N-CSR 1 tm2214910d2_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-23179

 

______________

 

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund

  

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212 

  

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Ann Maurer

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

registrant's telephone number, including area code: (414) 299-2270

 

 

 

Date of fiscal year end: March 31

 

 

 

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

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

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.(a) REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

 

 

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Table of Contents
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40
42
58
This report and the financial statements contained herein are provided for the general information of the shareholders of the First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

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FIRST TRUST ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
The First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund Class I Shares (the “Fund” or “VFLEX”) generated a return of 10.80% based on net asset value (NAV) for the one-year fiscal period ending 3/31/2022 while the Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, turned in a slight 0.06% gain over that period. VFLEX’s positive performance also compares favorably to commonly used fixed income and credit market benchmarks such as the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the ICE BofA US High Yield Index, which returned -4.15% and -0.29%, respectively, over that same period. As of the end of Q1 2022, VFLEX has generated 24 consecutive months of positive returns as other common public market proxies such as the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index have experienced heightened levels of volatility causing several months of negative returns.
We are very pleased with the Fund’s consistency over the trailing one-year period. That said, the Fund has shown its ability to participate in the market upside while limiting downside volatility over that same timeframe. More specifically, the Fund generated positive returns in each of the last 12 months, returning a monthly average of +0.90% in those months. Comparatively, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index generated positive returns in just five of the last 12 months. In the seven months when the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index saw a negative return, the Fund generated an average monthly return of +0.92% compared to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index’s average return over those same months of -1.02%. In addition, the S&P 500 Index generated positive returns in eight of the last 12 months. In the four months when the S&P 500 Index saw a negative return, the Fund generated an average monthly return of +0.67% compared to the S&P 500’s average return over those same months of -4.49%.
While the Fund was not immune to the pressure observed across broader fixed income markets due to increased interest rates, the predominantly floating rate credit-oriented co-investments and an intentional lack of material interest rate duration across the Fund’s broader alternative credit sub-strategy did serve to insulate the Fund from negative pricing pressure. VFLEX’s lack of interest rate sensitivity is by design, as we much prefer to derive returns by taking fundamental credit risk alongside our highest conviction operating partners, rather than interest rate risk. We believe credit risk can be better controlled with proper underwriting and credit analysis. We do not believe that we have an edge in correctly timing or forecasting moves in interest rates and thus we will continue to focus on limiting the rate duration risk in the portfolio.
In pursuing its objective, the Fund seeks to generate attractive long-term returns with low sensitivity to traditional equity and fixed income indices. The Fund uses a “multi-manager” approach whereby the Fund’s assets are allocated among managers in percentages determined at the discretion of the Investment Manager. Given the current mix across alternative credit, real estate, co-investment, and liquid alternative investments, and our ability to take advantage as the opportunity set for new co-investments expanded in Q1, we are very comfortable with our policy to seek to make monthly distributions to shareholders aggregating annually to 5% of the Fund’s net asset value per share.
The allocations in the Fund as of 3/31/2022 were Private Equity at 9%, Alternative Credit at 23%, Real Estate at 21%, Hedged Strategies at 22%, and Co-Investments at 25%.
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Looking forward, we are predominately focused on taking advantage of the opportunity set that we currently see in the real estate, credit co-investment, structured credit and hedge fund sectors. In each of those areas we have seen an incrementally more attractive opportunity set due to the broader equity and credit market volatility. Relatively high implied volatility tends to be a tailwind for several of our managers as it can create non-fundamental distortions in prices. Given the strong recent performance of the portfolio, we intend to capitalize on our opportunity to play offense during a timeframe when many other groups are playing defense.
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2

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Fund Performance
March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Performance of a $10,000 Investment
Class I Shares
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This graph compares a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class I Shares with a similar investment in the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and the ICE BofA Merril Lynch 3 Month US Treasury Bill Index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. The indices do not reflect expenses, fees, or sales charges, which would lower performance.
Please note that the performance of the Fund’s other share class, Class A, will differ based on the differences in sales load and fees paid by shareholders investing in Class A Shares.
The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index measures the performance of the U.S. investment grade bond market. The index invests in a wide spectrum of public, investment grade, taxable, fixed income securities in the United States – including government, corporate and international dollar denominated bonds as well as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, all with maturities of less than one year. The index is unmanaged and it is not available for investment.
The ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index measures the performance of a single issue of an outstanding treasury bill which matures closest to, but not beyond, three months from the rebalancing date. The issue is purchased at the beginning of the month and held for a full month; at the end of the month that issue is sold and rolled into a newly selected issue.
Cumulative Total Returns as of March 31, 2022
Since Inception
Class A Shares (Inception Date 8/02/2021)
5.17%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(7.14)%
ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index
0.06%
3

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Fund Performance — Continued
March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Average Annual Total Returns as of March 31, 2022
1 Year
Since Inception
Class I Shares (Inception Date 6/12/2017)
10.80%
6.11%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(4.15)%
1.91%
ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Index
0.06%
1.15%
The performance data quoted here represents past performance and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information quoted. The most recent quarter end performance may be obtained by calling 1 (877) 779-1999.
Performance results include the effect of expense reduction arrangements for some or all of the periods shown. If those arrangements had not been in place, the performance results for those periods would have been lower.
For the Fund’s current expense ratios, please refer to the Financial Highlights Section of this report.
Returns reflect the reinvestment of distributions made by the Fund, if any. The graph and the performance table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Trustees and Shareholders
First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of March 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from June 12, 2017 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from June 12, 2017 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2022, by correspondence with the custodians, underlying fund managers and brokers, or by
5

other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
Chicago, Illinois
May 31, 2022
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6

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 15.2%
$ 500,000
ACC Trust 2022-1
Series 2022-1, Class D, 6.650%, 10/20/2028
1,2
$ 487,680
184,659
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-1, Class 2A1, 3.480%, 3/25/2036
2,3,4
124,998
Affirm Asset Securitization Trust 2021-A
200,000    Series 2021-A, Class D, 3.490%, 8/15/20251,2 197,743
150,000    Series 2021-A, Class E, 5.650%, 8/15/20251,2 147,172
250,000
AIMCO CLO
Series 2017-AA, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/20/2034
1,2,4
189,693
72,100
Aqua Finance Trust
Series 2019-A, Class A, 3.140%, 7/16/2040
1,2
71,346
350,000
BlueMountain CLO XXIV Ltd.
Series 2019-24A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/20/2034
1,2,4
282,769
250,000
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2022-N1, Class E, 6.010%, 12/11/2028
1,2
244,384
250,000
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust 2021-N4
Series 2021-N4, Class E, 4.530%, 9/11/2028
1,2
239,208
213,193
CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-8, Class 1A12, 5.875%, 1/25/2038
2,3
133,043
250,000
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2021-PRM2, Class F, 4.147% (1-Month USD Libor+375 basis
   points), 10/15/2036
1,5
246,028
500,000
COLT 2022-2 Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2022-2, Class M1, 4.045%, 2/25/2067
1,2,4
483,827
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust
250,000
   Series 2019-R04, Class 2B1, 5.706% (1-Month USD Libor+525    basis points), 6/25/20391,2,4,5
254,391
250,000
   Series 2020-R02, Class 2B1, 3.457% (1-Month USD Libor+300    basis points), 1/25/20401,2,4,5
229,746
250,000
CPS Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2021-D, Class E, 4.060%, 12/15/2028
1,2
237,252
300,000
CPS Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2019-C, Class E, 4.300%, 7/15/2025
1,2
302,935
115,287
DSLA Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-AR2, Class 1A1A, 0.639% (1-Month USD Libor+19    basis points), 10/19/2036
2,4,5
106,543
250,000
First Investors Auto Owner Trust 2022-1
Series 2022-1A, Class E, 5.410%, 6/15/2029
1,2
244,298
550,000
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust
Series 2021-HQA4, Class B2, 7.099% (SOFR30A+700 basis    points), 12/25/2041
1,2,4,5
491,305
590,000
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2021-DNA1
Series 2021-DNA1, Class B1, 2.749% (SOFR30A+265 basis    points), 1/25/2051
1,2,4,5
524,701
7

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)
$ 500,000
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2021-DNA6
Series 2021-DNA6, Class B2, 7.599% (SOFR30A+750 basis    points), 10/25/2041
1,2,5
$ 476,238
209,757
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes
Series 2016-DNA2, Class M3, 5.107% (1-Month USD Libor+465    basis points), 10/25/2028
2,4,5
217,896
300,000
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust
Series 2018-TWR, Class G, 4.322% (1-Month USD Libor+392 basis
   points), 7/15/2031
1,4,5
265,227
419,000
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Corp. Trust
Series 2020-PJ3, Class B5, 3.434%, 10/25/2050
1,2,3,4
291,102
150,194
GSR Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-AR1, Class 2A1, 2.741%, 3/25/2047
2,3,4
112,854
200,000
Home RE 2021-2 Ltd.
Series 2021-2, Class M1C, 2.899% (SOFR30A+280 basis points),    1/25/2034
1,2,5
188,989
500,000
Home RE Ltd.
Series 2021-2, Class M2, 3.349% (SOFR30A+325 basis points),    1/25/2034
1,2,4,5
467,610
498,200
J.P. Morgan Mortgage Trust 2022-1
Series 2022-1, Class B4, 3.105%, 7/25/2052
1,2,4
431,516
250,000
Magnetite XVI Ltd.
Series 2015-16A, Class F, 6.741% (3-Month USD Libor+650 basis    points), 1/18/2028
1,2,4,5
228,554
250,000
Med Trust
Series 2021-MDLN, Class F, 4.397% (1-Month USD Libor+400    basis points), 11/15/2038
1,4,5
245,104
375,000
Monroe Capital Mml Clo X Ltd.
Series 2020-1A, Class E, 9.329% (3-Month USD Libor+885 basis    points), 8/20/2031
1,2,4,5
374,645
57,550
Mosaic Solar Loan Trust
Series 2019-1A, Class B, 0.000%, 12/21/2043
1,2
53,348
5,434,783
Mount Logan Funding LP
Series 2018-1A, Class SUBR, 0.000%, 1/22/2033
1,2,4,6
5,000,000
100,000
Multifamily Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust
Series 2020-01, Class M10, 4.207% (1-Month USD Libor+375 basis
   points), 3/25/2050
1,2,4,5
96,581
226,619
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust 2019-1
Series 2019-1A, Class B6B, 3.234%, 9/25/2057
1,2,4
212,732
336,403
Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp. Alternative Loan Trust Series
Series 2006-AP1, Class A3, 5.654%, 1/25/2036
2,3,4
133,325
250,000
Oaktown Re III Ltd.
Series 2019-1A, Class M2, 3.007% (1-Month USD Libor+255 basis    points), 7/25/2029
1,2,4,5
246,105
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First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)
$ 750,000
Oaktown Re VII Ltd.
Series 2021-2, Class M1B, 2.999% (SOFR30A+290 basis points),    4/25/2034
1,2,5
$ 725,585
200,000
Pagaya AI Debt Trust 2022-1
Series 2022-1, Class C, 4.888%, 10/15/2029
1,2
188,553
2,500,000
Palmer Square European CLO 2021-2 DAC
Series 2021-2X, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/15/2035
2,4
2,392,679
2,975,000
Palmer Square European Loan Funding 2022-1 DAC
Series 2022-1X, Class SUB, 0.000%, 10/15/2031
2,4,6
3,290,929
4,000,000
Palmer Square European Loan Funding 2022-2 DAC
Class SUB ,0.095%, 3/23/2023
6
4,424,779
3,100,000
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd.
Series 2021-4A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 10/15/2029
1,2,4
3,141,991
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd.
1,000,000    Series 2019-1A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/20/20271,2,4 854,561
1,000,000    Series 2019-3A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 8/20/20271,2,4 822,121
1,500,000    Series 2019-4A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 10/24/20271,2,4 1,344,747
1,250,000    Series 2020-1A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 2/20/20281,2,4 1,064,734
650,000    Series 2020-2A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/20/20281,2,4 595,125
1,250,000    Series 2020-3A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 7/20/20281,2,4,6
2,250,000    Series 2020-4A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 11/25/20281,2,4 2,127,208
1,250,000    Series 2021-1A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/20/20291,2,4 1,154,851
2,150,000    Series 2021-2A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 5/20/20291,2,4 1,832,549
1,500,000    Series 2021-3A, Class SUB, 0.000%, 7/20/20291,2,4 1,300,020
5,235,000    Series 2022-1I, Class SUB, 0.000%, 4/15/20302,4 5,226,001
Radnor Ltd.
500,000
   Series 2019-1, Class M2, 3.657% (1-Month USD Libor+320 basis    points), 2/25/20291,2,4,5
485,257
250,000
   Series 2021-2, Class M1B, 3.799% (SOFR30A+370 basis points),    11/25/20311,2,4,5
254,262
250,000
   Series 2021-2, Class M2, 5.099% (SOFR30A+500 basis points),    11/25/20311,2,4,5
237,026
150,000
Radnor RE 2020-1 Ltd.
Series 2020-1, Class M2A, 2.457% (1-Month USD Libor+200 basis    points), 1/25/2030
1,2,5
142,062
200,000
Radnor RE 2020-2 Ltd.
Series 2020-2, Class B1, 8.056% (1-Month USD Libor+760 basis    points), 10/25/2030
1,2,5
202,414
175,000
Radnor RE 2021-1 Ltd.
Series 2021-1, Class M1C, 2.799% (SOFR30A+270 basis points),    12/27/2033
1,2,5
166,556
340,000
Residential Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2020-1, Class B2, 4.665%, 1/26/2060
1,2,4
330,293
9

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)
$ 250,000
Saranac Clo VIII Ltd.
Series 2020-8A, Class E, 8.599% (3-Month USD Libor+812 basis    points), 2/20/2033
1,2,4,5
$ 235,552
124,378
Silver Point Loan Funding, LLC
Class ,0.000%, 10/20/2033
6
124,378
100,000
STAR 2021-SFR1 Trust
Series 2021-SFR1, Class F, 2.841% (1-Month USD Libor+240 basis
   points), 4/17/2038
1,5
96,771
200,000
Traingle Re 2020-1 Ltd.
Series 2020-1, Class B1, 8.206% (1-Month USD Libor+775 basis    points), 10/25/2030
1,2,5
203,376
Triangle Ltd.
500,000
   Series 2021-3, Class M1B, 2.999% (SOFR30A+290 basis points),    2/25/20341,2,4,5
483,556
300,000
   Series 2021-3, Class M2, 3.849% (SOFR30A+375 basis points),    2/25/20341,2,4,5
287,060
100,000
Triangle Re 2021-2 Ltd.
Series 2021-2, Class M1B, 3.057% (1-Month USD Libor+260 basis    points), 10/25/2033
1,2,5
99,627
Upstart Securitization Trust
21,613    Series 2018-1, Class D, 6.147%, 8/20/20251,2 21,659
200,000    Series 2021-5, Class C, 4.150%, 11/20/20311,2 182,990
100,000
Veros Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2022-1, Class D, 0.000%, 7/16/2029
1,2
100,443
40,000
Veros Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2020-1, Class D, 5.640%, 2/16/2027
1,2
40,011
900,000
Verus Securitization Trust
Series 2020-5, Class B2, 4.710%, 5/25/2065
1,2,4
864,149
812,000
Verus Securitization Trust 2021-8
Series 2021-8, Class B2, 4.334%, 11/25/2066
1,2,4
730,913
26,238
WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Trust
Series 2006-AR18, Class 3A1, 2.969%, 1/25/2037
2,4
24,948
185,275
Wells Fargo Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2010-RR2, Class 1A4, 2.817%, 9/27/2035
1,2,3,4
149,665
Western Mortgage Reference Notes
478,091
   Series 2021-CL2, Class M4, 5.449% (SOFR30A+535 basis points),
   7/25/2059
1,2,4,5
471,564
486,357
   Series 2021-CL2, Class M5, 6.599% (SOFR30A+650 basis points),
   7/25/2059
1,2,4,5
479,277
100,000
XCALI Mortgage Trust
Series 2020-1, Class B1, 9.150% (1-Month USD Libor+750 basis    points), 1/22/2023
1,2,4,5
99,771
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost $52,861,480)
51,280,901
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First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
BANK LOANS – 7.5%
Advantage Capital Holdings LLC
$ 1,188,513    5.000% Cash and 8.000% PIK, 1/29/20256,7 $ 1,207,886
1,344,827    5.000% Cash and 8.000% PIK, 1/29/20256,7 1,366,748
455,610
BJ Services
11.830%, 1/3/2023
6
428,274
2,194,307
Challenge Manufacturing Company, LLC
10.000%, 12/18/2025
6
2,150,421
557,475
Juul
8.500%, 8/1/2023
6
546,325
5,154,110
Lucky Bucks Holdings LLC
12.500%, 5/29/2028
6
5,051,027
236,284
Premier Brands Group Holdings LLC
9.116%, 3/20/2024
6
223,288
Wellbore Integrity Solutions, LLC
2,084,739    8.500%, 12/31/20246 2,084,740
2,325,695    12.185%, 12/31/20246 2,279,181
Whitehawk Finance LLC
3,500,000    14.500%, 12/10/20266 3,062,500
6,756,094    8.000%, 2/22/20236 6,756,094
TOTAL BANK LOANS
(Cost $25,155,856)
25,156,484
Number
of Shares
         
