As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2020
Securities Act File No. 333-170122
Investment Company File No. 811-22487
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
________________
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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☒ | |||
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 464
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and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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☒ | |||
Amendment No. 466
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(Check appropriate
box or boxes)
________________
DBX ETF TRUST
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
________________
875 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022-6225
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500
________________
Freddi Klassen
DBX ETF Trust
875 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022-6225
(Name
and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to: Stuart Strauss, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New
York 10036-6797
________________
It is proposed that this filing will become effective: (check appropriate box)
☐ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
☐ | on ______________ pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (1) | |
☒ | on May 12, 2020 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | |
☐ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) | |
☐ | on ______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ |
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment
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1 |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment contains the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information relating only to the following series of the Registrant:
This Post-Effective Amendment is not intended to update or amend any other Prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information of the Registrant’s other series.
2 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESHY |
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Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESCR |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | |
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Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | |
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Fund Details | |
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Ticker: ESHY | Stock Exchange: Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
Management fee 1 | |
Other Expenses | |
Total annual fund operating expenses |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 1 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 2 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 3 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 4 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 5 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Returns | Period ending | |
Best Quarter | ||
Worst Quarter | ||
Year-to-Date |
Inception Date |
1
Year |
Since
Inception |
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Returns before tax | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions and sale of fund shares | 3/3/2015 | ||
J.P. Morgan ESG DM Corporate High Yield USD Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive USD High Yield Corporate Bond – Interest Rate Hedged Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive High Yield Corporate Bond Index (Long only component) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 6 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 7 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Ticker: ESCR | Stock Exchange: Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
Management fee 1 | |
Other Expenses | |
Total annual fund operating expenses |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 8 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 9 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 10 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 11 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 12 |
Returns | Period ending | |
Best Quarter | ||
Worst Quarter | ||
Year-to-Date |
Inception Date |
1
Year |
Since
Inception |
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Returns before tax | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions and sale of fund shares | 3/3/2015 | ||
Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate Sustainability SRI Sector/Credit/Maturity Neutral Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive USD Investment Grade Bond – Interest Rate Hedged Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive Investment Grade Bond Index (Long only component) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 13 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 14 | Fund Details |
■ | Band 1 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 80 |
■ | Band 2 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 60, less than 80 |
■ | Band 3 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 40, less than 60 |
■ | Band 4 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 20, less than 40 |
■ | Band 5 = JESG Score less than 20 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 15 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 16 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 17 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 18 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 19 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 20 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 21 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 22 | Fund Details |
■ | Adult Entertainment. All issuers classified as adult entertainment producers that earn more than 5% in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from adult entertainment materials are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Alcohol. All issuers that are classified as alcohol producers that earn more than 5% in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from alcohol-related products are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Gambling. All issuers that are classified as involved in gambling operations or support that earn more than 5% in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from gambling-related activities are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Tobacco. All issuers that are classified as tobacco producers or distributors, retailers, or suppliers that derive 15% or more of their revenue from tobacco-related products are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Military Weapons. All issuers that either i) are classified as involved in manufacturing of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons components, chemical and biological weapons components, or depleted uranium weapons or ii) earn more than 5% in revenue, or more than $500 million, from manufacturing conventional weapons, conventional weapons components, or conventional weapons support systems and services are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Civilian Firearms. All issuers that are classified as civilian firearms producers or retailers that derive 5% or more of their revenue, or more than $20 million in revenue, from civilian firearms-related products are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Nuclear Power. All issuers that either i) are classified as nuclear utilities or involved in uranium mining, designing nuclear reactors, or enrichment of fuel for nuclear reactors or ii) earn 15% or more revenues as a supplier to the nuclear power industry are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
■ | Genetically Modified Organisms. All companies that derive any revenue from activities like genetically modifying plants, such as seeds and crops, and other organisms intended for agricultural use or human consumption (but not companies only involved in GMO Research & Development activities) are excluded from the Underlying Index. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 23 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 24 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 25 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 26 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 27 | Fund Details |
■ | Each of the policies described herein, including the investment objective and 80% investment policies of each fund, constitutes a non-fundamental policy that may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Each fund’s 80% investment policies require 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before they can be changed. Certain fundamental policies of each fund are set forth in the SAI. |
■ | Because each fund seeks to track its Underlying Index, no fund invests defensively and each fund will not invest in money market instruments or other short-term investments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential market declines. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 28 | Fund Details |
■ | Each fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes. |
■ | [Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF may borrow money under a credit facility to the extent necessary for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests, trade settlements, and as necessary to distribute to shareholders any income necessary to maintain a fund’s status as a regulated investment company (“RIC”).] |
■ | From time to time a third party, the Advisor and/or its affiliates may invest in a fund and hold its investment for a specific period of time in order for a fund to achieve size or scale. There can be no assurance that any such entity would not redeem its investment or that the size of a fund would be maintained at such levels. In order to comply with applicable law, it is possible that the Advisor or its affiliates, to the extent they are invested in a fund, may be required to redeem some or all of their ownership interests in a fund prematurely or at an inopportune time. |
■ | Secondary market trading in fund shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in fund shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules on the exchange or market. If a trading halt or unanticipated early closing of a stock exchange occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell shares of each fund. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of fund shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that shares will trade with any volume, or at all, in any secondary market. As with all other exchange traded securities, shares may be sold short and may experience increased volatility and price decreases associated with such trading activity. |
■ | From time to time, a fund may have a concentration of shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on a fund. For example, a fund may be used as an underlying investment for other registered investment companies. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 29 | Fund Details |
Fund Name | Fee Paid |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | [ ]% |
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | [ ]% |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he worked in ETF management at XShares Advisors, an ETF issuer based in New York, and before that he served as an equity analyst for Fairhaven Capital LLC, a long/short equity fund. |
■ | Head of Passive Portfolio Management, Americas: New York. |
■ | BS in Finance, Boston College. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was a relationship manager in the Portfolio Analytics Group at BlackRock Solutions. Previously, he managed overlay accounts at BNY Mellon Beta Management, and was a senior portfolio manager for fixed income ETFs and mutual funds at Charles Schwab Investment Management. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BS in History, University of California, Irvine; MBA in Finance, University of Hawaii; Financial Risk Certification holder. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2010. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for trading and market making of European fixed income ETFs, structured funds, index swaps and options within the Fixed Income Derivatives Group in Corporate Banking & Securities, based out of London. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BTech and MTech (dual degree) in Industrial Engineering & Management, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagnur. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2016, with 5 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was responsible for management of fixed income mutual funds and ETFs at Charles Schwab Investment Management, where he previously supported portfolio managers and middle office duties. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 30 | Fund Details |
■ | BSBA in Finance, University of Arizona. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he worked in ETF management at XShares Advisors, an ETF issuer based in New York, and before that he served as an equity analyst for Fairhaven Capital LLC, a long/short equity fund. |
■ | Head of Passive Portfolio Management, Americas: New York. |
■ | BS in Finance, Boston College. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was a relationship manager in the Portfolio Analytics Group at BlackRock Solutions. Previously, he managed overlay accounts at BNY Mellon Beta Management, and was a senior portfolio manager for fixed income ETFs and mutual funds at Charles Schwab Investment Management. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BS in History, University of California, Irvine; MBA in Finance, University of Hawaii; Financial Risk Certification holder. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2010. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for trading and market making of European fixed income ETFs, structured funds, index swaps and options within the Fixed Income Derivatives Group in Corporate Banking & Securities, based out of London. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BTech and MTech (dual degree) in Industrial Engineering & Management, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagnur. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2016, with 5 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was responsible for management of fixed income mutual funds and ETFs at Charles Schwab Investment Management, where he previously supported portfolio managers and middle office duties. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BSBA in Finance, University of Arizona. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 31 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 32 | Investing in the Funds |
Fund name | Ticker Symbol | Stock Exchange |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High
Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
ESHY |
Cboe BZX
Exchange, Inc. |
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment
Grade Corporate ESG ETF |
ESCR |
Cboe BZX
Exchange, Inc. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 33 | Investing in the Funds |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 34 | Investing in the Funds |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 35 | Investing in the Funds |
Fund Name | Fee |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | $500 |
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | $500 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 36 | Investing in the Funds |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 37 | Investing in the Funds |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 38 | Financial Highlights |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 39 | Appendix |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 40 | Appendix |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 41 | Appendix |
Call: |
1-855-329-3837 or 1-855-DBX-ETFS
(toll free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) E-mail: dbxquestions@list.db.com |
Write: |
DBX ETF Trust
c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc. 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESEB |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | |
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Fund Details | |
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Ticker: ESEB | Stock Exchange: Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
Management fee 1 | |
Other Expenses | |
Total annual fund operating expenses |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 1 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 2 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 3 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 4 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 5 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Returns | Period ending | |
Best Quarter | ||
Worst Quarter | ||
Year-to-Date |
Inception Date |
1
Year |
Since
Inception |
|
Returns before tax | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions | 3/3/2015 | ||
After tax on distributions and sale of fund shares | 3/3/2015 | ||
J.P. Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified Sovereign Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive USD Emerging Markets Bond – Interest Rate Hedged Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | |||
Solactive Emerging Markets Bond Index (Long only component) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 6 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 7 | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 8 | Fund Details |
■ | Band 1 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 80 |
■ | Band 2 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 60, less than 80 |
■ | Band 3 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 40, less than 60 |
■ | Band 4 = JESG Score equal to or greater than 20, less than 40 |
■ | Band 5 = JESG Score less than 20 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 9 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 10 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 11 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 12 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 13 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 14 | Fund Details |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 15 | Fund Details |
■ | Each of the policies described herein, including the investment objective and 80% investment policies of the fund, constitutes a non-fundamental policy that may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. The fund’s 80% investment policies require 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before they can be changed. Certain fundamental policies of the fund are set forth in the SAI. |
