As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2016
Securities Act File No. 333-152915
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22227
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |X|
Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 |X|
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |X|
Amendment No. 87 |X|
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
INDEXIQ ETF TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
800 Westchester Avenue
Suite S-710
Rye Brook, NY 10573
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (914) 697-4946
Adam S. Patti
IndexIQ Advisors LLC
800 Westchester Avenue
Suite S710
Rye Brook, NY 10573
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With a copy to:
Matthew V. Curtin, Esq.
IndexIQ Advisors LLC
800 Westchester Avenue
Suite S-710
Rye Brook, NY 10573
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
o | Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 |
o | on _______, pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of Rule 485 |
o | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 |
o | on _______, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 |
x | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
o | on _______, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Preliminary Prospectus
Subject to Completion, dated October 17, 2016
PROSPECTUS | [DATE], 2016
IndexIQ ETF Trust
IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF (HYLV)
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee
IndexIQ ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is a registered investment company that consists of separate investment portfolios called “Funds”. This Prospectus relates to the following Fund:
Name | CUSIP | Symbol | ||||
IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF | [ ] | [HYLV] | ||||
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The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. This means that shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the NYSE Arca, Inc., and trade at market prices. The market price for the Fund’s shares may be different from its net asset value per share (the “NAV”). The fund has its own CUSIP number and exchange trading symbol.
Table of Contents
Summary Information
IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks investment results that track (before fees and expenses) the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the [ ] (the “Underlying Index”).
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Shares”). Investors purchasing Shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table set forth below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):
No shareholder fees are levied by the Fund for purchases and sales made on the Secondary Market.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
Management Fee | [__] | % | ||||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | [__] | % | ||||
Other Expenses (a) | [__] | % | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | [__] | % |
(a) | The Fund has not yet commenced operations and Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
Example. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. The return of 5% and estimated expenses are for illustration purposes only, and should not be considered indicators of expected Fund expenses or performance, which may be greater or less than the estimates. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year |
3 Years |
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$[__] | $[__] |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not yet commenced operations.
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the [ ] (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to deliver exposure to the performance of selected bonds in the U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bond (“junk bonds”) market that are deemed to have lower credit risk based on their Marginal Contribution to Risk, a market-based quantitative measure of the credit risk of a bond relative to a group of bonds. Marginal Contribution to Risk is a measurement of the amount of risk a security contributes to a portfolio of securities. In general, a bond with a higher Marginal Contribution to Risk will add more credit risk to the overall portfolio than a bond with a lower Marginal Contribution to Risk.
The Underlying Index is comprised of U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds of public issuers domiciled in the United States. To be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index, bonds must meet the following criteria: (i) pay fixed-rate coupons; (ii) have at least $[ ] million of outstanding face value; (iii) have a remaining maturity of at least [ ] months at the time of issuance; (iv) have a remaining maturity of at least [ ] year as of the rebalancing date; and (v) be rated non-investment grade by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. Eligible U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds are further screened for liquidity considerations based on their price, duration and time since issuance.
Once the Underlying Index universe is defined based on the eligibility criteria, each bond is then ranked according to its Marginal Contribution to Risk After ranking all eligible U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds based upon their Marginal Contribution to Risk, the Underlying Index selects for inclusion the [ ] percent of bonds measured to have the least credit risk based on their Marginal Contribution to Risk. Once the bonds are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index, they are weighted by market value.
The Underlying Index is rebalanced [ ].
To the extent the Underlying Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index.
Principal Risks
As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s Shares will change in value and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund does not represent a complete investment program. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. A more complete discussion of Principal Risks is included under “Description of the Principal Risks of the Fund.”
Asset Class Risk
Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general financial markets, a particular securities market or other asset classes.
Call Risk
During periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of a callable bond held by the Fund may “call” or repay the security before its stated maturity, and the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund's income.
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Credit Risk
Debt issuers and other counterparties may not honor their obligations or may have their debt downgraded by ratings agencies.
Extension Risk
During periods of rising interest rates, certain debt obligations may be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income and potentially in the value of the Fund’s investments.
High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. Securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.”