CLOSED-END FUNDS – 25.0%
1,709,147 Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund – Class I 18,441,697
329,837 Conversus Stepstone Private Markets – Class I* 13,744,313
651,056 Driehaus Event Driven Fund 8,489,765
657,200 Glenmede Secured Options Portfolio – Class Institutional 8,931,351
235,676 Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund – Class I 5,566,677
48,979 Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunity Fund – Class AX3 599,017
697,900 Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund 12,555,213
961,976 Pomona Investment Fund 15,804,806
1 Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc. 4
TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS
(Cost $77,727,311)
 84,132,843
11

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 4.1%
$ 2,500,000
Bellemeade RE 2021-3 Ltd.
Series 2021-3A, Class M2, 3.249% (SOFR30A+315 basis points),    9/25/2031
1,2,5
$ 2,385,142
1,000,000
Bellemeade Re 2022-1 Ltd.
Series 2022-1, Class M1C, 3.799% (SOFR30A+370 basis points),    1/26/2032
1,2,5
963,647
Bellemeade Re Ltd.
250,000
   Series 2019-2A, Class M2, 3.556% (1-Month USD Libor+310 basis    points), 4/25/20291,2,4,5
246,525
500,000
   Series 2022-1, Class M2, 4.699% (SOFR30A+460 basis points),    1/26/20321,2,5
466,068
212,500
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-XL, Class J, 3.047% (1-Month USD Libor+265 basis    points), 10/15/2036
1,4,5
207,926
733,231
CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2004-29, Class 1X, 1.479%, 2/25/2035
2,4
7,556
Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust
35,669
   Series 2019-R01, Class 2M2, 2.907% (1-Month USD Libor+245    basis points), 7/25/20311,2,4,5
35,774
19,017
   Series 2019-R03, Class 1M2, 2.607% (1-Month USD Libor+215    basis points), 9/25/20311,2,4,5
19,024
250,000
   Series 2019-R06, Class 2B1, 4.206% (1-Month USD Libor+375    basis points), 9/25/20391,2,4,5
244,521
500,000
   Series 2019-HRP1, Class B1, 9.706% (1-Month USD    Libor+925 basis points), 11/25/20391,2,4,5
508,435
1,000,000
CSMC 2021-NQM2
Series 2021-NQM2, Class B1, 3.440%, 2/25/2066
1,2,4
949,524
432,363
DSLA Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2004-AR2, Class X2, 2.308%, 11/19/2044
2,4
8,502
750,000
Eagle Ltd.
Series 2020-1, Class M2, 2.457% (1-Month USD Libor+200 basis    points), 1/25/2030
1,2,4,5
725,110
200,000
Foursight Capital Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2020-1, Class F, 4.620%, 6/15/2027
1,2
199,433
100,000
Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Credit Risk
Series 2021-MN1, Class M2, 3.849% (SOFR30A+375 basis points),
   1/25/2051
1,2,4,5
95,313
2,000,000
Freddie Mac Stacr Remic Trust 2020-DNA1
Series 2020-DNA1, Class B2, 5.706% (1-Month USD Libor+525    basis points), 1/25/2050
1,2,5
1,884,568
500,000
Freddie Mac STACR REMIC Trust 2021-DNA3
Series 2021-DNA3, Class B1, 3.599% (SOFR30A+350 basis    points), 10/25/2033
1,2,5
469,838
12

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Principal
Amount
Value
         
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (Continued)
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes
$ 249,321    Series 2018-SPI2, Class B, 3.809%, 5/25/20481,2,4 $ 227,958
365,099    Series 2018-SPI3, Class B, 4.137%, 8/25/20481,2,4 329,189
191,455    Series 2018-SPI4, Class B, 4.504%, 11/25/20481,2,4 174,676
1,000,000
   Series 2022-DNA2, Class B2, 8.599% (SOFR30A+850 basis    points), 2/25/20421,2,5
949,302
45,820
FREMF 17-KSW3 Mortgage Trust
Series 2017-KSW3, Class B, 3.207% (1-Month USD Libor+275    basis points), 5/25/2027
1,2,5
44,053
1,000,000
Home RE 2021-1 Ltd.
Series 2021-1, Class M2, 3.306% (1-Month USD Libor+285 basis    points), 7/25/2033
1,2,5
921,723
1,410,000
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust
Series 2022-INV2, Class B6, 3.364%, 7/25/2052
1,2,4
563,395
142,753
Luminent Mortgage Trust
Series 2006-5, Class A1A, 0.837% (1-Month USD Libor+38 basis    points), 7/25/2036
2,4,5
104,214
188,180
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2006-13AX, Class A2, 0.797% (1-Month USD Libor+34 basis
   points), 10/25/2036
2,4,5
74,756
81,803
RALI Trust
Series 2006-QA10, Class A1, 0.827% (1-Month USD Libor+37    basis points), 12/25/2036
2,4,5
81,632
190,359    Series 2006-QS2, Class 1A9, 5.500%, 2/25/20362,3 177,564
Rate Mortgage Trust 2022-J1
632,000    Series 2022-J1, Class B5, 2.751%, 1/25/20521,2,4 354,182
1,100,000    Series 2022-J1, Class B6, 2.751%, 1/25/20521,2,4 377,279
TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $13,839,230)
13,796,829
Number
of Shares
         
COMMON STOCKS – 3.0%
AEROSPACE/DEFENSE-EQUIPMENT – 0.0%
514 Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*,3
20,226
CHEMICALS-SPECIALTY – 0.0%
110 Rogers Corp.*
29,887
COMMERCIAL BANKS-EASTERN US – 0.0%
934 TriState Capital Holdings, Inc.*
31,037
DATA PROCESSING/MANAGEMENT – 0.0%
797 Bottomline Technologies DE, Inc.*
45,174
13

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
DIAGNOSTIC KIT – 0.0%
791 Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Holdings PLC*,8
$
14,760
ELECTRIC-INTEGRATED – 0.0%
898 PNM Resources, Inc.3
42,808
INTERNET SECURITY – 0.0%
187 Mimecast Ltd.*,8
14,878
MEDICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS – 0.0%
1,225 Change Healthcare, Inc.*,3
26,705
NETWORKING PRODUCTS – 0.0%
2,474 NeoPhotonics Corp.*
37,629
RETAIL-SPORTING GOODS – 0.0%
1,004 Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc.*,3
10,733
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT – 0.0%
160 CMC Materials, Inc.
29,664
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS – 3.0%
136 7GC & Co. Holdings, Inc. – Class A* 1,334
1,464 8i ACQUISITION 2 Corp.*,8 14,420
94 ABG Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 922
1,722 Accelerate Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 16,807
2,076 Accretion Acquisition Corp.* 20,386
1,456 Ace Global Business Acquisition Ltd.*,8 14,837
1,774 Achari Ventures Holdings Corp. I* 17,527
36 Advanced Merger Partners, Inc. – Class A* 352
2,667 AF Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 26,003
20 African Gold Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 196
2,247 Agba Acquisition Ltd.*,8 25,077
2,330 ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 23,277
1,466 AltEnergy Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 14,528
300 Altitude Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 2,985
1,022 Americas Technology Acquisition Corp.*,8 10,506
3,489 Apollo Strategic Growth Capital – Class A*,8 34,716
50,000 Ares Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 490,500
1,804 Aries I Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 18,166
1,050 Arisz Acquisition Corp.* 10,290
1,437 Artisan Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 14,183
568 Astrea Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 5,549
2,860 Athlon Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 28,028
3,824 Atlantic Avenue Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 37,705
14

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
236 Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II – Class A* $ 2,318
52,816 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 518,653
52,932 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. II – Class A*,8 517,675
2,964 Avalon Acquisition, Inc. – Class A* 29,521
1,658 Better World Acquisition Corp.* 17,028
1,456 Big Sky Growth Partners, Inc. – Class A* 14,152
2,834 Biotech Acquisition Co. – Class A*,8 27,915
2,396 Black Mountain Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 23,792
390 Blockchain Coinvestors Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 3,873
1,778 Blockchain Moon Acquisition Corp.* 17,531
2,874 Blue Safari Group Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 28,884
1,207 Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp.* 12,456
1,722 Build Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 16,772
2,030 Bull Horn Holdings Corp.*,8 20,483
2,932 Cactus Acquisition Corp. 1 Ltd.*,8 29,173
585 CC Neuberger Principal Holdings III – Class A*,8 5,768
135 CF Acquisition Corp. IV – Class A* 1,323
2,935 Churchill Capital Corp. VI – Class A* 28,822
2,875 Churchill Capital Corp. VII – Class A* 28,146
15 Colicity, Inc. – Class A* 146
2,445 Colombier Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 23,643
642 Concord Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 6,388
1,215 Corazon Capital V838 Monoceros Corp. – Class A*,8 11,846
351 Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 3,447
2,805 Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. 2 – Class A*,8 27,910
626 Crescera Capital Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 6,216
2,151 Data Knights Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 21,876
1,764 Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 17,517
2,456 Delwinds Insurance Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 24,388
930 DHC Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 9,114
637 Digital Health Acquisition Corp.* 6,383
2,913 DILA Capital Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 28,489
698 dMY Technology Group, Inc. VI* 6,889
1,068 Dune Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 10,616
1,578 East Resources Acquisition Co. – Class A* 15,654
1,760 Edify Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 17,248
702 EdtechX Holdings Acquisition Corp. II* 7,090
15

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
592 Enterprise 4.0 Technology Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 $ 5,884
1,410 Eucrates Biomedical Acquisition Corp.*,8 13,874
920 Everest Consolidator Acquisition Corp.* 9,145
592 ExcelFin Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 5,902
2,109 Far Peak Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 20,963
1,712 FAST Acquisition Corp. II – Class A* 16,692
1,765 Financial Strategies Acquisition Corp.* 17,473
1,060 Finnovate Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 10,505
93 Fintech Evolution Acquisition Group – Class A*,8 911
236 Flame Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 2,301
33,248 Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. III – Class A* 327,493
75,213 Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. IV – Class A* 737,087
474 Fusion Acquisition Corp. II – Class A* 4,640
1,455 G Squared Ascend II, Inc. – Class A*,8 14,288
2,888 GigInternational1, Inc.* 28,851
1,438 Global Consumer Acquisition Corp.* 14,366
1,763 Globalink Investment, Inc.* 17,436
2,109 Globis Acquisition Corp.* 21,575
142 Golden Falcon Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 1,393
2,932 Golden Path Acquisition Corp.*,8 29,525
1,582 Goldenbridge Acquisition Ltd.*,8 15,883
61,469 Gores Holdings VII, Inc. – Class A* 601,782
62,405 Gores Technology Partners II, Inc. – Class A* 610,321
24,993 Gores Technology Partners, Inc. – Class A* 244,931
2,885 Graf Acquisition Corp. IV* 27,984
782 Green Visor Financial Technology Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 7,820
102 Healthcare Services Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 1,000
1,796 Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. V – Class A* 17,565
484 Hunt Cos. Acquisition Corp. I – Class A*,8 4,850
3,548 IG Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 34,983
1,187 Industrial Human Capital, Inc.* 11,894
882 Innovative International Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 8,820
1,962 Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 19,463
2,354 Integrated Wellness Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 23,469
265 InterPrivate II Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 2,589
295 InterPrivate III Financial Partners, Inc. – Class A* 2,915
2,192 Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp.* 21,701
16

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
592 Jack Creek Investment Corp. – Class A*,8 $ 5,808
56,469 Jaws Juggernaut Acquisition Corp*,8 551,137
52,848 Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 518,439
1,241 JUPITER WELLNESS ACQUISITION Corp. – Class A* 12,298
1,736 Kadem Sustainable Impact Corp. – Class A* 16,909
562 Kairos Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 5,513
1,069 Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. III – Class A* 10,444
1,160 Kingswood Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 11,844
682 KINS Technology Group, Inc. – Class A* 6,868
1,804 KKR Acquisition Holdings I Corp. – Class A* 17,733
478 KludeIn I Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 4,747
1,038 L&F Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 10,505
1,164 Lakeshore Acquisition I Corp. – Class A*,8 11,535
2,764 LAMF Global Ventures Corp. I*,8 27,364
584 Learn CW Investment Corp. – Class A*,8 5,758
2,510 Legato Merger Corp. II* 24,899
2,508 Levere Holdings Corp. – Class A*,8 24,528
1,052 LF Capital Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 10,467
3,396 Lionheart III Corp. – Class A* 33,756
255 Longview Acquisition Corp. II – Class A* 2,489
1,182 M3-Brigade Acquisition III Corp. – Class A* 11,773
838 Mana Capital Acquisition Corp.* 8,288
1,685 Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 17,086
426 McLaren Technology Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 4,234
950 MDH Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 9,281
474 Medicus Sciences Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 4,636
2,122 Mercato Partners Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 21,029
20,035 Metal Sky Star Acquisition Corp.* 200,350
2,530 Model Performance Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 25,604
2,256 Monterey Bio Acquisition Corp.* 22,470
284 Moringa Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 2,778
2,696 Mount Rainier Acquisition Corp.* 26,906
2,885 Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. III* 28,417
59,983 MSD Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 589,033
1,684 Nabors Energy Transition Corp. – Class A* 16,773
2,728 Natural Order Acquisition Corp.* 26,816
9 New Vista Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 88
17

