occurrence and may subject the fund to greater market risk than a fund that is not concentrated.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security will be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and the related risk that the value of a security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make such payments.

Cyber Security Risk. The funds are susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause a fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Such events could cause a fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. In addition, cyber security breaches of a fund’s third-party service providers, such as its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, or sub-advisor, as applicable, or issuers in which the fund invests, can also subject a fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches.

Derivatives Risk. To the extent a fund uses derivative instruments such as futures contracts, options contracts and swaps, the fund may experience losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivative. These risks are heightened when a fund’s portfolio managers use derivatives to enhance the fund’s return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or offset) the risk of a position or security held by the fund.

Equity Securities Risk. To the extent a fund invests in equity securities, the value of the fund’s shares will fluctuate with changes in the value of the equity securities. Equity securities prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, such as market volatility, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. Equity securities may decline significantly in price over short or extended periods of time, and such declines may occur in the equity market as a whole, or they may occur in only a particular country, company, industry or sector of the market.

ETF Risk. The shares of an ETF trade like common stock and represent an interest in a portfolio of securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. Shares of an ETF trade on an exchange at market prices rather than

Page 18

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

net asset value, which may cause the shares to trade at a price greater than net asset value (premium) or less than net asset value (discount). In times of market stress, decisions by market makers to reduce or step away from their role of providing a market for an ETF’s shares, or decisions by an ETF’s authorized participants that they are unable or unwilling to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders of an ETF’s shares, could result in shares of the ETF trading at a discount to net asset value and in greater than normal intraday bid-ask spreads.

Fixed Income Securities Risk. To the extent a fund invests in fixed income securities, the fund will be subject to credit risk, income risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and prepayment risk. Income risk is the risk that income from a fund’s fixed income investments could decline during periods of falling interest rates. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a fund’s fixed income securities will decline because of rising interest rates. Liquidity risk is the risk that a security cannot be purchased or sold at the time desired, or cannot be purchased or sold without adversely affecting the price. Prepayment risk is the risk that the securities will be redeemed or prepaid by the issuer, resulting in lower interest payments received by the fund. In addition to these risks, high yield securities, or “junk” bonds, are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss than securities with higher ratings, and the market for high yield securities is generally smaller and less liquid than that for investment grade securities.

Index Constituent Risk. Certain funds may be a constituent of one or more indices. As a result, such a fund may be included in one or more index-tracking exchange-traded funds or mutual funds. Being a component security of such a vehicle could greatly affect the trading activity involving a fund, the size of the fund and the market volatility of the fund. Inclusion in an index could significantly increase demand for the fund and removal from an index could result in outsized selling activity in a relatively short period of time. As a result, a fund’s net asset value could be negatively impacted and the fund’s market price may be significantly below its net asset value during certain periods.

Index Provider Risk. To the extent a fund seeks to track an index, it is subject to Index Provider Risk. There is no assurance that the Index Provider will compile the Index accurately, or that the Index will be determined, maintained, constructed, reconstituted, rebalanced, composed, calculated or disseminated accurately. To correct any such error, the Index Provider may carry out an unscheduled rebalance or other modification of the Index constituents or weightings, which may increase the fund’s costs. The Index Provider does not provide any representation or warranty in relation to the quality, accuracy or completeness of data in the Index, and it does not guarantee that the Index will be calculated in accordance with its stated methodology. Losses or costs associated with any Index Provider errors generally will be borne by the fund and its shareholders.

Investment Companies Risk. To the extent a fund invests in the securities of other investment vehicles, the fund will incur additional fees and expenses that would not be present in a direct investment in those investment vehicles. Furthermore, the fund’s investment performance and risks are directly related to the investment performance and risks of the investment vehicles in which the fund invests.

Management Risk. To the extent that a fund is actively managed, it is subject to management risk. In managing an actively-managed fund’s investment portfolio, the fund’s portfolio managers will apply investment techniques and risk analyses that may not have the desired result. There can be no guarantee that a fund will meet its investment objective.

Market Risk. Securities held by a fund, as well as shares of a fund itself, are subject to market fluctuations caused by factors such as general economic conditions, political events, regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of a fund could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result of the risk of loss associated with these market fluctuations.

Non-U.S. Securities Risk. To the extent a fund invests in non-U.S. securities, it is subject to additional risks not associated with securities of domestic issuers. Non-U.S. securities are subject to higher volatility than securities of domestic issuers due to: possible adverse political, social or economic developments; restrictions on foreign investment or exchange of securities; lack of liquidity; currency exchange rates; excessive taxation; government seizure of assets; different legal or accounting standards; and less government supervision and regulation of exchanges in foreign countries. Investments in non-U.S. securities may involve higher costs than investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs, as well as additional taxes imposed by non-U.S. governments. These risks may be heightened for securities of companies located, or with significant operations, in emerging market countries.

Passive Investment Risk. To the extent a Fund seeks to track an index, the Fund will invest in the securities included in, or representative of, the index regardless of their investment merit. A Fund generally will not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.