■ | Because the fund seeks to track its Underlying Index, no fund invests defensively and the fund will not invest in money market instruments or other short-term investments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential market declines. |
■ | The fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes. |
■ | The fund may borrow money under a credit facility to the extent necessary for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests, trade settlements, and as necessary to distribute to shareholders any income necessary to maintain the fund’s status as a regulated investment company (“RIC”). |
■ | From time to time a third party, the Advisor and/or its affiliates may invest in the fund and hold its investment for a specific period of time in order for the fund to achieve size or scale. There can be no assurance that any such entity would not redeem its investment or that the size of the fund would be maintained at such levels. In order to comply with applicable law, it is possible that the Advisor or its affiliates, to the extent they are invested in the fund, may be required to redeem some or all of their ownership interests in the fund prematurely or at an inopportune time. |
■ | Secondary market trading in fund shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in fund shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules on the exchange or market. If a trading halt or unanticipated early closing of a stock exchange occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell shares of the fund. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of fund shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that shares will trade with any volume, or at all, in any secondary market. As with all other exchange traded securities, shares may be sold short and may experience increased volatility and price decreases associated with such trading activity. |
■ | From time to time, the fund may have a concentration of shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the fund. For example, the fund may be used as an underlying investment for other registered investment companies. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 16 | Fund Details |
Fund Name | Fee Paid |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | [ ]% |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he worked in ETF management at XShares Advisors, an ETF issuer based in New York, and before that he served as an equity analyst for Fairhaven Capital LLC, a long/short equity fund. |
■ | Head of Passive Portfolio Management, Americas: New York. |
■ | BS in Finance, Boston College. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2011 with 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was a relationship manager in the Portfolio Analytics Group at BlackRock Solutions. Previously, he managed overlay accounts at BNY Mellon Beta Management, and was a senior portfolio manager for fixed income ETFs and mutual funds at Charles Schwab Investment Management. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BS in History, University of California, Irvine; MBA in Finance, University of Hawaii; Financial Risk Certification holder. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 17 | Fund Details |
■ | Joined DWS in 2010. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for trading and market making of European fixed income ETFs, structured funds, index swaps and options within the Fixed Income Derivatives Group in Corporate Banking & Securities, based out of London. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BTech and MTech (dual degree) in Industrial Engineering & Management, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagnur. |
■ | Joined DWS in 2016, with 5 years of industry experience. Prior to joining DWS, he was responsible for management of fixed income mutual funds and ETFs at Charles Schwab Investment Management, where he previously supported portfolio managers and middle office duties. |
■ | Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Passive Asset Management: New York. |
■ | BSBA in Finance, University of Arizona. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 18 | Fund Details |
Fund name | Ticker Symbol | Stock Exchange |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging –
Markets Sovereign ETF |
ESEB |
Cboe BZX
Exchange, Inc. |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 19 | Investing in the Fund |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 20 | Investing in the Fund |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 21 | Investing in the Fund |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 22 | Investing in the Fund |
Fund Name | Fee |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | $500 |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 23 | Investing in the Fund |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 24 | Financial Highlights |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 25 | Appendix |
Prospectus May 12, 2020 | 26 | Appendix |
Call: |
1-855-329-3837 or 1-855-DBX-ETFS
(toll free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) E-mail: dbxquestions@list.db.com |
Write: |
DBX ETF Trust
c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc. 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESHY |
|
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESCR |
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Part II
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II-1 |
Detailed Part II table of contents precedes page II-1
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(1) | concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries), except that a fund will concentrate to the extent that its underlying index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political sub-divisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry; |
(2) | borrow money, except that (i) each fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities; and (ii) each fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward roll transactions and similar investment strategies and techniques; to the extent that it engages in transactions described in (i) and (ii), each fund will be limited so that no more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) is derived from such transactions. Any borrowings which come to exceed this amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable law; |
(3) | issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
(4) | make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
(5) | purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments (but this restriction shall not prevent each fund from investing in securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or securities or other instruments backed by real estate or mortgages), or commodities or commodity contracts (but this restriction shall not prevent each fund from trading in futures contracts and options on futures |
contracts, including options on currencies to the extent consistent with each fund’s investment objectives and policies); or | |
(6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other persons except, to the extent that each fund may technically be deemed to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act, the disposing of portfolio securities. |
(1) | sell securities short, unless the fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in-kind and amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short; |
(2) | purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided that |
margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin; | |
(3) | purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act; |
(4) | invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs or leases; however, the fund may invest in the securities of issuers that engage in these activities; and |
(5) | invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of the fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities. |
Board Member |
Xtrackers
J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
Xtrackers
Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF |
Independent Board Member: | ||
Stephen R. Byers | ||
George O. Elston | ||
J. David Officer |
Funds Overseen by
Board Member in the Xtrackers Funds |
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Independent Board Member: | |
Stephen R. Byers | $50,001 - $100,000 |
George O. Elston | None |
J. David Officer | $10,001 - $50,000 |
(1) | The dollar ranges are: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, or over $100,000. |
Independent
Board Member |
Owner and
Relationship to Board Member |
Company |
Title of
Class |
Value of
Securities on an Aggregate Basis |
Percent of
Class on an Aggregate Basis |
Stephen R. Byers | None | ||||
George O. Elston | None | ||||
J. David Officer | None |
Name and Address | Percentage Ownership |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% |
Name and Address | Percentage Ownership |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% | |
_____% |
Name of Committee |
Number of
Meetings in Last Fiscal Year |
Functions | Current Board Members |
NOMINATING COMMITTEE | 0 | The Nominating Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to identify and recommend individuals for Board membership, and evaluate candidates for Board membership. The Board will consider recommendations for Board Members from shareholders. Nominations from shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Board, to the attention of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, as described in Part II SAI Appendix II-A under the caption “Shareholder Communications to the Board.” | J. David Officer (Chairman), Stephen R. Byers and George O. Elston |
Board Member |
Total Compensation from the
Xtrackers Fund Complex(1) |
Independent Board Member: | |
Stephen R. Byers(2) | |
George O. Elston(3) | |
J. David Officer |
(1) | For each Independent Board Member, total compensation from the Xtrackers fund complex represents compensation from 33 funds as of December 31, 2019. |
(2) | Includes $25,000 in annual retainer fees received by Mr. Byers as Chairman of the Xtrackers funds. |
(3) | Includes $15,000 in annual retainer fees received by Mr. Elston as Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of
Fund Shares Owned |
Bryan Richards | $ |
Brandon Matsui | $ |
Tanuj Dora | $ |
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ |
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of
Fund Shares Owned |
Bryan Richards | $ |
Brandon Matsui | $ |
Tanuj Dora | $ |
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Registered Investment Companies |
Total Assets of
Registered Investment Companies |
Number of Investment
Company Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance-Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Total Assets of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Number of Pooled
Investment Vehicle Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Total Assets of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Number of Pooled
Investment Vehicle Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Other Accounts |
Total Assets
of Other Accounts |
Number of Other
Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Other Accounts |
Total Assets
of Other Accounts |
Number of Other
Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Fiscal Year Ended |
Gross Amount
for Advisory Services(1) |
Amount Waived
by DBX for Advisory Services |
2019 | ||
2018 | ||
2017(2) |
Fiscal Year Ended |
Gross Amount
Paid to DBX for Advisory Services(3) |
Amount Waived
by DBX for Advisory Services |
2019 | ||
2018 | ||
2017(4) |
Fund | 2019 | 2018 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | ||
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF |
Fiscal
Year |
Brokerage Commissions
Paid by Fund |
|
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 2019 | |
2018 | ||
2017 | ||
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 2019 | |
2018 | ||
2017 |
Name of Regular Broker or Dealer or Parent (Issuer) | Securities of Regular Broker Dealers |
Fund and its Fiscal Year End | Exchange | CUSIP Number |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | 233051747 |
Fiscal Year End: 5/31 | ||
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | 233051739 |
Fiscal Year End: 5/31 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.: ESEB |
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Part II
|
II-1 |
Detailed Part II table of contents precedes page II-1
|
(1) | concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries), except that the fund will concentrate to the extent that its underlying index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal |
governments and their political sub-divisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry; | |
(2) | borrow money, except that (i) the fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities; and (ii) the fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, forward roll transactions and similar investment strategies and techniques; to the extent that it engages in transactions described in (i) and (ii), the fund will be limited so that no more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) is derived from such transactions. Any borrowings which come to exceed this amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable law; |
(3) | issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
(4) | make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
(5) | purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments (but this restriction shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or securities or other instruments backed by real estate or mortgages), or commodities or commodity contracts (but this restriction shall not prevent the fund from trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including options on currencies to the extent consistent with the fund’s investment objectives and policies); or |
(6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other persons except, to the extent that the fund may technically be deemed to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act, the disposing of portfolio securities. |
(1) | sell securities short, unless the fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in-kind and amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short; |
(2) | purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin; |
(3) | purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act; |
(4) | invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs or leases; however, the fund may invest in the securities of issuers that engage in these activities; and |
(5) | invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of the fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities. |
Board Member | Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Independent Board Member: | |
Stephen R. Byers | |
George O. Elston | |
J. David Officer |
Funds Overseen by
Board Member in the Xtrackers Funds |
|
Independent Board Member: | |
Stephen R. Byers | $50,001 - $100,000 |
George O. Elston | None |
J. David Officer | $10,001 - $50,000 |
(1) | The dollar ranges are: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, or over $100,000. |
Independent
Board Member |
Owner and
Relationship to Board Member |
Company |
Title of
Class |
Value of
Securities on an Aggregate Basis |
Percent of
Class on an Aggregate Basis |
Stephen R. Byers | None | ||||
George O. Elston | None | ||||
J. David Officer | None |
Name and Address | Percentage Ownership |
_____% |
Name of Committee |
Number of
Meetings in Last Fiscal Year |
Functions | Current Board Members |
NOMINATING COMMITTEE | 0 | The Nominating Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to identify and recommend individuals for Board membership, and evaluate candidates for Board membership. The Board will consider recommendations for Board Members from shareholders. Nominations from shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Board, to the attention of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, as described in Part II SAI Appendix II-A under the caption “Shareholder Communications to the Board.” | J. David Officer (Chairman), Stephen R. Byers and George O. Elston |
Board Member |
Total Compensation from the
Xtrackers Fund Complex(1) |
Independent Board Member: | |
Stephen R. Byers(2) | |
George O. Elston(3) | |
J. David Officer |
(1) | For each Independent Board Member, total compensation from the Xtrackers fund complex represents compensation from 33 funds as of December 31, 2019. |
(2) | Includes $25,000 in annual retainer fees received by Mr. Byers as Chairman of the Xtrackers funds. |
(3) | Includes $15,000 in annual retainer fees received by Mr. Elston as Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of
Fund Shares Owned |
Bryan Richards | $ |
Brandon Matsui | $ |
Tanuj Dora | $ |
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Total Assets of
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Number of Pooled
Investment Vehicle Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Name of
Portfolio Manager |
Number of
Other Accounts |
Total Assets
of Other Accounts |
Number of Other
Accounts with Performance- Based Fee |
Total Assets of
Performance- Based Fee Accounts |
Bryan Richards | $ | $ | ||
Brandon Matsui | $ | $ | ||
Tanuj Dora | $ | $ | ||
Alexander Bridgeforth | $ | $ |
Fiscal Year Ended |
Gross Amount
for Advisory Services(1) |
Amount Waived
by DBX for Advisory Services |
2019 | ||
2018 | ||
2017(2) |
Fund | 2019 | 2018 |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
Fiscal
Year |
Brokerage Commissions
Paid by Fund |
|
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | 2019 | |
2018 | ||
2017 |
Xtrackers
J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF |
|
Gross income from securities lending activities (including income from cash collateral reinvestment) | |
Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services | |
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split(1) | |
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split | |
Administrative fees not included in revenue split | |
Indemnification fees not included in revenue split | |
Rebate (paid to borrower) | |
Rebate (from borrower) | |
Other fees not included in revenue split | |
Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities and related services | |
Net income from securities lending activities |