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
2,670 Newbury Street Acquisition Corp.* $ 26,032
1,186 Newcourt Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 11,872
711 Noble Rock Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 6,968
2,282 Nocturne Acquisition Corp.*,8 23,003
3,780 NorthView Acquisition Corp.* 37,157
2,885 OceanTech Acquisitions I Corp. – Class A* 29,052
1,158 Omnichannel Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 11,545
554 Onyx Acquisition Co. I – Class A*,8 5,529
3,528 OPY Acquisition Corp. I – Class A* 34,574
2,500 Orion Biotech Opportunities Corp. – Class A*,8 24,400
2,876 Osiris Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 27,955
1,936 OTR Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 19,767
564 Periphas Capital Partnering Corp. – Class A* 13,835
30,004 Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd. – Class A* 596,780
646 Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 6,460
5 Pivotal Investment Corp. III – Class A* 49
720 Post Holdings Partnering Corp. – Class A* 7,042
375 Priveterra Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 3,664
470 Progress Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 4,629
2,346 Project Energy Reimagined Acquisition Corp.*,8 22,827
3,276 Property Solutions Acquisition Corp. II – Class A* 32,039
696 PropTech Investment Corp. II – Class A* 6,842
1,774 Recharge Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 17,687
1,125 RedBall Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 11,171
1,666 Roth CH Acquisition V Co.* 16,427
590 Sanaby Health Acquisition Corp. I – Class A* 5,900
1,023 Sandbridge X2 Corp. – Class A* 9,974
351 ScION Tech Growth I – Class A*,8 3,447
2,424 ScION Tech Growth II – Class A*,8 23,755
2,884 Senior Connect Acquisition Corp. I – Class A* 28,292
372 Silver Spike Acquisition Corp. II – Class A*,8 3,642
49,943 Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. IV – Class A*,8 498,931
424 Spindletop Health Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 4,223
2,738 SPK Acquisition Corp.* 27,161
888 SportsMap Tech Acquisition Corp.* 8,809
710 SportsTek Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 6,922
12,497 SVF Investment Corp. 2*,8 122,596
18

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
2,181 SVF Investment Corp. 3 – Class A*,8 $ 21,614
186 Tailwind International Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 1,821
1,896 Tastemaker Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 18,751
1,722 Tech and Energy Transition Corp. – Class A* 16,815
1,418 Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 13,981
852 TG Venture Acquisition Corp.* 8,418
592 Thrive Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 5,914
22,243 TPG Pace Beneficial II Corp. – Class A*,8 218,426
2,558 Trine II Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 25,452
2,396 Tristar Acquisition I Corp. – Class A*,8 23,625
2,002 Tuscan Holdings Corp. II*,3 22,543
378 Twelve Seas Investment Co.* 3,693
838 Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. – Class A*,8 8,338
1,990 Ventoux CCM Acquisition Corp.* 20,109
940 Venus Acquisition Corp.*,8 9,541
3,044 Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp. – Class A*,8 29,983
968 Zanite Acquisition Corp. – Class A* 9,932
9,904,230
TELECOM SERVICE – 0.0%
719 Vonage Holdings Corp.*
14,588
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $10,228,448)
10,222,319
Principal
Amount
CORPORATE BONDS – 0.1%
FINANCIALS – 0.1%
$ 36,760
BlackRock Capital Investment Corp.
5.000%, 6/15/2022
9
37,105
200,000
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
4.250%, 4/1/2026
2
196,673
233,778
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $235,285)
233,778
Number
of Shares
EXCHANGE-TRADED DEBT SECURITIES – 0.1%
FINANCIALS – 0.1%
12,181
First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc.
5.000%, 5/25/2026
2
300,140
19

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
EXCHANGE-TRADED DEBT SECURITIES (Continued)
2,134
XAI Octagon Floating Rate Alternative Income Term Trust
6.500%, 3/31/2026
2
$ 55,249
355,389
TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED DEBT SECURITIES
(Cost $361,411)
355,389
MUTUAL FUNDS – 5.4%
1,237,561 Jones Lang LaSalle Income Property Trust, Inc. – Class M-I 18,266,398
TOTAL MUTUAL FUNDS
(Cost $14,975,340)
18,266,398
PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS – 22.9%
547,544 Bailard Real Estate Investment Trust 18,192,013
N/A DSC Meridian Credit Opportunities Onshore Fund LP 7,613,443
N/A Hudson Bay Fund LP 7,692,467
N/A Linden Investors LP 7,825,967
N/A Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LP 2,500,000
N/A Pender Capital Asset Based Lending Fund I, L.P. 15,294,848
N/A Point72 Capital, L.P. 7,412,184
N/A Seer Capital Partners Fund L.P. 2,669,581
N/A Walleye Opportunities Fund LP 7,803,178
TOTAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS
(Cost $69,850,215)
77,003,681
RIGHTS – 0.0%
2,076 Accretion Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 25, 2022* 332
2,247 Agba Acquisition Ltd., Expiration Date: February 6, 2023*,8 427
1,050 Arisz Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 29, 2023* 168
2,120
Benessere Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: January 4, 2023*
471
1,778
Blockchain Moon Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 18, 2022*
328
2,874
Blue Safari Group Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 8, 2023*,8
1,379
1,207 Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 24, 2027* 148
1,299 Brilliant Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 17, 2022*,8 199
1,764
Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 14, 2022*
317
2,245 East Stone Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 9, 2022*,8 752
923 Edoc Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 9, 2022*,8 305
20

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
RIGHTS (Continued)
1,765
Financial Strategies Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 8, 2022*
$ 245
1,763 Globalink Investment, Inc., Expiration Date: June 20, 2023* 284
2,932 Golden Path Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 22, 2023*,8 676
1,582 Goldenbridge Acquisition Ltd., Expiration Date: October 27, 2025*,8 265
1,241
JUPITER WELLNESS ACQUISITION Corp., Expiration Date: June 5, 2023*
251
838 Mana Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 20, 2023* 168
2,530
Model Performance Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 6, 2022*,8
275
2,885
Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. III, Expiration Date: January 11, 2028*
577
2,282 Nocturne Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 29, 2022*,8 481
3,780 NorthView Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 19, 2023* 534
2,738 SPK Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 7, 2023* 541
1,990 Ventoux CCM Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 23, 2022* 358
940 Venus Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 7, 2022*,8 188
1,805 Viveon Health Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: February 17, 2023* 217
TOTAL RIGHTS
(Cost $0)
9,886
UNITS – 2.6%
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS – 2.6%
4,393 AIB Acquisition Corp.*,8 43,974
1,489 Alpha Star Acquisition Corp.*,8 15,084
1 AltEnergy Acquisition Corp.* 10
195 Apeiron Capital Investment Corp.* 1,950
2,992 Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.* 29,711
21,898 Ares Acquisition Corp.*,8 216,681
1,045 Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. II* 10,439
1,182 Ault Disruptive Technologies Corp.* 11,855
901 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I*,8 8,965
49,995 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. II*,8 493,451
143 B Riley Principal 250 Merger Corp.* 1,410
2,938 Battery Future Acquisition Corp.*,8 29,527
824 BioPlus Acquisition Corp.*,8 8,232
1 Black Mountain Acquisition Corp.* 10
1 Blockchain Coinvestors Acquisition Corp. I*,8 10
3,089 Blue Ocean Acquisition Corp.*,8 30,828
21

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
UNITS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
2,069 Bullpen Parlay Acquisition Co.*,8 $ 20,649
1 Cactus Acquisition Corp. 1 Ltd.*,8 10
21,891 Churchill Capital Corp. V* 218,034
49,972 Churchill Capital Corp. VI* 495,912
61,192 Churchill Capital Corp. VII* 605,801
1 Colombier Acquisition Corp.* 10
15,680 Compute Health Acquisition Corp.* 155,232
1 Crescera Capital Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
2,938 EVe Mobility Acquisition Corp.*,8 29,409
1 Everest Consolidator Acquisition Corp.* 10
1 ExcelFin Acquisition Corp.* 10
19,846 FG Merger Corp.* 199,452
1 Finnovate Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
5 Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. III* 49
2 Fusion Acquisition Corp. II* 20
1,652 Games & Esports Experience Acquisition Corp.*,8 16,702
2,354 Genesis Growth Tech Acquisition Corp.*,8 23,658
253 Glass Houses Acquisition Corp.* 2,500
2,532 Global SPAC Partners Co.*,8 25,573
23,908 Goldenstone Acquisition Ltd.* 238,602
29,037 Gores Holdings IX, Inc.* 291,822
1 Graf Acquisition Corp. IV* 10
1 Green Visor Financial Technology Acquisition Corp. I*,8 10
1,765 Growth For Good Acquisition Corp.*,8 17,526
12,294 GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp.* 123,923
1,348 Healthcare AI Acquisition Corp.*,8 13,480
1 Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp.* 10
211 Intelligent Medicine Acquisition Corp.* 2,133
3 InterPrivate II Acquisition Corp.* 29
1,765 Jackson Acquisition Co.* 17,403
42,547 Jaws Hurricane Acquisition Corp.* 425,044
40,266 Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp.*,8 398,231
1,749 Kairous Acquisition Corp. Ltd.*,8 17,577
60,000 Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp.*,8 600,600
1,522 KKR Acquisition Holdings I Corp.* 15,068
55,746 Lakeshore Acquisition II Corp.*,8 558,017
3,565 Larkspur Health Acquisition Corp.* 35,650
22

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
UNITS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
37,490 LDH Growth Corp. I*,8 $ 369,276
1 Lionheart III Corp.* 10
42,149 Longview Acquisition Corp. II* 413,060
2 M3-Brigade Acquisition III Corp.* 20
1 Mercato Partners Acquisition Corp.* 10
1,689 Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. V* 16,738
1 Newcourt Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
2 Noble Rock Acquisition Corp.*,8 20
2,288 OmniLit Acquisition Corp.* 22,926
1 OPY Acquisition Corp. I* 10
4 Orion Biotech Opportunities Corp.*,8 41
1,045 Papaya Growth Opportunity Corp. I* 10,460
3 Periphas Capital Partnering Corp.* 69
4 Pivotal Investment Corp. III* 39
3,529 Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition II Corp.* 35,396
1 Priveterra Acquisition Corp.* 10
1 Project Energy Reimagined Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
1,833 PROOF Acquisition Corp. I* 18,202
2 Property Solutions Acquisition Corp. II* 20
294 Pyrophyte Acquisition Corp.*,8 2,958
20,023 Redwoods Acquisition Corp.* 200,831
19,239 RF Acquisition Corp.* 192,967
2,478 ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.* 25,251
1 Sandbridge X2 Corp.* 10
52,328 Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp.*,8 523,280
1,764 Sculptor Acquisition Corp. I*,8 17,711
212 Semper Paratus Acquisition Corp.*,8 2,141
19,969 Senior Connect Acquisition Corp. I* 197,693
60,000 SHUAA Partners Acquisition Corp. I*,8 601,200
2,760 Sizzle Acquisition Corp.* 27,655
1,763 Southport Acquisition Corp.* 17,630
4,204 Spree Acquisition Corp. 1 Ltd.*,8 42,502
1,649 ST Energy Transition I Ltd.*,8 16,523
50,005 SVF Investment Corp.*,8 496,050
1,763 Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp.*,8 17,436
1 Tailwind International Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
1 Thrive Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
23

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
UNITS (Continued)
SPECIFIED PURPOSE ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
117 TKB Critical Technologies1*,8 $ 1,187
333 TLGY Acquisition Corp.*,8 3,347
2 Twelve Seas Investment Co. II* 20
2,479 UTA Acquisition Corp.*,8 24,790
3,680 Welsbach Technology Metals Acquisition Corp.* 36,616
1 Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp.*,8 10
8,784,478
TOTAL UNITS
(Cost $8,764,028)
8,784,478
WARRANTS – 0.2%
68 7GC & Co. Holdings, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2026* 14
1,464 8i ACQUISITION 2 Corp., Expiration Date: September 24, 2026*,8 454
574 Accelerate Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 221
1,038 Accretion Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: February 19, 2023* 179
1,456
Ace Global Business Acquisition Ltd., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
189
1,774 Achari Ventures Holdings Corp. I, Expiration Date: August 5, 2026* 373
6 Advanced Merger Partners, Inc., Expiration Date: June 30, 2026* 4
274
Advantage Capital Holdings LLC, Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,6
91,294
889 AF Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 31, 2028* 221
15 African Gold Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 13, 2028*,8 3
2,247 Agba Acquisition Ltd., Expiration Date: May 10, 2024*,8 363
1,165
ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: November 30, 2028*,8
289
733 AltEnergy Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: February 6, 2023* 148
46 Altitude Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 30, 2027* 8
862
American Acquisition Opportunity, Inc., Expiration Date: May 28, 2026*
129
511
Americas Technology Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
58
1,163
Apollo Strategic Growth Capital, Expiration Date: October 29, 2027*,8
1,593
748
Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co., Expiration Date: December 31,
2027*
524
10,000 Ares Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 4,120
902 Aries I Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 7, 2023*,8 338
1,050 Arisz Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 16, 2026* 383
479 Artisan Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8 129
24

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
WARRANTS (Continued)
284 Astrea Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: January 13, 2026* $ 51
1,430 Athlon Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 5, 2026* 357
1,912 Atlantic Avenue Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 6, 2027* 383
59 Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II, Expiration Date: February 28, 2026* 19
13,204 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: February 19, 2026*,8 7,262
13,233 Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 7,410
2,223 Avalon Acquisition, Inc., Expiration Date: February 26, 2023* 511
1,658 Better World Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 15, 2027* 265
364 Big Sky Growth Partners, Inc., Expiration Date: February 26, 2023* 160
1,417 Biotech Acquisition Co., Expiration Date: November 30, 2027*,8 334
1,797
Black Mountain Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 15, 2027*
485
195
Blockchain Coinvestors Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: November 1, 2028*,8
66
1,778
Blockchain Moon Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 24, 2023*
338
1,207 Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 25, 2027* 253
389 Brilliant Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2025*,8 55
574 Build Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 29, 2023* 157
2,030 Bull Horn Holdings Corp., Expiration Date: October 31, 2025*,8 164
1,466 Cactus Acquisition Corp. 1 Ltd., Expiration Date: July 20, 2023*,8 253
117
CC Neuberger Principal Holdings III, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
73
45 CF Acquisition Corp. IV, Expiration Date: December 14, 2025* 18
430 CF Acquisition Corp. VIII, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 142
587 Churchill Capital Corp. VI, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 299
575 Churchill Capital Corp. VII, Expiration Date: February 29, 2028* 345
3 Colicity, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 1
815 Colombier Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028* 228
321 Concord Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 28, 2025* 382
405
Corazon Capital V838 Monoceros Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8
146
117
Corner Growth Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
28
935 Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. 2, Expiration Date: March 1, 2023*,8 160
313 Crescera Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 20, 2028*,8 106
2,151
Data Knights Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*
387
1,228
Delwinds Insurance Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: August 1, 2027*
368
310 DHC Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 83
637 Digital Health Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 14, 2023* 80
25

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
WARRANTS (Continued)
2,913 DILA Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028* $ 641
349 dMY Technology Group, Inc. VI, Expiration Date: June 25, 2023* 241
534 Dune Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 29, 2027* 118
789 East Resources Acquisition Co., Expiration Date: July 1, 2027* 181
880 Edify Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 167
923 Edoc Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 30, 2027*,8 109
351 EdtechX Holdings Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 15, 2027* 35
296
Enterprise 4.0 Technology Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 24, 2023*,8
104
470
Eucrates Biomedical Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 14,
2025*
,8
82
460
Everest Consolidator Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: July 19, 2028*
92
296 ExcelFin Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: July 5, 2023* 101
703 Far Peak Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 7, 2025*,8 1,146
428 FAST Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: March 16, 2026* 141
1,765
Financial Strategies Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 31, 2028*
285
795 Finnovate Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 15, 2023*,8 167
31
Fintech Evolution Acquisition Group, Expiration Date: March 31, 2028*,8
7
118 Flame Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028* 34
78
Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. III, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
34
158 Fusion Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 32
485 G Squared Ascend II, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2026*,8 136
1,444 GigInternational1, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028* 519
280,000 Glass House Brands, Inc., Expiration Date: January 15, 2026*,8 364,000
719
Global Consumer Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
178
1,266 Global SPAC Partners Co., Expiration Date: November 30, 2027*,8 443
1,763 Globalink Investment, Inc., Expiration Date: December 3, 2026* 194
2,109 Globis Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 1, 2025* 1,160
71
Golden Falcon Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: November 4, 2026*
19
2,932
Golden Path Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8
172
1,582 Goldenbridge Acquisition Ltd., Expiration Date: October 28, 2025*,8 111
577 Graf Acquisition Corp. IV, Expiration Date: May 31, 2028* 308
391
Green Visor Financial Technology Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date:
May 8, 2023*
,8
98
1,287 Hagerty, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 3,591
26