Income Risk
The Fund's income may decline when interest rates fall. This decline can occur because the Fund may subsequently invest in lower-yielding bonds when bonds in its portfolio mature, bonds in the Underlying Index are substituted or the Fund otherwise needs to purchase additional bonds.
Index Risk
The Underlying Index may not be successful in replicating the performance of its target strategies.
Industry Concentration Risk
To the extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry, the Fund also will be concentrated in that industry. Concentrated Fund investments will subject the Fund to a greater risk of loss as a result of adverse economic, business or other developments than if its investments were diversified across different industry sectors.
Interest Rate Risk
An increase in interest rates may cause the value of securities held by the Fund to decline.
Investment Style Risk
The Underlying Index seeks to provide exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that are measured to have less credit risk based on their Marginal Contribution to Risk. As with any measure of a bond’s credit risk, Marginal Contribution to Risk may fail to accurately reflect the credit risk of an individual bond. In addition, Marginal Contribution to Risk is not predictive of the price performance of fixed income securities. In addition, there is no guarantee that the construction methodology of the Underlying Index will accurately provide exposure to U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds with lower credit risk.
Issuer Credit Risk
The financial condition of an issuer of a debt security or other instrument may cause such issuer to default, become unable to pay interest or principal due or otherwise fail to honor its obligations or cause such issuer to be perceived (whether by market participants, rating agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as being in such situations.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. This can reduce the Fund's returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or
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prices. Decreased liquidity in the bond markets also may make it more difficult to value some or all of the Fund’s bond holdings.
Management Risk
The strategy used by the Advisor to match the performance of the Underlying Index may fail to produce the intended results.
Market Risk
The market price of investments owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
New Fund Risk
The Fund is a new fund. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that it will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it may experience greater tracking error to its Underlying Index than it otherwise would at higher asset levels or it could ultimately liquidate.
Replication Management Risk
Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.
Tracking Error Risk
The strategy used by the Advisor to match the performance of the Underlying Index may fail to produce the intended results.
Trading Price Risk
Although it is expected that generally the market price of the Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price in the Secondary Market and the NAV vary significantly.
Performance Information
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not report its performance information.
Investment Advisor and Sub-Advisor
IndexIQ Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor to the Fund.
MacKay Shields LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) is the investment sub-advisor to the Fund.
Portfolio Manager
[ ] and [ ] of the MKS ETF Services Team at the Sub-advisor are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. [ ] of the Sub-Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception and [ ] of the Sub-Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value (“NAV”), only in blocks of [ ] Shares or whole multiples thereof (“Creation Units”). The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Fund. Retail investors may acquire Shares on NYSE Arca, Inc. through a broker-dealer.
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Shares of the Fund will trade at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Advisor may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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The Trust is an investment company consisting of a number of separate investment portfolios (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) that are exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are index funds whose shares are listed on a stock exchange and traded like equity securities at market prices. ETFs, such as the Fund, allow you to buy or sell shares that represent the collective performance of a selected group of securities. ETFs are designed to add the flexibility, ease and liquidity of stock-trading to the benefits of traditional index fund investing. The investment objective of the Fund is to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of a particular index (the “Underlying Index”) developed by [__] (the “Index Provider”).
This Prospectus provides the information you need to make an informed decision about investing in the Fund. It contains important facts about the Trust as a whole and the Fund in particular.
IndexIQ Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor to the Fund. MacKay Shields LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) is the investment sub-advisor to the Fund.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF has not yet commenced operations and therefore has not accumulated information to report regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked the Fund’s NAV.
Information regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares has tracked the Fund’s NAV for the most recently completed calendar year and the quarters since that year will be available without charge on the Fund’s website at www.IQetfs.com.
Description of the Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund
The Fund employs a “passive management” — or indexing — investment approach designed to track the performance of its Underlying Index. The Advisor seeks a correlation over time of 0.95 or better between the Fund’s performance, before fees and expenses, and the performance of its Underlying Index. A figure of 1.00 would represent perfect correlation.
The Fund uses a "Representative Sampling" strategy in seeking to track the performance of its Underlying Index. A fund using a Representative Sampling strategy generally will invest in a sample of its Underlying Index Components whose risk, return and other characteristics closely resemble the risk, return and other characteristics of the Underlying Index as a whole.
