487 1 s487.txt FORM S-6 TO EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT Registration No. 333-138155 1940 Act No. 811-05903 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2 A. Exact name of trust: FT 1280 B. Name of depositor: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P. C. Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices: 1001 Warrenville Road Lisle, Illinois 60532 D. Name and complete address of agents for service: Copy to: JAMES A. BOWEN ERIC F. FESS c/o First Trust Portfolios L.P. c/o Chapman and Cutler LLP 1001 Warrenville Road 111 West Monroe Street Lisle, Illinois 60532 Chicago, Illinois 60603 E. Title of Securities Being Registered: An indefinite number of Units pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended F. Approximate date of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement. |XXX|Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on November 8, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487. ________________________________ Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 FT 1280 FT 1280 is a series of a unit investment trust, the FT Series. FT 1280 consists of a single portfolio known as Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 (the "Trust"). The Trust invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of Canadian oil and gas royalty trusts ("Common Stocks") and common stocks of closed-end funds which invest primarily in Canadian royalty and incomes trusts as well as master limited partnerships of companies involved in the energy infrastructure sector ("Closed-End Funds"). Collectively, the Common Stocks and Closed- End Funds are referred to as the "Securities." The Trust seeks to provide the potential for a high rate of current monthly income and the potential for long-term growth of principal. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. FIRST TRUST (R) 1-800-621-9533 The date of this prospectus is November 8, 2006 Page 1 Table of Contents Summary of Essential Information 3 Fee Table 4 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5 Statement of Net Assets 6 Schedule of Investments 7 The FT Series 8 Portfolio 8 Risk Factors 9 Common Stocks Descriptions 11 Public Offering 12 Distribution of Units 15 The Sponsor's Profits 16 The Secondary Market 16 How We Purchase Units 16 Expenses and Charges 16 Tax Status 17 Retirement Plans 20 Rights of Unit Holders 20 Income and Capital Distributions 21 Redeeming Your Units 21 Removing Securities from the Trust 22 Amending or Terminating the Indenture 23 Information on the Sponsor, Trustee, Fund/SERV(R) Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and Evaluator 24 Other Information 25 Page 2 Summary of Essential Information Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 FT 1280 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-November 8, 2006 Sponsor: First Trust Portfolios L.P. Trustee: The Bank of New York Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent: FTP Services LLC Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P.
Initial Number of Units (1) 15,001 Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/15,001 Public Offering Price: Public Offering Price per Unit (2) $ 10.000 Less Initial Sales Charge per Unit (3) (.100) __________ Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Securities per Unit (4) 9.900 Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit (3) (.245) __________ Redemption Price per Unit (5) 9.655 Less Creation and Development Fee per Unit (3)(5) (.050) Less Organization Costs per Unit (5) (.029) __________ Net Asset Value per Unit $ 9.576 ========== Estimated Net Annual Distribution per Unit for the first year (6) $ 1.1712 Cash CUSIP Number 30271G 202 Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30271G 210 Fee Accounts Cash CUSIP Number 30271G 228 Fee Accounts Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30271G 236 Fund/SERV Eligible CUSIP Number 30271G 244 Security Code 043715 Ticker Symbol FCNEIX
First Settlement Date November 13, 2006 Mandatory Termination Date (7) November 10, 2008 Distribution Record Date Fifteenth day of each month, commencing November 15, 2006. Distribution Date (6) Last day of each month, commencing November 30, 2006. ______________ (1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, we may adjust the number of Units of the Trust so that the Public Offering Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. If we make such an adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will vary from the amount indicated above. (2) The Public Offering Price shown above reflects the value of the Securities on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. No investor will purchase Units at this price. The price you pay for your Units will be based on their valuation at the Evaluation Time on the date you purchase your Units. On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price per Unit will not include any accumulated cash in the Income Account. After this date, a pro rata share of any cash in the Income Account will be included. (3) You will pay a maximum sales charge of 3.95% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (equivalent to 3.99% of the net amount invested) which consists of an initial sales charge, a deferred sales charge and a creation and development fee. The sales charges are described in the "Fee Table." (4) Each listed Security is valued at its last closing sale price. If a Security is not listed, or if no closing sale price exists, it is valued at its closing ask price. Evaluations for purposes of determining the purchase, sale or redemption price of Units are made as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day on which it is open (the "Evaluation Time"). (5) The Redemption Price per Unit will include the creation and development fee until the end of the initial offering period and estimated organization costs until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period. After such dates, the Redemption Price per Unit will not include such creation and development fee and estimated organization costs. See "Redeeming Your Units." (6) The estimated net annual distribution for the second year, $1.1501 per Unit, is expected to be less than that set forth above for the first year because a portion of the Securities included in the Trust will be sold during the first year to pay for organization costs, the deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee. The actual net annual distribution per Unit you receive will vary from that set forth above with changes in the Trust's fees and expenses, dividends received and with the sale of Securities. See "Fee Table" and "Expenses and Charges." We base our estimate of the dividends the Trust will receive from the Common Stocks and the Closed-End Funds by annualizing the most recent dividends declared by such issuers. Due to various factors, actual dividends received may differ, in the case of the Common Stocks, and will most likely differ, in the case of the Closed-End Funds, from their most recent annualized dividends. The Trustee will distribute money from the Income and Capital Accounts monthly on the last day of each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month provided the aggregate amount available for distribution equals at least 0.1% of the net asset value of the Trust. Undistributed money in the Income and Capital Accounts will be distributed in the next month in which the aggregate amount available for distribution equals or exceeds 0.1% of the net asset value of the Trust. In any case, the Trustee will distribute funds in the Income and Capital Accounts in December of each year. (7) See "Amending or Terminating the Indenture."
Page 3 Fee Table This Fee Table describes the fees and expenses that you may, directly or indirectly, pay if you buy and hold Units of the Trust. See "Public Offering" and "Expenses and Charges." Although the Trust has a term of approximately two years and is a unit investment trust rather than a mutual fund, this information allows you to compare fees.
Amount per Unit _____ Unit Holder Sales Fees (as a percentage of public offering price) Maximum Sales Charge Initial sales charge 1.00%(a) $.100 Deferred sales charge 2.45%(b) $.245 Creation and development fee 0.50%(c) $.050 _______ _______ Maximum Sales Charge (including creation and development fee) 3.95% $.395 ======= ======= Organization Costs (as a percentage of public offering price) Estimated organization costs .290%(d) $.0290 ======= ======= Estimated Annual Trust Operating Expenses(e) (as a percentage of average net assets) Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative, evaluation and Fund/SERV Eligible Unit servicing fees .081% $.0080 Trustee's fee and other operating expenses .121%(f) $.0120 Underlying Closed-End Fund Expenses .229%(g) $.0226 _______ _______ Total .431% $.0426 ======= =======
Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Trust with the cost of investing in other investment products. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Trust for the periods shown and sell your Units at the end of those periods. The example also assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the Trust's operating expenses stay the same. The example does not take into consideration transaction fees which may be charged by certain broker/dealers for processing redemption requests. Although your actual costs may vary, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 2 Years _______ ________ $ 467 $ 510 The example will not differ if you hold rather than sell your Units at the end of each period. ________________ (a) The combination of the initial and deferred sales charge comprises what we refer to as the "transactional sales charge." The initial sales charge is actually equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge of 3.95% and the sum of any remaining deferred sales charge and creation and development fee. (b) The deferred sales charge is a fixed dollar amount equal to $.245 per Unit which, as a percentage of the Public Offering Price, will vary over time. The deferred sales charge will be deducted in three monthly installments commencing May 18, 2007. (c) The creation and development fee compensates the Sponsor for creating and developing the Trust. The creation and development fee is a charge of $.050 per Unit collected at the end of the initial offering period which is expected to be approximately six months from the Initial Date of Deposit. If the price you pay for your Units exceeds $10 per Unit, the creation and development fee will be less than 0.50%; if the price you pay for your Units is less than $10 per Unit, the creation and development fee will exceed 0.50%. (d) Estimated organization costs will be deducted from the assets of the Trust at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period. (e) Each of the fees listed herein is assessed on a fixed dollar amount per Unit basis which, as a percentage of average net assets, will vary over time. (f) Other operating expenses for the Trust do not include brokerage costs and other portfolio transaction fees. In certain circumstances the Trust may incur additional expenses not set forth above. See "Expenses and Charges." (g) Although not an actual Trust operating expense, the Trust, and therefore Unit holders, will indirectly bear similar operating expenses of the closed-end funds in which the Trust invests in the estimated amounts set forth in the table. These expenses are estimated based on the actual closed-end fund expenses charged in a fund's most recent fiscal year but are subject to change in the future. An investor in the Trust will therefore indirectly pay higher expenses than if the underlying closed-end fund shares were held directly.
Page 4 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Sponsor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., and Unit Holders FT 1280 We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of FT 1280, comprising Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 (the "Trust"), as of the opening of business on November 8, 2006 (Initial Date of Deposit). This statement of net assets is the responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this statement of net assets based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statement of net assets is free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement of net assets, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Trust's Sponsor, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statement of net assets. Our procedures included confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit held by The Bank of New York, the Trustee, and deposited in the Trust for the purchase of Securities, as shown in the statement of net assets, as of the opening of business on November 8, 2006, by correspondence with the Trustee. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FT 1280, comprising Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3, at the opening of business on November 8, 2006 (Initial Date of Deposit) in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Chicago, Illinois November 8, 2006 Page 5 Statement of Net Assets Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 FT 1280 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-November 8, 2006
NET ASSETS Investment in Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $148,509 Less liability for reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) (435) Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) (3,675) Less liability for creation and development fee (5) (750) ________ Net assets $143,649 ======== Units outstanding 15,001 Net asset value per Unit (6) $ 9.576 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS Cost to investors (7) $150,009 Less maximum sales charge (7) (5,925) Less estimated reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) (435) ________ Net assets $143,649 ======== _____________ NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS The Sponsor is responsible for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require the Sponsor to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (1) The Trust invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of Canadian oil and gas royalty trusts and closed-end funds which invest primarily in Canadian royalty and incomes trusts as well as master limited partnerships of companies involved in the energy infrastructure sector. Aggregate cost of the Securities listed under "Schedule of Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value. The Trust has a Mandatory Termination Date of November 10, 2008. (2)An irrevocable letter of credit issued by The Bank of New York, of which approximately $150,000 will be allocated to the Trust, has been deposited with the Trustee as collateral, covering the monies necessary for the purchase of the Securities according to their purchase contracts. (3) A portion of the Public Offering Price consists of an amount sufficient to reimburse the Sponsor for all or a portion of the costs of establishing the Trust. These costs have been estimated at $.0290 per Unit for the Trust. A payment will be made at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period to an account maintained by the Trustee from which the obligation of the investors to the Sponsor will be satisfied. To the extent that actual organization costs are greater than the estimated amount, only the estimated organization costs added to the Public Offering Price will be reimbursed to the Sponsor and deducted from the assets of the Trust. (4) Represents the amount of mandatory deferred sales charge distributions from the Trust ($.245 per Unit), payable to the Sponsor in three approximately equal monthly installments beginning on May 18, 2007 and on the twentieth day of each month thereafter (or if such date is not a business day, on the preceding business day) through July 20, 2007. If Unit holders redeem Units before July 20, 2007, they will have to pay the remaining amount of the deferred sales charge applicable to such Units when they redeem them. (5) The creation and development fee ($.050 per Unit) is payable by the Trust on behalf of Unit holders out of assets of the Trust at the end of the initial offering period. If Units are redeemed prior to the close of the initial offering period, the fee will not be deducted from the proceeds. (6) Net asset value per Unit is calculated by dividing the Trust's net assets by the number of Units outstanding. This figure includes organization costs and the creation and development fee, which will only be assessed to Units outstanding at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period in the case of organization costs or the close of the initial offering period in the case of the creation and development fee. (7) The aggregate cost to investors in the Trust includes a maximum sales charge (comprised of an initial sales charge, a deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee) computed at the rate of 3.95% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (equivalent to 3.99% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee), assuming no reduction of the maximum sales charge as set forth under "Public Offering."