NOT FDIC INSURED

NOT BANK GUARANTEED

MAY LOSE VALUE

Page 19

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Advisory Agreements

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Continuation of Investment Management Agreements

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the “Trust”), including the Independent Trustees, unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement (the “Fund Agreement”) with First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor” ) on behalf of the First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (the “Fund”). The Board approved the continuation of the Agreement for a one-year period ending June 30, 2020 at a meeting held on June 2, 2019. Because the Fund invests in commodity futures contracts and exchange-traded commodity linked instruments through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund (the “Subsidiary”), the Board, including the Independent Trustees, also approved the continuation of an Investment Management Agreement (the “Subsidiary Agreement” and together with the Fund Agreement, the “Agreements”) with the Advisor for the Subsidiary, also for a one-year period. The Board determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided and such other matters as the Board considered to be relevant in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment.

To reach this determination, the Board considered its duties under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as well as under the general principles of state law, in reviewing and approving advisory contracts; the requirements of the 1940 Act in such matters; the fiduciary duty of investment advisors with respect to advisory agreements and compensation; the standards used by courts in determining whether investment company boards have fulfilled their duties; and the factors to be considered by the Board in voting on such agreements. At meetings held on April 18, 2019 and June 2, 2019, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed materials provided by the Advisor responding to requests for information from counsel to the Independent Trustees, submitted on behalf of the Independent Trustees, that, among other things, outlined: the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund and the Subsidiary (including the relevant personnel responsible for these services and their experience); the unitary fee rate payable by the Fund as compared to fees charged to a peer group of funds (the “Expense Group”) and a broad peer universe of funds (the “Expense Universe”), each assembled by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent source, and as compared to fees charged to other clients of the Advisor, including other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) managed by the Advisor; the expense ratio of the Fund as compared to expense ratios of the funds in the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe; performance information for the Fund, including comparisons of the Fund’s performance to that of one or more relevant benchmark indexes and to that of a performance group of funds and a broad performance universe of funds (the “Performance Universe”), each assembled by Broadridge; the nature of expenses incurred in providing services to the Fund and the potential for economies of scale, if any; financial data on the Advisor; any fall-out benefits to the Advisor and its affiliate, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”); and information on the Advisor’s compliance program. The Board reviewed initial materials with the Advisor at the meeting held on April 18, 2019, prior to which the Independent Trustees and their counsel met separately to discuss the information provided by the Advisor. Following the April meeting, independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees requested certain clarifications and supplements to the materials provided, and the information provided in response to those requests was considered at an executive session of the Independent Trustees and independent legal counsel held prior to the June 2, 2019 meeting, as well as at the meeting held that day. The Board applied its business judgment to determine whether the arrangements between the Trust and the Advisor and between the Advisor and the Subsidiary continue to be reasonable business arrangements from the Fund’s perspective. The Board determined that, given the totality of the information provided with respect to the Agreements, the Board had received sufficient information to renew the Agreements. The Board considered that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that the Advisor manages the Fund and knowing the Fund’s unitary fee.

In reviewing the Agreements, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisor under the Agreements. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Trust, the Fund and the Subsidiary, and reviewed all of the services provided by the Advisor to the Trust, the Fund and the Subsidiary, as well as the background and experience of the persons responsible for such services. The Board noted that the Fund is an actively-managed ETF and noted that the Advisor’s Alternatives Investment Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s investments. The Board considered the background and experience of the members of the Alternatives Investment Team and noted the Board’s prior meetings with members of the Team. The Board considered the Advisor’s statement that it applies the same oversight model internally with its Alternatives Investment Team as it uses for overseeing external sub-advisors, including portfolio risk monitoring and performance review. In reviewing the services provided, the Board noted the compliance program that had been developed by the Advisor and considered that it includes a robust program for monitoring the Advisor’s and the Fund’s compliance with the 1940 Act, as well as the Fund’s compliance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Board also considered a report from the Advisor with respect to its risk management functions related to the operation of the Fund. Finally, as part of the Board’s consideration of the Advisor’s services, the Advisor, in its written materials and at the April 18, 2019 meeting, described to the Board the scope of its ongoing investment in additional infrastructure and personnel to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to the Fund and the other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex. In light of the information presented and the considerations made, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Trust, the Fund and the Subsidiary by the

Page 20

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Advisor under the Agreements have been and are expected to remain satisfactory and that the Advisor has managed the Fund consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.

