# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001424212
**File Stem:** 0001445546-26-000636
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 4035
**Document Hash:** 43b266c52fab35a27fe7d50f2b5baf64
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001445546-26-000636.hdr.sgml**: 20260127

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001445546-26-000636

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 2

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260127

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260127

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260127

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND III
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001424212

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-176976
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26563322

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 400
- **CITY:** WHEATON
- **STATE:** IL
- **ZIP:** 60187
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 630-765-8000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 120 EAST LIBERTY DRIVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 400
- **CITY:** WHEATON
- **STATE:** IL
- **ZIP:** 60187

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20160419

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** First Trust Exchange Traded Fund III
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20080116

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (Series ID: S000067481)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name                       | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | MARB          | C000216993 |

---

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF (Series ID: S000067481)

| Class ID   | Class Name                       | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000216993 | First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF | MARB            |

Rule 497(e)<br> Registration Nos. 333-176976 and 811-22245

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund III

(the "*Trust*")

First Trust Merger Arbitrage ETF

(the *"Fund"*)

Supplement To the Fund's Prospectus, Summary Prospectus<br> and Statement of Additional Information

January 27, 2026

**Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy and Name**

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Fund's Prospectus, Summary Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information, the Fund's name will change to "First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF" and the Fund's ticker will change to "NTRL". This change is expected to occur early in the second quarter of 2026.

In connection with the change to the Fund's name, the Fund will adopt a non-fundamental investment policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in financial derivative instruments (exchange-traded or over-the-counter) that provide exposure to U.S exchange-listed equity securities, U.S. exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that provide exposure to U.S. exchange-listed equity securities and/or U.S. exchange-listed equity securities.

In connection with the changes described above, the Fund's principal investment strategies will be revised such that the Fund will no longer pursue its current merger arbitrage strategy, and it will instead seek an equity market neutral approach where the overall performance of the Fund is driven primarily by the net performance of long and short positions, independent of directional movements in the market. The Fund will pursue its investment objective by establishing long and short positions in U.S. exchange-listed equity securities, including exposure obtained through ETFs and financial derivative instruments such as futures or total return swaps. The Fund will generally seek to have exposure ranging from approximately 150%-250% to long positions and approximately 150%-250% to short positions. Additionally, the Fund's annual unitary management fee will be reduced to 0.95% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Fund's portfolio management team will change to members of the First Trust Alternatives Investment Team, and the Fund will no longer have a sub-advisor.

Please Keep this Supplement with your Fund Prospectus, Summary Prospectus

and Statement of Additional Information for Future Reference