AIRR

First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide exposure to U.S. companies that stand to benefit from themes associated with the American industrial renaissance. The ETF is managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. and trades under the ticker AIRR on NYSE Arca.

Classified as a U.S.-only equity ETF with a thematic focus, AIRR aims to reflect, before fees and expenses, the aggregated performance of equities included in its benchmark index. 

The benchmark index is the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, which includes large- and mid-cap U.S. companies that meet the thematic criteria of the so-called “industrial renaissance,” weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization.

Periodic rebalancing is conducted to ensure alignment with changes in eligible securities and evolving economic dynamics.

Diversification and sector exposure

AIRR provides exposure to the industrial sector and allied areas tied to U.S. economic growth, including companies operating across segments such as:

• Advanced manufacturing and industrial equipment.

• Infrastructure and heavy construction.

• Defense and aerospace technology.

• Energy and energy equipment.

• Transportation and industrial logistics.

Structure and costs

Shares of AIRR are traded on the secondary market, while creation and redemption of shares are carried out by authorized participants, a mechanism that helps keep the ETF’s market price close to its net asset value (NAV).

The fund carries an expense ratio consistent with thematic sector ETFs, reflecting the operational costs of passive index replication, and does not charge a performance fee. 

AIRR may make periodic income distributions, derived from dividends paid by constituent companies when applicable. The ETF has a single share class and trades exclusively under the ticker AIRR.

History and evolution of the ETF

The First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF was launched in 2020, amid rising investor interest in themes related to revitalizing U.S. industry, strengthening domestic production, and reshoring global supply chains in response to changing economic and geopolitical conditions.

Since inception, AIRR has been used by institutional and individual investors seeking thematic exposure to industrial growth and economic expansion, complementing traditional equity allocations and sector-focused strategies.

Between 2020 and 2024, the ETF reflected market movements associated with post-pandemic economic cycles, fiscal and monetary stimulus policies, infrastructure investment trends, and reshoring initiatives, while maintaining high liquidity and broad use as a thematic diversification tool in industrial and economic growth allocations.