Fund and its Fiscal Year End | Exchange | CUSIP Number |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | 233051713 |
Fiscal Year End: 5/31 |
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• | Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
• | Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
A+ | Highest | B+ | Average | C | Lowest |
A | High | B | Below Average | D | In Reorganization |
A– | Above Average | B– | Low | LIQ | Liquidation |
Name, Year of Birth, Position
with the Trust and Length of Time Served(1) |
Business Experience and
Directorships During the Past 5 Years |
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen |
Other Directorships
Held by Board Member |
Stephen R. Byers (1953)Chairman since 2016,
and Board Member since 2011 (formerly, Lead Independent Board Member, 2015-2016) |
Independent Director (2011- present); Independent Consultant (2014-present); Director of Investment Management, the Dreyfus Corporation (2000-2006) and Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, the Dreyfus Corporation (2002-2006). | 34 | The Arbitrage Funds, Sierra Income Corporation, Mutual Fund Directors Forum |
George O. Elston (1964)
Board Member since 2011, Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2015 |
Chief Financial Officer, Enzyvant (2018-present); Chief Executive Officer, 2X Oncology, Inc. (2017-2018); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Juniper Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2014-2016); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, KBI BioPharma Inc. (2013-2014); Managing Partner, Chatham Street Partners (2010-2013). | 34 | - |
J. David Officer (1948) Board Member since 2011, Chairman of the Nominating Committee since 2015 | Independent Director (2010-present); Vice Chairman, the Dreyfus Corporation (2006-2009); President, The Dreyfus Family of Funds, Inc. (2006-2009). | 34 | (Chairman of) Ilex Management Ltd,; Old Westbury Funds |
(1) | The length of time served is represented by the year in which the Board Member joined the Board. |
(2) | As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor and its affiliates, these individuals are considered “interested persons” of the Advisor within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Interested persons receive no compensation from the fund. |
(3) | Executive title, not a board directorship. |
(4) | The length of time served is represented by the year in which the officer was first elected to the Trust in such capacity. |
(5) | Address: 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022. |
(6) | Address: One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. |
(7) | Address: BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, Atlantic Terminal Office Tower, 2 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217. |
• | Fixed Pay (FP) is the key and primary element of compensation for the majority of DWS employees and reflects the value of the individual’s role and function within the organization. It rewards factors that an employee brings to the organization such as skills and experience, while reflecting regional and divisional (i.e., DWS) specifics. FP levels play a significant role in ensuring competitiveness of the Advisor and its affiliates in the labor market, thus benchmarking provides a valuable input when determining FP levels. |
• | Variable Compensation (VC) is a discretionary compensation element that enables the Advisor and its affiliates to provide additional reward to employees for their performance and behaviors, while reflecting DWS affordability and the financial situation of Deutsche Bank AG (the “Bank”) and DWS. VC aims to: |
Recognize that every employee contributes to the DWS Group’s success through the DWS Group and/or Bank component of VC (Group Component); |
Reflect individual performance, investment performance, behaviors and culture through discretionary individual VC (Individual Component); and | |
Reward outstanding contributions at the junior levels through the discretionary Recognition Award. |
• | VC can be delivered via cash, restricted equity awards, and/or restricted incentive awards or restricted compensation. Restricted compensation may include: |
Notional fund investments; | |
Restricted equity, notional equity; | |
Restricted cash; or | |
Such other form as DWS may decide in its sole discretion. |
• | VC comprises a greater proportion of total compensation as an employee’s seniority and total compensation level increase. Proportion of VC delivered via a long-term incentive award, which is subject to performance conditions and forfeiture provisions, will increase significantly as the amount of the VC increases. |
• | Additional forfeiture and claw back provisions, including complete forfeiture and claw back of VC may apply in certain events if an employee is an InstVV [CRD IV EU Directive4] Material Risk Taker. |
• | For key investment professionals, in particular, a portion of any long-term incentives will be in the form of notional investments aligned, where possible, to a suite of flagship funds managed by the DWS ETF platform. |
• | Quantitative measures (e.g. tracking error and tracking difference) are utilized to measure performance. |
• | Qualitative measures (e.g., adherence to, as well as contributions to, the enhancement of the investment process) are included in the performance review. |
• | Other factors (e.g., non-investment related performance, teamwork, adherence to compliance rules, risk management and “living the values” of the Advisor and its affiliates) are included as part of a discretionary component of the review process, giving management the ability to consider additional markers of performance on a subjective basis. |
• | Furthermore, it is important to note that DWS Group functions within a controlled environment based upon the risk limits established by DWS Group's Risk division, in conjunction with DWS Group management. Because risk consideration is inherent in all business activities, performance assessment factors in an employee’s ability to assess and manage risk. |
• | Certain investments may be appropriate for a fund and also for other clients advised by the Advisor and their affiliates, including other client accounts managed by a fund’s portfolio management team. Investment decisions for a fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients. Likewise, because clients of the Advisor and their affiliates may have differing investment strategies, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. The investment results achieved for a fund may differ from the results achieved for other clients of the Advisor and their affiliates. In addition, purchases or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed by the Advisor and their affiliates to be most equitable to each client, generally utilizing a pro rata allocation methodology. In some cases, the allocation procedure could potentially have an adverse effect or positive effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased or sold by a fund. Purchase and sale orders for a fund may be combined with those of other clients of the Advisor and their affiliates in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results to a fund and the other clients. |
• | To the extent that a portfolio manager has responsibilities for managing multiple client accounts, a portfolio manager will need to divide time and attention among relevant accounts. The Advisor and their affiliates attempt to minimize these conflicts by aligning its portfolio management teams by investment strategy and by employing similar investment models across multiple client accounts. |
• | In some cases, an apparent conflict may arise where the Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based fee, in managing one account and not with respect to other accounts it manages. The Advisor and their affiliates will not determine allocations based on whether it receives a performance-based fee from the client. Additionally, the Advisor has in place supervisory oversight processes to periodically monitor performance deviations for accounts with like strategies. |
• | The Advisor and its affiliates and the investment team of a fund may manage other mutual funds and separate accounts on a long only or a long-short basis. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates potential conflicts of interest including the risk that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of the long positions (and vice versa), the risk arising from sequential orders in long and short positions, and the risks associated with receiving opposing orders at the same time. The Advisor has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to mitigate these and other potential conflicts of interest. Included in these procedures are specific guidelines developed to provide fair and equitable treatment for all clients whose accounts are managed by each fund’s portfolio management team. The Advisor and the portfolio management team have established monitoring procedures, a protocol for supervisory reviews, as well as compliance oversight to ensure that potential conflicts of interest relating to this type of activity are properly addressed. |
• | Certain investments may be appropriate for a fund and also for other clients advised by the Advisor, including other client accounts managed by a fund’s portfolio management team. Investment decisions for a fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. A particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients. Likewise, because clients of the Advisor may have differing investment strategies, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. The investment results achieved for a fund may differ from the results achieved for other clients of the Advisor. In addition, purchases or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed by the Advisor to be most equitable to each client, generally utilizing a pro rata allocation methodology. In some cases, the allocation procedure could potentially have an adverse effect or positive effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased or sold by a fund. Purchase and sale orders for a fund may be combined with those of other clients of the Advisor in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results to a fund and the other clients. |
• | To the extent that a portfolio manager has responsibilities for managing multiple client accounts, a portfolio manager will need to divide time and attention among relevant accounts. The Advisor attempts to minimize these conflicts by aligning its portfolio management teams by investment strategy and by employing similar investment models across multiple client accounts. |
• | In some cases, an apparent conflict may arise where the Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based fee, in managing one account and not with respect to other accounts it manages. The Advisor will not determine allocations based on whether it receives a performance-based fee from the client. Additionally, the Advisor has in place supervisory oversight processes to periodically monitor performance deviations for accounts with like strategies. |
• | The Advisor and its affiliates and the investment team of a fund may manage other mutual funds and separate accounts on a long only or a long-short basis. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates potential conflicts of interest including the risk that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of the long positions (and vice versa), the risk arising from sequential orders in long and short positions, and the risks associated with receiving opposing orders at the same time. The Advisor has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to mitigate these and other potential conflicts of interest. Included in these procedures are specific guidelines developed to provide fair and equitable treatment for all clients whose accounts are managed by each fund’s portfolio management team. The Advisor and the portfolio management team have established monitoring procedures, a protocol for supervisory reviews, as well as compliance oversight to ensure that potential conflicts of interest relating to this type of activity are properly addressed. |
Fund Name | Unitary Advisory Fee Rate |
MSCI Currency Hedged Funds | |
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF | 0.40% |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 0.35% |
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 0.65% |
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF | 0.45% |
Xtrackers MSCI Eurozone Hedged Equity ETF | 0.45% |
Xtrackers MSCI Germany Hedged Equity ETF | 0.45% |
Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 0.45% |
Specialty Funds | |
Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | 0.12% |
Equity Funds | |
Xtrackers Eurozone Equity ETF | 0.09% |
Xtrackers FTSE Developed Ex US Comprehensive Factor ETF | 0.35% |
Xtrackers Japan JPX-Nikkei 400 Equity ETF | 0.09% |
Xtrackers MSCI ACWI ex USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF | 0.16% |
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US High Dividend Yield Equity ETF | 0.20% |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF | 0.14% |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF | 0.20% |
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets ESG Leaders Equity ETF | 0.20% |
Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF | 0.09% |
Xtrackers MSCI Latin America Pacific Alliance ETF | 0.45% |
Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF | 0.10% |
Xtrackers Russell 1000 Comprehensive Factor ETF | 0.17% |
Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF | 0.19% |
Xtrackers S&P 500 ESG ETF | 0.11% |
China Funds | |
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF | 0.65% |
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF | 0.65% |
Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF | 0.50% |
Xtrackers MSCI China A Inclusion Equity ETF | 0.60% |
Fixed Income Funds | |
Xtrackers Bloomberg Barclays US Investment Grade Corporate ESG ETF | 0.15% |
Fund Name | Unitary Advisory Fee Rate |
Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond ETF | 0.35% |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG Emerging Markets Sovereign ETF | 0.35% |
Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.20% |
Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF | 0.25% |
Xtrackers Municipal Infrastructure Revenue Bond ETF | 0.15% |
Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF | 0.20% |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.20% |
1. | Scope |
2. | DWS’S Proxy Voting Responsibilities |
3. | Policies |
3.1. | Proxy Voting Activities are Conducted in the Best Economic Interest of Clients |
3.2. | The Global Proxy Voting Sub-Committee |
• | Adopting, monitoring and updating guidelines, attached as Attachment A (the “Guidelines”), that provide how DWS will generally vote proxies pertaining to a comprehensive list of common proxy voting matters; |
• | Voting proxies where (i) the issues are not covered by specific client instruction or the Guidelines; (ii) the Guidelines specify that the issues are to be determined on a case-by-case basis; or (iii) where an exception to the Guidelines may be in the best economic interest of DWS’s clients; and |
• | Monitoring Proxy Vendor Oversight’s proxy voting activities (see below). |
1 | For purposes of this document, “clients” refers to persons or entities: (i) for which DWS serves as investment adviser or sub-adviser; (ii) for which DWS votes proxies; and (iii) that have an economic or beneficial ownership interest in the portfolio securities of issuers soliciting such proxies. |
3.3 | Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Guidelines and Proxy Voting Record |
4. | Procedures |
4.1. | The GPVSC’s Proxy Voting Guidelines |
4.2. | Specific Proxy Voting Decisions Made by the GPVSC |
2 | Proxy Vendor Oversight generally monitors upcoming proxy solicitations for heightened attention from the press or the industry and for novel or unusual proposals or circumstances, which may prompt Proxy Vendor Oversight to bring the solicitation to the attention of the GPVSC Chair. DWS Portfolio Managers, DWS Research Analysts and sub-advisers also may bring a particular proxy vote to the attention of the GPVSC Chair, as a result of their ongoing monitoring of portfolio securities held by advisory clients and/or their review of the periodic proxy voting record reports that the GPVSC Chair distributes to DWS portfolio managers and DWS research analysts. |
4.3. | The GPVSC’s Proxy Voting Guidelines |
• | Neither the Guidelines nor specific client instructions cover an issue; |
• | ISS does not make a recommendation on the issue; and |
• | The GPVSC cannot convene on the proxy proposal at issue to make a determination as to what would be in the client’s best interest. (This could happen, for example, if the Conflicts of Interest Management Sub-Committee found that there was a material conflict or if despite all best efforts being made, the GPVSC quorum requirement could not be met). |
4.4. | Conflict of Interest Procedures |
4.4.1. | Procedures to Address Conflicts of Interest and Improper Influence |
3 | As mentioned above, the GPVSC votes proxies where: (i) neither a specific client instruction nor a Guideline directs how the proxy should be voted, (ii) the Guidelines specify that an issue is to be determined on a case-by-case basis or (iii) voting in accordance with the Guidelines may not be in the best economic interests of clients. |
4 | Proxy Vendor Oversight, who serves as the non-voting secretary of the GPVSC, may receive routine calls from proxy solicitors and other parties interested in a particular proxy vote. Any contact that attempts to exert improper pressure or influence shall be reported to the Conflicts of Interest Management Sub-Committee. |
4.4.2. | Investment Companies and Affiliated Public Companies |
4.4.3. | Other Procedures that Limit Conflicts of Interest |
• | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics – DB Group; |
• | Conflicts of Interest Policy – DB Group; |
• | Information Sharing Procedures – AM, GTB & CB&S; |
• | Code of Ethics – AM US; |
• | Code of Ethics – DWS ex US; |
• | Code of Professional Conduct – US. |
5. | RECORDKEEPING |
• | DWS will maintain a record of each proxy vote cast by DWS that includes among other things, company name, meeting date, proposals presented, vote cast and shares voted. |
• | Proxy Vendor Oversight maintains records for each of the proxy ballots it votes. Specifically, the records include, but are not limited to: |