The Board considered the unitary fee rate payable by the Fund under the Fund Agreement for the services provided. The Board considered that as part of the unitary fee the Advisor is responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services and license fees, if any, but excluding the fee payment under the Fund Agreement and interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses. The Board noted that First Trust receives no compensation under the Subsidiary Agreement and pays the expenses of the Subsidiary. The Board received and reviewed information showing the unitary fee rates and expense ratios of the peer funds in the Expense Group, as well as advisory and unitary fee rates charged by the Advisor to other fund (including ETFs) and non-fund clients, as applicable. Because the Fund pays a unitary fee, the Board determined that expense ratios were the most relevant comparative data point. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that the unitary fee for the Fund was above the median total (net) expense ratio of the peer funds in the Expense Group. With respect to the Expense Group, the Board at the April 18, 2019 meeting, discussed with Broadridge its methodology for assembling peer groups and discussed with the Adviser limitations in creating peer groups for actively-managed ETFs, including the limited number of actively-managed ETFs following a commodity-based strategy, and different business models that may affect the pricing of services among ETF sponsors. The Board took these limitations and differences into account in considering the peer data. With respect to fees charged to other non-ETF clients, the Board considered differences between the Fund and other non-ETF clients that limited their comparability. In considering the unitary fee rate overall, the Board also considered the Advisor’s statement that it seeks to meet investor needs through innovative and value-added investment solutions and the Advisor’s description of its long-term commitment to the Fund.

The Board considered performance information for the Fund. The Board noted the process it has established for monitoring the Fund’s performance and portfolio risk on an ongoing basis, which includes quarterly performance reporting from the Advisor for the Fund. The Board determined that this process continues to be effective for reviewing the Fund’s performance. The Board received and reviewed information comparing the Fund’s performance for periods ended December 31, 2018 to the performance of the funds in the Performance Universe and to that of a broad-based benchmark index. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that the Fund underperformed the Performance Universe median and the benchmark index for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2018. The Board noted information provided by the Adviser on reasons for the Fund’s underperformance.

On the basis of all the information provided on the unitary fee and performance of the Fund and the ongoing oversight by the Board, the Board concluded that the unitary fee for the Fund continues to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the Agreements.

The Board considered information and discussed with the Advisor whether there were any economies of scale in connection with providing advisory services to the Fund and noted the Advisor’s statement that it believes its expenses will likely increase over the next twelve months as the Advisor continues to hire personnel and build infrastructure, including technology, to improve the services to the Fund. The Board noted that any reduction in fixed costs associated with the management of the Fund would benefit the Advisor, but that the unitary fee structure provides a level of certainty in expenses for the Fund. The Board considered the revenues and allocated costs (including the allocation methodology) of the Advisor in serving as investment advisor to the Fund for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and the estimated profitability level for the Fund calculated by the Advisor based on such data, as well as complex-wide and product-line profitability data, for the same period. The Board noted the inherent limitations in the profitability analysis and concluded that, based on the information provided, the Advisor’s profitability level for the Fund was not unreasonable. In addition, the Board considered fall-out benefits described by the Advisor that may be realized from its relationship with the Fund. The Board considered that the Advisor had identified as a fall-out benefit to the Advisor and FTP their exposure to investors and brokers who, absent their exposure to the Fund, may have had no dealings with the Advisor or FTP, and noted that the Advisor does not utilize soft dollars in connection with the Fund. The Board also considered the Advisor’s compensation for fund reporting services provided to the Fund pursuant to a separate Fund Reporting Services Agreement, which is paid from the unitary fee. The Board concluded that the character and amount of potential fall-out benefits to the Advisor were not unreasonable.

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that the terms of the Agreements continue to be fair and reasonable and that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund. No single factor was determinative in the Board’s analysis.

Page 21

Table of Contents

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2019

Shareholder Letter	1
Fund Performance Overview	2
Portfolio Management	4
Understanding Your Fund Expenses	5
Consolidated Portfolio of Investments	6
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities	8
Consolidated Statement of Operations	9
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets	10
Consolidated Financial Highlights	11
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	12
Additional Information	18

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the “Trust”) described in this report (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF; hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”) to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. When evaluating the information included in this 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

The Advisor may also periodically provide additional information on Fund performance on the Fund’s web page at www.ftportfolios.com.

How to Read This Report

The statistical information that follows may help you understand the Fund’s performance compared to that of a relevant market benchmark.The statistical information that follows may help you understand the Fund’s performance compared to that of relevant market benchmarks.

Shareholder Letter

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Semi-Annual Letter from the Chairman and CEO

June 30, 2019

Dear Shareholders,

At the Markets’ close on June 28, 2019, both U.S. and world equities had performed resilently, as indicated by the S&P 500^® Index and the MSCI All Country World Index returns of 18.54% and 16.23%, respectively, for the calendar year-to-date. Bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned 6.11%, for the same period. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note yield fell from over 3% in late 2018 to just above 2% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 and the Federal Reserve has clearly indicated that another rate cut is on the way.

•	The Consumer Confidence Index of 121.5 for June remains strong.
•	The U.S. inflation rate hovers near 2%, on average, as it has for the last decade.
•	June’s unemployment rate of 3.7% barely moved from May’s 3.6%, the lowest level since December of 1969.

Thank you for giving First Trust the opportunity to be a part of your financial plan. We value our relationship with you.

Sincerely,

James A. Bowen

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Chief Executive Officer of First Trust Advisors L.P.