Page 6 Schedule of Investments Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 FT 1280 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-November 8, 2006
Number Percentage Market Cost of of Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1)(3) Offering Price Share the Trust (2) ______ ___________________________________ ______________ _________ _____________ Common Stocks (83.99%): ________________________ 1,042 AAV Advantage Energy Income Fund (4) 8.00% $11.40 $ 11,879 638 BTE Baytex Energy Trust (4) 8.01% 18.63 11,886 1,052 CNE Canetic Resources Trust (4) 10.00% 14.11 14,844 335 ERF Enerplus Resources Fund (4) 9.99% 44.29 14,837 612 HTE Harvest Energy Trust (4) 9.99% 24.25 14,841 487 PWE Penn West Energy Trust (4) 10.00% 30.50 14,854 606 PDS Precision Drilling Trust (4) 10.00% 24.51 14,853 531 PWI PrimeWest Energy Trust (4) 8.00% 22.38 11,884 1,433 PVX Provident Energy Trust (4) 10.00% 10.36 14,846 Closed-End Funds (16.01%): __________________________ 231 BGR BlackRock Global Energy and Resources Trust 4.01% 25.77 5,953 112 FMO Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund 1.50% 19.93 2,232 251 KYE Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund 4.00% 23.65 5,936 205 KYN Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company 4.00% 29.01 5,947 90 TYY Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation 1.50% 24.76 2,228 73 TYN Tortoise North American Energy Corporation 1.00% 20.40 1,489 _______ ________ Total Investments 100.00% $148,509 ======= ======== _____________ (1) All Securities are represented by regular way contracts to purchase such Securities which are backed by an irrevocable letter of credit deposited with the Trustee. The Sponsor entered into purchase contracts for the Securities on November 8, 2006. Such purchase contracts are expected to settle within three business days. (2) The cost of the Securities to the Trust represents the aggregate underlying value with respect to the Securities acquired (generally determined by the closing sale prices of the listed Securities and the ask prices of the over-the-counter traded Securities at the Evaluation Time on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit). The valuation of the Securities has been determined by the Evaluator, an affiliate of the Sponsor. The cost of the Securities to the Sponsor and the Sponsor's loss (which is the difference between the cost of the Securities to the Sponsor and the cost of the Securities to the Trust) are $148,921 and $412, respectively. (3) Common stocks of companies headquartered outside the United States comprise approximately 83.99% of the investments of the Trust. (4) This Security represents the common stock of a foreign company which trades directly, or through an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), on a U.S. national securities exchange.
Page 7 The FT Series The FT Series Defined. We, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (the "Sponsor"), have created hundreds of similar yet separate series of a unit investment trust which we have named the FT Series. The series to which this prospectus relates, FT 1280, consists of a single portfolio known as Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3. The Trust was created under the laws of the State of New York by a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture") dated the Initial Date of Deposit. This agreement, entered into among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Sponsor, The Bank of New York as Trustee, FTP Services LLC as Fund/SERV(R) Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator, governs the operation of the Trust. Fund/SERV is a service of National Securities Clearing Corporation, a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. YOU MAY GET MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS CONCERNING THE NATURE, STRUCTURE AND RISKS OF THIS PRODUCT IN AN "INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT" BY CALLING THE SPONSOR AT 1-800-621-1675, EXT. 1. How We Created the Trust. On the Initial Date of Deposit, we deposited a portfolio of Common Stocks and Closed-End Funds with the Trustee and in turn, the Trustee delivered documents to us representing our ownership of the Trust in the form of units ("Units"). After the Initial Date of Deposit, we may deposit additional Securities in the Trust, or cash (including a letter of credit or the equivalent) with instructions to buy more Securities, to create new Units for sale. If we create additional Units, we will attempt, to the extent practicable, to maintain the percentage relationship established among the Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit (as set forth in "Schedule of Investments"), adjusted to reflect the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Securities or any stock split or a merger or other similar event affecting the issuer of the Securities. Since the prices of the Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio of Securities in the Trust, on a market value basis, will also change daily. The portion of Securities represented by each Unit will not change as a result of the deposit of additional Securities or cash in the Trust. If we deposit cash, you and new investors may experience a dilution of your investment. This is because prices of the Securities will fluctuate between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the Securities, and because the Trust pays the associated brokerage fees. To reduce this dilution, the Trust will try to buy the Securities as close to the Evaluation Time and as close to the evaluation price as possible. In addition, because the Trust pays the brokerage fees associated with its creation of new Units and with the sale of Securities to meet redemption and exchange requests, frequent redemption and exchange activity will likely result in higher brokerage expenses. An affiliate of the Trustee may receive these brokerage fees or the Trustee may retain and pay us (or our affiliate) to act as agent for the Trust to buy Securities. If we or an affiliate of ours act as agent to the Trust, we will be subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We cannot guarantee that the Trust will keep its present size and composition for any length of time. Securities may periodically be sold under certain circumstances, and the proceeds from these sales will be used to meet Trust obligations or distributed to Unit holders, but will not be reinvested. However, Securities will not be sold to take advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of appreciation or depreciation, or if they no longer meet the criteria by which they were selected. You will not be able to dispose of or vote any of the Securities in the Trust. As the holder of the Securities, the Trustee will vote all of the Securities and will do so based on our instructions. Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for a failure in any of the Securities. However, if a contract for the purchase of any of the Securities initially deposited in the Trust fails, unless we can purchase substitute Securities ("Replacement Securities"), we will refund to you that portion of the purchase price and transactional sales charge resulting from the failed contract on the next Distribution Date. Any Replacement Security the Trust acquires will be identical to those from the failed contract. Portfolio Objectives. The Trust consists of a portfolio of common stocks of Canadian oil and gas royalty trusts and common stocks of closed-end funds which invest primarily in Canadian royalty and income trusts as well as master limited partnerships of companies involved in the energy infrastructure sector. The objectives of the Trust are to provide the potential for a high rate of current monthly income and the potential for long-term growth of principal. Page 8 Energy is the vital force powering business, manufacturing, and the transportation of goods and services to serve the world's economies. Energy supply and demand plays an increasingly vital role in worldwide economic output. The United States currently consumes approximately 30% of the world's supply of oil; [Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys] however, we anticipate that emerging countries, along with Asia, may experience the highest rate of growth in demand in the not too distant future. In Asia, an average annual growth rate of 3.2% is projected for energy use between 2002 and 2025 versus 1.1% for mature market economies where energy consumption patterns are well established. [Energy Information Administration] The Energy Information Administration projects that the total world consumption of marketed energy is expected to expand by approximately 57% between 2002 and 2025. Portfolio Overview. The portfolio will invest approximately 84% of its assets in Canadian oil and gas royalty trusts whose principal business is the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. The remaining 16% will be allocated to closed-end funds which are invested primarily in Canadian royalty and income trusts as well as master limited partnerships of companies involved in the energy infrastructure sector. With demand increasing in line with global economic expansion and continuing geopolitical and long-term supply concerns, we believe this investment represents an attractive alternative for investors seeking oil and gas exposure. Investing in Royalty Trusts. Canadian oil and gas royalty trusts are engaged in the production and development of oil and gas assets located primarily in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. These trusts generate cash flow through the production and sale of underlying crude oil and natural gas reserves. Royalty trusts were created to distribute the free cash flow generated by an underlying operating company (known as royalty income) to unit holders in a tax efficient manner. These trusts represent an investment in mature, cash-generating Canadian companies. This asset class now represents a significant portion of the Canadian equity markets. Advantages include: - High current income potential. - Low correlation with other asset classes, providing increased portfolio diversification. - A maturing market which leads to greater investor participation, greater efficiency and liquidity. - Distributions from many trusts qualify for favorable tax treatment assuming the required holding periods are met. From time to time in the prospectus or in marketing materials we may identify a portfolio's style and capitalization characteristics to describe the Trust. These characteristics are designed to help you better understand how the Trust fits into your overall investment plan. These characteristics are determined by the Sponsor as of the Initial Date of Deposit and, due to changes in the value of the Securities, may vary thereafter. In addition, from time to time, analysts and research professionals may apply different criteria to determine a Security's style and capitalization characteristics, which may result in designations which differ from those arrived at by the Sponsor. In general, growth stocks are those with high relative price-to-book ratios while value stocks are those with low relative price-to-book ratios. At least 65% of the stocks in the Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit must fall into either the growth or value category for the Trust itself to receive the designation. Trusts that do not meet this criteria are designated as blend Trusts. Both the weighted average market capitalization of the Trust and at least half of the Securities in the Trust must fall into the following ranges to determine its market capitalization designation: Small-Cap-less than $1.5 billion; Mid-Cap- $1.5 billion to $6 billion; Large-Cap-over $6 billion. The Trust, however, may contain individual stocks that do not fall into its stated style or market capitalization designation. There is, of course, no guarantee that the objective of the Trust will be achieved. See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of the risks of investing in the Trust. Risk Factors Price Volatility. The Trust invests in Common Stocks and Closed-End Funds. The value of the Trust's Units will fluctuate with changes in the value of these Securities. Because the Trust is not managed, the Trustee will not sell stocks in response to or in anticipation of market fluctuations, as is common in managed investments. As with any investment, we cannot guarantee that the performance of the Trust will be positive over any period of time or that you won't lose money. Units of the Trust are not deposits of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Distributions. As stated under "Summary of Essential Information," the Trust will generally make monthly distributions of income. The Closed- Page 9 End Funds make distributions on a monthly or quarterly basis. As a result of changing interest rates, refundings, sales or defaults on the underlying securities held by the Closed-End Funds, and other factors, there is no guarantee that distributions will either remain at current levels or increase over time. There is also no guarantee that the issuers of the Common Stocks will declare dividends in the future or that if declared they will either remain at current levels or increase over time. Common Stocks. Approximately 84% of the Trust consists of common stocks. Common Stocks represent a proportional share of ownership in a company. Common stock 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 the market volatility recently exhibited, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. Common stock prices may also be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. Closed-End Funds. Approximately 16% of the Trust consists of closed-end funds. Closed-End Funds are actively managed investment companies which invest in various types of securities. Closed-End Funds issue shares of common stock that are traded on a securities exchange. Closed-End Funds are subject to various risks, including management's ability to meet the Closed-End Fund's investment objective, and to manage the Closed-End Fund portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of market turmoil and as investors' perceptions regarding Closed-End Funds or their underlying investments change. Shares of Closed-End Funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the net asset value of Closed-End Fund shares may decrease. The amount of such discount from net asset value is subject to change from time to time in response to various factors. Certain of the Closed-End Funds included in the Trust may employ the use of leverage in their portfolios through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock. While leverage often serves to increase the yield of a Closed-End Fund, this leverage also subjects the Closed-End Fund to increased risks, including the likelihood of increased volatility and the possibility that the Closed-End Fund's common share income will fall if the dividend rate on the preferred shares or the interest rate on any borrowings rises. Energy Sector. Because more than 25% of the Trust is invested in securities issued by companies that explore for, produce, refine, distribute or sell petroleum or gas products, or provide parts or services to petroleum or gas companies, the Trust is considered to be concentrated in energy company securities. A portfolio concentrated in a single sector may present more risks than a portfolio which is broadly diversified over several sectors. General problems of the petroleum and gas products sector include volatile fluctuations in price and supply of energy fuels, international politics, terrorist attacks, reduced demand as a result of increases in energy efficiency and energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, clean-up and litigation costs relating to oil spills and environmental damage, and tax and other regulatory policies of various governments. Oil production and refining companies