There also may be instances in which the Advisor, as applicable, may choose to (i) overweight a security in the Underlying Index, (ii) purchase securities not contained in the Underlying Index that the Advisor believes are appropriate to substitute for certain securities in the Underlying Index or (iii) utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to track the Underlying Index. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in the applicable Underlying Index in anticipation of their removal from the Underlying Index or purchase securities not represented in the Underlying Index in anticipation of their addition to the Underlying Index.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the securities and other instruments that make up its Underlying Index (the “Underlying Index Components”). In determining the Fund’s net assets for
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the purposes of this 80% threshold, accounting practices do not include collateral held under the Fund’s securities lending program, as such collateral does not represent a true asset of the relevant Fund.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in investments not included in the Underlying Index, but which the Advisor believes will help the Fund track its Underlying Index. For example, there may be instances in which the Advisor may choose to purchase (or sell) securities not in the Underlying Index which the Advisor believes are appropriate to substitute for one or more Underlying Index Components in seeking to replicate, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Underlying Index.
At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be comprised of fixed income securities issued by corporate issuers.
To the extent that the Fund’s Underlying Index concentrates (i.e., holds 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund will concentrate its investment to approximately the same extent as its Underlying Index.
As Fund cash flows permit, the Advisor may use cash flows to adjust the weights of the Fund’s Underlying investments in an effort to minimize any differences in weights between the Fund and its Underlying Index.
At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be comprised of securities of issuers in the United States.
To the extent the Advisor to the Fund makes investments on behalf of the Fund that are regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, it intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Advisor has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and is therefore not subject to registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
Additional Investment Strategies
In addition to its principal investment strategies, the Fund may also invest in money market instruments, including short-term debt instruments and repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments (subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act, or exemptions therefrom), rather than Underlying Index Components, when it would be more efficient or less expensive for the Fund to do so, for liquidity purposes, or to earn interest. In addition to investing directly in the Underlying Index Components, the Fund may invest in Underlying Index Components indirectly through exchange-traded products. Swaps may be used by the Fund to seek performance that tracks its Underlying Index and to manage cash flows. The Advisor anticipates that it may take approximately two business days (i.e., each day the NYSE is open for trading) for additions and deletions to the Underlying Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Fund.
Each of the policies described herein, including the investment objective of the Fund, constitutes a non-fundamental policy that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval. Certain fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) under “Investment Restrictions.”
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Securities Lending
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% (105% for foreign securities) of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis.
Description of the Principal Risks of the Fund
Investors in the Fund should carefully consider the risks of investing in the Fund as set forth in the Fund’s Summary Information section under “Principal Risks.”
Asset Class Risk
The securities in an Underlying Index or in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform other securities or indexes that track other countries, groups of countries, regions, industries, groups of industries, markets, asset classes or sectors. Various types of securities, currencies and indexes may experience cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general financial markets depending upon a number of factors including, among other things, inflation, interest rates, productivity, global demand for local products or resources and regulation and governmental controls.
Call Risk
During periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of a callable bond held by the Fund may “call” or repay the security before its stated maturity, which may result in the Fund having to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of debt instruments or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or loan of portfolio securities will be unable or unwilling to make its timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. Debt instruments are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which may be reflected in their credit ratings. There is the chance that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default (i.e., fail to make scheduled interest or principal payments), potentially reducing the Fund’s income level or share price.
Extension Risk
During periods of rising interest rates, certain debt obligations may be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income and potentially in the value of the Fund’s investments.
High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. Securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” The ability of issuers of high yield securities to make timely payments of interest and principal may be adversely impacted by adverse changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial condition of their issuers and price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. The market value and liquidity of high yield securities may be negatively impacted by adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.
Income Risk
The Fund’s income may decline when interest rates fall. This decline can occur because the Fund must invest in lower-yielding bonds as bonds in its portfolio mature, bonds in the Underlying Index are substituted or the Fund otherwise needs to purchase additional bonds. The Index
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Provider’s substitution of bonds in the Underlying Index may occur, for example, when the time to maturity for the bond no longer matches the Underlying Index’s stated maturity guidelines.