• | The proxy statement (and any additional solicitation materials) and relevant portions of annual statements. |
• | Any additional information considered in the voting process that may be obtained from an issuing company, its agents, or proxy research firms. |
• | Analyst worksheets created for stock option plan and share increase analyses; and |
• | Proxy Edge print-screen of actual vote election. |
• | DWS will (i) retain this Policy and the Guidelines; (ii) will maintain records of client requests for proxy voting information; and (iii) will retain any documents Proxy Vendor Oversight or the GPVSC prepared that were material to making a voting decision or that memorialized the basis for a proxy voting decision. |
• | The GPVSC also will create and maintain appropriate records documenting its compliance with this Policy, including records of its deliberations and decisions regarding conflicts of interest and their resolution. |
• | With respect to DWS’s investment company clients, ISS will create and maintain records of each company’s proxy voting record for the 12-month periods ending June 30. DWS will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which the company was entitled to vote: |
• | The name of the issuer of the portfolio security; |
• | The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if symbol is available through reasonably practicable means); |
• | The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (if the number is available through reasonably practicable means); |
• | The shareholder meeting date; |
• | A brief identification of the matter voted on; |
• | Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; |
• | Whether the company cast its vote on the matter; |
• | How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of Directors); and |
• | Whether the company cast its vote for or against Management. |
6. | The GPVSC’S OVERSIGHT ROLE |
7. | GLOSSARY |
Term | Definition |
CIB | Corporate and Investment Banking |
CUSIP | Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures |
ETF | Exchange Traded Funds |
GPVSC | Global Proxy voting Sub-Committee |
Investment Company Act | Investment Company Act of 1940 |
ISS | Institutional Shareholder Services |
PCAM | Private Client and Asset Management |
SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
8. | LIST OF ANNEXES AND ATTACHMENTS |
I. | Board of Directors and Executives | |
A. | Election of Directors | |
B. | Classified Boards of Directors | |
C. | Board and Committee Independence | |
D. | Liability and Indemnification of Directors | |
E. | Qualification of Directors | |
F. | Removal of Directors and Filling of Vacancies | |
G. | Proposals to Fix the Size of the Board | |
H. | Proposals to Restrict Chief Executive Officer’s Service on Multiple Boards | |
I. | Proposals to Establish Audit Committees | |
II. | Capital Structure | |
A. | Authorization of Additional Shares | |
B. | Authorization of “Blank Check” Preferred Stock | |
C. | Stock Splits/Reverse Stock Splits | |
D. | Dual Class/Supervoting Stock | |
E. | Large Block Issuance | |
F. | Recapitalization into a Single Class of Stock | |
G. | Share Repurchases | |
H. | Reductions in Par Value | |
III. | Corporate Governance Issues | |
A. | Confidential Voting | |
B. | Cumulative Voting | |
C. | Supermajority Voting Requirements | |
D. | Shareholder Right to Vote | |
E. | Amendments of the Articles | |
F. | Related Party Transactions | |
IV. | Compensation | |
A. | Executive and Director Stock Option Plans | |
B. | Employee Stock Option/Purchase Plans | |
C. | Golden Parachutes | |
D. | Proposals to Limit Benefits or Executive Compensation | |
E. | Shareholder Proposals Concerning “Pay for Superior Performance” | |
F. | Executive Compensation Advisory | |
G. | Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation | |
H. | Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation | |
V. | Anti-Takeover Related Issues | |
A. | Shareholder Rights Plans (“Poison Pills”) | |
B. | Reincorporation | |
C. | Fair-Price Proposals | |
D. | Exemption From State Takeover Laws | |
E. | Non-Financial Effects of Takeover Bids | |
VI. | Mergers & Acquisitions | |
VII. | Environmental, Social and Governance Issues |
A. | Principles for Responsible Investment | |
B. | ESG Issues | |
VIII. | Miscellaneous Items | |
A. | Ratification of Auditors | |
B. | Limitation of Non-Audit Services Provided by Independent Auditor | |
C. | Audit Firm Rotation | |
D. | Transaction of Other Business | |
E. | Motions to Adjourn the Meeting | |
F. | Bundled Proposals | |
G. | Change of Company Name | |
H. | Proposals Related to the Annual Meeting | |
I. | Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred from Candidate Nomination | |
J. | Investment Company Proxies | |
IX. | International Proxy Voting Guidelines With Application For Holdings Incorporated Outside the United States and Canada | |
A. | Election of Directors | |
B. | Renumeration (Variable Pay) | |
C. | Long-Term Incentive Plans | |
D. | Proposals to Restrict Supervisory Board Members Service on Multiple Boards | |
E. | Establishment of a Remuneration Committee | |
F. | Management Board Election and Motion | |
G. | Large Block Issuance | |
H. | Share Repurchases | |
I. | Use of Net Profits | |
J. | Amendments of the Articles | |
K. | Related Party Transactions | |
L. | Auditor | |
X. | Proxy Voting Guidelines With Application For Holdings Incorporated in Japan |
I. | Board of Directors and Executives |
A. | Election of Directors |
• | Accountability to shareholders and transparency of governance practices |
• | Responsiveness to investor input and shareholder vote |
• | Composition of the board with Directors adding value through skills, expertise, and time commitment |
• | Independence from management |
• | A combined CEO/Chairman role without a lead Independent Director in place would trigger a vote “Against” the CEO/Chairman. |
• | Attendance at Board meetings not disclosed on an individual basis in the annual report or on the company’s website and neither is the reported overall attendance above 90%. An individual candidate has attended fewer than 75% of the board and audit / risk committee meetings in a given year without a satisfactory explanation for his / her absence disclosed in a clear and comprehensible form in the relevant proxy filings. Satisfactory explanation will be understood as any health issues or family incidents. These would trigger a vote “Against” the election of the corresponding directors |
• | A former executive director who is nominated for a membership on the non-executive board when two or more former executive directors already serve on the same board would result in a vote “Against” the former executive, as the board cannot be regarded as independent anymore. |
• | Relevant committees in place and their majority independent. If the main committees are not majority independent, this could trigger a vote “Abstain” on the Chairman of the board and if the Chairman is not up for election, “Abstain” on the non-independent committee members |
• | The management of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) controversies around company will be analysed on a case-by-case basis based on relevant internationally recognized E, S or G principles (e.g. the UN Global Compact Principles and OECD Guidelines for Multinationals). Under extraordinary circumstances, DWS will vote against the election of directors or the entire board if there were material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities identified as a result of the controversies around the company. |
• | When the director election lengthens the term of office, DWS will consider voting “Against” this election.* |
• | the board consists of 50% or less independent Directors; |
• | the non-independent Directors is part of the audit, compensation, or nominating committee; |
• | the company has not appointed an audit, compensation, or nominating committee. |
• | For executive Directors: |
• | Current employee of the company or one of its affiliates. |
• | For non-executive Directors: |
• | Significant ownership (beneficial owner of more than 50% of the company’s voting power). |
• | Former CEO of the company or of an acquired company within the past five years. |
• | Former officer of the company, an affiliate, or an acquired firm within the past five years. |
• | Immediate family member of a current or former officer of the company or its affiliates within the last five years |
• | Currently provides (or an immediate family member provides) professional services to the company, to an affiliate of the company or an individual officer of the company or one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year. |
• | Long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry; |
• | Management’s track record; |
• | Background to the contested election; |
• | Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements; |
• | Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management; |
• | Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and |
• | Stock ownership positions. |
B. | Classified Boards of Directors |
C. | Board and Committee Independence |
1. | “For” proposals that require that a certain percentage (majority up to 66 2/3%) of members of a Board of Directors be comprised of independent or unaffiliated Directors. |
2. | “For” proposals that require all members of a company's compensation, audit, nominating, or other similar committees be comprised of independent or unaffiliated Directors. |
3. | “Against” shareholder proposals to require the addition of special interest, or constituency, representatives to Boards of Directors. |
4. | “For” separation of the Chairman and CEO positions. |
5. | Generally, “For” proposals that require a company to appoint a Chairman who is an independent Director, taking into account the following factors: |
• | Whether the proposal is binding and whether it requires an immediate change. |
• | Whether the current board has an existing executive or non-independent chair or there was a recent combination of the CEO and chair roles. |
• | Whether the governance structure ensures a sufficient board and committee independence, a balance of board and CEO tenure. |
• | Whether the company has poor governance practices (such as compensation, poor risk oversight, or any actions, which harmed or have the potential to harm the interests of the shareholders). |
• | Whether the company is demonstrating poor performance (as per the assessment and recommendation of ISS). |
D. | Liability and Indemnification of Directors |
E. | Qualification of Directors |
F. | Removal of Directors and Filling of Vacancies |
G. | Proposals to Fix the Size of the Board |
1. | “For” proposals to fix the size of the Board unless: (a) no specific reason for the proposed change is given; or (b) the proposal is part of a package of takeover defenses. |
2. | “Against” proposals allowing Management to fix the size of the Board without shareholder approval. |
H. | Proposals to Restrict Chief Executive Officer’s Service on Multiple Boards |
I. | Proposals to Establish Audit Committees |
II. | Capital Structure |
A. | Authorization of Additional Shares |
B. | Authorization of “Blank Check” Preferred Stock |
1. | “Against” proposals to create blank check preferred stock or to increase the number of authorized shares of blank check preferred stock unless the company expressly states that the stock will not be used for anti-takeover purposes and will not be issued without shareholder approval. |
2. | “For” proposals mandating shareholder approval of blank check stock placement. |
C. | Stock Splits / Reverse Stock Splits |
D. | Dual Class/Supervoting Stock |
E. | Large Block Issuance |
• | Vote for general issuance requests with pre-emptive rights, or without pre-emptive rights but with a binding “priority right,” for a maximum of 50 percent over currently issued capital. |
• | Generally vote for general authorities to issue shares without pre-emptive rights up to a maximum of 10 percent of share capital. When companies are listed on a regulated market, the maximum discount on share issuance price proposed in the resolution must, in addition, comply with the legal discount (i.e., a maximum of 5 percent discount to the share listing price) for a vote for to be warranted. |
• | The combined equity issuance of all equity instruments with pre-emptive rights exceeds 50 percent of the outstanding share capital or the prevailing maximum threshold as stipulated by best practice rules for corporate governance in the respective country. Exceeding either of the two thresholds will be judged on a CASE-BY- CASE basis, provided that the subscription rights are actively tradable in the market. |
• | The cumulative equity issuances without subscription rights (historical and across instruments) exceed the maximum level specified in a respective country’s best practices for corporate governance or 30 percent% of the company’s nominal capital. |
F. | Recapitalization into a Single Class of Stock |
G. | Share Repurchases |
H. | Reductions in Par Value |
III. | Corporate Governance Issues |
A. | Confidential Voting |
B. | Cumulative Voting |
a) | The company has a five year return on investment greater than the relevant industry index, |
b) | All Directors and executive officers as a group beneficially own less than 10% of the outstanding stock, and |
c) | No shareholder (or voting block) beneficially owns 15% or more of the company. |
C. | Supermajority Voting Requirements |
* | Exception made when company holds a controlling position and seeks to lower threshold to maintain control and/or make changes to corporate by-laws. |
D. | Shareholder Right to Vote |
E. | Amendments of the Articles |
F. | Related Party Transactions |
IV. | Compensation |
A. | Executive and Director Stock Option Plans |
B. | Employee Stock Option/Purchase Plans |
C. | Golden Parachutes |
D. | Proposals to Limit Benefits or Executive Compensation |
E. | Shareholder Proposals Concerning “Pay for Superior Performance” |
• | What aspects of the company’s annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven? |
• | If the annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven, are the performance criteria and hurdle rates disclosed to shareholders or are they benchmarked against a disclosed peer group? |
• | Can shareholders assess the correlation between pay and performance based on the current disclosure? |
• | What type of industry and stage of business cycle does the company belong to? |
• | Set compensation targets for the plan’s annual and long-term incentive pay components at or below the peer group median; |
• | Deliver a majority of the plan’s target long-term compensation through performance-vested, not simply time-vested, equity awards; |
• | Provide the strategic rationale and relative weightings of the financial and non-financial performance metrics or criteria used in the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan; |
• | Establish performance targets for each plan financial metric relative to the performance of the company’s peer companies; and |
• | Limit payment under the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan to when the company’s performance on its selected financial performance metrics exceeds peer group median performance. |
F. | Executive Compensation Advisory |
G. | Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation |
• | There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance); |
• | The company maintains significant problematic pay practices; |
• | The Board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders. |
• | Peer Group Alignment: |
• | The degree of alignment between the company's annualized TSR rank and the CEO's annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period. |
• | The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median. |
• | Absolute Alignment – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period. |
• | The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards; |
• | The overall ratio of performance-based compensation; |
• | The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals; |
• | The company's peer group benchmarking practices; |
• | Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers; |
• | Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., bi-annual awards); |
• | Realizable pay compared to grant pay; and |
• | Any other factors deemed relevant. |
• | Systems that entitle the company to recover any sums already paid where necessary (e.g. claw- back system). Deviations are possible wherever the company provides a reasonable explanation why a claw-back was not implemented. |
• | Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements; |
• | Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and |
• | Options Backdating. |
• | Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARS without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options); |
• | Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting; |
• | New or extended agreements that provide for: |
• | CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus; |
• | CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties (“single” or “modified single” triggers); |
• | CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including “modified” gross-ups); |
• | Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally- managed issuers (EMIs) such that a reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI's executives is not possible. |
• | Multi-year guaranteed bonuses; |
• | A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans; |
• | Lucrative severance packages; |
• | High pay opportunities relative to industry peers; |
• | Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or |
• | Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk. |
• | Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes; |
• | Duration of options backdating; |
• | Size of restatement due to options backdating; |
• | Corrective actions taken by the Board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and |
• | Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future. |
H. | Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation |
V. | Anti-Takeover Related Issues |
A. | Shareholder Rights Plans (“Poison Pills”) |
B. | Reincorporation |
• | Differences in state law between the existing state of incorporation and the proposed state of incorporation; and |
• | Differences between the existing and the proposed charter/bylaws/articles of incorporation and their effect on shareholder rights. |
C. | Fair-Price Proposals |
• | The proposal applies only to two-tier offers; |