are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations regarding air emissions and the disposal of hazardous materials. In addition, declines in U.S. and Russian crude oil production will likely lead to a greater world dependence on oil from OPEC nations which may result in more volatile oil prices. Income Trusts. Income trusts in which the Trust invests are generally equity investments and thus share many of the risks inherent in investing in equity securities, and are also subject to the risks specific to the energy sector described above. In many circumstances, the income trusts in which the Trust invests have limited operating histories. The value of income trusts in which the Trust invests may be influenced by factors that are not within the Trust's control, including the financial performance of the respective issuers, interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices (which will vary and are determined by supply and demand factors, including weather and general economic and political conditions), the hedging policies employed by such issuers, issues relating to the regulation of the energy industry and operational risks relating to the energy industry. Income trusts are also subject to the following risks: - Lack of diversification. The income trusts in which the Trust invests tend to be heavily invested in real estate, oil and gas, pipelines and other infrastructure. - Potential sacrifice of growth. Potential growth may be sacrificed because revenue is passed on to unit holders, rather than reinvested in the business. - No guarantees. Income trusts generally do not guarantee minimum distributions or even return of capital. If the assets underlying an income trust do not perform as expected, the income trust may reduce or Page 10 even eliminate distributions. The declaration of such distributions generally depends upon various factors, including the operating performance and financial condition of the income trust and general economic conditions. - Potential for tax recharacterization or changes. The current Canadian tax treatment of certain income trusts not treated as corporations that allows income to flow through to investors and be taxed only at the individual level could be challenged under existing Canadian tax laws, or such tax laws could change. Conversely, there may be a risk of recharacterization to such flow-through treatment for U.S. tax purposes. On October 31, 2006, the Canadian Minister of Finance announced that the Canadian government will propose the introduction of a tax on distributions paid by income trusts. For income trusts that become publicly traded after October 31, 2006, the proposed distribution tax will apply in 2007. For already existing income trusts, which includes all of the income trusts in the Trust's portfolio, the proposed distribution tax will apply in 2011. The proposed distribution tax could have a material impact on the current market value of all income trusts, and consequently, could impact the value of Units of the Trust. Legislation/Litigation. From time to time, various legislative initiatives are proposed in the United States and abroad which may have a negative impact on certain companies represented in the Trust. In addition, litigation regarding any of the issuers of the Securities, or any of the industries represented by these issuers, may negatively impact the share prices of these Securities. We cannot predict what impact any pending or proposed legislation or pending or threatened litigation will have on the share prices of the Securities. Foreign Stocks. All of the Common Stocks and certain of the securities included in the Closed-End Funds in the Trust are issued by foreign companies, which makes the Trust subject to more risks than if it invested solely in domestic common stocks. These Securities are either directly listed on a U.S. securities exchange or are in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") which are listed on a U.S. securities exchange. Risks of foreign common stocks include higher brokerage costs; different accounting standards; expropriation, nationalization or other adverse political or economic developments; currency devaluations, blockages or transfer restrictions; restrictions on foreign investments and exchange of securities; inadequate financial information; lack of liquidity of certain foreign markets; and less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers, and issuers in foreign countries. Canada. Because a majority of the Securities in the Trust are issued by companies headquartered, or with a significant presence, in Canada, the Trust is also considered to be concentrated in Canada. A portfolio concentrated in a single country or geographic region may present more risks than a portfolio broadly diversified over several regions. The impact on the Trust's net asset value of specific risks relating to investment in non-U.S. issuers, such as political, regulatory, interest rate, currency and inflation, may be magnified due to the concentration of the Trust's investments in a particular country. The Canadian and U.S. economies are closely integrated. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner and foreign investor. Canada is a major producer of forest products, metals, agricultural products and energy-related products, such as oil, gas and hydroelectricity. The Canadian economy is very dependent on the demand for, and supply and price of, natural resources, and the Canadian market is relatively concentrated in issuers involved in the production and distribution of natural resources. Continued demands by the Province of Quebec for sovereignty could significantly affect the Canadian market, particularly if such demands are met. A small number of industries, including the materials industry, represent a large portion of the Canadian market. Common Stocks Descriptions Advantage Energy Income Fund, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a royalty trust that acquires, develops, produces and sells natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids for the generation of monthly cash distributions to unit holders. Baytex Energy Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is an investment trust with oil and natural gas producing properties in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, Canada. Canetic Resources Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Enerplus Resources Fund, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a conventional oil and natural gas income fund. The company owns a large, diversified portfolio of income generating crude oil and natural gas properties. Enerplus invests in mature crude oil and natural gas producing properties located primarily in western Canada with predictable production profiles, long reserve life indices, and high cash netbacks. Harvest Energy Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is an oil and natural gas royalty trust focused on acquiring high-quality, Page 11 mature properties. Their technical and operations team is focused on `maximizing the value of every barrel', with the ultimate goal of providing a significant rate of return to unit holders in the form of monthly distributions and capital appreciation. Penn West Energy Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, produces oil and natural gas. The company is also involved with exploration, development, and operating activities focused in western Canada. Precision Drilling Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is an integrated oilfield drilling and energy service company with operations worldwide. PrimeWest Energy Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is an open-end investment trust. The trust issues trust units to the public and uses the funds to purchase a royalty from PrimeWest Energy Inc. The royalty entitles the trust to 99% of the net cash flow from oil and gas properties currently owned or subsequently acquired by PrimeWest. Provident Energy Trust, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is an oil and gas trust that acquires, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. The trust makes monthly cash distributions to its unit holders. We have obtained the foregoing descriptions from sources we deem reliable. We have not independently verified the provided information either in terms of accuracy or completeness. Public Offering The Public Offering Price. You may buy Units at the Public Offering Price, the price per Unit of which is comprised of the following: - The aggregate underlying value of the Securities; - The amount of any cash in the Income and Capital Accounts; - Dividends receivable on Securities; and - The maximum sales charge (which combines an initial upfront sales charge, a deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee). The price you pay for your Units will differ from the amount stated under "Summary of Essential Information" due to various factors, including fluctuations in the prices of the Securities and changes in the value of the Income and/or Capital Accounts. Although you are not required to pay for your Units until three business days following your order (the "date of settlement"), you may pay before then. You will become the owner of Units ("Record Owner") on the date of settlement if payment has been received. If you pay for your Units before the date of settlement, we may use your payment during this time and it may be considered a benefit to us, subject to the limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Organization Costs. Securities purchased with the portion of the Public Offering Price intended to be used to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's organization costs (including costs of preparing the registration statement, the Indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and states, the initial audit of the Trust's statement of net assets, legal fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee) will be purchased in the same proportionate relationship as all the Securities contained in the Trust. Securities will be sold to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's organization costs at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period (a significantly shorter time period than the life of the Trust). During the period ending with the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period, there may be a decrease in the value of the Securities. To the extent the proceeds from the sale of these Securities are insufficient to repay the Sponsor for Trust organization costs, the Trustee will sell additional Securities to allow the Trust to fully reimburse the Sponsor. In that event, the net asset value per Unit will be reduced by the amount of additional Securities sold. Although the dollar amount of the reimbursement due to the Sponsor will remain fixed and will never exceed the per Unit amount set forth for the Trust in "Notes to Statement of Net Assets," this will result in a greater effective cost per Unit to Unit holders for the reimbursement to the Sponsor. To the extent actual organization costs are less than the estimated amount, only the actual organization costs will ultimately be charged to the Trust. When Securities are sold to reimburse the Sponsor for organization costs, the Trustee will sell Securities, to the extent practicable, which will maintain the same proportionate relationship among the Securities contained in the Trust as existed prior to such sale. Minimum Purchase. The minimum amount you can purchase of the Trust is $1,000 worth of Units ($500 if you are purchasing Units for your Individual Retirement Account or any other qualified retirement plan). Maximum Sales Charge. The maximum sales charge is comprised of a transactional sales charge and a creation and development fee. After the initial offering period, Page 12 the maximum sales charge will be reduced by 0.50%, to reflect the amount of the previously charged creation and development fee. Transactional Sales Charge. The transactional sales charge you will pay has both an initial and a deferred component. Initial Sales Charge. The initial sales charge, which you will pay at the time of purchase, is equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge of 3.95% of the Public Offering Price and the sum of the maximum remaining deferred sales charge and creation and development fee (initially $.295 per Unit). This initial sales charge is initially equal to approximately 1.00% of the Public Offering Price of a Unit, but will vary from 1.00% depending on the purchase price of your Units and as deferred sales charge and creation and development fee payments are made. When the Public Offering Price per Unit exceeds $10.00, the initial sales charge will exceed 1.00% of the Public Offering Price. Monthly Deferred Sales Charge. In addition, three monthly deferred sales charge payments of approximately $.0817 per Unit will be deducted from the Trust's assets on approximately the twentieth day of each month from May 18, 2007 through July 20, 2007. If you buy Units at a price of less than $10.00 per Unit, the dollar amount of the deferred sales charge will not change, but the deferred sales charge on a percentage basis will be more than 2.45% of the Public Offering Price. If you purchase Units after the last deferred sales charge payment has been assessed, your transactional sales charge will consist of a one- time initial sales charge of 3.45% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (equivalent to 3.573% of the net amount invested). The transactional sales charge will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% on each subsequent November 30, commencing November 30, 2007, to a minimum transactional sales charge of 3.0%. Creation and Development Fee. As Sponsor, we will also receive, and the Unit holders will pay, a creation and development fee. See "Expenses and Charges" for a description of the services provided for this fee. The creation and development fee is a charge of $.050 per Unit collected at the end of the initial offering period. If you buy Units at a price of less than $10.00 per Unit, the dollar amount of the creation and development fee will not change, but the creation and development fee on a percentage basis will be more than 0.50% of the Public Offering Price. Discounts for Certain Persons. If you invest at least $50,000 (except if you are purchasing for "Fee Accounts" as described below), the maximum sales charge is reduced, as follows: Your maximum Dealer If you invest sales charge concession (in thousands):* will be: will be: ______________ ____________ ____________ $50 but less than $100 3.70% 2.90% $100 but less than $250 3.45% 2.65% $250 but less than $500 3.10% 2.35% $500 but less than $1,000 2.95% 2.25% $1,000 or more 2.45% 1.80% * The breakpoints will be adjusted to take into consideration purchase orders stated in dollars which cannot be completely fulfilled due to the requirement that only whole Units be issued. The reduced sales charge for quantity purchases will apply only to purchases made by the same person on any one day from any one dealer. To help you reach the above levels, you can combine the Units you purchase of the Trust with any other same day purchases of other trusts for which we are Principal Underwriter and are currently in the initial offering period. In addition, we will also consider Units you purchase in the name of your spouse or child under 21 years of age to be purchases by you. The reduced sales charges will also apply to a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing Units for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account. You must inform your dealer of any combined purchases before the sale in order to be eligible for the reduced sales charge. You may use termination proceeds from other unit investment trusts with a similar strategy as the Trust or your redemption or termination proceeds from any unit investment trust we sponsor to purchase Units