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
WARRANTS (Continued)
51
Healthcare Services Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31,
2027*
$ 18
449
Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. V, Expiration Date: January 11, 2026*
180
242 Hunt Cos. Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8 44
1,774 IG Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 5, 2027* 568
1,187 Industrial Human Capital, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028* 214
441
Innovative International Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 3, 2023*,8
84
981
Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 21, 2023*
322
1,177
Integrated Wellness Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 31, 2028*,8
424
53
InterPrivate II Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*
29
59
InterPrivate III Financial Partners, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31,
2027*
40
1,096
Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: August 2, 2027*
182
296 Jack Creek Investment Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 64
13,212
Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: January 30, 2026*,8
6,475
868 Kadem Sustainable Impact Corp., Expiration Date: March 16, 2026* 150
281 Kairos Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 50
870 Kingswood Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 1, 2027* 122
341 KINS Technology Group, Inc., Expiration Date: December 31, 2025* 48
451
KKR Acquisition Holdings I Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
298
239 KludeIn I Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: July 8, 2027* 36
519 L&F Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 23, 2027*,8 158
873 Lakeshore Acquisition I Corp., Expiration Date: April 30, 2028*,8 305
1,382 LAMF Global Ventures Corp. I, Expiration Date: April 4, 2023*,8 280
292 Learn CW Investment Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8 91
1,255 Legato Merger Corp. II, Expiration Date: February 5, 2023* 460
836 Levere Holdings Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8 293
526 LF Capital Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: January 7, 2026* 100
934 Lionheart Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: February 14, 2026* 380
1,698 Lionheart III Corp., Expiration Date: March 19, 2023* 492
51 Longview Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: May 10, 2026* 21
394 M3-Brigade Acquisition III Corp., Expiration Date: May 11, 2023* 98
314
Malacca Straits Acquisition Co., Ltd., Expiration Date: June 30, 2027*,8
44
27

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
WARRANTS (Continued)
419 Mana Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 1, 2026* $ 84
479
Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
95
213
McLaren Technology Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 3, 2023*
43
475 MDH Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: February 2, 2028* 75
52
Medicus Sciences Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
22
1,061
Mercato Partners Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 28, 2026*
340
1,265
Model Performance Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 29, 2026*,8
190
2,256 Monterey Bio Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: June 7, 2023* 451
142 Moringa Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: February 10, 2026*,8 28
2,696 Mount Rainier Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 4, 2022* 647
842
Nabors Energy Transition Corp., Expiration Date: November 17, 2026*
320
1,894
Natural Order Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 15, 2025*
303
3 New Vista Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 1
1,335
Newbury Street Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
356
593 Newcourt Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: April 12, 2028*,8 142
237
Noble Rock Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
52
1,890 NorthView Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: August 2, 2027* 323
2,885 OceanTech Acquisitions I Corp., Expiration Date: May 10, 2026* 404
579
Omnichannel Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 30, 2027*
105
277 Onyx Acquisition Co. I, Expiration Date: January 7, 2023*,8 94
1,764 OPY Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: April 8, 2023* 670
500
Orion Biotech Opportunities Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8
185
1,438 Osiris Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: May 1, 2028* 304
968 OTR Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2025* 203
141
Periphas Capital Partnering Corp., Expiration Date: December 10, 2028*
105
323
Phoenix Biotech Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 1, 2026*
62
1 Pivotal Investment Corp. III, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 0
240 Post Holdings Partnering Corp., Expiration Date: February 9, 2023* 135
125 Priveterra Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: January 28, 2025* 35
235 Progress Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 57
28

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
WARRANTS (Continued)
1,173
Project Energy Reimagined Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8
$ 556
819
Property Solutions Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: March 1, 2026*
225
232 PropTech Investment Corp. II, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 58
887 Recharge Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 5, 2027* 160
375 RedBall Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: August 17, 2022*,8 319
833 Roth CH Acquisition V Co., Expiration Date: December 10, 2026* 333
295 Sanaby Health Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: July 30, 2028* 64
341 Sandbridge X2 Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 138
117 ScION Tech Growth I, Expiration Date: November 1, 2025*,8 30
808 ScION Tech Growth II, Expiration Date: January 28, 2026*,8 242
1,442
Senior Connect Acquisition Corp. I, Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
260
93
Silver Spike Acquisition Corp. II, Expiration Date: February 26, 2026*,8
29
212
Spindletop Health Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*
32
666
SportsMap Tech Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 1, 2027*
165
355 SportsTek Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027* 64
62
Tailwind International Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 1, 2028*,8
12
948 Tastemaker Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2025* 213
574
Tech and Energy Transition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
161
709
Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: October 26, 2027*,8
218
852 TG Venture Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: August 13, 2023* 177
296 Thrive Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 9, 2023*,8 73
1,279 Trine II Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 358
1,198 Tristar Acquisition I Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2028*,8 483
1,001 Tuscan Holdings Corp. II, Expiration Date: July 16, 2025* 500
126 Twelve Seas Investment Co., Expiration Date: March 2, 2028* 32
419
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., Expiration Date: November 30, 2028*,8
142
1,990
Ventoux CCM Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: September 30, 2025*
497
940 Venus Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*,8 103
1,805
Viveon Health Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: December 31, 2027*
142
1,522
Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp., Expiration Date: March 27, 2023*,8
581
484 Zanite Acquisition Corp, Expiration Date: October 8, 2025* 310
TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $425,525)
521,627
29

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Number
of Shares
Value
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 18.5%
62,104,759
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund – Government Portfolio – Institutional Class 0.227%10
$ 62,104,759
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $62,104,759)
62,104,759
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 104.6%
(Cost $336,528,888)
351,869,372
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (4.6)% (15,402,502)
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.0% $ 336,466,870
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT – (0.0)%
COMMON STOCKS – (0.0)%
COMMERCIAL SERVICES-FINANCE – (0.0)%
(1) S&P Global, Inc.
(410)
DIAGNOSTIC KIT – (0.0)%
(84) Quidel Corp.*
(9,446)
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS-SEMICONDUCTOR – (0.0)%
(3) Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*
(328)
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY SERVICES – (0.0)%
(234) Raymond James Financial, Inc.
(25,719)
SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT – (0.0)%
(72) Entegris, Inc. (9,451)
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Proceeds $45,277)
(45,354)
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $45,277)
$ (45,354)
LLC – Limited Liability Company
LP – Limited Partnership
PLC – Public Limited Company
REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
* Non-income producing security.
1 Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are restricted and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of these securities is $48,311,133, which represents 14.36% of total net assets of the Fund.
2 Callable.
3 All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for securities sold short. The market value of the securities pledged as collateral was $688,756, which represents 0.20% of total net assets of the Fund.
4 Variable rate security, upon which the interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
30

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
5 Floating rate security, upon which the interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
6 Level 3 securities fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Trustees, represents 11.32% of Net Assets. The total value of these securities is $38,087,864.
7 Payment-in-kind interest is generally paid by issuing additional par of the security rather than paying cash.
8 Foreign security denominated in U.S. Dollars.
9 Convertible security.
10 The rate is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
31

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Securities With Restrictions On Redemptions
Redemptions
Permitted
Redemption
Notice Period
Cost
Fair Value
Original
Acquisition
Date
Bailard Real Estate Investment Trusta
Quarterly
30 Days
$ 16,400,000 $ 18,192,013
1/1/2019
Conversus StepStone Private Markets
Quarterly
90 Days
12,126,944 13,744,313
4/1/2021
DSC Meridian Credit Opportunities Onshore Fund LPa
Quarterlyb
65 Days
6,700,000 7,613,443
10/1/2018
Hudson Bay Fund LPa
Quarterlyb
65 Days
7,500,000 7,692,467
4/1/2021
Linden Investors LPa
Quarterlyc
65 Days
6,500,000 7,825,967
10/1/2018
Oak Street Real Estate Capital Net Lease Property Fund, LPa
Quarterly
60 Days
2,500,000 2,500,000
1/25/2022
Pender Capital Asset Based Lending Fund I, L.P.a
Quarterly
90 Days
15,294,848 15,294,848
8/16/2019
Pomona Investment Fund
Quarterly
75 Days
10,735,511 15,804,806
10/1/2018
Point72 Capital, L.P.a
Quarterlyb
55 Days
6,530,367 7,412,184
5/1/2019
Seer Capital Partners Fund L.P. a
Not Permitted
N.A.
2,000,000 2,669,581
10/1/2021
Walleye Opportunities Fund LPa
Monthlyc
30 Days
6,425,000 7,803,178
12/1/2018
Totals $ 92,712,670 $ 106,552,800
a Securities generally offered in private placement transactions and as such are illiquid and generally restricted as to resale.
b The Private Investment Fund can institute a gate provision on redemptions at the investor level of 25% of the fair value of the investment in the Private Investment Fund.
c The Private Investment Fund can institute a gate provision on redemptions at the fund level of 20 – 25% of the fair value of the investment in the Private Investment Fund.
See accompanying Notes to Schedule of Investments.
32

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Sale Contracts
Counterparty
Currency
Exchange
Currency
Amount
Sold
Value At
Settlement
Date
Value At
March 31, 2022
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Euro
BNP
EUR per USD
(6,924,000) $ (8,139,101) $ (7,927,699) $ 211,402
TOTAL FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY
EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
$ (8,139,101) $ (7,927,699) $ 211,402
EUR – Euro
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
33

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS*
As of March 31, 2022
Security Type/Sector
Percent of
Total Net Assets
Asset-Backed Securities
15.2%
Bank Loans
7.5%
Closed-End Funds
25.0%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
4.1%
Common Stocks
Specified Purpose Acquisitions
3.0%
Data Processing/Management
0.0%
Electric-Integrated
0.0%
Networking Products
0.0%
Commercial Banks-Eastern US
0.0%
Chemicals-Specialty
0.0%
Semiconductor Equipment
0.0%
Medical Information Systems
0.0%
Aerospace/Defense-Equipment
0.0%
Internet Security
0.0%
Diagnostic Kit
0.0%
Telecom Service
0.0%
Retail-Sporting Goods
0.0%
Total Common Stocks
3.0%
Corporate Bonds
Financials
0.1%
Total Corporate Bonds
0.1%
Exchange-Traded Debt Securities
Financials
0.1%
Mutual Funds
5.4%
Private Investment Funds
22.9%
Rights
0.0%
Units
Specified Purpose Acquisitions
2.6%
Warrants
0.2%
Short-Term Investments
18.5%
Total Investments
104.6%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
(4.6)%
Total Net Assets
100.0%
* This table does not include securities sold short. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for information on securities sold short.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
34

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As of March 31, 2022
Assets:
Investments, at value (cost $336,528,888)
$ 351,869,372
Cash deposited with broker
4,899,986
Receivables:
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
211,402
Investment securities sold
1,189
Fund shares sold
2,128,329
Dividends and interest
813,317
Prepaid expenses
27,453
Total assets
359,951,048
Liabilities:
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $45,277)
45,354
Foreign currency due to custodian, at value (proceeds $4,402,065)
4,424,940
Payables:
Investment securities purchased
3,739,272
Fund shares redeemed
14,887,926
Advisory fees
180,808
Distribution fees (Note 8)
68,768
Auditing fees
43,129
Dividends and interest on securities sold short
6
Accrued other expenses
93,975
Total liabilities
23,484,178
Net Assets
$ 336,466,870
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
35

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — Continued
As of March 31, 2022
Components of Net Assets:
Paid-in capital (par value of $0.01 per share with an unlimited number of shares authorized)
$ 321,734,235
Total distributable earnings
14,732,635
Net Assets
$ 336,466,870
Maximum Offering Price per Share:
Class A Shares
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
$ 1,052
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding
38
Net asset value per share
$ 27.65
Maximum sales charge (5.75% of offering price)*
1.69
Maximum offer price to public
$ 29.34
Class I Shares
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
$ 336,465,818
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding
12,133,633
Net asset value per share
$ 27.73
* Investors in Class A Shares may be charged a sales charge of up to 5.75% of the subscription amount.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
36

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022
Investment Income:
Dividends
$ 3,227,512
Interest
5,855,729
Total investment income
9,083,241
Expenses:
Advisory fees
1,331,046
Fund services expense
271,147
Distribution fees (Note 8)
179,143
Legal fees
123,734
Interest expense (see Note 11)
112,685
Auditing fees
73,923
Trustees’ fees and expenses
61,000
Shareholder reporting fees
57,036
Registration fees
35,457
Dividends on securities sold short
26,213
Chief Compliance Officer fees
25,055
Interest on securities sold short
18,965
Excise tax expense
15,050
Insurance fees
10,748
Miscellaneous
5,767
Total expenses
2,346,969
Advisory fees waived
(43,229)
Net expenses
2,303,740
Net investment income
6,779,501
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Securities Sold Short, Forward Contracts, and Foreign Currency
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments
3,728,920
Securities sold short
(79,833)
Foreign currency transactions
14,144
Net realized gain
3,663,231
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:
Investments
8,145,052
Securities sold short
3,090
Forward contracts
211,402
Foreign currency translations
(22,743)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
8,336,801
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, securities sold short, forward contracts, and foreign currency.
12,000,032
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations
$ 18,779,533
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
37

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2022
For the
Year Ended
March 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from:
Operations:
Net investment income
$ 6,779,501 $ 4,329,750
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, securities sold short, and foreign currency
3,663,231 (268,589)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments,
securities sold short, forward contracts, and foreign currency
8,336,801 17,042,251
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
18,779,533 21,103,412
Distributions to Shareholders:
Distributions:
Class A
(39)
Class I
(12,292,666) (5,502,728)
Total distributions to shareholders
(12,292,705) (5,502,728)
Capital Transactions:
Net proceeds from shares sold:
Class A
1,000
Class I
233,877,451 52,444,571
Reinvestment of distributions:
Class A
39
Class I
2,421,654 1,014,971
Cost of shares redeemed:
Class A
Class I
(27,719,707) (11,229,077)
Net increase in net assets from capital transactions
208,580,437 42,230,465
Total increase in net assets
215,067,265 57,831,149
Net Assets:
Beginning of period
121,399,605 63,568,456
End of period
$ 336,466,870 $ 121,399,605
Capital Share Transactions:
Shares sold:
Class A
37
Class I
8,488,202 2,100,333
Shares reinvested:
Class A
1
Class I
88,180 41,251
Shares redeemed:
Class A
Class I
(1,002,521) (441,858)
Net increase in capital share transactions
7,573,899 1,699,726
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
38

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022
Increase (Decrease) in Cash:
Cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities:
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
$ 18,779,533
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash
used for operating activities:
Purchases of long-term portfolio investments
(207,589,336)
Sales of long-term portfolio investments
41,543,098
Proceeds from securities sold short
2,674,292
Cover short securities
(4,117,573)
Purchases of short-term investments, net
(52,575,232)
Return of capital dividends received
3,790,727
Increase in cash deposited with broker for securities sold short
(3,313,722)
Increase in dividends and interest receivable
(248,804)
Decrease in Investments purchased in advance
2,500,000
Decrease in prepaid expenses
99,088
Increase in foreign currency due to custodian
4,424,940
Increase in advisory fees
123,380
Decrease in dividends and interest on securities sold short
(1,785)
Increase in distribution fees
68,768
Increase in accrued expenses
69,344
Net amortization on investments
(192,238)
Net realized gain
(3,747,632)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
(8,359,544)
Net cash used for operating activities
(206,072,696)
Cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities:
Proceeds from shares sold
232,138,192
Cost of shares redeemed
(16,196,836)
Dividends paid to shareholders, net of reinvestments
(9,871,012)
Net cash provided by financing activities
206,070,344
Net decrease in cash
(2,352)
Cash:
Beginning of period
2,352
End of period
$
Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of $2,421,693 of reinvested dividends.
Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of $112,685 of interest expense.
Non-cash financing activities not included herein consist of $18,965 of interest on securities sold short.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
39