• | The proposal sets an objective fair-price test based on the highest price that the acquirer has paid for a company's shares; |
• | The supermajority requirement for bids that fail the fair-price test is no higher than two-thirds of the outstanding shares; and |
• | The proposal contains no other anti-takeover provisions or provisions that restrict shareholders rights. |
D. | Exemption from State Takeover Laws |
E. | Non-Financial Effects of Takeover Bids |
VI. | Mergers & Acquisitions |
• | Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale. |
• | Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal. |
• | Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions. |
• | Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation “wins” can also signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value. |
• | Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the “ISS Transaction Summary” section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists. |
• | Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance. |
VII. | Environmental, Social and Governance Issues |
A. | Principles for Responsible Investment |
B. | ESG Issues |
• | Whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable; |
• | Whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the company's short-term or long-term share value; |
• | Whether the company's analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive; |
• | The degree to which the company's stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing; |
• | Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the Board; |
• | Whether the issues presented in the proposal are best dealt with through legislation, government regulation, or company-specific action; |
• | The company's approach compared with its peers or any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal; |
• | Whether the company has already responded in an appropriate or sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal; |
• | If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether or not sufficient information is publically available to shareholders and whether it would be unduly burdensome for the company to compile and avail the requested information to shareholders in a more comprehensive or amalgamated fashion; |
• | Whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal. |
VIII. | Miscellaneous Items |
A. | Ratification of Auditors |
B. | Limitation of Non-Audit Services provided by Independent Auditor |
C. | Audit Firm Rotation |
• | The name of the audit firm is not disclosed. |
• | No breakdown of audit/non-audit fees is provided. |
• | Non-audit fees exceed standard audit and audit-related- fees, unless ISS highlights a special justification such as IPOs, M&A or restructuring (this guideline applies only to companies on the country`s main index). |
• | Auditors are changed without explanation. |
D. | Transaction of Other Business |
E. | Motions to Adjourn the Meeting |
F. | Bundled Proposals |
G. | Change of Company Name |
H. | Proposals Related to the Annual Meeting |
I. | Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred from Candidate Nomination |
J. | Investment Company Proxies |
IX. | International Proxy Voting Guidelines with Application For Holdings Incorporated Outside the United States and Canada: |
• | A combined CEO/Chairman role without a lead Independent Director in place would trigger a vote “Against” the CEO/Chairman. |
• | Attendance at Board meetings not disclosed on an individual basis in the annual report or on the company’s website and neither is the reported overall attendance above 90%. An individual candidate has attended fewer than 75% of the board and audit / risk committee meetings in a given year without a satisfactory explanation for his / her absence disclosed in a clear and comprehensible form in the relevant proxy filings. Satisfactory explanation will be understood as any health issues or family incidents. These would trigger a vote “Against” the election of the corresponding directors. |
• | DWS will vote with an “Against” if the election of a candidate results in a direct transition from executive (incl. the CEO) to non-executive directorship (i.e. without a cooling off of minimum two years). In especially warranted cases, executive directors with a long and proven track record can become non-executive directors if this change is in line with the national best practice for corporate governance. |
• | A former executive director who is nominated for a membership on the non-executive board when two or more former executive directors already serve on the same board would result in a vote “Against” the former executive, as the board cannot be regarded as independent anymore. |
• | Relevant committees in place and their majority independent. If the main committees are not majority independent, this could trigger a vote “Abstain” on the Chairman of the board and if the Chairman is not up for election, “Abstain” on the non-independent committee members. |
• | The management of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) controversies around company will be analysed on a case-by-case basis based on relevant internationally recognized E, S or G principles (e.g. the UN Global Compact Principles and OECD Guidelines for Multinationals). Under extraordinary circumstances, DWS will vote against the election of directors or the entire board if there were material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities identified as a result of the controversies around the company. |
• | When the director election lengthens the term of office, DWS will consider voting “Against” this election.* |
• | Systems that entitle the company to recover any sums already paid (e.g. claw-back-system). Deviations are possible wherever the company provides a reasonable explanation why a claw- back was not implemented. |
• | The issuance authority exceeds 33 percent of the issued share capital. Assuming it is no more than 33 percent, a further 33 percent of the issued share capital may also be applied to a fully pre-emptive rights issue taking the acceptable aggregate authority to 66 percent |
• | The combined equity issuance of all equity instruments with pre-emptive rights exceeds 50 percent of the outstanding share capital or the prevailing maximum threshold as stipulated by best practice rules for corporate governance in the respective country. Exceeding either of the two thresholds will be judged on a CASE-BY- CASE basis, provided that the subscription rights are actively tradable in the market. |
• | The cumulative equity issuances without subscription rights (historical and across instruments) exceed the maximum level specified in a respective country’s best practices for corporate governance or 30 percent% of the company’s nominal capital. |
• | The dividend payout ratio has been below 20% for two consecutive years despite a limited availability of profitable growth opportunities, and management has not given/provided adequate reasons for this decision. |
• | The payout ratio exceeds 100 % of the distributable profits without appropriate reason (the company pays a dividend which affects its book value). |
• | The name of the audit firm is not disclosed. |
• | No breakdown of audit/non-audit fees is provided. |
• | Non-audit fees exceed standard audit and audit-related- fees, unless ISS highlights a special justification such as IPOs, M&A or restructuring (this guideline applies only to companies on the country`s main index). |
• | Auditors are changed without explanation. |
• | The same lead audit partner has been appointed for more than five years. |
• | Consequently, when the company does not publish the name of its lead auditor and the duration for which she / he has been previously appointed. (Markets in which the regulatory requirement for lead partner rotation is maximum five years are exempt from this guideline). |
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28 | Exhibits | |||
(a) | (1) | Certificate of Trust of DBX ETF Trust (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”) dated October 7, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 25, 2010.) | ||
(2) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of October 7, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2011.) | |||
(b) | (1) | By-Laws of the Trust, dated October 7, 2010, as amended February 25, 2016 and November 14, 2017. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 397 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 21, 2017.) | ||
(2) | Amendment to the By-Laws, dated November 25, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) | |||
(c) | (1) | Instruments defining the rights of shareholders, including the relevant portions of: the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of October 7, 2010 (see Section 4.3). Referenced in exhibits (a)(1) through (a)(2), above. | ||
(2) | Instruments defining the rights of shareholders, including the relevant portions of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated December 1, 2015 (see Article 9). Referenced in exhibits (b)(1) through (b)(2), above. | |||
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, as amended as of November 12, 2019, between the Trust and DBX Advisors LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) | ||
(2) | Investment Advisory Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, as amended as of November 12, 2019 and May 12, 2020, between the Trust and DBX Advisors LLC. (To be filed by amendment.) | |||
(3) | Amended Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated August 15, 2013, as amended May 20, 2014, July 23, 2015, and February 14, 2017, between DBX Advisors, LLC and Harvest Global Investments Limited. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | |||
(e) | (1) | Distribution Agreement, dated April 16, 2018, between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 430 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 25, 2018.) | ||
3 |
(2) | Amendment 6, dated as of November 21, 2019, to the Distribution Agreement, dated April 16, 2018, between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(3) | Amendment 7, dated as of May 12, 2020, to the Distribution Agreement, dated April 16, 2018, between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(f) | Not applicable. | ||
(g) | (1) | Custody Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | |
(2) | Amended and Restated Supplement, Hong Kong – China – Stock Connect Service, dated October 18, 2018, to the Global Custody Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(3) | Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2019, to the Custody Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(4) | Amendment, dated as of May 12, 2020, to the Custody Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(5) | Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | ||
(6) | Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2019, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(7) | Amendment, dated as of May 12, 2020, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (To be filed by amendment,) |
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(h) | (1) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | |
(2) | Form of Exhibit A and Schedule II, as revised August 15, 2013 to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2013.) | ||
(3) | First Amendment, dated as of August 30, 2016, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(4) | Amendment, dated as of May 22, 2018, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(5) | Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2019, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(6) | Amendment, dated as of May 12, 2020, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(7) | Capital Gains Tax Reporting Service Agreement, dated August 13, 2019, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(8) | Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2016, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Filed herein.) | ||
(9) | Amendment, dated as of January 8, 2020, to the Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2016, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Filed herein.) |
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(10) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | ||
(11) | Amendment, dated as of December 6, 2019, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(12) | Amendment, dated as of May 1, 2020, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(13) | Form of Authorized Participation Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | ||
(14) | Form of Sublicense Agreement between the Registrant and DBX Advisors LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | ||
(15) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond – Interest Rate Hedged ETF), effective as of November 14, 2017. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 430 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 25, 2018.) | ||
(16) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF), effective as of October 1, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(17) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF), effective as of October 1, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
(18) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Comprehensive Factor ETF), effective as of December 20, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) | ||
(19) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF), effective as of December 20, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) |
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(20) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond ETF), effective as of December 20, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019). | ||
(21) | Expense Limitation Agreement (with respect to Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF), effective as of December 20, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) | ||
(22) | Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement, effective as of December 19, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(23) | Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement, effective as of May 12, 2020. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(i) | (1) | Opinion of Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | |
(2) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 430, as filed with the SEC on September 25, 2018.) | ||
(3) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 440, as filed with the SEC on December 21, 2018.) | ||
(4) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 446, as filed with the SEC on February 22, 2019.) | ||
(5) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 447, as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2019.) | ||
(6) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 452, as filed with the SEC on April 10, 2019.) | ||
(7) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 461 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020.) | ||
(8) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel, Dechert LLP. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(9) | Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to shares of the Deutsche X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF (formerly, db X-trackers Harvest China Fund). (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2013.) |
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(10) | Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to shares of the Deutsche X-trackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (formerly, db X-trackers Harvest China A-Shares Small Cap Fund). (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on April 7, 2014.) | ||
(11) | Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to shares of the Deutsche X-trackers MSCI All China Equity ETF (formerly, db X-trackers Harvest MSCI All-China Equity Fund). (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on April 22, 2014.) | ||
(j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (To be filed by amendment.) | ||
(k) | Not applicable. | ||
(l) | Initial Share Purchase Agreement between Registrant and DBX Advisors LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on May 11, 2011.) | ||
(m) | Not applicable. | ||
(n) | Not applicable. | ||
(o) | Reserved. | ||
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of the Registrant, dated May 5, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | |
(2) | Code of Ethics – DWS U.S., dated September 19, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 460 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2019.) | ||
(3) | Code of Ethics of Harvest Global Investments Limited, dated February 2019. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 457 to the Trust’s Registration Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2019.) | ||
Item 29. | Persons controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund. |
Not applicable.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Pursuant to Article IX of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trust has agreed that no person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any person, other than the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with the affairs of the Trust; and all persons shall look solely to the Trust property or property of a Series
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for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust or such Series.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their or his capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.
All Persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust property or the Trust property of such Series for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Trustees, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
No person who is or has been a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for any action or failure to act except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties involved in the conduct of the individual’s office, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
Without limiting the foregoing limitations of liability, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, employee, investment adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter, custodian or other agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee (or for the failure to compel in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust), except in the case of such Trustee’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager.