of the Trust during the initial offering period at the Public Offering Price less 1.00% (for purchases of $1,000,000 or more, the maximum sales charge will be limited to 2.45% of the Public Offering Price), but you will not be eligible to receive the reduced sales charges described in the above table. Please note that if you purchase Units of the Trust in this manner using redemption proceeds from trusts which assess the amount of any remaining deferred sales charge at redemption, you should be aware that any deferred sales charge remaining on these units will be deducted from those redemption proceeds. In order to be eligible for this reduced sales charge program, the termination or redemption proceeds used to purchase Units must be derived from a transaction that occurred within 30 days of your Unit purchase. In addition, this program will only be available for investors that utilize the same broker/dealer Page 13 (or a different broker/dealer with appropriate notification) for both the Unit purchase and the transaction resulting in the receipt of the termination or redemption proceeds used for the Unit purchase. You may be required to provide appropriate documentation or other information to your broker/dealer to evidence your eligibility for this reduced sales charge program. Investors purchasing Units through registered broker/dealers who charge periodic fees in lieu of commissions or who charge for financial planning, investment advisory or asset management services or provide these or comparable services as part of an investment account where a comprehensive "wrap fee" or similar charge is imposed ("Fee Accounts") will not be assessed any portion of the transactional sales charge described in this section on the purchase of Units in the primary market. Certain Fee Accounts Unit holders may be assessed transaction or other account fees on the purchase and/or redemption of such Units by their broker/dealer or other processing organizations for providing certain transaction or account activities. Fee Accounts Units are not available for purchase in the secondary market. We reserve the right to limit or deny purchases of Units not subject to the transactional sales charge by investors whose frequent trading activity we determine to be detrimental to the Trust. Employees, officers and directors (and immediate family members) of the Sponsor, our related companies and dealers may purchase Units at the Public Offering Price less the applicable dealer concession. Immediate family members include spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the benefit of such persons. The Sponsor and certain dealers may establish a schedule where employees, officers and directors of such dealers can purchase Units of the Trust at the Public Offering Price less the established schedule amount, which is designed to compensate such dealers for activities relating to the sale of Units (the "Employee Dealer Concession"). You will be charged the deferred sales charge per Unit regardless of any discounts. However, if you are eligible to receive a discount such that the maximum sales charge you must pay is less than the applicable maximum deferred sales charge, including Fee Accounts Units, you will be credited the difference between your maximum sales charge and the maximum deferred sales charge at the time you buy your Units. If you elect to have distributions reinvested into additional Units of the Trust, in addition to the reinvestment Units you receive you will also be credited additional Units with a dollar value at the time of reinvestment sufficient to cover the amount of any remaining deferred sales charge to be collected on such reinvestment Units. The dollar value of these additional credited Units (as with all Units) will fluctuate over time, and may be less on the dates deferred sales charges are collected than their value at the time they were issued. The Value of the Securities. The Evaluator will determine the aggregate underlying value of the Securities in the Trust as of the Evaluation Time on each business day and will adjust the Public Offering Price of the Units according to this valuation. This Public Offering Price will be effective for all orders received before the Evaluation Time on each such day. If we or the Trustee receive orders for purchases, sales or redemptions after that time, or on a day which is not a business day, they will be held until the next determination of price. The term "business day" as used in this prospectus will exclude Saturdays, Sundays and certain national holidays on which the NYSE is closed. The aggregate underlying value of the Securities in the Trust will be determined as follows: if the Securities are listed on a securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, their value is generally based on the closing sale prices on that exchange or system (unless it is determined that these prices are not appropriate as a basis for valuation, as may be the case with certain foreign Securities listed on a foreign securities exchange). For purposes of valuing Securities traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, closing sale price shall mean the Nasdaq Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as determined by Nasdaq. However, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange or system, they are valued based on the closing ask prices. If the Securities are not so listed, or, if so listed and the principal market for them is other than on that exchange or system, their value will generally be based on the current ask prices on the over-the-counter market (unless it is determined that these prices are not appropriate as a basis for valuation). If current ask prices are unavailable or, if available but determined by the Evaluator to not be appropriate, the valuation is generally determined: a) On the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities; b) By appraising the value of the Securities on the ask side of the market; or c) By any combination of the above. Page 14 After the initial offering period is over, the aggregate underlying value of the Securities will be determined as set forth above, except that bid prices are used instead of ask prices when necessary. Distribution of Units We intend to qualify Units of the Trust for sale in a number of states. All Units will be sold at the current Public Offering Price. The Sponsor compensates intermediaries, such as broker/dealers and banks, for their activities that are intended to result in sales of Units of the Trust. This compensation includes dealer concessions described in the following section and may include additional concessions and other compensation and benefits to broker/dealers and other intermediaries. Dealer Concessions. Dealers and other selling agents can purchase Units at prices which reflect a concession or agency commission of 3.15% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (or 65% of the maximum transactional sales charge for secondary market sales), subject to the reduced concession applicable to volume purchases as set forth in "Public Offering- Discounts for Certain Persons." However, for Units subject to a transactional sales charge which are purchased using redemption or termination proceeds, this amount will be reduced to 2.15% of the sales price of these Units (1.80% for purchases of $1,000,000 or more). Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents who, during the previous consecutive 12-month period through the end of the most recent month, sold primary market units of unit investment trusts sponsored by us in the dollar amounts shown below will be entitled to the following additional sales concession on primary market sales during the current month of units of unit investment trusts sponsored by us and which were deposited on June 30, 2006 or later: Total sales Additional (in millions) Concession _____________________ ___________ $25 but less than $100 0.050% $100 but less than $150 0.075% $150 but less than $250 0.100% $250 but less than $500 0.115% $500 or more 0.125% Dealers and other selling agents will not receive a concession on the sale of Units which are not subject to a transactional sales charge, but such Units will be included in determining whether the above volume sales levels are met. Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents include clearing firms that place orders with First Trust and provide First Trust with information with respect to the representatives who initiated such transactions. Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents will not include firms that solely provide clearing services to other broker/dealer firms or firms who place orders through clearing firms that are eligible dealers. We reserve the right to change the amount of concessions or agency commissions from time to time. Certain commercial banks may be making Units of the Trust available to their customers on an agency basis. A portion of the transactional sales charge paid by these customers is kept by or given to the banks in the amounts shown above. Other Compensation and Benefits to Broker/Dealers. The Sponsor, at its own expense and out of its own profits, currently provides additional compensation and benefits to broker/dealers who sell shares of Units of this Trust and other First Trust products. This compensation is intended to result in additional sales of First Trust products and/or compensate broker/dealers and financial advisors for past sales. A number of factors are considered in determining whether to pay these additional amounts. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, the level or type of services provided by the intermediary, the level or expected level of sales of First Trust products by the intermediary or its agents, the placing of First Trust products on a preferred or recommended product list, access to an intermediary's personnel, and other factors. The Sponsor makes these payments for marketing, promotional or related expenses, including, but not limited to, expenses of entertaining retail customers and financial advisers, advertising, sponsorship of events or seminars, obtaining information about the breakdown of unit sales among an intermediary's representatives or offices, obtaining shelf space in broker/dealer firms and similar activities designed to promote the sale of the Sponsor's products. The Sponsor makes such payments to a substantial majority of intermediaries that sell First Trust products. The Sponsor may also make certain payments to, or on behalf of, intermediaries to defray a portion of their costs incurred for the purpose of facilitating Unit sales, such as the costs of developing or purchasing trading systems to process Unit trades. Payments of such additional compensation described in this and the preceding paragraph, some of which may be characterized as "revenue sharing," may create an incentive for financial intermediaries and their agents to sell or recommend a First Trust product, including the Trust, Page 15 over products offered by other sponsors or fund companies. These arrangements will not change the price you pay for your Units. Advertising and Investment Comparisons. Advertising materials regarding the Trust may discuss several topics, including: developing a long-term financial plan; working with your financial professional; the nature and risks of various investment strategies and unit investment trusts that could help you reach your financial goals; the importance of discipline; how the Trust operates; how securities are selected; various unit investment trust features such as convenience and costs; and options available for certain types of unit investment trusts. These materials may include descriptions of the principal businesses of the companies represented in the Trust, research analysis of why they were selected and information relating to the qualifications of the persons or entities providing the research analysis. In addition, they may include research opinions on the economy and industry sectors included and a list of investment products generally appropriate for pursuing those recommendations. From time to time we may compare the estimated returns of the Trust (which may show performance net of the expenses and charges the Trust would have incurred) and returns over specified periods of other similar trusts we sponsor in our advertising and sales materials, with (1) returns on other taxable investments such as the common stocks comprising various market indexes, corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts or funds, (2) performance data from Morningstar Publications, Inc. or (3) information from publications such as Money, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek, Forbes or Fortune. The investment characteristics of the Trust differ from other comparative investments. You should not assume that these performance comparisons will be representative of the Trust's future performance. We may also, from time to time, use advertising which classifies trusts or portfolio securities according to capitalization and/or investment style. The Sponsor's Profits We will receive a gross sales commission equal to the maximum transactional sales charge per Unit of the Trust less any reduction as stated in "Public Offering." We will also receive the amount of any collected creation and development fee. Also, any difference between our cost to purchase the Securities and the price at which we sell them to the Trust is considered a profit or loss (see Note 2 of "Schedule of Investments"). During the initial offering period, dealers and others may also realize profits or sustain losses as a result of fluctuations in the Public Offering Price they receive when they sell the Units. In maintaining a market for Units, any difference between the price at which we purchase Units and the price at which we sell or redeem them will be a profit or loss to us. The Secondary Market Although not obligated, we intend to maintain a market for the Units after the initial offering period and continuously offer to purchase Units at prices based on the Redemption Price per Unit. We will pay all expenses to maintain a secondary market, except the Evaluator fees and Trustee costs to transfer and record the ownership of Units. We may discontinue purchases of Units at any time. IF YOU WISH TO DISPOSE OF YOUR UNITS, YOU SHOULD ASK US FOR THE CURRENT MARKET PRICES BEFORE MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. If you sell or redeem your Units before you have paid the total deferred sales charge on your Units, you will have to pay the remainder at that time. How We Purchase Units The Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) will notify us of any tender of Units for redemption. If our bid is equal to or greater than the Redemption Price per Unit, we may purchase the Units. You will receive your proceeds from the sale no later than if they were redeemed by the Trustee. We may tender Units we hold to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units. If we elect not to purchase Units, the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) may sell tendered Units in the over-the-counter market, if any. However, the amount you will receive is the same as you would have received on redemption of the Units. Expenses and Charges The estimated annual expenses of the Trust are listed under "Fee Table." If actual expenses of the Trust exceed the estimate, the Trust will bear the excess. The Trustee will pay operating expenses of the Trust from the Income Account of the Trust if funds are available, and then from the Capital Account. The Income and Capital Accounts are noninterest- Page 16 bearing to Unit holders, so the Trustee may earn interest on these funds, thus benefiting from their use. In addition, investors will also indirectly pay a portion of the expenses of the underlying Closed-End Funds. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of ours, acts as Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator and will be compensated for providing portfolio supervisory services and evaluation services as well as bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Trust. In providing portfolio supervisory services, the Portfolio Supervisor may purchase research services from a number of sources, which may include underwriters or dealers of the Trust. In addition, the Portfolio Supervisor may, at its own expense, employ one or more sub-Portfolio Supervisors to assist in providing services to the Trust. The Portfolio Supervisor has employed Stonebridge Advisors, LLC ("Stonebridge"), an affiliate of the Sponsor, as sub-Portfolio Supervisor. Stonebridge, based in Wilton, Connecticut, specializes in the management of preferred securities and fixed income investments. As Sponsor, we will receive brokerage fees when the Trust uses us (or an affiliate of ours) as agent in buying or selling Securities. FTP Services LLC, an affiliate of ours, acts as Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent to the Trust with respect to the Trust's Fund/SERV Eligible Units. Fund/SERV Eligible Units are Units which are purchased and sold through the Fund/SERV trading system or on a manual basis through FTP Services LLC. In all other respects, Fund/SERV Eligible Units are identical to other Units. FTP Services LLC will be compensated for providing shareholder services to the Fund/SERV Eligible Units. The fees payable to First Trust Advisors L.P., FTP Services LLC and the Trustee are based on the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any time during the calendar year, except during the initial offering period, in which case these fees are calculated based on the largest number of Units outstanding during the period for which compensation is paid. These fees may be adjusted for inflation without Unit holders' approval, but in no case will the annual fee paid to us or our affiliates for providing services to all unit investment trusts be more than the actual cost of providing such services in such year. As Sponsor, we will receive a fee from the Trust for creating and developing the Trust, including determining the Trust's objectives, policies, composition and size, selecting service providers and information services and for providing other similar administrative and ministerial functions. The "creation and development fee" is a charge of $.050 per Unit outstanding at the end of the initial offering period. The Trustee will deduct this amount from the Trust's assets as of the close of the initial offering period. We do not use this fee to pay distribution expenses or as compensation for sales efforts. This fee will not be deducted from your proceeds if you sell or redeem your Units before the end of the initial offering period. In addition to the Trust's operating expenses, and the fees described above, the Trust may also incur the following charges: - All legal expenses of the Trustee according to its responsibilities under the Indenture; - The expenses and costs incurred by the Trustee to protect the Trust and your rights and interests; - Fees for any extraordinary services the Trustee performed under the Indenture; - Payment for any loss, liability or expense the Trustee incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, in connection with its acceptance or administration of the Trust; - Payment for any loss, liability or expenses we incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of the Trust; - Foreign custodial and transaction fees, if any; and/or - All taxes and other government charges imposed upon the Securities or any part of the Trust. The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee are secured by a lien on the Trust. Since the Securities are all Common Stocks and Closed-End Funds and dividend income is unpredictable, we cannot guarantee that dividends will be sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. If there is not enough cash in the Income or Capital Account, the Trustee has the power to sell Securities to make cash available to pay these charges which may result in capital gains or losses to you. See "Tax Status." Tax Status Federal Tax Matters. This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning Units of the Trust. This section is current as of the date of this prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you are a corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker/dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state, local or foreign tax consequences. Page 17 This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice and opinion of counsel to the Sponsor. The Internal Revenue Service could disagree with any conclusions set forth in this section. In addition, our counsel was not asked to review, and has not reached a conclusion with respect to the federal income tax treatment of the assets to be deposited in the Trust. This may not be sufficient for you to use for the purpose of avoiding penalties under federal tax law. As with any investment, you should seek advice based on your individual circumstances from your own tax advisor. Assets of the Trust. The Trust is expected to hold one or more of the following (i) stock in domestic and foreign corporations (the "Stocks") that are treated as equity for federal income tax purposes and (ii) shares of Closed-End Funds (the "RIC Shares") qualifying as regulated investment companies ("RICs") for federal income tax purposes. It is possible that the Trust will also hold other assets, including assets that are treated differently for federal income tax purposes from those described above, in which case you will have federal income tax consequences different from or in addition to those described in this section. All of the assets held by the Trust constitute the "Trust Assets." Neither our counsel nor we have analyzed the proper federal income tax treatment of the Trust Assets and thus neither our counsel nor we have reached a conclusion regarding the federal income tax treatment of the Trust Assets. Trust Status. If the Trust is at all times operated in accordance with the documents establishing the Trust and certain requirements of federal income tax law are met, the Trust will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As a Unit owner, you will be treated as the owner of a pro rata portion of each of the Trust Assets, and as such you will be considered to have received a pro rata share of income (e.g., dividends and capital gains, if any) from each Trust Asset when such income would be considered to be received by you if you directly owned the Trust Assets. This is true even if you elect to have your distributions reinvested into additional Units. In addition, the income from Trust Assets that you must take into account for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts used to pay sales charges or Trust expenses. Your Tax Basis and Income or Loss upon Disposition. If the Trust disposes of Trust Assets, you will generally recognize gain or loss. If you dispose of your Units or redeem your Units for cash, you will also generally recognize gain or loss. To determine the amount of this gain or loss, you must subtract your tax basis in the related Trust Assets from your share of the total amount received in the transaction. You can generally determine your initial tax basis in each Trust Asset by apportioning the cost of your Units, including sales charges, among the Trust Assets ratably according to their values on the date you acquire your Units. In certain circumstances, however, you may have to adjust your tax basis after you acquire your Units (for example, in the case of certain dividends that exceed a corporation's accumulated earnings and profits, as discussed below). If you are an individual, the maximum marginal federal tax rate for net capital gain is generally 15% (generally 5% for certain taxpayers in the 10% and 15% tax brackets). These capital gains rates are generally effective for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus net short-term capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more than one year and is short-term if the holding period for the asset is one year or less. You must exclude the date you purchase your Units to determine your holding period. The tax rates for capital gains realized from assets held for one year or less are generally the same as for ordinary income. The Internal Revenue Code, however, treats certain capital gains as ordinary income in special situations. Dividends from Stocks. Certain dividends received with respect to the Stocks may qualify to be taxed at the same rates that apply to net capital gain (as discussed above), provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. These special rules relating to the taxation of dividends at capital gains rates generally apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. Other distributions with respect to the Stocks may exceed the corporation's accumulated earnings and profits. Generally, such distributions are treated as a return of capital and are not currently taxed to you. However, the amount of these distributions will reduce your tax basis with respect to the Stocks, which will result in an increase in your capital gain or a reduction in your capital loss when the Stock is disposed of or when you dispose of or redeem your Units. Dividends from RIC Shares. Some dividends on the RIC Shares may be designated as "capital gain dividends," generally taxable to you as long-term capital gains. Other Page 18 dividends on the RIC Shares will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income. Certain ordinary income dividends from a RIC may qualify to be taxed at the same rates that apply to net capital gain (as discussed above), provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied and provided the dividends are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the RIC itself. These special rules relating to the taxation of ordinary income dividends from regulated investment companies generally apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. Regulated investment companies are required to provide notice to their shareholders of the amount of any distribution that may be taken into account as a dividend that is eligible for the capital gains tax rates. A RIC may also make a distribution that exceeds its accumulated earnings and profits and thus will generally be treated as a return of capital to you. Such distributions will reduce your tax basis with respect to the RICs. If you hold a Unit for six months or less or if the Trust holds a RIC Share for six months or less, any loss incurred by you related to the disposition of such RIC Share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed to have been received) with respect to such RIC Share. Distributions of income or capital gains declared on the RIC Shares in October, November or December will be deemed to have been paid to you on December 31 of the year they are declared, even when paid by the RIC during the following January. Dividends Received Deduction. A corporation that owns Units generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to certain dividends received by the Trust, because the dividends received deduction is generally not available for dividends from most foreign corporations or from RICs. However, certain dividends on the RIC Shares that are attributable to dividends received by the RIC from certain domestic corporations may be designated by the RIC as being eligible for the dividends received deduction. In-Kind Distributions. Under certain circumstances as described in this prospectus, you may request an In-Kind Distribution of Trust Assets when you redeem your Units or at the Trust's termination. By electing to receive an In-Kind Distribution, you will receive Trust Assets plus, possibly, cash. You will not recognize gain or loss if you only receive whole Trust Assets in exchange for the identical amount of your pro rata portion of the same Trust Assets held by the Trust. However, if you also receive cash in exchange for a Trust Asset or a fractional portion of a Trust Asset, you will generally recognize gain or loss based on the difference between the amount of cash you receive and your tax basis in such Trust Asset or fractional portion. Limitations on the Deductibility of Trust Expenses. Generally, for federal income tax purposes, you must take into account your full pro rata share of the Trust's income, even if some of that income is used to pay Trust expenses. You may deduct your pro rata share of each expense paid by the Trust to the same extent as if you directly paid the expense. You may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions. Individuals may only deduct certain miscellaneous itemized deductions to the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. Foreign, State and Local Taxes. Distributions by the Trust that are treated as U.S. source income (e.g., dividends received on Stocks of domestic corporations) will generally be subject to U.S. income taxation and withholding in the case of Units held by nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations or other non- U.S. persons, subject to any applicable treaty. If you are a foreign investor (i.e., an investor other than a U.S. citizen or resident or a U.S. corporation, partnership, estate or trust), you may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes, on some of the income from the Trust or on any gain from the sale or redemption of your Units, provided that certain conditions are met. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the conditions you must meet in order to be exempt for U.S. tax purposes. You should also consult your tax advisor with respect to other U.S. tax withholding and reporting requirements. Some distributions by the Trust may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Any income withheld will still be treated as income to you. Under the grantor trust rules, you are considered to have paid directly your share of any foreign taxes that are paid. Therefore, for U.S. tax purposes, you may be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for those foreign taxes. Under certain circumstances, a RIC may elect to pass through to its shareholders certain foreign taxes paid by the RIC. If the RIC makes this election with respect to RIC Shares, you must include in your income for federal income tax purposes your portion of such taxes and you may be entitled to a credit or deduction for such taxes. Based on the advice of Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, special counsel to the Trust for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax laws Page 19 of the State and City of New York, assuming that the Trust is not treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, it will not be taxed as a corporation for New York State and New York City tax purposes, and the income of the Trust will be treated as the income of the Unit holders in the same manner as for federal income tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor regarding potential foreign, state or local taxation with respect to your Units. Retirement Plans You may purchase Units of the Trust for: - Individual Retirement Accounts; - Keogh Plans; - Pension funds; and - Other tax-deferred retirement plans. Generally, the federal income tax on capital gains and income received in each of the above plans is deferred until you receive distributions. These distributions are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases, be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Before participating in a plan like this, you should review the tax laws regarding these plans and consult your attorney or tax advisor. Brokerage firms and other financial institutions offer these plans with varying fees and charges. Rights of Unit Holders Unit Ownership. The Trustee will treat as Record Owner of Units persons registered as such on its books. The Trustee will treat the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent as sole Record Owner of Fund/SERV Eligible Units on its books. The Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent will keep a record of all individual Fund/SERV Eligible Unit holders on its books. It is your responsibility to notify the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) when you become Record Owner, but normally your broker/dealer provides this notice. You may elect to hold your Units in either certificated or uncertificated form. All Fee Accounts Units and Fund/SERV Eligible Units, however, will be held in uncertificated form. Certificated Units. When you purchase your Units you can request that they be evidenced by certificates, which will be delivered shortly after your order. Certificates will be issued in fully registered form, transferable only on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one Unit or any multiple thereof. You can transfer or redeem your certificated Units by endorsing and surrendering the certificate to the Trustee, along with a written instrument of transfer. You must sign your name exactly as it appears on the face of the certificate with your signature guaranteed by an eligible institution. In certain cases the Trustee may require additional documentation before they will transfer or redeem your Units. You may be required to pay a nominal fee to the Trustee for each certificate reissued or transferred, and to pay any government charge that may be imposed for each transfer or exchange. If a certificate gets lost, stolen or destroyed, you may be required to furnish indemnity to the Trustee to receive replacement certificates. You must surrender mutilated certificates to the Trustee for replacement. Uncertificated Units. You may also choose to hold your Units in uncertificated form. If you choose this option, the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) will establish an account for you and credit your account with the number of Units you purchase. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer of Units held in uncertificated form, the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) will send you: - A written initial transaction statement containing a description of your Trust; - The number of Units issued or transferred; - Your name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN"); - A notation of any liens or restrictions of the issuer and any adverse claims; and - The date the transfer was registered. Uncertificated Units may be transferred the same way as certificated Units, except that no certificate needs to be presented to the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units). Also, no certificate will be issued when the transfer takes place unless you request it. You may at any time request that the Trustee issue certificates for your Units. Unit Holder Reports. In connection with each distribution, the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) will provide you with a statement detailing the per Unit amount of income (if any) distributed. After the end of each calendar year, the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) will provide you: Page 20 - A summary of transactions in the Trust for the year; - A list of any Securities sold during the year and the Securities held at the end of that year by the Trust; - The Redemption Price per Unit, computed on the 31st day of December of such year (or the last business day before); and - Amounts of income and capital distributed during the year. You may request from the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) copies of the evaluations of the Securities as prepared by the Evaluator to enable you to comply with federal and state tax reporting requirements. Income and Capital Distributions You will begin receiving distributions on your Units only after you become a Record Owner. The Trustee will credit dividends received on the Trust's Securities to the Income Account. All other receipts, such as return of capital, are credited to the Capital Account. Dividends received on foreign Securities, if any, are converted into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate. The Trustee will distribute money from the Income and Capital Accounts monthly on the last day of each month to Unit holders on the fifteenth day of such month provided the aggregate amount available for distribution equals at least 0.1% of the net asset value of the Trust. Undistributed money in the Income and Capital Accounts will be distributed in the next month in which the aggregate amount available for distribution equals or exceeds 0.1% of the net asset value of the Trust. In any case, the Trustee will distribute funds in the Income and Capital Accounts in December of each year. See "Summary of Essential Information." No income distribution will be paid if accrued expenses of the Trust exceed amounts in the Income Account on the Distribution Dates. Distribution amounts will vary with changes in the Trust's fees and expenses, in dividends received and with the sale of Securities. The Trustee will not distribute amounts in the Capital Account designated to meet redemptions, pay the deferred sales charge or pay expenses. If the Trustee does not have your TIN, it is required to withhold a certain percentage of your distribution and deliver such amount to the IRS. You may recover this amount by giving your TIN to the Trustee, or when you file a tax return. However, you should check your statements to make sure the Trustee has your TIN to avoid this "back-up withholding." We anticipate that there will be enough money in the Capital Account to pay the deferred sales charge. If not, the Trustee may sell Securities to meet the shortfall. Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, you will receive a pro rata share of the money from the sale of the Securities. However, if you are eligible, you may elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution as described under "Amending or Terminating the Indenture." All Unit holders will receive a pro rata share of any other assets remaining in the Trust after deducting any unpaid expenses. The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the Trust to cover anticipated state and local taxes or any governmental charges to be paid out of the Trust. Distribution Reinvestment Option. You may elect to have each distribution of income and/or capital reinvested into additional Units of the Trust by notifying the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) at least 10 days before any Record Date. Each later distribution of income and/or capital on your Units will be reinvested by the Trustee into additional Units of the Trust. There is no transactional sales charge on Units acquired through the Distribution Reinvestment Option, as discussed under "Public Offering." This option may not be available in all states. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF YOU REINVEST DISTRIBUTIONS, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES. Redeeming Your Units You may redeem all or a portion of your Units at any time by sending the certificates representing the Units you want to redeem to the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) at the respective address set forth on the back cover of this prospectus. If your Units are uncertificated, you need only deliver a request for redemption to the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units). In either case, the certificates or the redemption request must be properly endorsed with proper instruments of transfer and signature guarantees as explained in "Rights of Unit Holders-Unit Ownership" (or by providing satisfactory indemnity if the certificates were lost, stolen, or destroyed). No redemption fee will be charged, but you are responsible for any governmental charges that apply. Certain broker/dealers may charge a transaction fee for processing redemption requests. Units redeemed directly through the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) are not subject to such transaction fees. Three business days after the day you tender your Units (the "Date of Tender") you will receive cash in an amount for Page 21 each Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit calculated at the Evaluation Time on the Date of Tender. The Date of Tender is considered to be the date on which the Trustee (or the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent in the case of Fund/SERV Eligible Units) receives your certificates or redemption request (if such day is a day the NYSE is open for trading). However, if your certificates or redemption request are received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or after any earlier closing time on a day on which the NYSE is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time), the Date of Tender is the next day the NYSE is open for trading. Any amounts paid on redemption representing income will be withdrawn from the Income Account if funds are available for that purpose, or from the Capital Account. All other amounts paid on redemption will be taken from the Capital Account. The IRS will require the Trustee to withhold a portion of your redemption proceeds if it does not have your TIN, as generally discussed under "Income and Capital Distributions." If you tender at least 2,500 Units, or such other amount as required by your broker/dealer, for redemption, rather than receiving cash, you may elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution in an amount equal to the Redemption Price per Unit by making this request in writing to the Trustee at the time of tender. However, to be eligible to participate in the In-Kind Distribution option at redemption, Fee Accounts Unit holders must hold their Units through the end of the initial offering period. The In-Kind Distribution option is generally not available to Fund/SERV Eligible Unit holders. No In-Kind Distribution requests submitted during the 14 business days prior to the Trust's Mandatory Termination Date will be honored. Where possible, the Trustee will make an In-Kind Distribution by distributing each of the Securities in book-entry form to your bank or broker/dealer account at the Depository Trust Company. The Trustee will subtract any customary transfer and registration charges from your In-Kind Distribution. As a tendering Unit holder, you will receive your pro rata number of whole shares of the Securities that make up the portfolio, and cash from the Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to which you are entitled. The Trustee may sell Securities to make funds available for redemption. If Securities are sold, the size and diversification of the Trust will be reduced. These sales may result in lower prices than if the Securities were sold at a different time. Your right to redeem Units (and therefore, your right to receive payment) may be delayed: - If the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); - If the SEC determines that trading on the NYSE is restricted or that an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the Securities not reasonably practical; or - For any other period permitted by SEC order. The Trustee is not liable to any person for any loss or damage which may result from such a suspension or postponement. The Redemption Price. The Redemption Price per Unit is determined by the Trustee by: adding 1. cash in the Income and Capital Accounts not designated to purchase Securities; 2. the aggregate underlying value of the Securities held in the Trust; and 3. dividends receivable on the Securities trading ex-dividend as of the date of computation; and deducting 1. any applicable taxes or governmental charges that need to be paid out of the Trust; 2. any amounts owed to the Trustee for its advances; 3. estimated accrued expenses of the Trust, if any; 4. cash held for distribution to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the business day before the evaluation being made; 5. liquidation costs for foreign Securities, if any; and 6. other liabilities incurred by the Trust; and dividing 1. the result by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust. Any remaining deferred sales charge on the Units when you redeem them will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. In addition, until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period, the Redemption Price per Unit will include estimated organization costs as set forth under "Fee Table." Removing Securities from the Trust The portfolio of the Trust is not managed. However, we may, but are not required to, direct the Trustee to dispose of a Security in certain limited circumstances, including situations in which: - The issuer of the Security defaults in the payment of a declared dividend; - Any action or proceeding prevents the payment of dividends; Page 22 - There is any legal question or impediment affecting the Security; - The issuer of the Security has breached a covenant which would affect the payment of dividends, the issuer's credit standing, or otherwise damage the sound investment character of the Security; - The issuer has defaulted on the payment of any other of its outstanding obligations; - There has been a public tender offer made for a Security or a merger or acquisition is announced affecting a Security, and that in our opinion the sale or tender of the Security is in the best interest of Unit holders; - The sale of Securities is necessary or advisable in order to maintain the qualification of the Trust as a "regulated investment company" in the case of a Trust which has elected to qualify as such; or - The price of the Security has declined to such an extent, or such other credit factors exist, that in our opinion keeping the Security would be harmful to the Trust. Except in the limited instance in which the Trust acquires Replacement Securities, as described in "The FT Series," the Trust may not acquire any securities or other property other than the Securities. The Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, will reject any offer for new or exchanged securities or property in exchange for a Security, such as those acquired in a merger or other transaction. If such exchanged securities or property are nevertheless acquired by the Trust, at our instruction, they will either be sold or held in the Trust. In making the determination as to whether to sell or hold the exchanged securities or property we may get advice from the Portfolio Supervisor. Any proceeds received from the sale of Securities, exchanged securities or property will be credited to the Capital Account for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemption requests. The Trustee may retain and pay us or an affiliate of ours to act as agent for the Trust to facilitate selling Securities, exchanged securities or property from the Trust. If we or our affiliate act in this capacity, we will be held subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trustee may sell Securities designated by us, or, absent our direction, at its own discretion, in order to meet redemption requests or pay expenses. In designating Securities to be sold, we will try to maintain the proportionate relationship among the Securities. If this is not possible, the composition and diversification of the Trust may be changed. Amending or Terminating the Indenture Amendments. The Indenture may be amended by us and the Trustee without your consent: - To cure ambiguities; - To correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; - To make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or - To make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your best interests (as determined by us and the Trustee). Termination. As provided by the Indenture, the Trust will terminate on the Mandatory Termination Date as stated in the "Summary of Essential Information." The Trust may be terminated earlier: - Upon the consent of 100% of the Unit holders; - If the value of the Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any