Index Risk
The Underlying Index may not be successful in replicating the performance of its target strategies. The Underlying Index is new and has limited historical performance data that is not predictive of future results.
Industry Concentration Risk
To the extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry, the Fund also will be concentrated in that industry. Concentrated Fund investments will subject the Fund to a greater risk of loss as a result of adverse economic, business or other developments than if its investments were diversified across different industry sectors.
Interest Rate Risk
The value of bonds may fall when interest rates rise. Bonds with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, making them more volatile than bonds with shorter durations or floating or adjustable interest rates. Many factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, general economic conditions and expectations about the foregoing. Given the historically low interest rate environment in the U.S., risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened. The negative impact on bonds from potential interest rate increases could be swift and significant, including falling market values, increased redemptions and reduced liquidity. Substantial redemptions from bond funds may worsen that impact. Additionally, regulations applicable to and changing business practices of broker-dealers that make markets in debt instruments may result in those broker-dealers restricting their market making activities for certain bonds, which may reduce the liquidity and increase the volatility of such bonds.
Investment Style Risk
The Underlying Index seeks to provide exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that are measured to have less credit risk based on their Marginal Contribution to Risk. As with any measure of a bond’s credit risk, Marginal Contribution to Risk may fail to accurately reflect the credit risk of an individual bond. In addition, Marginal Contribution to Risk is not predictive of the price performance of fixed income securities. In addition, there is no guarantee that the construction methodology of the Underlying Index will accurately provide exposure to U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds with lower credit risk.
Issuer Credit Risk
The financial condition of an issuer of a debt security or other instrument may cause such issuer to default, become unable to pay interest or principal due or otherwise fail to honor its obligations or cause such issuer to be perceived (whether by market participants, rating agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as being in such situations. The value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning in response to issuer defaults, changes in the credit ratings of the Fund’s portfolio securities and/or perceptions related thereto.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent the Fund invests in illiquid securities or securities that become less liquid, such investments may have a negative effect on the returns of the Fund because the Fund may be unable to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund invests in securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of
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traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities or the lack of an active market. Liquid investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil or economic uncertainty. Illiquid and relatively less liquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets. Although the Fund primarily seeks to redeem its shares in-kind, if the Fund is forced to sell underlying investments at reduced prices or under unfavorable conditions to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where redemptions from the Fund may be higher than normal. It may also be the case that other market participants may be attempting to liquidate fixed income holdings at the same time as the Fund, causing increased supply in the market and contributing to liquidity risk and downward pricing pressure. There can be no assurance that a security that is deemed to be liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid for as long as it is held by the Fund. Decreased liquidity in the bond markets also may make it more difficult to value some or all of the Fund’s bond holdings.
Management Risk
The strategy used by the Advisor to match the performance of the Underlying Index may fail to produce the intended results.
Market Risk
The market price of investments owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Investments may decline in value due to factors affecting fixed income securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities markets.
New Fund Risk
The Fund will be a new fund upon its commencement of operations. As a new Fund, there can be no assurance that it will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it may experience greater tracking error to its Underlying Index than it otherwise would at higher asset levels or it could ultimately liquidate.
Replication Management Risk
Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, the Fund would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Fund’s Underlying Index.
Tracking Error Risk
The Fund’s performance may not match its Underlying Index during any period of time. Although the Fund attempts to track the performance of its Underlying Index, the Fund may not be able to duplicate its exact composition or return for any number of reasons, including but not limited to risk that the strategies used by the Advisor to match the performance of the Underlying Index may fail to produce the intended results, liquidity risk and new fund risk, as well as the incurring of Fund expenses, which the Underlying Index does not incur. For example, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in its Underlying Index due to restrictions or limitations imposed, by or a lack of liquidity in, certain countries in which such securities trade, or may be delayed in purchasing or selling securities included in the Underlying Index. To the extent the Fund intends to engage in a significant portion in cash transactions for the creation and redemption of Shares, such practice may affect the Fund’s ability to match the return of its Underlying Index. In addition, tracking error may occur because of differences in timing of the accrual or the valuation of dividends or interest or tax gains or losses.