With respect to each of DBX Advisors LLC and Harvest Global Investments Limited (collectively, the “Advisers”), the response to this Item will be incorporated by reference to the Advisers’ Uniform Applications for Investment Adviser Registration (“Form ADV”) on file with the SEC. Each Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
(a) ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: 1WS Credit Income Fund, 1290 Funds, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs, ALPS Series Trust, The Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds, Axonic Alternative Income Fund, Axonic Funds, Barings Funds Trust, BBH Trust, Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, Brandes Investment Trust, Bridge Builder Trust, Broadstone Real Estate Access Fund, Brown Advisory Funds, Brown Capital Management Mutual Funds, CC Real Estate Income Fund, Centre Funds, CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund, Columbia ETF Trust, Columbia ETF Trust I, Columbia ETF Trust II, CRM Mutual Fund Trust, CSOP ETF Trust, Cullen Funds Trust, DBX ETF Trust, Flat Rock Opportunity Fund, Financial Investors Trust, Firsthand Funds, FS Credit Income Fund, FS Energy Total Return Fund, FS Series Trust, FS Multi-Alternative Income Fund Goehring & Rozencwajg Investment Funds, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust, Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund, Griffin Institutional Access Real Estate Fund, Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust, Hartford Funds NextShares TrustHeartland Group, Inc., Holland Series Fund, Inc., Index Funds, IndexIQ Active ETF Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, Infusive US Trust, James Advantage Funds, Janus Detroit Street
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Trust, Lattice Strategies Trust, Litman Gregory Funds Trust, Longleaf Partners Funds Trust, M3Sixty Funds Trust, Mairs & Power Funds Trust, Meridian Fund, Inc., Natixis ETF Trust, Pax World Series Trust I, Pax World Funds Trust III, Principal Exchange-Traded Funds, Reality Shares ETF Trust, Resource Credit Income Fund, Resource Real Estate Diversified Income Fund, RiverNorth Funds, Sierra Total Return Fund, Smead Funds Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust, Sprott ETF Trust, Stadion Investment Trust, Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Stone Ridge Trust, Stone Ridge Trust II, Stone Ridge Trust III, Stone Ridge Trust IV, Stone Ridge Trust V, USCF ETF Trust, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Wilmington Funds and XAI Octagon Credit Trust.
(b) To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Distributors, Inc., are as follows:
Name* | Position with Underwriter | Positions with Fund |
Bradley J. Swenson | President, Chief Operating Officer, Director | None |
Robert J. Szydlowski | Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer | None |
Eric T. Parsons | Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer | None |
Joseph J. Frank** | Secretary | None |
Patrick J. Pedonti ** | Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary | None |
Richard C. Noyes | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Assistant Secretary | None |
Steven Price | Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Liza Orr | Vice President, Senior Counsel | None |
Jed Stahl | Vice President, Senior Counsel | None |
James Stegall | Vice President | None |
Gary Ross | Senior Vice President | None |
Kevin Ireland | Senior Vice President | None |
Mark Kiniry | Senior Vice President | None |
Stephen J. Kyllo | Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Hilary Quinn | Vice President | None |
Jennifer Craig | Assistant Vice President | None |
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* Except as otherwise noted, the principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** The principal business address for Messrs. Pedonti and Frank is 333 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
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Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
The accounts and records of the Registrant are located, in whole or in part, at the office of the Registrant and the following locations:
Investment Advisor |
DBX Advisors LLC 875 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022-6225 |
DBX Advisors LLC One International Place Boston, MA 02110-2618 |
|
Sub-advisor |
Harvest Global Investments Limited 31/F, One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place Central, Hong Kong |
Distributor |
ALPS Distributors, Inc. 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100 Denver, CO 80203-5603 |
Administrator, Transfer Agent and Custodian |
The Bank of New York Mellon 240 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10286 |
Regulatory Administrator |
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. 201 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4403 |
Item 34. Management Services.
There are no management related service contracts not discussed in Part A or Part B.
Item 35. Undertakings.
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State of New York on the 11th day of March 2020.
DBX ETF TRUST
By: /s/Freddi Klassen
Freddi Klassen*
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE |
/s/Stephen R. Byers | ||
Stephen R. Byers* | Trustee and Chairman | March 11, 2020 |
/s/George O. Elston | ||
George O. Elston* | Trustee | March 11, 2020 |
/s/Diane Kenneally | ||
Diane Kenneally | Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller | March 11, 2020 |
/s/Freddi Klassen | ||
Freddi Klassen* | President and Chief Executive Officer | March 11, 2020 |
/s/J. David Officer | ||
J. David Officer* | Trustee | March 11, 2020 |
*By:
/s/ Caroline Pearson
Caroline Pearson**
Assistant Secretary
** | Attorney-in-fact pursuant to the powers of attorney as filed herein. |
Power of Attorney
We, the undersigned Trustees of DBX ETF Trust hereby constitute and appoint John Millette, Caroline Pearson and James M. Wall, and each of them, severally, with full powers of substitution, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents to execute in our names, place and stead (in such capacity) any and all amendments to enable the Trust to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the Trust’s Registration Statements on Form N-1A pursuant to the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, together with any and all pre- and post-effective amendments thereto, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a Trustee of the Trust of such Registration Statement and any and all such pre- and post-effective amendments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or substitute or substitutes therefor, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after February 27, 2020
SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE |
/s/ Stephen Byers | ||
Stephen Byers | Trustee | February 27, 2020 |
/s/ George Elston | ||
George Elston | Trustee | February 27, 2020 |
/s/ David Officer | ||
David Officer | Trustee | February 27, 2020 |
Power of Attorney
I, the undersigned Officer of DBX ETF Trust hereby constitute and appoint John Millette, Caroline Pearson and Jim Wall, and each of them, severally, with full powers of substitution, my true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in my name, place and stead (in such capacity) any and all amendments to the Trust to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the Trust’s Registration Statements on Form N-1A pursuant to the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, together with any and all pre- and post-effective amendments thereto, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as President of the Trust such Registration Statement and any and all such pre- and post-effective amendments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or substitute or substitutes therefor, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after February 27, 2020.
SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE |
/s/ Freddi Klassen
|
President | February 27, 2020 |
DBX
ETF TRUST BOARD
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY
I, John Millette, do hereby certify as follows:
1. | That I am the duly elected Secretary of the DBX ETF TRUST (the Trust); |
2. | I further certify that the following is a complete and correct copy of resolutions adopted by the members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Trust’s underlying portfolios (each a “Series”) listed on Exhibit A, at a meeting duly called, convened and held on February 27, 2020 at which a quorum was present and acting throughout, and that such resolutions have not been amended and are in full force and effect: |
WHEREAS, the President of the Trust, Freddi Klassen, desires to execute a Power of Attorney and thereby delegate legal authority to the below-designated individuals to sign Registration Statements, including any amendments, on his behalf:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT:
RESOLVED, that the delegation by Freddi Klassen of his authority as an officer of the Trust to sign the Trust’s Registration Statements, including any amendments thereto, on behalf of the Trust to the following individuals pursuant to a Power of Attorney in substantially the form presented to the Board is hereby approved, with such further changes as may recommended by Trust counsel:
John Millette,
Caroline Pearson, and James M. Wall; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any Registration Statement signed pursuant to such Power of Attorney shall comply with Rule 483 (b) of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, including, but not limited to the inclusion of: (1) a copy of the authorizing Power of Attorney; and (2) a certified copy of the resolutions of the Board authorizing such delegation as Exhibits thereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of March 2020.
/s/ John Millette
John Millette
Secretary
Appendix A
DBX ETF TRUST, AND ITS SERIES:
Xtrackers Emerging Markets Bond - Interest Rate Hedged ETF
Xtrackers Eurozone Equity ETF
Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Comprehensive Factor ETF
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF
Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond ETF
Xtrackers High Yield Corporate Bond - Interest Rate Hedged ETF
Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF
Xtrackers Investment Grade Bond - Interest Rate Hedged ETF
Xtrackers Japan JPX-Nikkei 400 Equity ETF
Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF
Xtrackers MSCI ACWI ex USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US High Dividend Yield Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI China A Inclusion Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets ESG Leaders Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Eurozone Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Germany Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Latin America Pacific Alliance ETF
Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF
Xtrackers Municipal Infrastructure Revenue Bond ETF
Xtrackers Russell 1000 Comprehensive Factor ETF
Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF
Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF
Xtrackers S&P 500 ESG ETF
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF
DBX ETF TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
Ex. Number Description
H8 | Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2016, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. |
H9 | Amendment, dated as of January 8, 2020, to the Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2016, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. |
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Exhibit (h)(8)
CORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS CORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of July 6th 2016, by and between DBX ETF Trust (the “Trust”), and BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“BNY Mellon”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain BNY Mellon to provide for the portfolios identified on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Fund”) the services described herein, and BNY Mellon is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;
WHEREAS, the parties acknowledge that the services under this Agreement shall be included in the invoices and fees paid by the Trust to BNY Mellon in accordance with the invoices issued under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, by and between the Trust and BNY Mellon, dated January 31, 2011 (the “Fund Administration Agreement”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Authorized Person” shall mean each person identified in Exhibit B hereto who is duly authorized by the Board of the Trust to execute this Agreement and to give Instructions to BNY Mellon on behalf of the Trust. Each Authorized Person's scope of authority by the Trust may be limited, as set forth in a written document signed by BNY Mellon and the Trust. From time to time the Trust may deliver a new Exhibit B to modify the Authorized Person(s) under this
Agreement and BNY Mellon shall be entitled to rely on the last Exhibit B actually received by BNY Mellon.
“BNY Mellon Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
“Board”' shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 19 below.
“Documents” shall mean the documents that BNY Mellon creates, prepares or requires for regulatory filings for the Trust pursuant to Schedule I to this Agreement (“Schedule I”),
“Instructions” shall mean Oral Instructions or written communications actually received by BNY Mellon by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, Email or other method or system specified by BNY Mellon as available for use in connection with the services hereunder, from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith to be an Authorized Person under this Agreement.
“Investment Advisor” shall mean the entity identified by the Trust as the entity having investment responsibility with respect to the Trust and its Funds.
“Net Asset Value” shall mean the per share value of a Fund, calculated in the manner described in the Fund’s Offering Materials.
“Offering Materials” shall mean a Fund’s currently effective prospectus and most recently filed registration statement with the SEC relating to shares of the Fund.
“Oral Instructions” shall mean oral instructions received by BNY Mellon under permissible circumstances specified by BNY Mellon, in its sole discretion, as being from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith by BNY Mellon to be an Authorized Person.
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“Organizational Documents” shall mean certified copies of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, material contracts, Offering Materials and all SEC exemptive orders issued to the Trust, required filings delivered to and received by BNY Mellon.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Shares” means the shares of beneficial interest of any Fund of the Trust.
2. Appointment.
The Trust hereby appoints BNY Mellon as its agent for the term of this Agreement to perform the services described herein. BNY Mellon hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services hereinafter set forth.
3. Representations and Warranties.
3.1 The Trust hereby represents and warrants to BNY Mellon, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that:
3.1.1 It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
3.1.2 This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action of the Board and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
3.1.3 It is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, has made and will continue to make all necessary filings including tax filings and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Organizational Documents, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
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3.1.4 To the extent the performance of any services described in Schedule I by BNY Mellon in accordance with the then effective Offering Materials for the Trust would violate any applicable laws or regulations, the Trust shall immediately so notify BNY Mellon in writing;
3.1.5 The terms of this Agreement and any benefits accruing to BNY Mellon or to the Investment Advisor or sponsor of the Trust in connection with this Agreement, as paid in accordance with the fees charged under the Fund Administration Agreement, including but not limited to any fee waivers, conversion cost reimbursements, upfront payments, signing payments or periodic payments made or to be made by BNY Mellon to such Investment Advisor or sponsor or any affiliate of the Trust relating to this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board and that, if required by applicable law, the Board has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses and any such benefits;
3.1.6 Without limiting the provisions of Section 19 below, the Trust shall treat as confidential the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall not disclose nor authorize disclosure thereof to any other person, except (i) to its trustees, officers, directors, employees, regulators, examiners, internal and external accountants, auditors and counsel; (ii) for a summary description of this Agreement in the Offering Materials with the prior written approval of BNY Mellon; (iii) to any other person when required by a court order or legal process; (iv) as agreed in writing by BNY Mellon; or (v) whenever advised by its counsel that it would be liable for a failure to make such disclosure. The Trust shall instruct its employees, trustees, directors, officers, regulators, examiners, internal and external accountants, auditors and counsel who may be afforded access to this Agreement of the Trust's obligations of confidentiality hereunder;
3.1.7 To the extent performance of any services, as listed on Schedule I, and which are provided by BNY Mellon for the Trust, violate any applicable laws or regulations, the Trust shall so notify BNY Mellon in writing, in a reasonable amount of time following the Trust's initial notice of any such violation by BNY
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Mellon; and
3.l.8 The Trust acknowledges for itself and its users that certain information provided by BNY Mellon on its websites may be protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks and/or other intellectual property rights, and as such, agrees that all such information provided is for the sole and exclusive use of the Trust and its users. Certain information provided by BNY Mellon is supplied to BNY Mellon pursuant to third party licensing agreements that restrict the use of such information and protect the proprietary rights of the appropriate licensor (“Licensor”) with respect to such information. Therefore, the Trust, on behalf of itself and its users, further agrees not to disclose, disseminate, reproduce, redistribute or republish information provided by BNY Mellon on its websites in any way without the express written permission of BNY Mellon and the Licensor. (Licensor permission to be obtained by BNY Mellon prior to BNY Mellon providing its permission.)