evaluation is less than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Securities deposited in the Trust during the initial offering period ("Discretionary Liquidation Amount"); or - In the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more than 60% of the Units of such Trust are tendered for redemption by underwriters, including the Sponsor. Prior to termination, the Trustee will send written notice to registered account holders which will specify how certificates, if any, should be tendered to the Trustee. If the Trust is terminated due to this last reason, we will refund your entire transactional sales charge; however, termination of the Trust before the Mandatory Termination Date for any other stated reason will result in all remaining unpaid deferred sales charges on your Units being deducted from your termination proceeds. For various reasons, the Trust may be reduced below the Discretionary Liquidation Amount and could therefore be terminated before the Mandatory Termination Date. Unless terminated earlier, the Trustee will begin to sell Securities in connection with the termination of the Trust during the period beginning nine business days prior to, and no later than, the Mandatory Termination Date. We will determine the manner and timing of the sale of Securities. Because the Trustee must sell the Securities within a relatively short period of time, the sale of Securities as part of the termination process may result in a lower sales price than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not required at this time. Page 23 If you own at least 2,500 Units of the Trust, or such other amount as required by your broker/dealer, the Trustee will send the registered account holders a form at least 30 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date which will enable you to receive an In-Kind Distribution of Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges and subject to any additional restrictions imposed on Fee Accounts Units by "wrap fee" plans) rather than the typical cash distribution. See "Tax Status" for additional information. If you elect the In-Kind Distribution option you will receive your pro rata number of whole shares of the Securities that make up the portfolio, and cash from the Capital Account equal to the value of the fractional shares of Securities to which you are entitled. The In-Kind Distribution option is generally not available to Fund/SERV Eligible Unit holders. You must notify the Trustee at least 15 business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if you elect this In-Kind Distribution option. If you do not elect to participate in the In-Kind Distribution option for eligible Unit holders you will receive a cash distribution from the sale of the remaining Securities, along with your interest in the Income and Capital Accounts, within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. Regardless of the distribution involved, the Trustee will deduct from the Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or indemnities provided for by the Indenture, including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any amounts required as a reserve to pay any taxes or other governmental charges. Information on the Sponsor, Trustee, Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and Evaluator The Sponsor. We, First Trust Portfolios L.P., specialize in the underwriting, trading and wholesale distribution of unit investment trusts under the "First Trust" brand name and other securities. An Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991, we act as Sponsor for successive series of: - The First Trust Combined Series - FT Series (formerly known as The First Trust Special Situations Trust) - The First Trust Insured Corporate Trust - The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds - The First Trust GNMA First Trust introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974. To date we have deposited more than $70 billion in First Trust unit investment trusts. Our employees include a team of professionals with many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry. We are a member of the NASD and Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Our principal offices are at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number (630) 241-4141. As of December 31, 2005, the total consolidated partners' capital of First Trust Portfolios L.P. and subsidiaries was $37,849,711 (audited). This information refers only to us and not to the Trust or to any series of the Trust or to any other dealer. We are including this information only to inform you of our financial responsibility and our ability to carry out our contractual obligations. We will provide more detailed financial information on request. Code of Ethics. The Sponsor and the Trust have adopted a code of ethics requiring the Sponsor's employees who have access to information on Trust transactions to report personal securities transactions. The purpose of the code is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to prevent fraud, deception or misconduct with respect to the Trust. The Trustee. The Trustee is The Bank of New York, a trust company organized under the laws of New York. The Bank of New York has its unit investment trust division offices at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, telephone (800) 813-3074. If you have questions regarding your account or your Trust, please contact the Trustee at its unit investment trust division offices or your financial adviser. The Sponsor does not have access to individual account information. The Bank of New York is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the extent permitted by law. The Trustee has not participated in selecting the Securities; it only provides administrative services. The Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent. The Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent is FTP Services LLC, an Illinois limited liability company formed in 2005 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. If you have questions regarding the Fund/SERV Eligible Units, you may call the Fund/SERV Page 24 Eligible Unit Servicing Agent at (866) 514-7768. The Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent has not participated in selecting the Securities; it only provides administrative services to the Fund/SERV Eligible Units. Limitations of Liabilities of Sponsor, Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and Trustee. Neither we, the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent nor the Trustee will be liable for taking any action or for not taking any action in good faith according to the Indenture. We will also not be accountable for errors in judgment. We will only be liable for our own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary negligence in the Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and Trustee's case) or reckless disregard of our obligations and duties. The Trustee is not liable for any loss or depreciation when the Securities are sold. If we fail to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may do so, and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes in good faith under the Indenture. The Trustee will not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges or interest on the Securities which the Trustee may be required to pay under any present or future law of the United States or of any other taxing authority with jurisdiction. Also, the Indenture states other provisions regarding the liability of the Trustee. If we do not perform any of our duties under the Indenture or are not able to act or become bankrupt, or if our affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may: - Appoint a successor sponsor, paying them a reasonable rate not more than that stated by the SEC; - Terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trust; or - Continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture. The Evaluator. The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The Trustee, Sponsor, Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent and Unit holders may rely on the accuracy of any evaluation prepared by the Evaluator. The Evaluator will make determinations in good faith based upon the best available information, but will not be liable to the Trustee, Sponsor, Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent or Unit holders for errors in judgment. Other Information Legal Opinions. Our counsel is Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, Illinois 60603. They have passed upon the legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters relating to federal tax law. Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP acts as the Trustee's counsel, as well as special New York tax counsel for the Trust. Experts. The Trust's statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, as of the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit included in this prospectus, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein, and is included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. Supplemental Information. If you write or call the Sponsor, you will receive free of charge supplemental information about this Series, which has been filed with the SEC and to which we have referred throughout. This information states more specific details concerning the nature, structure and risks of this product. Page 25 This page is intentionally left blank. Page 26 This page is intentionally left blank. Page 27 First Trust(R) Canadian Energy & Income Select Portfolio, Series 3 FT 1280 Sponsor: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P. 1001 Warrenville Road Lisle, Illinois 60532 1-630-241-4141 Fund/SERV(R) Eligible Unit Servicing Agent: Trustee: FTP Services LLC The Bank of New York 1001 Warrenville Road 101 Barclay Street Lisle, Illinois 60532 New York, New York 10286 1-866-514-7768 1-800-813-3074 24-Hour Pricing Line: 1-800-446-0132 This prospectus contains information relating to the above-mentioned unit investment trust, but does not contain all of the information about this investment company as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. under the: - Securities Act of 1933 (file no. 333-138155) and - Investment Company Act of 1940 (file no. 811-05903) Information about the Trust, and its Code of Ethics, can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information regarding the operation of the Commission's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-942-8090. Information about the Trust is available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. To obtain copies at prescribed rates - Write: Public Reference Section of the Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov November 8, 2006 PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Page 28 First Trust(R) The FT Series Information Supplement This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning the structure, operations and risks of the unit investment trust contained in FT 1280 not found in the prospectus for the Trust. This Information Supplement is not a prospectus and does not include all of the information you should consider before investing in the Trust. This Information Supplement should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Trust in which you are considering investing. This Information Supplement is dated November 8, 2006. Capitalized terms have been defined in the prospectus. Table of Contents Risk Factors Securities 1 Dividends 1 Foreign Issuers 1 Closed-End Funds 2 Concentration Energy Sector 3 Risk Factors Securities. An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the risks which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the Securities or the general condition of the relevant stock market may worsen, and the value of the Securities and therefore the value of the Units may decline. Common stocks are especially susceptible to general stock market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value, as market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises. Both U.S. and foreign markets have experienced substantial volatility and significant declines recently as a result of certain or all of these factors. Dividends. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments from the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks of, such issuers. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or provide the same degree of protection of capital as do debt securities. The issuance of additional debt securities or preferred stock will create prior claims for payment of principal, interest and dividends which could adversely affect the ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or the rights of holders of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. Foreign Issuers. Since certain of the Securities included in the Trust consist of securities of foreign issuers, an investment in the Trust involves certain investment risks that are different in some respects from an investment in a trust which invests entirely in the securities of domestic issuers. These investment risks include future political or governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment or receipt of payment of dividends on the relevant Securities, the possibility that the financial condition of the issuers of the Securities may become impaired or that the general condition of the relevant stock market may worsen (both of which would contribute directly to a decrease in the value of the Securities and thus in the value of the Units), the limited liquidity and relatively small market capitalization of the relevant securities market, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, economic uncertainties and foreign currency devaluations and fluctuations. In addition, for foreign issuers that are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there may be less publicly available information than is available from a domestic issuer. Also, foreign issuers are not necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. The securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. In addition, fixed brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are Page 1 generally higher than in the United States and there is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries than there is in the United States. However, due to the nature of the issuers of the Securities selected for the Trust, the Sponsor believes that adequate information will be available to allow the Supervisor to provide portfolio surveillance for the Trust. Securities issued by non-U.S. issuers generally pay dividends in foreign currencies and are principally traded in foreign currencies. Therefore, there is a risk that the U.S. dollar value of these securities will vary with fluctuations in the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates for the various Securities. On the basis of the best information available to the Sponsor at the present time, none of the Securities in the Trust are subject to exchange control restrictions under existing law which would materially interfere with payment to the Trust of dividends due on, or proceeds from the sale of, the Securities. However, there can be no assurance that exchange control regulations might not be adopted in the future which might adversely affect payment to the Trust. The adoption of exchange control regulations and other legal restrictions could have an adverse impact on the marketability of international securities in the Trust and on the ability of the Trust to satisfy its obligation to redeem Units tendered to the Trustee for redemption. In addition, restrictions on the settlement of transactions on either the purchase or sale side, or both, could cause delays or increase the costs associated with the purchase and sale of the foreign Securities and correspondingly could affect the price of the Units. Investors should be aware that it may not be possible to buy all