Page 1

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

The First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investors with long-term total return. The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FAAR.” The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks to achieve long-term total return through long and short investments in exchange-traded commodity futures contracts (“Commodity Futures”) through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Fund does not invest directly in Commodity Futures. The Fund gains exposure to these investments exclusively by investing in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is advised by First Trust Advisors L.P., the Fund’s investment advisor.

The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary is intended to provide the Fund with exposure to commodity markets within the limits of current federal income tax laws applicable to investment companies such as the Fund, which limit the ability of investment companies to invest directly in Commodity Futures. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund, but unlike the Fund, it may invest without limitation in Commodity Futures. The Fund will invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary’s holdings primarily consist of Commodity Futures, which are contractual agreements to buy or sell a particular commodity or financial instrument at a pre-determined price at a settlement date in the future. The Fund, through the Subsidiary, engages in trading on commodity markets both inside and outside of the United States on behalf of the Fund. The Fund, through the Subsidiary, may invest a range of Commodity Futures and markets as determined by the Fund’s investment advisor from time to time. The remainder of the Fund’s assets will primarily be invested in: (1) U.S. government and agency securities with maturities of five years or less; (2) short-term repurchase agreements; (3) money market instruments; and (4) cash. The Fund uses such instruments as investments and to collateralize the Subsidiary’s Commodity Futures exposure on a day-to-day basis.

Performance
			Average Annual Total Returns	Cumulative Total Returns
	6 Months Ended 6/30/19	1 Year Ended 6/30/19	Inception (5/18/16) to 6/30/19	Inception (5/18/16) to 6/30/19
Fund Performance
NAV	0.45%	-7.85%	-2.74%	-8.30%
Market Price	0.30%	-7.88%	-2.73%	-8.27%
Index Performance
3 Month U.S. Treasury Bills + 3%	2.74%	5.41%	4.43%	14.46%
Bloomberg Commodity Index	5.06%	-6.75%	-0.84%	-2.60%
S&P 500^® Index	18.54%	10.42%	14.61%	52.97%

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

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. 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 the Fund will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares of the Fund may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Page 2

Fund Performance Overview (Unaudited) (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums

Bid/Ask Midpoint vs. NAV through June 30, 2019

The following Frequency Distribution of Discounts and Premiums charts are provided to show the frequency at which the bid/ask midpoint price for the Fund was at a discount or premium to the daily NAV. The following tables are for comparative purposes only and represent the period May 19, 2016 (commencement of trading) through June 30, 2019. Shareholders may pay more than NAV when they buy Fund shares and receive less than NAV when they sell those shares because shares are bought and sold at current market price. Data presented represents past performance and cannot be used to predict future results.

Number of Days Bid/Ask Midpoint At/Above NAV
For the Period	0.00%–0.49%	0.50%–0.99%	1.00%–1.99%	>=2.00%
5/19/16 – 12/31/16	72	40	0	0
1/1/17 – 12/31/17	43	70	68	7
1/1/18 – 12/31/18	213	9	0	0
1/1/19 – 6/30/19	96	4	1	0
Number of Days Bid/Ask Midpoint Below NAV
For the Period	0.00%–0.49%	0.50%–0.99%	1.00%–1.99%	>=2.00%
5/19/16 – 12/31/16	27	16	2	0
1/1/17 – 12/31/17	44	17	2	0
1/1/18 – 12/31/18	29	0	0	0
1/1/19 – 6/30/19	23	0	0	0

Page 3

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Understanding Your Fund Expenses

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (the “Fund”), 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 Fund 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 and held through the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

Actual Expenses

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

	Beginning Account Value January 1, 2019	Ending Account Value June 30, 2019	Annualized Expense Ratio Based on the Six-Month Period	Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period (a)
First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,004.50	0.95%	$4.72
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,020.08	0.95%	$4.76

(a)	Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratios as indicated in the table multiplied by the average account value over the period (January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the six-month period).

Page 5

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Principal Value	Description	Stated Coupon	Stated Maturity	Value
U.S. TREASURY BILLS – 77.3%
$6,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/05/19	$5,998,703
6,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/11/19	5,996,796
2,500,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/18/19	2,497,584
3,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	07/25/19	2,996,110
1,500,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/01/19	1,497,410
3,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/08/19	2,993,489
4,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/15/19	3,989,562
6,000,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	08/22/19	5,981,852
500,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	09/12/19	497,914
1,500,000	U.S. Treasury Bill (a)	(b)	11/07/19	1,488,941
	Total U.S. Treasury Bills			33,938,361
	(Cost $33,933,907)

Shares	Description	Value
MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 5.7%
2,500,000	Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class - 2.30% (c)	2,500,000
	(Cost $2,500,000)
	Total Investments – 83.0%	36,438,361
	(Cost $36,433,907) (d)
	Net Other Assets and Liabilities – 17.0%	7,458,937
	Net Assets – 100.0%	$43,897,298

The following futures contracts of the Fund’s wholly-owned subsidiary were open at June 30, 2019 (see Note 2B - Futures Contracts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