3.2 BNY Mellon hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing, that:
3.2.1 BNY Mellon is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
3.2.2 This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BNY Mellon in accordance with all requisite corporate action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BNY Mellon enforceable in accordance with the terms herein.
3.2.3 BNY Mellon has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as currently conducted; there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on BNY Mellon and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on BNY Mellon, or affecting its property, which would prohibit the execution or performance by BNY Mellon of this Agreement.
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3.2.4 To the extent the performance of any services described in this Agreement, or any appendix, schedule or exhibit hereto, should or does violate any laws or regulations applicable to BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon shall so notify the Trust in writing as soon as practicable, to the extent that BNY Mellon personnel responsible for the performance of BNY Mellon’s obligations and the services described herein have knowledge, or should reasonably have knowledge, of such violation.
4. BNY Mellon shall perform the services and its obligations under this Agreement in compliance with the policies listed in Exhibit C to this Agreement as such policies may, subject to this Section, change from time to time (“BNY Mellon Policies”). BNY Mellon will notify the Trust of any changes in BNY Mellon Policies or substance testing or background standards on a quarterly basis and will permit the Trust to conduct, at BNY Mellon’s offices and subject to BNY Mellon’s reasonable security requirements, a review of such changed policies and/or standards. In the event that the Trust reasonably determines that such change in the BNY Mellon Policies (i) represents a significant negative deviation from market standard and the Trust provides reasonable evidence thereof, or (ii) is reasonably likely to cause the Trust to be in violation of law or the requirements of Governmental Authorities, then the Trust and BNY Mellon will work together in good faith to remediate. If the Trust is not reasonably satisfied that such remediation has occurred ninety (90) days after the applicable remediation meeting, then the Trust shall have the ability to terminate this Agreement without cause by giving BNY Mellon at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice. In the event of a change in the substance testing or background standards that removes or lessens any substance testing or background screening requirements, the parties shall promptly meet and agree on a solution.
5. | Delivery of Organizational Documents and other Materials. |
The Trust shall promptly provide, deliver or cause to be delivered from time to time to BNY Mellon any amendments to the Trust’s Organizational Documents and other materials as may be necessary for BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. BNY Mellon shall not be deemed to have notice of any information (other than information supplied by BNY Mellon) contained in such Organizational Documents or other materials until they are actually received by BNY Mellon.
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6. | Duties and Obligations of BNY Mellon. |
6.1 Subject to the direction and control of the Board and the provisions of this Agreement, BNY Mellon shall provide to the Trust the administrative services listed on Schedule
1. In performing hereunder, BNY Mellon shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel.
6.2 BNY Mellon shall not provide any services under this Agreement that relate to the management, investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of any Fund, distribution of shares of any Fund, maintenance of any Fund's financial records or other services normally performed by the Funds’ respective counsel or independent auditors. The services provided by BNY Mellon hereunder do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of the Trust or any other person, and the Trust acknowledges that BNY Mellon does not provide public accounting or auditing services or advice and will not be making any tax filings, or doing any tax reporting on its behalf other than those filings and reports specifically agreed to hereunder. The scope of services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement shall not be increased as a result of new or revised regulatory or other requirements that may become applicable with respect to a Fund, unless the Trust and BNY Mellon expressly agree in writing to any such increase in the scope of services.
6.3 The Trust shall cause its officers, directors, advisors, sponsor, distributor, legal counsel, independent auditors and accountants, transfer agent and any of its other service providers to cooperate with BNY Mellon and to provide BNY Mellon, upon request, with such information, documents and advice relating to the Trust as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, and which in the opinion of BNY Mellon, is necessary in order to enable BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. In connection with its duties hereunder, BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or be deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy, validity or propriety of any information, documents or advice provided to BNY Mellon by any of the aforementioned persons, except to the extent that the failure to so inquire of such persons affiliated with BNY Mellon would be inconsistent with the requirements of Section 8.1 of this Agreement. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from or arising out of the failure of the Trust to cause any
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information, documents or advice to be provided to BNY Mellon as provided herein and shall be held harmless by the Trust when acting in reliance upon such information, documents or advice relating to such Fund, except as stated in the preceding sentence. All fees or costs charged by such persons shall be borne by the Trust, and BNY Mellon shall have no liability with respect to such fees or charges, including any increases in, or additions to, such fees or charges related directly or indirectly to the services described herein or the performance by BNY Mellon of its duties hereunder. BNY Mellon shall not bear, or otherwise be responsible for, any fees, costs or expenses charged by any third party service providers engaged by the Trust, or by any affiliate of the Trust or by any other third party service provider to the Trust.
6.4 Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict BNY Mellon, any BNY Mellon Affiliate or any officer or employee thereof from acting for or with any third parties, and providing services similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.
6.5 The Trust shall furnish BNY Mellon with any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation deemed necessary by BNY Mellon in the performance of its duties hereunder.
6.6 BNY Mellon may seek Instructions from an Authorized Person with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNY Mellon's performance of its services hereunder, and BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with such Instructions. Such requested Instructions may, at the option of BNY Mellon, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by BNY Mellon with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with any Instructions for which a clarification was sought unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, BNY Mellon has received clarification from an Authorized Person in response to such a request setting forth a different course of action compared to the action proposed to be taken or omitted by BNY Mellon.
6.7 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the “BNY Mellon Group”). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions
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including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the “Centralized Functions”) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes BNY Mellon to disclose information regarding the Trust (“Customer-Related Data”) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its subcontractors who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) BNY Mellon may store the names and business contact information of the Trust's Trustees, officers and employees, if any, and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with the Trust or a particular Fund. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing and that the disclosure and storage of information in connection with the Centralized Functions does not violate any relevant data protection legislation.
6.8 BNY Mellon may consult with internal counsel to the Trust or BNY Mellon’s own counsel, at the Trust's expense provided the engagement of BNY Mellon’s counsel was pre-approved by the Trust and the fees of BNY Mellon’s counsel are reasonable, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
6.9 BNY Mellon shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedule I and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNY Mellon in connection with this Agreement.
6.10 BNY Mellon, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Organizational Documents and documentation furnished to it by the Trust and shall have no duty or obligation to review the
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accuracy, validity or propriety of such Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Organizational Documents or documentation;
6.11 BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for damages (including without limitation damages caused by delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data) that occur directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control in the performance of the services under this Agreement, including, without limitation, labor difficulties within or without BNY Mellon, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, action or inaction of civil or military authority, national emergencies, public enemy, war, terrorism, riot, sabotage, non-performance by a third party, failure of the mails, communications or computer (hardware or software) (any a “Force Majeure Event”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 6.11 shall not be construed to relieve BNY Mellon of any business continuity obligations required pursuant to the representations set forth under Section 3.2 above.
6.12 BNY Mellon shall enter into and shall maintain reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures, BNY Mellon shall, at no additional expense to the Trust, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.
7. | Rule 38a-1 and Regulatory Support Services. |
7.1 If Schedule I contains a requirement for BNY Mellon to provide the Trust with compliance support services related to Rule 38a-l promulgated under the 1940 Act and/or Regulatory Administration services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 7 (such services, collectively hereinafter referred to as the "Regulatory Support Services").
7.2 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Regulatory Support Services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement are administrative in nature and do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of a Fund or any other person.
7.3 All work product produced by BNY Mellon as outlined in Schedule I in connection with its provision of Regulatory Support Services under this Agreement is subject to
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review and approval by the Trust or the applicable Fund and by the Trust’s or the Fund’s legal counsel. The Regulatory Support Services performed by BNY Mellon under this Agreement will be at the request and direction of the Trust and/or its chief compliance officer (the “Trust’s CCO”), as applicable. BNY Mellon disclaims liability to the Trust, and the Trust is solely responsible, for the selection, qualifications and performance of the Trust's CCO and the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance program.
8. | Standard of Care: Indemnification. |
8.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto) incurred by or asserted against the Trust, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BNY Mellon’s own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct. In no event shall BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate be liable to any Fund or any third party for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action. BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with its performance hereunder, including its actions or omissions, the incompleteness or inaccuracy of any specifications or other information furnished by the Fund, or for delays caused by circumstances beyond BNY Mellon’s reasonable control, unless such loss, damage or expense arises out of the bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct of BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and any Fund from and against any and all direct costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, and claims, and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto (collective, “Losses”) where such Losses have been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) to have arisen out of BNY Mellon’s failure to discharge its duties in accordance with its standard of care as set forth hereunder. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of BNY Mellon, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
8.2 | The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless BNY Mellon and any BNY |
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Mellon Affiliate from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims (including claims asserted by a Fund), and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees relating thereto, which are sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate, by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate without bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct, or in reliance upon (i) any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same even though the same may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed, (ii) a Fund’s Offering Materials or Organizational Documents (excluding information provided by BNY Mellon), (iii) any Instructions or (iv) any opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or BNY Mellon, or arising out of transactions or other activities of the Trust that occurred prior to the commencement of this Agreement; provided, that the Trust shall not indemnify BNY Mellon nor any BNY Mellon Affiliate for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims for which BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate is liable under the preceding Section 8.1. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall indemnify BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate against and save BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate harmless from any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, arising from any one or more of the following:
8.2.1 Errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNY Mellon by any third party described above or by or on behalf of the Trust;
8.2.2 Action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate pursuant to Instructions of the Trust or otherwise without negligence or willful misconduct;
8.2.3 Any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel for the Trust or its own counsel, provided that such action or omission by BNY Mellon is in conformity with such advice or opinion of its own counsel, and is consistent
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with BNY Mellon’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement;
8.3 Actions taken or omitted in reliance on Instructions or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, membership certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument believed by BNY Mellon in good faith to be from an Authorized Person, or upon the opinion of legal counsel for the Trust or BNY Mellon’s own counsel, shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken or omitted in good faith.
9. | Compensation. |
For the services provided hereunder, the Trust agrees to pay BNY Mellon the charges invoiced under Section 5 of the Fund Administration Agreement.
10. | Records; Visits. |
10.1 BNY Mellon shall maintain and preserve the Trust’s books and records required by the services under this Agreement and Schedule I in accordance with Rules 32a-1 and 32a-2 under the 1940 Act. BNY Mellon shall keep the Trust’s physical books and records under lock and shall keep the Trust’s electronic books and records on BNY Mellon’s password protected electronic systems. BNY Mellon acknowledges that the books and records, both physical and electronic, pertaining to the Trust and the Funds that are in BNY Mellon’s possession or under its control are the property of the Trust and will be surrendered to the Trust promptly upon its request. For the avoidance of doubt, BNY Mellon may retain copies as required by applicable rules, regulations, legal process or record retention policies. The Trust and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times during BNY Mellon’s normal business hours, and BNY Mellon shall assist the Trust in its handling of any document requests in connection with SEC examinations, internal audits or discovery proceedings with respect to any litigation involving the Trust. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by BNY Mellon to the Trust or to an Authorized Person, at the Trust’s expense.
10.2 BNY Mellon shall keep all books and records with respect to the Trust’s books and records as BNY Mellon is required to maintain pursuant to Rule 3la-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the services provided hereunder in accordance with Rule 3 la-2 of the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to: (i) for such meetings attended by BNY Mellon and for
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such materials created by BNY Mellon or provided to BNY Mellon by the Trust, the originals of the manually-signed minutes of the “Board Meetings” and “A&N Committee Meetings,” as such terms are defined in Schedule I, and copies of official records and meeting materials pertaining to all of the Trust’s Board Meetings and A&N Committee Meetings; and (ii) the executed signature pages of all SEC filings furnished by the Trust and that BNY Mellon is required to submit under Schedule I.
