# First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) ETF

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> **Last updated:** 2026-03-15 UTC  
> **Disclaimer:** This is not financial advice. Educational purposes only.

## Quick Answer

The First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is a growth-focused fund with $0.22 billion in assets under management. ILDR aims for capital appreciation by investing in companies that benefit from scientific and technological innovation. With an expense ratio of 0.75%, the fund offers exposure to a concentrated portfolio of 63 stocks, differentiating itself through its focus on companies poised to benefit from advancements in areas like automation, advanced medicine, and e-commerce. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Fund Snapshot

- **Fund Name:** First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF
- **Symbol:** ILDR
- **Asset Class:** Growth
- **Issuer:** First Trust
- **Domicile:** US
- **Expense Ratio:** 0.75%
- **NAV:** $30.44
- **AUM:** $216.10M
- **Inception Date:** 2021-05-25
- **Holdings Count:** 63
- **Dividend Yield:** 0.00%
- **Beta:** 1.48

## About First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF

The First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (the "Fund") seeks to provide capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stock and depository receipts issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies that may benefit from the development or application of scientific and technological innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, companies that are poised to benefit from new products or services, scientific research, technological improvements and/or enhancements to existing products or services related to automation, advanced medicine, networks, advanced computing, enhanced mobility, energy revolution and e-commerce.

## Investment Strategy

The First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) seeks capital appreciation by investing in companies expected to benefit from scientific and technological innovation. The fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stock and depository receipts of both U.S. and non-U.S. companies. ILDR targets companies involved in areas such as automation, advanced medicine, networks, advanced computing, enhanced mobility, energy revolution, and e-commerce. The fund's top holdings reflect this strategy, with significant allocations to NVIDIA Corp (7.58%), Amazon.com Inc (5.43%), and Alphabet Inc Class A (5.28%). Sector allocation is heavily weighted towards Technology (42.9%), followed by Healthcare (16.2%) and Industrials (15.5%). This concentrated approach aims to capture growth from innovative companies, making it suitable for investors seeking exposure to disruptive technologies. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Risk Profile

ILDR's concentrated portfolio of 63 holdings introduces concentration risk, as a significant portion of the fund's assets are allocated to its top holdings. For example, NVIDIA Corp alone accounts for 7.58% of the fund. The fund's sector allocation also presents a risk, with a heavy emphasis on Technology (42.9%), making it vulnerable to fluctuations in that sector. With a beta of 1.48, ILDR is more volatile than the broader market. The expense ratio of 0.75% is higher than some broad market ETFs, which can create an expense drag on returns, especially in periods of underperformance. Investors should consider these factors when evaluating ILDR's risk profile. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Top Holdings

- [NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/nvda) — **Weight:** 7.58%
- [Amazon.com Inc (AMZN)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/amzn) — **Weight:** 5.43%
- [Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/googl) — **Weight:** 5.28%
- [Eli Lilly and Co (LLY)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/lly) — **Weight:** 4.02%
- [Microsoft Corp (MSFT)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/msft) — **Weight:** 3.95%
- [Broadcom Inc (AVGO)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/avgo) — **Weight:** 3.93%
- [Schneider Electric SE (SU.PA)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/su.pa) — **Weight:** 3.92%
- [Oracle Corp (ORCL)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/orcl) — **Weight:** 3.39%
- [Micron Technology Inc (MU)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/mu) — **Weight:** 2.68%
- [Siemens Energy AG Ordinary Shares (ENR.DE)](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/enr.de) — **Weight:** 2.55%

## Sector Allocation

- Technology: 42.9%
- Healthcare: 16.2%
- Industrials: 15.5%
- Consumer Cyclical: 9.9%
- Communication Services: 8.7%
- Financial Services: 3.1%
- Utilities: 1.9%
- Energy: 1.8%

## Country Allocation

- United States: 84.1%
- France: 3.5%
- Germany: 2.3%
- Canada: 2.1%
- Netherlands: 1.9%
- Ireland: 1.6%
- Denmark: 1.5%
- Other: 0.9%
- Luxembourg: 0.9%
- Israel: 0.7%
- Uruguay: 0.3%

## Market Context

ILDR's focus on innovation aligns with current market trends favoring technology and growth-oriented companies. The ETF's emphasis on sectors like Technology, Healthcare, and Industrials positions it to potentially benefit from advancements in these areas. However, the fund's performance is closely tied to the performance of these sectors, making it susceptible to sector-specific downturns. In a competitive landscape of growth ETFs, ILDR differentiates itself through its specific focus on companies benefiting from scientific and technological innovation. Investors should consider the fund's concentration and sector biases when evaluating its suitability for their portfolios. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is ILDR and what does it track?

The First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) seeks to provide capital appreciation by investing in companies that are expected to benefit from scientific and technological innovation. The fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in companies involved in areas such as automation, advanced medicine, networks, advanced computing, enhanced mobility, energy revolution, and e-commerce. ILDR's portfolio consists of 63 holdings, with a significant allocation to the Technology sector (42.9%). The fund's objective is to capture growth from innovative companies, making it a targeted investment vehicle for investors seeking exposure to disruptive technologies. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### What is the expense ratio for ILDR?

The expense ratio for the First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is 0.75%. This means that for every $1000 invested, $7.50 is used to cover the fund's operating expenses. While this is not the highest expense ratio among specialized ETFs, it is higher than some broad market ETFs. Investors should consider the expense ratio as part of their overall evaluation of the fund, as it can impact net returns over time. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### What are the top holdings in ILDR?

The top holdings in the First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) are concentrated in a few key companies. As of 2026-03-15, the top three holdings are NVIDIA Corp (7.58%), Amazon.com Inc (5.43%), and Alphabet Inc Class A (5.28%). Other significant holdings include Eli Lilly and Co (4.02%) and Microsoft Corp (3.95%). These top holdings reflect the fund's focus on companies involved in technological innovation and growth. Investors should be aware of the concentration in these top holdings when evaluating the fund's risk profile. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### Is ILDR a good long-term investment?

Whether ILDR is a suitable long-term investment depends on an individual's investment goals and risk tolerance. The fund focuses on companies expected to benefit from scientific and technological innovation, which can offer high growth potential but also carries inherent risks. ILDR has a beta of 1.48, indicating higher volatility than the market. The fund's expense ratio is 0.75%. Investors should carefully consider these factors and their own investment objectives before deciding if ILDR aligns with their long-term investment strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### How does ILDR compare to similar ETFs?

ILDR differentiates itself through its specific focus on companies benefiting from scientific and technological innovation. Compared to broader growth ETFs, ILDR offers a more targeted approach. Its expense ratio of 0.75% may be higher than some passively managed growth ETFs. With AUM of $0.22 billion, ILDR is smaller than some of the more established growth ETFs. Investors should compare ILDR's specific investment strategy, expense ratio, and AUM to those of other growth ETFs to determine which fund best aligns with their investment objectives. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

### Does ILDR pay dividends?

As of 2026-03-15, the First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a dividend yield of 0.00%. This indicates that the fund does not currently distribute dividends to its shareholders. The fund's focus is on capital appreciation through investments in growth-oriented companies, rather than generating income through dividends. Investors seeking dividend income may want to consider other ETFs with a focus on dividend-paying stocks. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

## Data Sources

- Yahoo Finance (ETF bundle)
- Issuer prospectus
- Stock Expert AI proprietary analysis

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