Futures Contracts Long:	Number of Contracts	Notional Value	Expiration Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)/ Value
Brent Crude Futures	16	$1,029,600	Aug–19	$(40,466)
Brent Crude Futures	16	1,025,120	Sep–19	32,749
Brent Crude Futures	17	1,084,600	Oct–19	13,110
Cocoa Futures	62	1,503,500	Sep–19	(34,135)
Copper Futures	26	1,763,775	Sep–19	11,187
Corn Futures	55	1,186,625	Dec–19	(41,862)
Gasoline RBOB Futures	3	238,972	Jul–19	(10,845)
Gasoline RBOB Futures	11	856,594	Aug–19	18,509
Gasoline RBOB Futures	10	695,730	Oct–19	48,138
Gold 100 Oz. Futures	12	1,696,440	Aug–19	138,589
Live Cattle Futures	10	417,400	Aug–19	(3,999)
LME Zinc Futures	20	1,253,500	Aug–19	(22,475)
Low Sulphur Gasoil “G” Futures	6	362,100	Oct–19	6,424
NY Harbor ULSD Futures	3	246,166	Sep–19	(3,986)
		$13,360,122		$110,938
Futures Contracts Short:
Brent Crude Futures	2	$(129,480)	Jul–19	$(8,090)
Cattle Feeder Futures	22	(1,505,350)	Aug–19	69,475
Coffee “C” Futures	36	(1,477,575)	Sep–19	(93,769)
Cotton No. 2 Futures	50	(1,652,000)	Dec–19	13,576
KC HRW Wheat Futures	38	(876,850)	Sep–19	16,963
LMC Lead Futures	4	(193,100)	Aug–19	(7,625)
LME Nickle Futures	6	(456,336)	Aug–19	(27,594)
LME Primary Aluminum Futures	12	(537,825)	Aug–19	(3,138)
Natural Gas Futures	75	(1,731,000)	Jul–19	(17,209)

Page 6

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Futures Contracts Short: (Continued)	Number of Contracts	Notional Value	Expiration Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)/ Value
Platinum Futures	27	$(1,135,485)	Oct–19	$(33,265)
Silver Futures	3	(230,115)	Sep–19	229
Soybean Futures	20	(923,000)	Nov–19	(4,671)
Soybean Meal Futures	15	(472,950)	Aug–19	8,210
Soybean Oil Futures	94	(1,600,068)	Aug–19	(35,393)
Sugar #11 (World) Futures	117	(1,653,725)	Sep–19	28,195
Wheat (CBT) Futures	18	(474,525)	Sep–19	2,288
WTI Crude Futures	6	(349,320)	Oct–19	(34,702)
		$(15,398,704)		$(126,520)
	Total	$(2,038,582)		$(15,582)


(a)	All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for open futures contracts.
(b)	Zero coupon bond.
(c)	Rate shown reflects yield as of June 30, 2019.
(d)	Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $412,209 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $423,337. The net unrealized depreciation was $11,128. The amounts presented are inclusive of derivative contracts.

Valuation Inputs

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2019 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

ASSETS TABLE
	Total Value at 6/30/2019	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
U.S. Treasury Bills	$ 33,938,361	$—	$ 33,938,361	$ —
Money Market Funds	2,500,000	2,500,000	—	—
Futures Contracts	407,642	407,642	—	—
Total	$ 36,438,361	$ 2,907,642	$ 33,938,361	—
LIABILITIES TABLE
	Total Value at 6/30/2019	Level 1 Quoted Prices	Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs	Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Futures Contracts	$ (423,224)	$ (423,224)	$—	$—

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page 7

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

Consolidated Financial Highlights

For a share outstanding throughout each period

	Six Months Ended 6/30/2019 (Unaudited)	Year Ended December 31,		Period Ended 12/31/2016 (a)
	Six Months Ended 6/30/2019 (Unaudited)	2018	2017	Period Ended 12/31/2016 (a)
Net asset value, beginning of period	$ 26.48	$ 29.35	$ 28.45	$ 30.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)	0.17	0.14	(0.10) (b)	(0.15)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	(0.05)	(2.86)	1.83	(1.40)
Total from investment operations	0.12	(2.72)	1.73	(1.55)
Distributions paid to shareholders from:
Net investment income	—	(0.11)	(0.83)	—
Return of capital	—	(0.04)	—	—
Total distributions	—	(0.15)	(0.83)	—
Net asset value, end of period	$26.60	$26.48	$29.35	$28.45
Total return (c)	0.45%	(9.23)%	6.08%	(5.17)%
Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)	$ 43,897	$ 18,534	$ 7,338	$ 2,845
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets	0.95% (d)	0.95%	0.95%	0.95% (d)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets	1.07% (d)	0.65%	(0.33)%	(0.82)% (d)
Portfolio turnover rate (e)	0%	0%	0%	0%

(a)	Inception date is May 18, 2016, which is consistent with the commencement of investment operations and is the date the initial creation unit was established. First Trust Portfolios L.P. seeded the Fund on May 9, 2016 in order to provide initial capital required by SEC rules.
(b)	Based on average shares outstanding.
(c)	Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. 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. Total return is calculated for the time period presented and is not annualized for periods of less than a year.
(d)	Annualized.
(e)	Portfolio turnover is calculated for the time period presented and is not annualized for periods of less than a year and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions, derivatives and in-kind transactions.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page 11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