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class A
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
For The Period
August 2, 2021*
Through
March 31, 2022
Net asset value, beginning of period
$ 27.29
Income from Investment Operations:
Net investment income1
0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
1.19
Total from investment operations
1.40
Less Distributions:
From net investment income
(0.79)
From net realized gains
(0.25)
Total distributions
(1.04)
Redemption fee proceeds1
Net asset value, end of period
$ 27.65
Total return
5.17%2
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$ 1
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4,5:
2.05%3
(including dividends, interest on securities sold short, excise tax, and interest expense)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
1.90%3
(including dividends, interest on securities sold short, excise tax, and interest expense)
Portfolio turnover rate
26%
* Commencement of operations.
1 Based on average shares outstanding for the period.
2 Not annualized.
3 Annualized.
4 If dividends and interest on securities sold short had been excluded, the expense ratios would have been lowered by 0.03% for the period ended March 31, 2022.
5 If excise tax and interest expense had been excluded, the expense ratios would have been lowered by 0.04%, for the period ended March 31, 2022.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
40

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class I
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
For the Year Ended March 31,
For The Period
June 12, 2017*
Through
March 31, 2018
2022
2021
2020
2019
Net asset value, beginning of period
$ 26.62 $ 22.23 $ 25.14 $ 24.77 $ 25.00
Income from Investment Operations:
Net investment income1
0.92 1.19 1.01 0.86 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
1.89 4.73 (2.96) (0.06) (0.20)
Total from investment operations
2.81 5.92 (1.95) 0.80 (0.12)
Less Distributions:
From net investment income
(1.45) (1.41) (0.88) (0.28) (0.05)
From net realized gains
(0.25) (0.12) (0.06) (0.15) (0.06)
From return of capital
(0.02)
Total distributions
(1.70) (1.53) (0.96) (0.43) (0.11)
Redemption fee proceeds1
Net asset value, end of period
$ 27.73 $ 26.62 $ 22.23 $ 25.14 $ 24.77
Total return
10.80% 22.75% (4.89)% 3.28% (0.50)%2
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$ 336,466 $ 121,400 $ 63,568 $ 17,196 $ 12,595
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
(including dividends, interest on securities sold short, excise tax, and interest expense)
Before fees waived4,5
1.16% 1.12% 1.36% 5.28% 6.89%3
After fees waived4,5
1.14% 1.08% 1.05% 2.35% 2.45%3
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
(including dividends, interest on securities sold short, excise tax, and interest expense)
Before fees waived
3.34% 4.78% 3.66% 0.49% (4.05)%3
After fees waived
3.36% 4.82% 3.97% 3.42% 0.39%3
Portfolio turnover rate
26% 43% 48% 374% 264%2
* Commencement of operations.
1 Based on average shares outstanding for the period.
2 Not annualized.
3 Annualized.
4 If dividends and interest on securities sold short had been excluded, the expense ratios would have been lowered by 0.02%, 0.07%, 0.10%, 0.43%, and 0.50% for the years ended March 31, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and period ended March 31, 2018 respectively.
5 If excise tax and interest expense had been excluded, the expense ratios would have been lowered by 0.06% and 0.06%, for the years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
41

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2022
Note 1 — Organization
First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) (formerly known as The Relative Value Fund), is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund operates as an interval fund. The Fund operates under an Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated November 1, 2021 (the “Declaration of Trust”). First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly known as Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) serves as the investment adviser (the “Investment Manager”) of the Fund. The Investment Manager is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund currently offers shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in two separate share classes: Class A Shares and Class I Shares (formerly known as “CIA Class Shares”).
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to achieve long-term capital appreciation by pursuing positive absolute returns across market cycles. A fund seeking positive “absolute return” aims to earn a positive total return over a reasonable period of time regard less of market conditions or general market direction. In pursuing its objective, the Fund seeks to generate attractive long-term returns with low sensitivity to traditional equity and fixed income indices. The Fund uses a “multi-manager” approach whereby the Fund’s assets are allocated among the Investment Manager and one or more sub-advisers, in percentages determined at the discretion of the Investment Manager. In pursuing the Fund’s strategies, the Investment Manager and sub-advisers may invest directly in individual securities or through closed-end and open-end registered investment companies, private investment funds and other investment vehicles that invest or trade in a wide range of investments.
The Fund commenced the public offering of the Class I Shares in June 2017 and has publicly offered Class I Shares in a continuous offering since that time. Class A Shares have been publicly offered since August 2021. The Shares are generally offered for purchase on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, in each case subject to any applicable sales charges and other fees, as described herein. The Shares are issued at net asset value per Share. No holder of Shares (each, a “Shareholder”) has the right to require the Fund to redeem its Shares.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund and have equal rights as to voting, redemptions, dividends and liquidation, subject to the approval of the Trustees. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares in proportion to their relative shares outstanding. Shareholders of a class that bears distribution and service expenses under the terms of a distribution plan have exclusive voting rights with respect to that distribution plan.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services — Investment Companies.”
Note 2 — Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
(a) Valuation of Investments
The Fund’s Valuation Committee oversees the valuation of the Fund’s investments on behalf of the Fund. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) has approved valuation procedures for the
42

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
Fund (the “Valuation Procedures”). Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued at the last sale price or the official closing price on the exchange or system where such securities are principally traded for the business day as of the relevant determination date. If no sale or official closing price of particular securities is reported on a particular day, the securities will be valued at the closing bid price for securities held long, or the closing ask price for securities held short, or if a closing bid or ask price, as applicable, is not available, at either the exchange or system-defined closing price on the exchange or system in which such securities are principally traded. Over-the-counter securities not quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market will be valued at the last sale price on the relevant determination date or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, in the case of securities held long, or the last ask price, in the case of securities held short, at the time net asset value is determined. Equity securities for which no prices are obtained under the foregoing procedures, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser (as defined in Note 3) not to reflect the market value, will be valued at the bid price, in the case of securities held long, or the ask price, in the case of securities held short, supplied by one or more dealers making a market in those securities or one or more brokers, in accordance with the Valuation Procedures. Futures index options will be valued at the mid-point between the last bid price and the last ask price on the relevant determination date at the time net asset value is determined. The mid-point of the last bid and the last ask is also known as the “mark”.
Fixed-income securities with a remaining maturity of sixty (60) days or more for which accurate market quotations are readily available will normally be valued according to the mean between the last available bid and ask price from a recognized pricing service. Fixed-income securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are believed by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser not to reflect market value will be valued based upon broker-supplied quotations in accordance with the Valuation Procedures, provided that if such quotations are unavailable or are believed by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser not to reflect market value, such fixed-income securities will be valued at fair value in accordance with the Valuation Procedures, which may include the utilization of valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities in the appropriate market (e.g., matrix pricing). High quality investment grade debt securities (e.g., treasuries, commercial paper, etc.) with a remaining maturity of sixty (60) days or less are valued by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser at amortized cost, which the Board has determined to approximate fair value. All other instruments held by the Fund will be valued in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.
If no price is obtained for a security in accordance with the foregoing, because either an external price is not readily available or such external price is believed by the Investment Manager or a Sub-Adviser not to reflect the market value, the Valuation Committee will make a determination in good faith of the fair value of the security in accordance with the Valuation Procedures. In general, fair value represents a good faith approximation of the current value of an asset and will be used when there is no public market or possibly no market at all for the asset. The fair values of one or more assets may not be the prices at which those assets are ultimately sold and the differences may be significant.
The Fund will generally value shares of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) at the last sale price on the exchange on which the ETF is principally traded. The Fund will generally value shares of open-end investment companies and closed-end investment companies that do not trade on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges at their respective daily closing net asset values.
The Fund will generally value private investment funds in accordance with the value determined as of such date by each private investment fund in accordance with the private investment fund’s valuation policies and reported at the time of the Fund’s valuation. As a general matter, the fair value of the Fund’s interest in a private investment fund will represent the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive from the private investment fund if the Fund’s interest was redeemed at the time of
43

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
valuation, based on information reasonably available at the time the valuation is made and that the Fund believes to be reliable. In the event that the private investment fund does not report a value to the Fund on a timely basis, the Fund will determine the fair value of such private investment fund based on the most recent final or estimated value reported by the private investment fund, as well as any other relevant information available at the time the Fund values its portfolio. Using the nomenclature of the hedge fund industry, any values reported as “estimated” or “final” values are expected to reasonably reflect market values of securities when available or fair value as of the Fund’s valuation date. A substantial amount of time may elapse between the occurrence of an event necessitating the pricing of Fund assets and the receipt of valuation information from the underlying manager of a private investment fund.
(b) Foreign Currency Translation
The Fund’s records are maintained in U.S. dollars. The value of securities, currencies and other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars based upon foreign exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. The currencies are translated into U.S. dollars by using the exchange rates quoted as of 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of its net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates from the impact arising from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments and foreign currency.
Net realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates.
(c) Short Sales
Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the value of that security. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. When a security is sold short, a decrease in the value of the security will be recognized as a gain and an increase in the value of the security will be recognized as a loss, which is potentially limitless. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to dividend or interest that accrue during the period of the loan, which is recorded as an expense. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium or an interest fee, which are recorded as interest expense. Cash or securities are segregated for the broker to meet the necessary margin requirements. To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and/or will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account as required by each respective broker-dealer. The Fund is subject to the risk that it may not always be able to close out a short position at a particular time or at an acceptable price.
(d) Options
The Fund may write or purchase options contracts primarily to enhance the Fund’s returns or reduce volatility. In addition, the Fund may utilize options in an attempt to generate gains from option premiums or to reduce overall portfolio risk. When the Fund writes or purchases an option, an amount equal to
44

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
the premium received or paid by the Fund is recorded as an asset or a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written or purchased. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains or losses. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the cost of the purchase or proceeds from the sale in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or a loss on investment transactions. The Fund, as a writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.
(e) Exchange Traded Funds
ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and their shares may, at times, trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of these incurred expenses. Therefore, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other funds that invest directly in securities.
Each ETF in which the Fund invests is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the ETF. Each ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, and risks associated with fixed-income securities.
(f) Closed-end Funds (“CEFs”)
The Fund may invest in shares of CEFs. A CEF is a pooled investment vehicle that is registered under the Investment Company Act and whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. national securities exchanges. Investments in CEFs are subject to various risks, including reliance on management’s ability to meet a CEF’s investment objective and to manage a CEF’s portfolio, and fluctuation in the market value of a CEF’s shares compared to the changes in the value of the underlying securities that the CEF owns. In addition, the Fund bears a pro rata share of the management fees and expenses of each underlying CEF in addition to the Fund’s management fees and expenses, which results in the Fund’s shareholders being subject to higher expenses than if they invested directly in the CEFs.
(g) Private Investment Funds
The Fund may also invest in private investment funds (i.e., investment funds that would be investment companies but for the exemptions under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act) that invest or trade in a wide range of securities. When the Fund invests in securities issued by private investment funds, it will bear its pro rata portion of the private funds’ expenses. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations, thereby increasing indirect costs and potentially reducing returns to Shareholders. A private investment fund in which the Fund invests has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the private investment fund’s shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of a private investment fund will be achieved. A private investment fund may change its investment objective or policies without the Fund’s approval, which could force the Fund to withdraw its investment from such private investment fund at a time that is unfavorable to the Fund. In addition, one private investment fund may buy the same securities that another private investment fund sells. Therefore, the Fund would indirectly bear the costs of these trades without accomplishing any investment purpose.
45

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
(h) Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Fund may utilize forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) under which it is obligated to exchange currencies on specified future dates at specified rates, and are subject to the translations of foreign exchange rates fluctuations. All contracts are “marked-to-market” daily and any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currency translations. The Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is settled. Counter parties to these forward contracts are major U.S. financial institutions.
(i) Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and expense is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income and expense is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if applicable, are paid (a portion of which may be reclaimable) or provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates and are disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Withholding tax reclaims are filed in certain countries to recover a portion of the amounts previously withheld. The Fund records a reclaim receivable based on a number of factors, including a jurisdiction’s legal obligation to pay reclaims as well as payment history and market convention. Discounts or premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method.
(j) Federal Income Taxes
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income or excise taxes. Due to the timing of dividend distributions and the differences in accounting for income and realized gains and losses for financial statement and federal income tax purposes, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the income and realized gains and losses are recorded by the Fund.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (the “Income Tax Statement”) requires an evaluation of tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing a Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations.
The Income Tax Statement requires management of the Fund to analyze tax positions taken in the prior three open tax years, if any, and tax positions expected to be taken in the Fund’s current tax year, as defined by the IRS statute of limitations for all major jurisdictions, including federal tax authorities and certain state tax authorities. As of March 31, 2022 and during the prior three open tax years, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund has no examination in progress and is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. 
(k) Distributions to Shareholders
The Fund makes monthly distributions to its shareholders equal to 5% annually of the Fund’s net asset value per Share (the “Distribution Policy”). This predetermined dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time, and increased to the extent of the Fund’s investment company taxable income that it is required to distribute in order to maintain its status as a regulated investment company. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations,
46

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
which may differ from GAAP. The character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from the characterization for federal income tax purposes due to differences in the recognition of income expense and gain (loss) items for financial statement and tax purposes.
For financial reporting purposes, dividends and distributions to Shareholders are recorded on the ex-date. If, for any distribution, available cash is less than the amount of this predetermined dividend rate, then assets of the Fund will be sold and such disposition may generate additional taxable income. The Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the year, as well as the remaining net capital gain realized during the year. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Payments in excess of the earnings and profits would first be a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the Shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the payment would constitute capital gain (assuming the Shares are held as capital assets). This Distribution Policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder’s assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund’s expense ratio. The Distribution Policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain.
Note 3 — Investment Advisory and Other Agreements
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Fund pays a monthly investment advisory fee to the Investment Manager at the annual rate of 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From March 9, 2019 to November 1, 2021, the Fund paid a monthly investment advisory fee to the Investment Manager at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Prior to March 9, 2019, the Fund paid a monthly investment advisory fee to the Investment Manager at the annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Investment Manager has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expense on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-2), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation) do not exceed 2.00% and 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A and Class I Shares, respectively until November 1, 2022 (“Initial Term”). This agreement to waive fees and/or pay for operating expenses may not be terminated before that date by the Fund or the Investment Manager. Unless terminated after the Initial Term, the agreement will automatically renew for consecutive one-year terms. After the Initial Term, the agreement may be terminated by the Fund or the Investment Manager upon 30 days’ written notice. From March 9, 2019 to November 1, 2021, the Investment Manager had agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund to 1.95% and 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Class A and Class I Shares, respectively. Prior to March 9, 2019, the Investment Manager had agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund to 1.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Class I Shares.
The Fund uses a “multi-manager” approach whereby the Fund’s assets are allocated amongst the Investment Manager and one or more sub-advisers in percentages determined at the discretion of the Investment Manager. Currently, the Investment Manager has engaged RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC and Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC, (each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”) to manage certain assets of the Fund and pays the Sub-Advisers from its advisory fees. Pursuant to separate sub-advisory agreements, the Investment Manager (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC and Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC a
47