11. | Term of Agreement. |
This Agreement shall be coterminous with the Fund Administration Agreement and shall continue until terminated by either BNY Mellon giving to the Trust, or the Trust giving to BNY Mellon, a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which date shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving such notice. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a notice of termination of the Trust’s Fund Administration Agreement with BNY Mellon shall serve as a notice of termination of this Agreement as well.
12. | Amendment. |
This Agreement may not be amended, changed or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by BNY Mellon and the Trust and authorized or approved by the Board.
13. | Assignment: Subcontracting. |
13.1 This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable by the Trust without the written consent of BNY Mellon, or by BNY Mellon without the written consent of the Trust.
13.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing: BNY Mellon may assign or transfer this Agreement to any BNY Mellon Affiliate or transfer this Agreement in connection with a sale of a majority or more of its assets, equity interests or voting control, provided that BNY Mellon gives the Trust ninety (90) days’ prior written notice of such assignment or transfer and in the Trust’s sole discretion, such assignment or transfer does not impair the provision of services under this Agreement in any material respect, and the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement in place of BNY Mellon.
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13.3 BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to any BNY Mellon Affiliate with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall not relieve BNY Mellon of any of its liabilities hereunder.
13.4 BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to an unaffiliated third party with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement with the prior written consent of the Trust and subject to any other limitations or reservations contained within this Agreement, including its Exhibits and Schedule I.
14. | Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. |
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Trust hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Trust may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Trust irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.
15. | Severability: No Third Party Beneficiaries. |
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances. A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no rights to enforce any provision of this Agreement. BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for any costs or fees charged to the Trust or an affiliate of the Trust by consultants, counsel, auditors, public accountants or other service providers retained by the Trust or any such affiliate.
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16. | No Waiver. |
Each and every right granted to BNY Mellon hereunder or under any Organizational Document or other material delivered hereunder to BNY Mellon or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of BNY Mellon to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by BNY Mellon of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
17. | Notices. |
All notices, requests, consents and other communications pursuant to this Agreement in writing shall be sent as follows:
if to the Trust, at:
DBX ETF Trust
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
if to BNY Mellon, at BNY Mellon
103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, Delaware 19809
Attention: Head of U.S. Fund Accounting with a copy to:
The Bank of New York Mellon One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Legal Dept. - Asset Servicing
or at such other place as may from time to time be designated in writing. Notices hereunder shall be effective upon receipt.
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18. | Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.
19. | Confidentiality. |
BNY Mellon shall keep confidential any information relating to the Trust's business and the Trust shall keep confidential any information relating to BNY Mellon's business (each, “Confidential Information”), except as expressly agreed in writing by the protected party.
Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or BNY Mellon and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or BNY Mellon a competitive advantage over its competitors;
(c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as between BNY Mellon and the Trust information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction;
(e) is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory authority request or law; (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (g) is Fund information provided by BNY Mellon in connection with an independent third party compliance or other review; (h) is released in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; or (i) has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. Provisions
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authorizing the disclosure of information shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The obligations set forth in this Section 19 shall survive any termination of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year after such termination.
20. | Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Others. |
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder, if any, shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, or employees of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust, or if the obligation relates to one or more Funds, the obligations hereunder will be limited to the respective assets of the Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (or the property of a Fund), as provided in the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.
DBX
ETF Trust
|
|
on behalf of the Funds identified on Exhibit A attached hereto |
|
/s/ Fiona Bassett | By: /s/ Alex Depetris |
Managing Director | Name: Alex Depetris |
Fiona Bassett | Title: Director |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT
|
|
SERVICING (US) INC. | |
By: /s/ Thomas Porrazzo | |
Name: Thomas Porrazzo | |
Title: Managing Director |
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EXHIBIT A
List of Funds
Name | Ticker Symbol |
EXHIBIT B
I, Leslie Lowenbraun, Secretary of DBX ETF Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (the ''Trust"), do hereby certify that:
The
following individuals serve in the following positions with the Trust, and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board
of the Trust to his or her respective position and
qualified therefor in conformity with the Trust's Organizational Documents, and the signatures set forth opposite their respective
names are their true and correct signatures. Each such person is designated as an
Authorized Person under the Corporate Services Agreement dated as of
___________________, 2016, between the Trust
and BNY
Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
Name | Position | Signature |
_____________________________ | ______________________________ | _______________________________ |
EXHIBIT C
BNY MELLON POLICIES
I-A-010: Code of Conduct (June 2013)
I-A-035: Business Conflicts of Interest (Oct 1, 2014)
I-A-045: Personal Securities Trading Policy (March 2014) I-A-046: Securities Firewall Policy (Sept 29, 2014)
I-A-065: Gifts, Entertainment and Other Expenses to Commercial Clients, Suppliers or Vendor (March 2014)
I-A-075: Gifts, Entertainment and Payments to Governments (August 28, 2014)
1-A-085: Outside Affiliations, Outside Employment, and Certain Outside Compensation (Sept 29, 2014)
I-A-095: Political Contributions (Jan 2014)
I-A-125: Information Privacy Policy (Aug 19, 2014) I-A-145: Anti-Corruption Policy (Oct 17, 2014)
I-A-150: Economic Sanctions Policy (August 2013)
I-A-170: Federal Reserve Board Regulation W-23A and 23B (August 26, 2014) I-A-185: Customer Complaints Corporate Policy (April 15, 2014)
I-A-200: Compliance Training Policy (April 17, 2014)
I-A-250: Global AML and Know Your Customer Policy Global AML/KYC Manual (Oct I,
2014)
I-A-260: Policy on Identifying, Investigating and Reporting Suspicious Activity of US Based Employees (August 15, 2014)
I-A-270: AML Training Policy (April 23, 2014)
II-A-20: Suspicious Activity Reporting for Non-US Based Employees (May 13, 2014) I-D-200: Global Records Management Policy (Sept 30 2014)
I-L-010: Business Continuity Policy (Jan 2014)
I-N-310: Information Protection Policy (Dec 31, 2013)
I-N-320: Information Classification Policy (Feb 28, 2014)
I-N-320.001: Information Classification Standards (Feb 28, 2014)
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SCHEDULE I
Schedule of Services
All services provided in this Schedule of Services are subject to the review and approval of the appropriate Trust officers, internal Trust counsel and accountants of the Trust, as may be applicable. The services included on this Schedule of Services may be provided by BNY Mellon or, if mutually agreed, a BNY Mellon Affiliate, collectively referred to herein as “BNY Mellon”.
CORPORATE SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following regulatory and Board-related administration services for the Trust:
• | Assemble (create, print or coordinate the printing with a financial printer of the Trust’s choosing, arrange shipment, etc.) and distribute all materials, for books for quarterly meetings of the Board, as well as organizational board meetings and audit committee and nominating committee meetings, if any, held on the same quarterly schedule (“Organizational Board Meetings” and “A&N Committee Meetings;” respectively) and special board meetings held during normal business hours (“Special Board Meetings”) not to exceed 6 in any calendar year, unless otherwise agreed to between the parties in advance and in accordance with Section 9, on a timeline to be agreed upon by the parties hereto, including the drafting of notices of meetings, agendas and resolutions for such quarterly board meetings, Organizational Board Meetings, and Special Board Meetings (all such board meetings collectively, “Board Meetings”') and the A&N Committee Meetings (with final selection of agenda items made by Trust counsel); |
• | Attend in-person (or telephonically, as necessary or agreed between the parties) the Board Meetings and A&N Committee Meetings and draft minutes thereof; |
• | Provide a “flash report” within two weeks or as agreed to by the parties after the adjournment of each quarterly Board meeting and audit committee meeting summarizing the following in a chart format: |
(1) Significant issues addressed by the Board and audit committee at such meeting;
(2) |
Any action items identified at such meeting; and |
|
(3) | The tentative production timeline for the next regularly scheduled Board meeting and audit committee meeting |
• | Prepare and coordinate the filing of annual post-effective amendments to the Trust's registration statement1 (but not including the addition of one or more new Funds or classes of shares or the combining of multiple prospectuses into one prospectus or the splitting of one prospectus into multiple prospectuses); |
• | Prepare and coordinate the filing of Forms N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX, as applicable (with the Trust supplying the voting records in the format required by BNY Mellon); |
1 Currently the Trust has two fiscal year ends (5/3 l and 8/31) that trigger annual post-effective filings, but the Trust's Board may from time to time adopt additional fiscal year ends which may result in additional fees as agreed upon between the parties in advance and in accordance with Section 9.
• | Assist with and/or coordinate such other filings, notices and regulatory matters on such terms and conditions as BNY Mellon and the Trust may mutually agree on in writing from time to time. |
• | eBoard Book Services: The Trust will be moving its Board Meetings and A&N Committee Meetings to a digital application chosen by the Trust, in its sole discretion. Once the move is initiated, BNY Mellon will upload and configure the furnished materials to the digital application for each meeting as agreed to between BNY Mellon and the Trust in accordance with Section 12. Making Documents available as soon as reasonably practicable, but generally within two |
(2) business days upon request of an Authorized Person.
• | Allow the Trust upon reasonable advance notification to ascertain compliance of BNY Mellon with any or all of the services as described in this Agreement via either semi-annual onsite visits and/or reasonable requests for Documents or provide other evidence of compliance with the terms of this Agreement and applicable regulatory requirements. |
• | 38a-1 Compliance Support Services |
• | Provide compliance policies and procedures related to ce1tain services provided by BNY Mellon and, if mutually agreed, certain of the BNY Mellon Affiliates; summary procedures thereof; and periodic certification letters. |
Exhibit (h)(9)
AMENDMENT TO
CORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Amendment, dated as of January 8, 2020, by and between DBX ETF Trust (the “Trust”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) who are parties to the Corporate Services Agreement dated July 6, 2016 (the “Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the Agreement as set forth below:
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. The following sentence shall be added to the end of Section 19 (Confidentiality) of the Agreement:
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall be permitted to file the Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement, provided that any information regarding compensation paid to BNY Mellon shall be kept confidential and removed from the Agreement prior to filing.”
2. Except as specifically amended hereby, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
3. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.
DBX ETF TRUST,
on behalf of the Trust and each portfolio series
identified on Exhibit A attached hereto
By: /s/ John Millette
Name: John Millette
Title: Assistant Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: /s/ Keith A. Hallman
Name: Keith A. Hallman
Title: VP
EXHIBIT A
List of Portfolios
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | DBEM |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | DBEF |
Xtrackers MSCI Germany Hedged Equity ETF | DBGR |
Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | DBJP |
Xtrackers Municipal Infrastructure Revenue Bond ETF | RVNU |
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF | DBEU |
Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | HAUZ |
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF | ASHR |
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF | DBAW |
Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF | CN |
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF | ASHS |
Xtrackers Investment Grade Bond – Interest Rate Hedged ETF | IGIH |
Xtrackers Emerging Markets Bond – Interest Rate Hedged ETF | EMIH |
Xtrackers High Yield Corporate Bond – Interest Rate Hedged ETF | HYIH |
Xtrackers MSCI Eurozone Hedged Equity ETF | DBEZ |
Xtrackers Japan JPX-Nikkei 400 Equity ETF | JPN |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF | HDEF |
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US High Dividend Yield Equity ETF | HDAW |
Xtrackers Eurozone Equity ETF | EURZ |
Xtrackers CSI 300 China A-Shares Hedged Equity ETF | ASHX |
Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Comprehensive Factor ETF | DEEF |
Xtrackers Russell 1000 Comprehensive Factor ETF | DEUS |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | HYLB |
Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond | HYDW |
Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond | HYUP |
Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF | SHYL |
Xtrackers MSCI Latin America Pacific Alliance ETF | PACA |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF | EASG |
Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF | QARP |
Xtrackers United Kingdom Equity ETF | BRIT |
Xtrackers MSCI ACWI ex USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF | ACSG |
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets ESG Leaders Equity ETF | EMSG |
Xtrackers S&P 500 ESG ETF | SNPE |
Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF | USSG |
Xtrackers MSCI Kokusai Equity ETF | KOKU |