1. Organization

The Trust consists of two funds that are offering shares. This report covers the First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (the “Fund”), a non-diversified series of the Trust, which trades under the ticker “FAAR” on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and commenced operations on May 18, 2016. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value (“NAV”), only in large specified blocks consisting of 50,000 shares called a “Creation Unit.” The Fund’s Creation Units are generally issued and redeemed for cash or, in certain circumstances, in-kind for securities in which the Fund invests. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with long-term total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, FT Cayman Subsidiary III (the “Subsidiary”), organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, invests in a portfolio of commodity futures contracts (“Commodities Futures”). The Fund does not invest directly in Commodities Futures. The Fund gains exposure to these investments exclusively by investing in the Subsidiary. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary may not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of each fiscal quarter. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

A. Portfolio Valuation

U.S. Treasuries are fair valued on the basis of valuations provided by a third-party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

Page 12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

•	Level 1 – Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. An active market is a market in which transactions for the investment occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
•	Level 2 – Level 2 inputs are observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, and include the following:

o	Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets.
o	Quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are non-active. A non-active market is a market where there are few transactions for the investment, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly.
o	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates).
o	Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

•	Level 3 – Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investment.

B. Futures Contracts

Exchange-listed commodity futures contracts are generally based upon commodities within the five principal commodity groups: energy, industrial metals, agriculture, precious metals, and livestock. The price of a commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity. These storage costs include the time value of money invested in the physical commodity plus the actual costs of storing the commodity less any benefits from ownership of the physical commodity that are not obtained by the holder of a futures contract (this is sometimes referred to as the “convenience yield”). To the extent that these storage costs change for an underlying commodity while the Subsidiary is in a long position on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.

When the Subsidiary purchases or sells a futures contract, the Subsidiary is required to collateralize its position in order to limit the risk associated with the use of leverage and other related risks. To collateralize its position, the Subsidiary segregates assets consisting of cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the unrealized depreciation of the futures contract or otherwise collateralize its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the 1940 Act Rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. As the Subsidiary continues to engage in the described securities trading practices and properly segregates assets, the segregated assets will function as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Subsidiary may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Subsidiary’s outstanding portfolio investments.

Page 13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Additionally, such segregated assets generally ensure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Subsidiary arising from such investment activities.

C. Investment Transactions and Investment Income

D. Cash

E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually.

The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, was as follows:

Distributions paid from:
Ordinary income	$73,470
Return of capital	28,560

As of December 31, 2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for the Fund were as follows:

Undistributed ordinary income	$—
Accumulated capital and other gain (loss)	(90,410)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	166,750

F. Income Taxes

The Fund intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws, which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward indefinitely following the year of the loss and offset such loss against any future realized capital gains. The Fund is subject to certain limitations under U.S. tax rules on the use of capital loss carryforwards and net unrealized built-in losses. These limitations apply when there has been a 50% change in ownership. At December 31, 2018, the Fund had $259 capital loss carryforwards outstanding for federal income tax purposes.

Page 14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

The Fund is subject to accounting standards that establish a minimum threshold for recognizing, and a system for measuring, the benefits of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Taxable years ended 2016, 2017, and 2018 remain open to federal and state audit. As of June 30, 2019, management has evaluated the application of these standards to the Fund and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements for uncertain tax positions.

G. Expenses

Expenses, other than the investment advisory fee and other excluded expenses, are paid by the Advisor (See Note 3).

H. New Accounting Pronouncement

3. Investment Advisory Fee, Affiliated Transactions and Other Fee Arrangements

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not have any in-kind purchases or sales.

Page 15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

5. Derivative Transactions

		Asset Derivatives		Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument	Risk Exposure	Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location	Value	Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location	Value
Futures	Commodity Risk	Variation Margin Receivable	$ 407,642	Variation Margin Payable	$ 423,224

Consolidated Statement of Operations Location
Commodity Risk Exposure
Net realized gain (loss) on futures	$(265,684)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures	(91,930)

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the notional value of futures contracts opened and closed were $114,184,258 and $93,654,585, respectively.

The Fund does not have the right to offset financial assets and liabilities related to futures contracts on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

6. Creations, Redemptions and Transaction Fees

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 shares in transactions with broker-dealers or large institutional investors that have entered into a participation agreement (an “Authorized Participant”). In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund, an Authorized Participant must deposit (i) a designated portfolio of securities and other instruments determined by First Trust (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make or receive a cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component,” which is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the market value of the Deposit Securities, and/or (ii) cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Authorized Participants purchasing Creation Units must pay to BBH, as transfer agent, a creation transaction fee (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. The Creation Transaction Fee may vary and is based on the composition of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and the countries in which the transactions are settled. The Creation Transaction Fee is currently $250 plus 0.05% of the value of the creation. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per share times the number of shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. When the Fund permits an Authorized Participant to substitute cash or a different security in lieu of depositing one or more of the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may also be assessed an amount to cover the cost of purchasing the Deposit Securities and/or disposing of the substituted securities, including operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees, stamp taxes, and part or all of the spread between the expected bid and offer side of the market related to such Deposit Securities and/or substitute securities.