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
sub-advisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.80%, of their portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the services they provide. Prior to April 1, 2020, the Investment Manager had agreed to pay RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC a sub-advisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00%.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Investment Manager waived its fees and absorbed other expenses totaling $43,229. For a period not to exceed three years from the date on which advisory fees are waived or Fund expenses absorbed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recoup amounts waived or absorbed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment and remain in compliance with (a) the limitation on Fund expenses in effect at the time of the relevant reduction in advisory fees or payment of the Fund’s expenses, and (b) the limitation on Fund expenses at the time of the recoupment. At March 31, 2022, the amount of these potentially recoverable expenses was $212,369. The Investment Manager may recapture all or a portion of this amount no later than March 31st of the year stated below: 
2023
$ 134,973
2024
$ 34,167
2025
$ 43,229
Total
$ 212,369
First Trust Portfolios L.P. currently serves as the Fund’s distributor. Prior to November 1, 2021, Foreside Fund Services, LLC served as the Fund’s distributor; UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”) serves as the Fund’s fund accountant, transfer agent and administrator; and UMB Bank, n.a., an affiliate of UMBFS, serves as the Fund’s custodian.
A trustee and certain officers of the Fund are employees of UMBFS. The Fund does not compensate trustees and officers affiliated with the Fund’s administrator. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Fund’s allocated fees incurred for trustees are reported on the Statement of Operations.
Vigilant Compliance, LLC provides Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) services to the Fund. The Fund’s allocated fees incurred for CCO services for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 are reported on the Statement of Operations.
Note 4 — Federal Income Taxes
At March 31, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments and short securities owned by the Fund, based on cost for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:
Cost of investments
$ 341,278,753
Gross unrealized appreciation
$ 16,964,233
Gross unrealized depreciation
(6,418,968)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
$ 10,545,265
The difference between cost amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes is due primarily to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses in securities transactions.
48

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended December 31, 2021, permanent differences in book and tax accounting have been reclassified to paid-in capital, undistributed net investment income (loss) and accumulated realized gain (loss) as follows:
Increase (Decrease)
Paid-in Capital
Total Distributable
Earnings
$(1,977,537)
$1,977,537
As of March 31, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income
$ 135,424
Undistributed long-term capital gains
2,679,197
Tax accumulated earnings
2,814,621
Accumulated capital and other losses
Unrealized appreciation on investments
10,545,265
Total accumulated earnings
$ 13,359,886
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Distribution paid from:
2021
2020
Ordinary income
$ 9,904,946 $ 4,728,467
Net long-term capital gains
879,630 436,271
Total taxable distributions
$ 10,784,576 $ 5,164,738
Note 5 — Investment Transactions
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $210,954,056 and $41,539,230, respectively. Proceeds from securities sold short and cover short securities were $2,674,292 and $4,117,573, respectively, for the same period.
Note 6 — Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations, which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Note 7 — Repurchase of Shares
The Fund intends to provide a limited degree of liquidity to the Shareholders by conducting repurchase offers quarterly with a valuation date on or about March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. In each repurchase offer, the Fund may offer to repurchase its shares at their net asset value as determined as of approximately March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, of each year, as applicable (each such date, a “Valuation Date”). Each repurchase offer will be for no less than 5% of the shares outstanding, but if the value of shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of shares tendered. In such event, Shareholders will have their shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering Shareholders will not have all of their tendered shares repurchased by the Fund.
49

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
The results of the repurchase offers conducted for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 are as follows:
Repurchase
Offer
Repurchase
Offer
Repurchase
Offer
Repurchase
Offer
Commencement Date
May 28, 2021
August 31, 2021
December 1, 2021
March 1, 2022
Repurchase Request
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2022
Repurchase Pricing date
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2022
Net Asset Value as of Repurchase Offer Date
Class A Shares
$—
$27.82
$27.73
$27.65
Class I Shares
$27.23
$27.76
$27.64
$27.74
Amount Repurchased
Class A Shares
$—
$—
$—
$—
Class I Shares
$3,938,923
$3,627,111
$5,265,747
$14,887,926
Percentage of Outstanding Shares Repurchased
Class A Shares
—%
—%
—%
—%
Class I Shares
2.58%
1.91%
2.16%
4.26%
Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. It also provides guidance on determining when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or a liability, when a transaction is not orderly, and how that information must be incorporated into a fair value measurement.
Under Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized into three broad levels as described below:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
50

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-7, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) investments valued at the net asset value as practical expedient are no longer included in the fair value hierarchy. As such, investments in Closed-End Funds and Private Investment Funds with a fair value of $106,552,800 are excluded from the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2022.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following table summarizes the Fund’s investments that are measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2022:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets
Investments
Asset-Backed Securities
$ $ 38,440,815 $ 12,840,086 $ 51,280,901
Bank Loans
25,156,484 25,156,484
Closed-End Funds
54,583,724 54,583,724
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
13,796,829 13,796,829
Common Stocks*
10,222,319 10,222,319
Corporate Bonds**
233,778 233,778
Exchange-Traded Debt Securities*
355,389 355,389
Mutual Funds
18,266,398 18,266,398
Rights
9,886 9,886
Units*
8,784,478 8,784,478
Warrants
430,333 91,294 521,627
Short-Term Investments
62,104,759 62,104,759
Subtotal
$ 154,757,286 $ 52,471,422 $ 38,087,864 $ 245,316,572
Closed End Funds
$ 29,549,119
Private Investment Funds
$ 77,003,681
Total Investments
$ 351,869,372
Liabilities
Securities Sold Short
Common Stocks*
$ 45,354 $ $ $ 45,354
Total Securities Sold Short
$ 45,354 $ $ $ 45,354
* All common stocks, exchange-traded debt securities, units and common stocks held short in the Fund are Level 1 securities. For a detailed break-out of common stocks, exchange-traded debt securities, units and common stocks held short by major industry classification, please refer to the Schedule of Investments.
** All corporate bonds held in the Fund are Level 2 securities. For a detailed break-out of corporate bonds by major industry classification, please refer to the Schedule of Investments.
51

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
The following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:
Asset-Backed
Securities
Bank Loans
Warrants
Balance as of March 31, 2021
$ 2,150,000 $ 13,143,120 $
Transfers into Level 3
Transfers out of Level 3
Total gains or losses for the period
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
22,999 (3,280,614) 91,294
Included in other comprehensive income
Net purchases
12,817,087 15,295,853
Net sales
(2,150,000) (1,875)
Balance as of March 31, 2022
$ 12,840,086 $ 25,156,484 $ 91,294
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included
in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the
end of the reporting period
$ 12,627 $ 34,551 $ 91,294
The following table presents additional quantitative information about valuation methodologies and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of March 31, 2022: 
Investments
Fair Value
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input
Range of Input
Asset-Backed Securities
$ 12,840,086
Recent Transaction Price
Recent Transaction Price
N/A
Bank Loans
$ 22,581,850
Recent Transaction Price
Recent Transaction Price
N/A
$ 2,574,634 Market Approach
Recent Transaction Price
N/A
Warrants
$ 91,294 Market Approach
Recent Transaction Price
N/A
Note 9 — Derivatives and Hedging Disclosures
Derivatives and Hedging requires enhanced disclosures about the Fund’s derivative and hedging activities, including how such activities are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position, performance and cash flows.
The effects of these derivative instruments on the Fund’s financial position and financial performance as reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations are presented in the tables below. The fair values of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2022 by risk category are as follows:
Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
Total
Assets
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$ 211,402 $ 211,402
$ 211,402 $ 211,402
52

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 2022 are as follows:
Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
Total
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Derivatives
Forward contracts
$ 211,402 $ 211,402
$ 211,402 $ 211,402
The notional amount and the number of contracts are included on the Schedule of Investments. The quarterly average volumes of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2022 are as follows:
Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments
Forward contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amount
$ (3,190,960)
Note 10 — Commitments
As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had no outstanding investment commitments to Bank Loans. The Fund had unfunded capital commitments on Private Investment Funds of $20,000,000 as of March 31, 2022.
Note 11 — Credit Agreement
The Fund has entered into a credit agreement of $3,000,000 with TriState Capital Bank. The Fund is charged interest of the LIBOR Monthly Rate for borrowing under this agreement. As compensation for holding the credit agreement available, the Fund was charged a non-refundable loan fee in the amount of $20,000. In accordance with ASC 835, costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the credit agreement were recorded as a prepaid expense and recognized as prepaid expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These debt issuance costs will be amortized into interest expense over a one-year period from the date of the completion of the credit agreement. The average interest rate, average daily loan balance, maximum outstanding amount recorded as interest expense for the 15 days the Fund had outstanding borrowings were 1.88%, $1,000,000, $1,000,000, and $2,819. As of March 31, 2022 the Fund did not have any outstanding borrowings. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, commitment fees of 109,866 were expensed and are included in the accompanying Statement of Operations as interest expense.
Note 12 — Risk Factors
An investment in the Fund involves various risks. The Fund allocates assets to investment funds that invest in and actively trade securities and other financial instruments using a variety of strategies and investment techniques with significant risk characteristics, including the risks arising from the volatility of the equity, fixed income, commodity and currency markets, the risks of borrowings and short sales, the risks arising from leverage associated with trading in the equities, currencies and over-the-counter derivatives markets, the illiquidity of derivative instruments and the risk of loss from counterparty defaults.
No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program will be successful.
In early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer
53

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements — Continued
March 31, 2022
activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are becoming more widely available, it is unknown how long circumstances related to the pandemic will persist, whether they will reoccur in the future, whether efforts to support the economy and financial markets will be successful, and what additional implications may follow from the pandemic. The impact of these events and other epidemics or pandemics in the future could adversely affect Fund performance.
In February 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries and the threat of wider-spread hostilities could have a severe adverse effect on the region and global economies, including significant negative impacts on the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. In addition, sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, could have a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict and related events. How long the armed conflict and related events will last cannot be predicted. These tensions and any related events could have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of Fund investments.
Note 13 — Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) — Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide optional temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
Note 14 — Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End
The Fund has adopted financial reporting rules regarding subsequent events, which require an entity to recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. Management has evaluated the Fund’s related events and transactions that occurred through the date of issuance of the Fund’s financial statements.
54

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FUND MANAGEMENT (Unaudited)
March 31, 2022
The identity of the members of the Board and the Fund’s officers and brief biographical information is set forth below. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the membership of the Board and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-(877) 779-1999 or by accessing the Investment Manager's website at http://www.FirstTrustCapital.com.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
POSITION(S)
HELD WITH
THE FUND
LENGTH OF
TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING
PAST 5 YEARS
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX*
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEES
David G. Lee
Year of Birth: 1952
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Chairman and Trustee Chairman since May 2019; Trustee Since Inception Retired (since 2012); President and Director, Client Opinions, Inc. (2003 – 2012); Chief Operating Officer, Brandywine Global Investment Management (1998 – 2002).
15
None
Robert Seyferth
Year of Birth: 1952
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Trustee Since Inception Retired (since 2009); Chief Procurement Officer/Senior Managing Director, Bear Stearns/JP Morgan Chase (1993 – 2009).
15
None
Gary E. Shugrue
Year of Birth: 1954
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Trustee Since September 
2021
Managing Director, Veritable LP (investment advisory firm) (2016 – Present); Founder/ President, Ascendant Capital Partners, LP (private equity firm) (2001 – 2015).
13
Trustee, Quaker Investment Trust (2 portfolios) (registered investment company).
55

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FUND MANAGEMENT (Unaudited) — Continued
March 31, 2022
INTERESTED TRUSTEE AND OFFICERS
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
POSITION(S)
HELD WITH
THE FUND
LENGTH OF
TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
NUMBER
OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX*
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEES
Terrance P. Gallagher**
Year of Birth: 1958
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St. Milwaukee, WI 53212
Trustee Since June 2020 Executive Vice President and Director of Fund
Accounting, Administration and Tax; UMB Fund Services, Inc. (2007 – present). President, Investment Managers Series Trust II (registered investment company) (2013 – Present); Treasurer, American Independence Funds Trust (registered investment company) (2016 – 2018); Treasurer, Commonwealth International Series Trust (registered investment company) (2010 – 2015).
15
Trustee, Investment Managers Series Trust II (19 portfolios) (registered investment company).
Michael Peck
Year of Birth:1980
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
President Since Inception Chief Executive Officer and Co-CIO, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2012 – Present) President and Co-CIO, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (2012 – Present); Portfolio Manager, Coe Capital Management (2010 – 2012); Senior Financial Analyst and Risk Manager, the Bond Companies (2006 – 2008).
N/A
N/A
Chad Eisenberg
Year of Birth: 1982
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Treasurer Since Inception Chief Operating Officer, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2012 – Present); Chief Operating Officer, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (2012 – Present); Director, Coe Capital Management LLC (2010 – 2011).
N/A
N/A
56

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FUND MANAGEMENT (Unaudited) — Continued
March 31, 2022
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
POSITION(S)
HELD WITH
THE FUND
LENGTH OF
TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
NUMBER
OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX*
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEES
Bernadette Murphy
Year of Birth: 1964
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena St. Milwaukee, WI 53212
Chief Compliance Officer
Since 2021
Director, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management solutions firm) (2018 – Present); Director of Compliance and operations, B. Riley Capital Management, LLC (investment advisory firm((2017 – 2018); Chief Compliance Officer, Dialect Capital Management, LP (investment advisory firm) (2008 – 2018).
N/A
N/A
Ann Maurer
Year of Birth: 1972
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Secretary Since September 
2018
Senior Vice President, Client Services (2017 – Present); Vice President, Senior Client Service Manager (2013 – 2017), Assistant Vice President, Client Relations Manager (2002 – 2013); UMB Fund Services, Inc.
N/A
N/A
* As of March 31, 2022, the fund complex consists of the Fund, AFA Multi-Manager Credit Fund, Agility Multi-Asset Income Fund, Aspiriant Risk-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund, Aspiriant Risk-Managed Real Asset Fund, Corbin Multi-Asset Strategy Fund, LLC, First Trust Private Assets Fund, First Trust Private Credit Fund, First Trust Real Assets Fund, Infinity Core Alternative Fund, Infinity Long/Short Equity Fund, LLC, Keystone Private Income Fund, Optima Dynamic Alternatives Fund, Variant Alternative Income Fund and Variant Impact Fund.
** Mr. Gallagher is deemed to be an interested person of the Fund because of his affiliation with the Fund’s Administrator.
57

First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
FUND INFORMATION (Unaudited)
March 31, 2022
TICKER
CUSIP
First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund –  Class A Shares
VFLAX
75943J209
First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund – Class I Shares
VFLEX
75943J100
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (877) 779-1999 or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Record
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling the Fund at (877) 779-1999 or by accessing the Fund’s Form N-PX on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. or without charge and upon request by calling the Fund at (877) 779-1999.
Qualified Dividend Income
For the year ended December 31, 2021, 1.30% of dividends to be paid from net investment income, including short term capital gains from the Fund (if any), are designated as qualified dividend income.
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction
For the year ended December 31, 2021, 0% of the dividends to be paid from net investment income, including short-term capital gains from the Fund (if any), are designated as dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
Capital Gain
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund designated $879,630 as long-term capital gain distributions.
First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund
235 West Galena Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Toll Free: (877) 779-1999
58

 

ITEM 1.(b) Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

(a) The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(c) There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

(d) The registrant has not granted any waivers, during the period covered by this report, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item's instructions.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant's board of trustees has determined that Mr. David G. Lee and Mr. Robert Seyferth are qualified to serve as the audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and that they are "independent," as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

Audit Fees

_________

 

(a) The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements are $37,500 for 2021 and $48,200 for 2022.