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Trading Price Risk
It is expected that the shares of the Fund (in each case, “Shares”) will be listed for trading on NYSE Arca and will be bought and sold in the Secondary Market at market prices. Although it is generally expected that the market price of the Shares of the Fund will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. Thus, you may pay more than NAV when you buy Shares in the Secondary Market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares in the Secondary Market. Similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, Shares may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility and price decreases associated with being sold short.
The market price of Shares during the trading day, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid/ask” spread charged by the exchange specialist, market makers or other participants that trade the Shares. In times of severe market disruption, the bid/ask spread can increase significantly. At those times, Shares are most likely to be traded at a discount to NAV, and the discount is likely to be greatest when the price of Shares is falling fastest, which may be the time that you most want to sell your Shares. The Advisor believes that, under normal market conditions, large market price discounts or premiums to NAV will not be sustained because of arbitrage opportunities, particularly through creations and redemptions by Authorized Participants dealing directly with the Fund. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it more likely that the Fund’s Shares normally will trade on NYSE Arca at prices close to its next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers, Authorized Participants, or other market participants, and during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for shares of the Fund that differ significantly from its NAV. Authorized Participants may be less willing to create or redeem Fund shares if there is a lack of an active market for such shares or its underlying investments, which may contribute to the Fund’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.
Tax Risks
To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. If for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Furthermore, the tax treatment of derivatives is unclear for purposes of determining the Fund’s tax status. In addition, the Fund’s transactions in derivatives may result in the Fund realizing more short-term capital gains and ordinary income that are subject to higher ordinary income tax rates than if it did not engage in such transactions.
Trading Issues
Trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the NYSE Arca “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the
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NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk
Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value
The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Advisor cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of the Fund’s Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses. However, given that the Shares can be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAV), the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Shares should not be sustained.
Securities Lending
Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.
Shares are not Individually Redeemable
Shares may be redeemed by the Fund only in large blocks known as “Creation Units” which are expected to be worth in excess of one million dollars each. The Trust may not redeem Shares in fractional Creation Units. Only certain large institutions that enter into agreements with the Distributor are authorized to transact in Creation Units with the Fund. These entities are referred to as “Authorized Participants.” All other persons or entities transacting in Shares must do so in the Secondary Market.
Absence of Prior Active Market
Although Shares are approved for listing and have been trading on the NYSE Arca, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will continue to develop and be maintained for the Shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may experience greater tracking error to its Underlying Index than it otherwise would at higher asset levels, or the Fund may ultimately liquidate.
Please refer to the SAI for a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in Shares.
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The method by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of Secondary Market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available with respect to such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker dealer-firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary Secondary Market transactions) and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an over-allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(a) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares of the Fund are reminded that under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the NYSE Arca is satisfied by the fact that such Fund’s prospectus is available at the NYSE Arca upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
Creation and Redemption of Creation Units
The Fund issues and redeems Shares only in bundles of a specified number of Shares. These bundles are known as “Creation Units.” For the Fund, a Creation Unit is comprised of [ ]Shares. The number of Shares in a Creation Unit will not change, except in the event of a share split, reverse split or similar revaluation. The Fund may not issue fractional Creation Units. To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, you must be an Authorized Participant or you must do so through a broker, dealer, bank or other entity that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is either (1) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), or (2) a participant of DTC (a “DTC Participant”), and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (a “Participation Agreement”). Because Creation Units cost over one million dollars each, it is expected that only large institutional investors will purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund in the form of Creation Units. In turn, it is expected that institutional investors who purchase Creation Units will break up their Creation Units and offer and sell individual Shares in the Secondary Market.
Retail investors may acquire Shares in the Secondary Market (not from the Fund) through a broker or dealer. Shares are listed on the NYSE Arca and are publicly traded. For information
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about acquiring Shares in the Secondary Market, please contact your broker or dealer. If you want to sell Shares in the Secondary Market, you must do so through your broker or dealer.