7. Distribution Plan

Page 16

Additional Information

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Portfolio Holdings

Risk Considerations

Page 18

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

NOT FDIC INSURED

NOT BANK GUARANTEED

MAY LOSE VALUE

Page 19

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Advisory Agreements

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Continuation of Investment Management Agreements

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the “Trust”), including the Independent Trustees, unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement (the “Fund Agreement”) with First Trust Advisors L.P. (the “Advisor”) on behalf of the First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (the “Fund”). The Board approved the continuation of the Agreement for a one-year period ending June 30, 2020 at a meeting held on June 2, 2019. Because the Fund invests in commodity futures contracts and exchange-traded commodity linked instruments through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, also approved the continuation of an Investment Management Agreement (the “Subsidiary Agreement” and, together with the Fund Agreement, the “Agreements”) with the Advisor for the wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”), also for a one-year period. The Board determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided and such other matters as the Board considered to be relevant in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment.

To reach this determination, the Board considered its duties under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as well as under the general principles of state law, in reviewing and approving advisory contracts; the requirements of the 1940 Act in such matters; the fiduciary duty of investment advisors with respect to advisory agreements and compensation; the standards used by courts in determining whether investment company boards have fulfilled their duties; and the factors to be considered by the Board in voting on such agreements. At meetings held on April 18, 2019 and June 2, 2019, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed materials provided by the Advisor responding to requests for information from counsel to the Independent Trustees, submitted on behalf of the Independent Trustees, that, among other things, outlined: the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund and the Subsidiary (including the relevant personnel responsible for these services and their experience); the unitary fee rate payable by the Fund as compared to fees charged to a peer group of funds (the “Expense Group”) and a broad peer universe of funds (the “Expense Universe”), each assembled by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent source, and as compared to fees charged to other clients of the Advisor, including other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) managed by the Advisor; the expense ratio of the Fund as compared to expense ratios of the funds in the Expense Group and Expense Universe; performance information for the Fund, including comparisons of the Fund’s performance to that of one or more relevant benchmark indexes and to that of a performance group of funds and a broad performance universe of funds (the “Performance Universe”), each assembled by Broadridge; the nature of expenses incurred in providing services to the Fund and the potential for economies of scale, if any; financial data on the Advisor; any fall-out benefits to the Advisor and its affiliate, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (“FTP”); and information on the Advisor’s compliance program. The Board reviewed initial materials with the Advisor at the meeting held on April 18, 2019, prior to which the Independent Trustees and their counsel met separately to discuss the information provided by the Advisor. Following the April meeting, independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees requested certain clarifications and supplements to the materials provided, and the information provided in response to those requests was considered at an executive session of the Independent Trustees and independent legal counsel held prior to the June 2, 2019 meeting, as well as at the meeting held that day. The Board applied its business judgment to determine whether the arrangements between the Trust and the Advisor and between the Advisor and the Subsidiary continue to be reasonable business arrangements from the Fund’s perspective. The Board determined that, given the totality of the information provided with respect to the Agreements, the Board had received sufficient information to renew the Agreements. The Board considered that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that the Advisor manages the Fund and knowing the Fund’s unitary fee.

In reviewing the Agreements, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisor under the Agreements. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Trust, the Fund and the Subsidiary, and reviewed all of the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund and the Subsidiary, as well as the background and experience of the persons responsible for such services. The Board noted that the Fund is an actively-managed ETF and noted that the Advisor’s Alternatives Investment Team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s investments. The Board considered the background and experience of the members of the Alternatives Investment Team and noted the Board’s prior meetings with members of the Team. The Board considered the Advisor’s statement that it applies the same oversight model internally with its Alternatives Investment Team as it uses for overseeing external sub-advisors, including portfolio risk monitoring and performance review. In reviewing the services provided, the Board noted the compliance program that had been developed by the Advisor and considered that it includes a robust program for monitoring the Advisor’s and the Fund’s compliance with the 1940 Act, as well as the Fund’s compliance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Board also considered a report from the Advisor with respect to its risk management functions related to the operation of the Fund. Finally, as part of the Board’s consideration of the Advisor’s services, the Advisor, in its written materials and at the April 18, 2019 meeting, described to the Board the scope of its ongoing investment in additional infrastructure and personnel to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to the Fund and the other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex. In light of the information presented and the considerations made, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Trust, the Fund and the Subsidiary by the

Page 20

Additional Information (Continued)

First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR)

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

Advisor under the Agreements have been and are expected to remain satisfactory and that the Advisor has managed the Fund consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.