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

_________

 

(b) The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022. The fees listed in item 4 (b) are related to out-of-pocket expenses in relation to the annual audit of the registrant.

 

Tax Fees

_________

 

(c) The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $6,500 for 2021 and $13,300 for 2022.

 

All Other Fees

_________

 

(d) The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022.

 

(e)(1) Disclose the audit committee's pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

The Registrant's Audit Committee must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services of the Auditors prior to the Auditor's engagement.

 

(e)(2) The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

 

(b) 0%

 

(c) 0%

 

(d) 0%

 

(f) The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the fiscal period April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022 that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022.

 

 

 

 

(h) The registrant's audit committee of the board of trustees has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

First Trust Capital Management L.P.

 

PROXY POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

First Trust Capital Management L.P. (“FTCM”) acts as either the advisor or sub-advisor to a number of registered investment companies (the “Funds”). In accord with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, FTCM has adopted the following policies and procedures to provide information on FTCM’s proxy policy generally as well as on procedures for each of the Funds specifically (the “Proxy Policy and Procedure”). These policies and procedures apply only to FTCM. Investment managers engaged as sub-advisors for one of the Funds are required to vote proxies in accord with their own policies and procedures and any applicable management agreements.

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES

 

FTCM’s Proxy Policy and Procedure is designed to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner (i) reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders1 and (ii) not affected by any material conflict of interest. FTCM considers shareholders’ best economic interests over the long term (i.e., addresses the common interest of all shareholders over time). Although shareholders may have differing political or social interests or values, their economic interest is generally uniform.

 

FTCM has adopted voting guidelines to assist in making voting decisions on common issues. The guidelines are designed to address those securities in which the Funds generally invest and may be revised in FTCM’s discretion. Any non-routine matters not addressed by the proxy voting guidelines are addressed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote, particularly where such matters have a potential for major economic impact on the issuer’s structure or operations. In making voting determinations, FTCM typically will rely on the individual portfolio managers who invest in and track particular companies as they are the most knowledgeable about, and best suited to make decisions regarding, particular proxy matters. In addition, FTCM may conduct research internally and/or use the resources of an independent research consultant. FTCM may also consider other materials such as studies of corporate governance and/or analyses of shareholder and management proposals by a certain sector of companies and may engage in dialogue with an issuer’s management.

 

FTCM acknowledges its responsibility to identify material conflicts of interest related to voting proxies. FTCM’s employees are required to disclose to the Chief Compliance Officer any personal conflicts, such as officer or director positions held by them, their spouses or close relatives, in any publicly traded company. Conflicts based on business relationships with FTCM, any affiliate or any person associated with FTCM will be considered only to the extent that FTCM has actual knowledge of such relationships. FTCM then takes appropriate steps to address identified conflicts. Typically, in those instances when a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund, on the one hand, and FTCM’s interests or the interests of a person affiliated with FTCM on the other, FTCM will abstain from making a voting decision and will document the decision and reasoning for doing so.

 

 

1 Actions taken in accord with the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders are those which align most closely with the Funds’ stated investment objectives and strategies.

 

 

 

 

In some cases, the cost of voting a proxy may outweigh the expected benefits. For example, casting a vote on a foreign security may involve additional costs such as hiring a translator or traveling to the foreign country to vote the security in person. In such situations, FTCM may abstain from voting a proxy if the effect on shareholders’ economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.

 

In certain cases, securities on loan as part of a securities lending program may not be voted. Nothing in the proxy voting policies shall obligate FTCM to exercise voting rights with respect to a portfolio security if it is prohibited by the terms of the security or by applicable law or otherwise.

 

FTCM will not discuss with members of the public how they intend to vote on any particular proxy proposal.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

 

The Funds are subject to the restrictions of Sections 12(d)(1)(A)(i) and (B)(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Generally, these provisions require that any fund and any entity controlled by that fund (including ETFs that are registered investment companies) may not own, in the aggregate, more than three percent (3%) of the total outstanding voting securities of any registered open-end or closed-end investment company, including money market funds or may invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies2. Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Act provides that the Section 12(d)(1) limitations do not apply to the securities acquired by a fund if (i) immediately after the purchase or acquisition of not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons of the fund, and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than one and a half percent (1.5%). In the event that one of Funds relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F), FTCM, acting on behalf of the Fund, will, when voting with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, comply with either of the following voting restrictions:

 

Seek instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or

 

Vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.

 

ISS PROXYEDGE

 

FTCM has entered into a contractual relationship with Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) through which ISS provides certain proxy management services to FTCM’s portfolio management teams. Specifically, ISS (i) provides access to the ISS ProxyExchange web-based voting and research platform to access vote recommendations, research reports, execute vote instructions and run reports relevant to Subscriber’s proxy voting environment; (ii) implements and maps FTCM’s designated proxy voting policies to applicable accounts and generates vote recommendations based on the application of such policies; and (iii) monitors FTCM’s incoming ballots, performs ballot-to- account reconciliations with FTCM and its third party providers to help ensure that ISS is receiving all ballots for which FTCM has voting rights.

 

 

2 The three percent (3%) limit is measured at the time of investment.

 

 

 

 

ISS provides two options for how proxy ballots are executed:

 

1.Implied Consent: ISS executes ballots on FTCM’s behalf based on policy guidelines chosen at the time FTCM entered into the relationship with ISS.

 

2.Mandatory Signoff: ISS is not permitted to mark or process any ballot on FTCM’s behalf without first receiving FTCM’s specific voting instructions via ProxyExchange.

 

FTCM has opted for Option 1. Implied Consent and in so doing has chosen to allow ISS to vote proxies on its behalf “with management’s recommendations.” FTCM has the option, however, to change its vote from the “with management’s recommendations” default at any point prior to the voting deadline if the portfolio managers following the subject company determine it is in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to do so. In those instances when the subject company’s management has not provided a voting recommendation, FTCM will either vote based on its own determination of what would align most closely with the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders or will opt to allow ISS to submit an “abstain” vote on its behalf. In addition, in those limited instances when share blocking3 may apply, FTCM has instructed ISS not to cast a vote on FTCM’s behalf unless FTCM provides specific instructions via ProxyExchange.

 

FUND-SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Infinity Core Alternative Fund (“ICAF”)

 

 

ICAF is a “fund of funds” that invests primarily in general or limited partnerships, funds, corporations, trusts or other investment vehicles (collectively, “Investment Funds”). While it is unlikely that ICAF will receive notices or proxies from Investment Funds (or in connection with any other portfolio securities), to the extent that ICAF does receive such notices or proxies and ICAF has voting interests in such Investment Funds, the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by ICAF lies with FTCM as ICAF’s advisor. FTCM will vote such proxies in accordance with the proxy policies and procedures noted above.

 

ICAF will be required to file Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve (12) months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. The Fund’s Form N-PX filing will be available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1.877.779.1999 or (ii) by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

3 Proxy voting in certain countries requires share blocking. Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the meeting date with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, any shares held by the designated depositary cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to FTCM’s custodian banks. FTCM generally opts not to participate in share blocking proxies given these restrictions on their ability to trade.

 

 

 

 

All Other Funds

 

With the exception of the First Trust Merger Arbitrage Fund and First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF, the Funds for which FTCM is presently either an advisor or a sub-advisor are managed by multiple internal and external portfolio management teams. As is noted above, the policies and procedures outlined within this Proxy Policy and Procedure apply to those securities being held in that portion of the Funds’ portfolios managed by a FTCM portfolio manager only.

 

Each Fund will be required to file Form N-PX annually, with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve (12) months immediately prior to the Fund’s year-end, no later than sixty (60) days following the Fund’s year-end. The Fund’s Form N-PX filing will be available: (i) without charge, upon request, from the Fund’s administrator or (ii) by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

 

Angel Oak Capital Advisors

PROXY POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

Policy

 

The Advisers as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our Clients1 have responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of our Clients. Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.

 

Investment advisers registered with the SEC, which exercise voting authority with respect to Client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that Client securities are voted in the best interests of Clients, including how an adviser addresses material conflicts that can arise between an adviser’s interests and those of its Clients; (b) disclose to Clients how they obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) describe to Clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures to its Clients. In addition, SEC Rule 204-2(c)(2) requires investment advisers that exercise voting authority with respect to Client securities to maintain certain records relating to the adviser’s proxy voting activities.

 

The Advisers will vote all proxies in the best interests of Clients and in accordance with the procedures outlined below, unless otherwise mandated by Client instructions, the investment management agreement, or applicable law. Our policy includes the responsibility to receive and vote Client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as making information available to Clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.

 

When voting proxies for holdings of U.S. Registered Funds managed by the Advisers, please review the relevant Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy.

 

When voting proxies for Client holdings in other Registered Funds, please ensure voting decisions comply with the relevant Trust’s Fund of Funds Investments Policy and the Advisers’ Affiliated Fund Investments Policy.

 

Procedures

 

All proxies that are sent to Clients and received by the Advisers to vote on behalf of Clients will be logged by the Advisers’ Operations team and provided to the portfolio manager responsible for the asset class subject to the proxy (the “Proxy Manager”). The log maintained by the Operations team will include the below information.

 

The Operations team will determine which Client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates.

 

 

1Clients of the Advisers may include: Publicly offered open-end and closed-end registered investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Registered Funds”); a publicly offered Undertaking for Collective Investment of Transferable Securities (UCITS) fund registered with the Central Bank of Ireland (“UCITS Fund”); private investment funds organized as pooled investment vehicles exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Private Funds”); publicly traded real estate investment trusts (“Public REITs”); and institutional and high net-worth individual investors (“Separately Managed Accounts”).

 

 

 

 

Prior to voting any proxy, the Proxy Manager, in consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) if necessary, will determine if there are any conflicts of interest related to the proxy. If a conflict is identified, the CCO will decide as to whether the conflict is material. If it is deemed to be material, the conflict will be addressed as outlined below. Furthermore, the Proxy Manager will be required to confirm to the Operations team that any information relied upon to vote the proxy is believed to be materially accurate and complete.

 

Absent material conflicts, the Proxy Manager will determine how the relevant Adviser should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines as described below. Operations personnel will vote the proxy per the Proxy Manager’s instructions in a timely and appropriate manner.

 

Voting Guidelines

 

In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the Client, the Advisers will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular Client. The Advisers’ policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each Client unless instructed otherwise by a Client or unless there is a situation where the differing investment objectives of Clients lead to different voting directions being in the best interest of different Clients. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on each Adviser’s voting authority in the same manner they place restrictions on the selection of account securities or establish other investment guidelines.

 

In certain situations, proxy voting is delegated to sub-advisors who advise on the relevant investments undergoing a proxy. These proxies are managed solely by the sub-advisor and are not tracked by the Advisers. As indicated in the Advisers’ Sub-Advisor Due Diligence Policy, the Advisers review the sub-advisor’s proxy voting policy to confirm the policy is effective and complies with the SEC’s requirements. On a quarterly basis, the Compliance team will confirm with any relevant sub-advisor whether they are maintaining appropriate records with respect to the proxies voted on behalf of the Advisers’ Clients.

 

The Advisers will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors, unless conflicts of interest are raised by an auditor’s non-audit services. The Advisers will seek to maximize long-term value for Clients, protect Clients’ rights, and promote governance structures and practices that reinforce the accountability of corporate management and boards of directors to shareholders.

 

The Advisers will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched or that cause unequal voting rights.

 

In reviewing proposals, the Advisers will further consider the opinion of management as well as the effect of the proposal on management, shareholder value, and the issuer’s business practices. Throughout the proxy voting window, the Advisers will assess all known and publicly available information with respect to the proxy vote. This can include information made available by the issuer after the proxy vote has been initiated but prior to the proxy vote submission deadline. For example, this may entail information released by the issuer in response to recommendations made by proxy advisory firms.

 

In certain circumstances, the Advisers may refrain from voting where the economic or other opportunity cost to a Client of voting a company’s proxy exceeds any anticipated benefits (for the relevant Client) of that proxy proposal. In each situation, the Proxy Manager’s decision not to vote will be documented, reviewed by Compliance, and retained in the relevant Adviser’s books and records. The Proxy Manager will be required to confirm that they believe that refraining from voting is in the best interest of the relevant Client.

 

 

 

 

Additional ERISA Considerations

 

The Advisers may manage assets of a benefit plan for the purposes of Title I of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). For each ERISA fund managed, the Advisers would need to comply with ERISA’s Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder Rights rule (the “ERISA Rule”). The ERISA Rule is largely in-keeping with this Policy. The ERISA Rule adds additional emphasis regarding ERISA fiduciaries’ requirement to carry out all proxy votes prudently and solely in the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and beneficiaries, additionally noting that ERISA fiduciaries must act solely in accordance with the economic interest of the plan considering only factors that they prudently determine will affect the economic value of the plan’s investment based on a determination of risk and return over an appropriate investment horizon. The ERISA Rule contains additional due diligence and monitoring requirements with respect to the selection and use of third-party proxy advisory firms. The Advisers do not use a proxy advisory firm as noted below.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The Advisers will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of any Adviser and any Client by reviewing the relationship of the Advisers with the issuer of each security to determine if any Adviser has any relationship with the issuer. 

 

The Advisers will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of any Client and another Client by reviewing each Client’s holdings in the relevant issuer to ensure whether any Client’s holdings at other levels in the issuer’s capital structure conflict with the holdings for which there is a proxy vote.

 

If a material conflict of interest exists, the relevant Adviser will disclose the conflict to the affected Client(s), to give the Client(s) an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third-party voting recommendation.

 

The Advisers will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.

 

Client Requests for Information

 

All Client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any employee should be forwarded to the CCO.

 

In response to any request, the CCO will prepare a written response to the Client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how the relevant Adviser voted the Client’s proxy with respect to each proposal about which the Client inquired.

 

Use of Third-Party Proxy Advisory Services

 

Registered investment advisers can use independent third-party proxy advisory services to assist the adviser by making recommendations regarding how proxies should be voted. The use of proxy advisory services does not relieve an adviser’s obligation to vote in the client’s best interest nor remove an adviser’s obligation to provide full and fair disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Currently, the Advisers predominantly trade fixed-income products which generally do not hold proxy votes and therefore very few proxies are voted by the Advisers. Given the limited number of proxies, the Advisers have not engaged a third-party proxy advisory service. In the future, the Advisers may engage such a service. At that time, the Advisers would be required to vet the independence of the firm engaged to cast those votes, ascertain whether the firm has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy voting issues, evaluate the staffing adequacy and quality of the firm’s personnel, and review the robustness of the firm’s policies and procedures to ensure accurate votes and mitigate conflicts of interest.

 

 

 

 

In addition, given the Advisers’ obligations to provide full and fair disclosure to their Clients of all material facts relating to the advisory relationship, any future engagements with proxy advisory firms will be disclosed to all Clients. If the Advisers use any automated or pre-populated voting services provided by the proxy advisory firms, the Advisers would disclose the extent of that use and under what circumstances the Advisers use such services. Moreover, the Advisers would need to create policies and disclosures to address the use of automated or pre-populated voting in cases where the Advisers become aware before the proxy voting submission deadline that the issuer intends to file or has filed additional soliciting materials with the SEC regarding a matter to be voted upon.