Securities at the same time because of the unavailability of any Security, and restrictions applicable to the Trust relating to the purchase of a Security by reason of the federal securities laws or otherwise. Foreign securities generally have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be exempt from the registration requirements of such Act. Sales of non-exempt Securities by a Trust in the United States securities markets are subject to severe restrictions and may not be practicable. Accordingly, sales of these Securities by the Trust will generally be effected only in foreign securities markets. Although the Sponsor does not believe that the Trust will encounter obstacles in disposing of the Securities, investors should realize that the Securities may be traded in foreign countries where the securities markets are not as developed or efficient and may not be as liquid as those in the United States. The value of the Securities will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Securities are limited or absent. Closed-End Funds. Closed-end mutual funds' portfolios are managed and their shares are generally listed on a securities exchange. The net asset value of closed-end fund shares will fluctuate with changes in the value of the underlying securities which the closed-end fund owns. In addition, for various reasons closed-end fund shares frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. The amount of such discount from net asset value is subject to change from time to time in response to various factors. Closed-end funds' articles of incorporation may contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may have the effect of inhibiting a fund's possible conversion to open-end status and limiting the ability of other persons to acquire control of a fund. In certain circumstances, these provisions might also inhibit the ability of stockholders (including the Trust) to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that a fund's net asset value will decrease. In particular, this characteristic would increase the loss or reduce the return on the sale of those closed-end fund shares which were purchased by a Trust at a premium. In the unlikely event that a closed- end fund converts to open-end status at a time when its shares are trading at a premium there would be an immediate loss in value to the Trust since shares of open-end funds trade at net asset value. Certain closed-end funds may have in place or may put in place in the future plans pursuant to which the fund may repurchase its own shares in the marketplace. Typically, these plans are put in place in an attempt by a fund's board of directors to reduce a discount on its share price. To the extent such a plan was implemented and shares owned by a Trust are repurchased by a fund, the Trust's position in that fund would be reduced and the cash would be distributed. The Trust is prohibited from subscribing to a rights offering for shares of any of the closed-end funds in which they invest. In the event of a rights offering for additional shares of a fund, Unit holders should expect that their Trust will, at the completion of the offer, own a smaller proportional interest in such fund that would otherwise be the case. It is not possible to determine the extent of this dilution in share ownership without knowing what proportion of the shares in a rights offering will be subscribed. This may be particularly serious when the subscription price per share for the offer is less than the fund's net asset value per share. Assuming that all rights are exercised and there is no change in the net asset value per share, the aggregate net asset value of each shareholder's shares of common stock should decrease as a result of the offer. If a fund's subscription price per Page 2 share is below that fund's net asset value per share at the expiration of the offer, shareholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares of common stock as a result of the offer, which could be substantial. Closed-end funds may utilize leveraging in their portfolios. Leveraging can be expected to cause increased price volatility for those fund's shares, and as a result, increased volatility for the price of the Units of the Trust. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Concentration Energy Sector. An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an understanding of the problems and risks an investment in Securities of companies involved in the energy sector may entail. The business activities of companies held in the Trust may include: production, generation, transmission, marketing, control, or measurement of gas and oil; the provision of component parts or services to companies engaged in the above activities; energy research or experimentation; and environmental activities related to the solution of energy problems, such as energy conservation and pollution control. The securities of companies in the energy field are subject to changes in value and dividend yield which depend, to a large extent, on the price and supply of energy fuels. Swift price and supply fluctuations may be caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other regulatory policies of various governments. As a result of the foregoing, the Securities in the Trust may be subject to rapid price volatility. The Sponsor is unable to predict what impact the foregoing factors will have on the Securities during the life of the Trust. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the factors which will most likely shape the energy sector include the price and availability of oil from the Middle East, changes in U.S. environmental policies and the continued decline in U.S. production of crude oil. Possible effects of these factors may be increased U.S. and world dependence on oil from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") and highly uncertain and potentially more volatile oil prices. Factors which the Sponsor believes may increase the profitability of oil and petroleum operations include increasing demand for oil and petroleum products as a result of the continued increases in annual miles driven and the improvement in refinery operating margins caused by increases in average domestic refinery utilization rates. The existence of surplus crude oil production capacity and the willingness to adjust production levels are the two principal requirements for stable crude oil markets. Without excess capacity, supply disruptions in some countries cannot be compensated for by others. Surplus capacity in Saudi Arabia and a few other countries and the utilization of that capacity prevented, during the Persian Gulf crisis, and continues to prevent, severe market disruption. Although unused capacity contributed to market stability in 1990 and 1991, it ordinarily creates pressure to overproduce and contributes to market uncertainty. The restoration of a large portion of Kuwait and Iraq's production and export capacity could lead to such a development in the absence of substantial growth in world oil demand. Formerly, OPEC members attempted to exercise control over production levels in each country through a system of mandatory production quotas. Because of the 1990-1991 crisis in the Middle East, the mandatory system has since been replaced with a voluntary system. Production under the new system has had to be curtailed on at least one occasion as a result of weak prices, even in the absence of supplies from Kuwait and Iraq. The pressure to deviate from mandatory quotas, if they are reimposed, is likely to be substantial and could lead to a weakening of prices. In the longer term, additional capacity and production will be required to accommodate the expected large increases in world oil demand and to compensate for expected sharp drops in U.S. crude oil production and exports from the Soviet Union. Only a few OPEC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have the petroleum reserves that will allow the required increase in production capacity to be attained. Given the large-scale financing that is required, the prospect that such expansion will occur soon enough to meet the increased demand is uncertain. Declining U.S. crude oil production will likely lead to increased dependence on OPEC oil, putting refiners at risk of continued and unpredictable supply disruptions. Increasing sensitivity to environmental concerns will also pose serious challenges to the sector over the coming decade. Refiners are likely to be required to make heavy capital investments and make major production adjustments in order to comply with increasingly stringent environmental legislation, such as the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. If the cost of these changes is substantial enough to cut deeply into profits, smaller refiners may be forced out of the sector entirely. Moreover, lower consumer demand due to increases in energy efficiency and conservation, gasoline reformulations that call for less crude oil, warmer winters or a general slowdown in economic growth in this country and abroad could negatively affect the price of oil and the profitability of oil companies. No assurance can be given that the demand for or prices of oil will increase or that any increases will not be marked by great volatility. Some oil companies may incur large cleanup and litigation costs relating to oil spills and other environmental damage. Oil production and Page 3 refining operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions and the disposal of hazardous materials. Increasingly stringent environmental laws and regulations are expected to require companies with oil production and refining operations to devote significant financial and managerial resources to pollution control. General problems of the oil and petroleum products sector include the ability of a few influential producers to significantly affect production, the concomitant volatility of crude oil prices, increasing public and governmental concern over air emissions, waste product disposal, fuel quality and the environmental effects of fossil-fuel use in general. In addition, any future scientific advances concerning new sources of energy and fuels or legislative changes relating to the energy sector or the environment could have a negative impact on the petroleum products sector. While legislation has been enacted to deregulate certain aspects of the oil sector, no assurances can be given that new or additional regulations will not be adopted. Each of the problems referred to could adversely affect the financial stability of the issuers of any petroleum sector stocks in the Trust. Page 4 CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT A. Bonding Arrangements of Depositor: First Trust Portfolios L.P. is covered by a Brokers' Fidelity Bond, in the total amount of $2,000,000, the insurer being National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. B. This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the following papers and documents: The facing sheet The Prospectus The signatures Exhibits S-1 SIGNATURES The Registrant, FT 1280, hereby identifies The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 4; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 69; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 108; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 119; The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 190; FT 286; The First Trust Combined Series 272; FT 412; FT 438; FT 556; FT 754; FT 1102; FT 1179; FT 1180; FT 1221; and FT 1222 for purposes of the representations required by Rule 487 and represents the following: (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series with respect to which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series; (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, FT 1280, has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Village of Lisle and State of Illinois on November 8, 2006. FT 1280 By FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P. Depositor By Jason T. Henry Senior Vice President S-2 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated: NAME TITLE* DATE Judith M. Van Kampen Director ) of The Charger ) November 8, 2006 Corporation, the ) General Partner of ) First Trust ) Portfolios, L.P. ) Karla M. Van Kampen-Pierre Director ) of The Charger ) Jason T. Henry Corporation, the ) Attorney-in-Fact** General Partner of ) First Trust ) Portfolios, L.P. ) David G. Wisen Director ) of The Charger ) Corporation, the ) General Partner of ) First Trust ) Portfolios, L.P. ) * The title of the person named herein represents his or her capacity in and relationship to First Trust Portfolios L.P., Depositor. ** An executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 of FT 597 (File No. 333-76518) and the same is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. S-3 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-138155 of our report dated November 8, 2006 relating to the financial statement of FT 1280 appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in such Prospectus. Deloitte & Touche LLP Chicago, Illinois November 8, 2006 S-4 CONSENTS OF COUNSEL The consents of counsel to the use of their names in the Prospectus included in this Registration Statement will be contained in their respective opinions to be filed as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the Registration Statement. CONSENT OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. The consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement. S-5 EXHIBIT INDEX 1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for FT 785 and certain subsequent Series, effective December 9, 2003 among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Depositor, The Bank of New York, as Trustee, First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator, and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor. 1.1.1 Form of Trust Agreement for FT 1280 and certain subsequent Series, effective November 8, 2006 among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Depositor, The Bank of New York, as Trustee, First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator, First Trust Advisors L.P., as Portfolio Supervisor, and FTP Services LLC, as Fund/SERV Eligible Unit Servicing Agent. 1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of First Trust Portfolios L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18). 1.3 Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of First Trust Portfolios L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33- 42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18). 1.4 Copy of Articles of Incorporation of The Charger Corporation, the general partner of First Trust Portfolios L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18). 1.5 Copy of By-Laws of The Charger Corporation, the general partner of First Trust Portfolios L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S- 6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18). 1.6 Underwriter Agreement (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-45955] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 19). 2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1 filed herewith on page 2 and incorporated herein by reference). S-6 2.2 Copy of Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to form S-6 [File No. 333-31176] filed on behalf of FT 415). 3.1 Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered. 3.2 Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities being registered. 3.3 Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of securities being registered. 4.1 Consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. 6.1 List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other related information (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18). 7.1 Power of Attorney executed by the Directors listed on page S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 333- 76518] filed on behalf of FT 597. S-7