The Board considered the unitary fee rate payable by the Fund under the Fund Agreement for the services provided. The Board considered that as part of the unitary fee the Advisor is responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services and license fees, if any, but excluding the fee payment under the Fund Agreement and interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions, distribution and service fees pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan, if any, and extraordinary expenses. The Board noted that the Advisor receives no compensation under the Subsidiary Agreement and pays the expenses of the Subsidiary. The Board received and reviewed information showing the advisory or unitary fee rates and expense ratios of the peer funds in the Expense Group, as well as advisory and unitary fee rates charged by the Advisor to other fund (including ETFs) and non-fund clients, as applicable. Because the Fund pays a unitary fee, the Board determined that expense ratios were the most relevant comparative data point. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that the unitary fee for the Fund was below the median total (net) expense ratio of the peer funds in the Expense Group. With respect to the Expense Group, the Board, at the April 18, 2019 meeting, discussed with Broadridge its methodology for assembling peer groups and discussed with the Adviser limitations in creating peer groups for actively-managed ETFs, including the limited number of actively-managed ETFs following an absolute return strategy and that most of the peer funds were open-end mutual funds, and different business models that may affect the pricing of services among ETF sponsors. The Board took these limitations and differences into account in considering the peer data. With respect to fees charged to other non-ETF clients, the Board considered differences between the Fund and other non-ETF clients that limited their comparability. In considering the unitary fee rate overall, the Board also considered the Advisor’s statement that it seeks to meet investor needs through innovative and value-added investment solutions and the Advisor’s description of its long-term commitment to the Fund.

The Board considered performance information for the Fund. The Board noted the process it has established for monitoring the Fund’s performance and portfolio risk on an ongoing basis, which includes quarterly performance reporting from the Advisor for the Fund. The Board determined that this process continues to be effective for reviewing the Fund’s performance. The Board received and reviewed information comparing the Fund’s performance for the one-year period ended December 31, 2018 to the performance of the funds in the Performance Universe and to that of a benchmark index. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that the Fund underperformed the Performance Universe median and the benchmark index for the one-year period ended December 31, 2018.

Page 21

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost $149,703,445)	$ 149,728,966
Cash	15,202,139
Cash segregated as collateral for open futures contracts	2,413,740
Receivables:
Variation margin	2,794,675
Due from broker	11,262
Dividends	10,042
Total Assets	170,160,824
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Variation margin	4,639,996
Investment advisory fees	125,970
Total Liabilities	4,765,966
NET ASSETS	$165,394,858
NET ASSETS consist of:
Paid-in capital	$ 164,991,391
Par value	89,033
Accumulated distributable earnings (loss)	314,434
NET ASSETS	$165,394,858
NET ASSET VALUE, per share	$18.58
Number of shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)	8,903,334

INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest		$ 1,836,979
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $15,293)		81,546
Total investment income		1,918,525
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory fees		793,625
Total expenses		793,625
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)		1,124,900
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized gain (loss) on futures		(3,925,386)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments		21,794
Futures		8,883,882
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		8,905,676
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)		4,980,290
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS		$ 6,105,190

	Six Months Ended 6/30/2019 (Unaudited)	Year Ended 12/31/2018
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 1,124,900	$ 1,703,363
Net realized gain (loss)	(3,925,386)	(19,405,469)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	8,905,676	(16,664,464)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	6,105,190	(34,366,570)
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Investment operations	—	(1,138,976)
Return of capital	—	(273,624)
Total distributions to shareholders	—	(1,412,600)
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from shares sold	4,676,297	136,455,691
Cost of shares redeemed	(13,906,245)	(120,161,535)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from shareholder transactions	(9,229,948)	16,294,156
Total increase (decrease) in net assets	(3,124,758)	(19,485,014)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period	168,519,616	188,004,630
End of period	$ 165,394,858	$ 168,519,616
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Shares outstanding, beginning of period	9,403,334	9,053,334
Shares sold	250,000	6,450,000
Shares redeemed	(750,000)	(6,100,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period	8,903,334	9,403,334

ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost $36,433,907)	$ 36,438,361
Cash	7,523,759
Receivables:
Variation margin	407,642
Dividends	2,946
Total Assets	44,372,708
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Variation margin	423,224
Investment advisory fees	32,636
Due to broker	19,550
Total Liabilities	475,410
NET ASSETS	$43,897,298
NET ASSETS consist of:
Paid-in capital	$ 44,086,849
Par value	16,500
Accumulated distributable earnings (loss)	(206,051)
NET ASSETS	$43,897,298
NET ASSET VALUE, per share	$26.60
Number of shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)	1,650,002

INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest		$ 290,252
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $718)		14,750
Total investment income		305,002
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory fees		143,569
Total expenses		143,569
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)		161,433
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized gain (loss) on futures		(265,684)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments		4,203
Futures		(91,930)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		(87,727)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)		(353,411)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS		$(191,978)

By (Signature and Title)*		/s/ James M. Dykas
		James M. Dykas, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

By (Signature and Title)*		/s/ Donald P. Swade
		Donald P. Swade, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (principal financial officer)