 

Certification

 

Portfolio managers are required to certify each quarter, that all proxies, if any, voted by the portfolio manager have been voted in the best interest of the Client(s). Such certification will demonstrate that each Adviser’s personnel are periodically reminded of their obligations under this Policy even during extended periods of no proxy activity involving Client positions.

 

Regulatory Reporting

 

Form N-PX

 

Each U.S. Registered Fund has an obligation to file Form N-PX with the SEC no later than August 31 of each year, containing the proxy voting record of each Registered Fund for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is generally filed by the Registered Funds’ administrator.

 

The relevant Adviser of any Registered Fund will assist the administrator with the filing of Form N-PX by notifying the administrator of any proxy votes cast on behalf of a Registered Fund and providing the following information for each security for which a proxy vote was cast during the reporting period: (a) the name of the issuer; (b) the exchange ticker symbol; (c) the CUSIP identifier; (d) the shareholder meeting date; (e) a brief description of the matter voted on; (f) whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; (g) whether a vote was cast on behalf of the Registered Fund; (h) how the vote was cast (e.g., for or against the proposal, or abstain; for or withhold for election of directors); and (i) whether the registrant cast its vote for or against management.

The CCO will review for accuracy a draft of the Form N-PX provided by the administrator prior to filing and will provide the relevant Adviser’s authorization to file the Form N-PX with the SEC.

 

Form ADV

 

A brief summary of each Adviser’s proxy voting policy and procedures will be included in the Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2A and will be updated at least annually or at any time there are material changes to the policy or procedures. The summary will include information as to how Clients can request a copy of each Adviser’s proxy voting policy and procedures and how Clients can request information from the Adviser regarding how proxies were voted on behalf of the Client’s account.

 

 

 

 

Testing

 

In order to determine that the Advisers are casting votes on behalf of Clients consistent with this Policy, the Advisers’ Compliance team samples at least ten percent of the proxy votes cast on behalf of Clients on an annual basis to confirm compliance with the Policy.

 

As part of the Advisers’ annual review, the Advisers review and document at least annually the adequacy of this Policy to ensure that it has been formulated reasonably and implemented effectively, including whether the Policy continues to be reasonably designed to ensure that the Advisers cast any votes in the best interests of Clients.

 

Recordkeeping

The Advisers will retain the following proxy records in accordance with the SEC’s five-year retention requirement.

 

These policies and procedures and any amendments;

 

Each proxy statement that each Adviser receives;

 

A record of each vote that an Adviser casts and confirmation from the Proxy Manager that the vote was based on materially accurate and complete information;

 

Any document an Adviser created that was material to deciding how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision;

 

Any documentation of a determination that a conflict of interest exists and the resolution of that conflict; and

 

A copy of each written request from a Client for information on how an Adviser voted such Client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response.

 

 

 

 

RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Pursuant to the recent adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

 

In its standard investment advisory agreement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (RiverNorth Capital)  specifically states that it does not vote proxies unless otherwise directed by the client and the client, including clients governed by ERISA, is responsible for voting any proxies.   Therefore, RiverNorth Capital will not vote proxies for these clients.  However, RiverNorth Capital will vote proxies on behalf of investment company clients and hedge fund clients ("Funds"). RiverNorth Capital has instructed all custodians, other than Fund custodians, to forward proxies directly to its clients, and if RiverNorth Capital accidentally receives a proxy for any non-Fund client, current or former, the Chief Compliance Officer will promptly forward the proxy to the client. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to Funds, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter “we” or “our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in any Fund's investment portfolios.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are designed to protect the best interests of the Funds in which we vote proxies on behalf of. RiverNorth does not delegate or rely on any third-party service provider for voting recommendations.

 

KEY OBJECTIVES

 

The key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders’ rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.

 

Therefore, we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for clients and the Funds:

 

Accountability. Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.

 

Alignment of Management and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.

 

 

 

 

Transparency. Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s securities.

 

DECISION METHODS

 

We generally believe that the individual portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies are the most knowledgeable and best suited to make decisions with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on those individuals to make the final decisions on how to cast proxy votes.

 

No set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers and analysts on how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.

 

In some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client/fund, on the one hand, and our interests or the interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward all of the necessary proxy voting materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.

 

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the following policies will apply to investment company shares owned by a Fund. The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”) defines an “investment company” to include mutual funds, money market funds, closed-end funds (including preferred shares of a closed-end fund), and exchange traded funds. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the Act, a fund may only invest up to 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company, but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies. However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Act provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by a fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons of the fund; and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than 1½% percent. Therefore, each Fund (or the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section 12(d) (1) (F):

 

when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, the Fund will either

 

oseek instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or

 

ovote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.

 

Under Section 12(d)(1)-(4) of the Act, an investment company (including exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), or closed-end funds), or business development company (“BDC”), is allowed to acquire securities of any other registered investment company or BDC in excess of the limitations in Section 12(d)(1). For purposes of these policies and procedures, the term “Acquiring Fund” means a fund that invests in any other registered investment company and “Acquired Fund” means a fund that is being acquired by another registered investment company.

 

When an investment company is relying on 12(d)(1)-(4), the investment company must comply with the following provisions regarding proxy voting:

 

 

 

 

1.                   Limits on Control and Voting. When an investment company acquires shares of another investment company (Acquiring Fund), its advisory group1 is prohibited from controlling2, individually or in the aggregate, of the Acquired Fund. An Acquiring Fund and its advisory group are required to use mirror voting when they hold more than: (i) 25 percent of the outstanding voting securities of an Acquired Fund that is an open-end fund or UIT due to a decrease in the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund; or (ii) 10 percent of the outstanding voting securities of an Acquired Fund that is a closed-end fund or BDC. In assessing whether a Fund is deemed to have control, the Acquiring Fund is required to aggregate its investment in an Acquired Fund with the investment of the Acquiring Fund’s advisory group. The Acquiring Fund and its advisory group are required to use pass-through voting (i.e., seek voting instructions from the Acquiring Fund’s own shareholders and vote accordingly) in situations where (1) all holders of an Acquired Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required by Rule 12d1-4 or Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act to use mirror voting, or (2) mirror voting by an Acquiring Fund is not possible (for example, when Acquiring Funds are the only shareholders of an Acquired Fund).

 

2.                   Exceptions from the Control and Voting Conditions. The control and voting conditions described above do not apply when: (i) an Acquiring Fund is within the same group of investment companies as an Acquired Fund; or (ii) the Acquiring Fund’s investment sub-advisor or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such investment sub-advisor acts as the Acquired Fund’s investment advisor or depositor.

 

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

 

Election of the Board of Directors

 

We believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition promotes independent board action; fresh approaches to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent directors.

 

The election of a company’s board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts to adopt classified board structures.

 

 

1Rule 12d1-4 defines “advisory group” as either: (i) an Acquiring Fund’s investment advisor or depositor and any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such investment advisor or depositor; or (ii) an Acquiring Fund’s investment sub-advisor and any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such investment sub-advisor.

 

2“Control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. The 1940 Act creates a rebuttable presumption that any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is deemed to control the company. Accordingly, an Acquiring Fund and its advisory group could own up to 25% of the outstanding shares of an Acquired Fund without being presumed to control the Acquired Fund. A determination of control depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular situation and does not turn solely on ownership of voting securities of a company.

 

 

 

 

Approval of Independent Auditors

 

We believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.

 

We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.

 

Equity-based compensation plans

 

We believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.

 

We will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:

 

1.       Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.

 

2.       Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.

 

These are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s impact on ownership interests.

 

Corporate Structure

 

We view the exercise of shareholders’ rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.

 

Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s by-laws by a simple majority vote.

 

We will generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

 

Shareholder Rights Plans

 

While we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such measures may tend to entrench current management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value. Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.

 

PROXY SERVICE PROVIDER OVERSIGHT

 

We use Broadridge as our third-party service provider for voting proxies. Broadridge, as a RiverNorth service provider, is monitored by RiverNorth through its proxy service and undergoes an initial and annual due diligence review.

 

The initial due diligence of a third-party service provider for proxy services includes a review of the service provider’s compliance policies and procedures, records of any administrative proceedings against the firm, interview with key personnel, review the information technology and cybersecurity controls in place to protect vital data and discussions with other clients of the service provider.

 

 

 

 

For annual due diligence, RiverNorth requires its third-party service provider for proxy services to complete a Due Diligence Questionnaire (DDQ). As with the initial due diligence, the DDQ will cover the service provider’s compliance policies and procedures, records of any administrative proceedings against the firm and information technology and cybersecurity controls in place to protect vital data. It will also include an evaluation of any material changes in services or operations of the third-party service provider for proxy services.

 

CLIENT INFORMATION

 

A copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-646-0148. We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery. In addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard to the client’s securities.

 

TESTING PROCEDURES

 

On a monthly basis, the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee shall obtain periodic affirmations from employees responsible for voting proxies that all outstanding proxies for the prior month have been voted. On a periodic basis, the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee shall review a sample of all proxies for compliance with these procedures.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

(a)(1) Identification of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members and Description of Role of Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Members

 

The following table provides biographical information about the members of First Trust Capital Management L.P. (the “Investment Manager”) and RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC and Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC (the "Sub-Advisers"), who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund as of March 31, 2022:

 

Name of
Portfolio
Management
Team
Member
Title Length of
Time of
Service to the
Fund
Business Experience
During the Past 5 Years
Role of Portfolio
Management Team
Member
Michael Peck Chief Executive Officer & Co-Chief Investment Officer Since Inception

Chief Executive Officer and Co-CIO, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2012 - Present); President and Co-CIO, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (formerly, Vivaldi Capital Management, LLC) (2012 – Present)

Portfolio Management
Brian Murphy Co-Chief Investment Officer Since Inception

Co-Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2014 - Present), Portfolio Manager, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (formerly, Vivaldi Capital Management, LLC) (2014 – Present)

Portfolio Management
Jeff O’Brien Portfolio Manager Since Inception Portfolio Manager, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2014 – present);  Portfolio Manager, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (formerly, Vivaldi Capital Management, LLC)  (2014 – 2021) Portfolio Management
Daniel Lancz Portfolio Manager Since Inception Portfolio Manager, First Trust Capital Management L.P. (formerly, Vivaldi Asset Management, LLC) (2014 – Present);  Portfolio Manager, Vivaldi Capital Management LP (formerly, Vivaldi Capital Management, LLC)  (2014 – 2021) Portfolio Management
Patrick Galley

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager

Since inception

CIO/PM, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2004-present). CEO, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2020-present).

Portfolio Management
 Steve O’Neill Portfolio Manager Since inception

PM, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2007-present).

Portfolio Management
Sreeni Prabu Managing Partner, Co-CEO, & Group Chief Investment Officer 10/26/2017 Managing Partner, Co-CEO, & Group Chief Investment Officer, Angel Oak Capital Advisors, 2009-present Portfolio Management
Sam Dunlap Chief Investment Officer-Public Strategies 10/26/2017 Chief Investment Officer-Public Strategies, Angel Oak Capital Advisors, 2009-present Portfolio Management
Berkin Kologlu Senior Portfolio Manager 10/26/2017 Senior Portfolio Manager, Angel Oak Capital Advisors, 2013-present Portfolio Management
Colin McBurnette Senior Portfolio Manager 10/26/2017 Senior Portfolio Manager, Angel Oak Capital Advisors, 2012-present Portfolio Management

 

 

 

 

(a)(2) Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager(s) or Management Team Member and Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

The following table provides information about portfolios and accounts, other than First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund, for which the members of the Investment Committee of the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of March 31, 2022:

 

Name of
Portfolio
Management
Team Member
Number of Accounts and Total Value
of Assets for Which Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based:
Number of Other Accounts Managed
and Total Value of Assets by Account
Type for Which There is No
Performance-Based Fee:

Name 

Registered investment companies Other pooled investment vehicles Other accounts Registered investment companies Other pooled investment vehicles Other accounts
Michael Peck Zero Accounts 1 account $35.7M Zero Accounts 2 accounts  $41.3M

2 accounts $87.6M

Zero Accounts
Brian Murphy Zero Accounts 1 account $35.7M Zero Accounts 2 accounts $41.3M 10 accounts $221.3M Zero Accounts
Jeff O’Brien Zero Accounts 1 account $16.0M Zero Accounts 2 accounts $1.224M Zero Accounts Zero Accounts
Daniel Lancz Zero Accounts 1 account $16.0M Zero Accounts 2 accounts $1.224M Zero Accounts Zero Accounts
Patrick Galley Zero Accounts

4 accounts $971.4M

4 accounts $83.5M

12 accounts $4.78M

Zero Accounts Zero Accounts
Steve O’Neill Zero Accounts

4 accounts $971.4M

4 accounts $83.5M

11 accounts $4.66M

Zero Accounts Zero Accounts
Sreeni Prabu Zero Accounts

13 accounts $1.5B

Zero Accounts

6 accounts $8.4B

17 accounts $2.8B

Zero Accounts
Sam Dunlap Zero Accounts Zero Accounts Zero Accounts

6 accounts $6.4B

1 account $640M

20 accounts $445M

Berkin Kologlu Zero Accounts

1 account $125.8M

Zero Accounts

4 accounts $6.4B

2 accounts $765M

6 accounts $345M

Colin McBurnette Zero Accounts

1 account $125.8M

Zero Accounts

7 accounts $7.9B

3 accounts $790M

13 accounts $45M

             

 

 

 

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The Investment Manager, Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers may manage multiple funds and/or other accounts, and as a result may be presented with one or more of the following actual or potential conflicts:

 

The management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in the Investment Manager, a Sub-Adviser or Portfolio Manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund and/or other account. The Investment Manager seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of a Portfolio Manager by having the Portfolio Manager focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other accounts managed by a Portfolio Manager are managed using the same investment models that are used in connection with the management of the Fund.

 

If the Investment Manager, a Sub-Adviser or Portfolio Manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one fund or other account, a fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts. To deal with these situations, the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisers have adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

 

The Investment Manager and Sub-Advisers have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

(a)(3) Compensation Structure of Portfolio Manager

 

Compensation of the Investment Committee

 

The members of the Investment Committee are not directly compensated for their work with respect to the Fund; however, each member of the Investment Committee is an equity owner of the parent company of the Investment Manager or Sub-Adviser and therefore benefits indirectly from the revenue generated from the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(a)(4) Disclosure of Securities Ownership

 

Portfolio Management Team’s Ownership of Shares

 

Name of Portfolio
Management Team
Member:
Dollar Range of Shares
Beneficially Owned by
Portfolio Management
Team Member:
Michael Peck $0 - $10,000
Brian Murphy $100,001 – $500,000
Jeff O’Brien None
Daniel Lancz None
Patrick Galley None
Steve O’Neill None
Sreeni Prabu None
Sam Dunlap None
Berkin Kologlu None
Colin McBurnette None

 

(b) Not Applicable

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17CFR 229.407), or this Item.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a) The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

 

 

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

 

(a)(1) Code of ethics or any amendments thereto, that is subject to disclosure required by item 2 is attached hereto.

 

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(a)(4) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

(registrant) First Trust Alternative Opportunities Fund  

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Michael Peck  
Michael Peck, President  
(Principal Executive Officer)  

 

Date June 9, 2022  

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Michael Peck  
Michael Peck, President  
(Principal Executive Officer)  

 

Date June 9, 2022  

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Chad Eisenberg  
Chad Eisenberg, Treasurer  
(Principal Financial Officer)  

 

Date June 9, 2022  

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.