When you buy or sell Shares in the Secondary Market, your broker or dealer may charge you a commission, market premium or discount or other transaction charge, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price for each purchase or sale transaction. Unless imposed by your broker or dealer, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest and no minimum number of Shares you must buy in the Secondary Market. In addition, because transactions in the Secondary Market occur at market prices, you may pay more than NAV when you buy Shares and receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares.
The creation and redemption processes discussed above are summarized, and such summary only applies to shareholders who purchase or redeem Creation Units (they do not relate to shareholders who purchase or sell Shares in the Secondary Market). Authorized Participants should refer to their Participant Agreements for the precise instructions that must be followed in order to create or redeem Creation Units.
Buying and Selling Shares in the Secondary Market
Most investors will buy and sell Shares of the Fund in Secondary Market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund will be listed for trading on the Secondary Market on the NYSE Arca. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly-traded shares. There is no minimum investment. Although Shares are generally purchased and sold in “round lots” of 100 Shares, brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell Shares in smaller “odd lots” at no per-Share price differential. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the Secondary Market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share. For information about buying and selling Shares in the Secondary Market, please contact your broker or dealer.
Book Entry
Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form and no stock certificates are issued. DTC, through its nominee Cede & Co., is the record owner of all outstanding Shares.
Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants.
These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form for any publicly-traded company. Specifically, in the case of a shareholder meeting of the Fund, DTC assigns applicable Cede & Co. voting rights to its participants that have Shares credited to their accounts on the record date, issues an omnibus proxy and forwards the omnibus proxy to the Fund. The omnibus proxy transfers the voting authority from Cede & Co. to the DTC participant. This gives the DTC participant through whom you own Shares (namely, your broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee) authority
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to vote the shares, and, in turn, the DTC participant is obligated to follow the voting instructions you provide.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is responsible for the general supervision of the Fund. The Board of Trustees appoints officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund. Information about the Board of Trustees and executive officers of the Trust is contained in the SAI.
Investment Advisor
The Advisor has been registered as an investment advisor with the SEC since August 2007, has provided investment advisory services to registered investment companies since June 2008, and is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC. The Advisor’s principal office is at 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710, Rye Brook, New York 10573. As of September 30, 2016 the Advisor had approximately $2.4 billion in assets under management.
The Advisor has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Trust. The Advisor provides an investment program for the Fund and supervises the Sub-Advisor in managing the investment portfolio of the Fund. The Advisor has arranged for custody, fund administration, transfer agency and all other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate.
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Fund pays the Advisor a management fee equal to [__] percent of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated daily and paid monthly. The Advisor may voluntarily waive any portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
The Advisor serves as advisor to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Independent Trustees of the Trust at its annual meeting. The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement will be available in the Trust’s Annual or Semiannual Report to shareholders.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor agrees to pay all expenses of the Trust, except brokerage and other transaction expenses including taxes; extraordinary legal fees or expenses, such as those for litigation or arbitration; compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, counsel to the Independent Trustees, and the Trust’s chief compliance officer; extraordinary expenses; distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and the advisory fee payable to the Advisor hereunder.
Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act requires that all contracts pursuant to which persons serve as investment advisers to investment companies be approved by shareholders. As interpreted, this requirement also applies to the appointment of subadvisors to the Fund. The Advisor and the Fund have obtained an exemptive order (the "Order") from the SEC permitting the Advisor, on behalf of the Fund and subject to the approval of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, to hire or terminate unaffiliated subadvisors and to modify any existing or future subadvisory agreement with unaffiliated subadvisors without shareholder approval. This authority is subject to certain conditions. The Fund will notify shareholders and provide them with certain information required by the Order within 90 days of hiring a new subadvisor. The Fund’s
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sole shareholder has approved the use of the Order. Please see the SAI for more information on the Order.
The Advisor and its affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Fund also may invest. The Advisor does not use inside information in making investment decisions on behalf of the Fund.
Sub-Advisor
Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement with the Advisor, MacKay Shields LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) serves as the sub-advisor to the Fund and makes investment decisions, and buys and sells securities for the Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Sub-Advisor is compensated by the Advisor.
The Sub-Advisor was incorporated in 1969 as an independent investment advisory firm and was privately held until 1984 when it became a wholly-owned, fully autonomous subsidiary of New York Life. The Sub-Advisor’s principal office is at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. As of December 31, 2015 the Sub-Advisor had approximately $88.9 billion in assets under management.
Portfolio Management
The Sub-Advisor is responsible for managing the investment portfolios of the Fund and will direct the purchase and sale of the Fund’s investment securities. The Sub-Advisor utilizes a team of investment professionals acting together to manage the assets of the Fund. The team meets regularly to review portfolio holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity. The team adjusts holdings in the portfolio as they deem appropriate in the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective.
The portfolio managers who are currently jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are [ ] and [ ].
For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund, see the SAI.
Index Provider
[__] (the “Index Provider”), located at [__], developed and sponsors the Underlying Index.
[The Fund is not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Index Provider, and the Index Provider makes no claim, prediction, warranty, or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to (i) the results to be obtained from the use of the Underlying Index (upon which the Fund is based), (ii) the figure at which the Underlying Index is said to stand at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise, or (iii) the suitability of the Underlying Index for the purpose to which it is being put in connection with a Fund. The Index Provider has not provided, nor will it provide, any financial or investment advice or recommendation in relation to an Underlying Index to the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or their clients. The Underlying Index is calculated by the Index Provider or its agent. The Index Provider shall not be (a) liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in an Index or (b) under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.]
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Fund Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the Fund’s Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent. BNY Mellon is the principal operating subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
Distributor
ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ALPS”), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 serves as the Distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a Secondary Market in Shares. NYLIFE Distributors LLC has entered into a Services Agreement with ALPS to distribute the Fund.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at PricewaterhouseCoopers Center, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
Legal Counsel
Kaye Scholer LLP, located at 250 West 55th Street, New York, New York 10019, serves as counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by Fund shareholders (“market timing”). In determining not to adopt market timing policies and procedures, the Board noted that the Fund is expected to be attractive to active institutional and retail investors interested in buying and selling Fund Shares on a short-term basis. In addition, the Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, the Fund’s Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and that the vast majority of trading in the Fund’s Shares occurs on the Secondary Market. Because Secondary Market trades do not involve the Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (namely, for securities), those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to the Fund and increased transaction costs (the Fund may impose higher transaction fees to offset these increased costs), which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading on a short-term basis by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s Shares trade at or close to NAV. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to adopt market timing policies and procedures. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive or excessive trading in Creation Units.
The Board of Trustees has instructed the officers of the Trust to review reports of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units on a regular basis to determine if there is any unusual trading in the Fund. The officers of the Trust will report to the Board any such unusual trading in Creation Units that is disruptive to the Fund. In such event, the Board may reconsider its decision not to adopt market timing policies and procedures.
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The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.10% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
The Advisor and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts (“Payments”) to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments. The Advisor may make Payments for such third parties to organize or participate in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about ETFs, including ETFs advised by the Advisor, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems (“Education Costs”). The Advisor also may make Payments to third parties to help defray costs typically covered by a trading commission, such as certain printing, publishing and mailing costs or materials relating to the marketing of services related to exchange-traded products (such as commission-free trading platforms) or exchange-traded products in general (“Administrative Costs”). As of the date of this Prospectus, the Advisor has agreed to make Payments to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Charles Schwab”) for the services described above, including Education Costs and Administrative Costs. The Advisor has agreed to make payments to Charles Schwab based on an annual fee for its services, as well as based on the average daily assets held by Charles Schwab customers in certain ETFs advised by the Advisor.
Determination of Net Asset Value (NAV)
The NAV of the Shares for the Fund is equal to the Fund’s total assets minus the Fund’s total liabilities divided by the total number of Shares outstanding. Interest and investment income on the Trust’s assets accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total assets. Expenses and fees (including investment advisory, management, administration and distribution fees, if any) accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total liabilities. The NAV that is published is rounded to the nearest cent; however, for purposes of determining the price of Creation Units, the NAV is calculated to eight decimal places. The NAV is calculated by the Administrator and Custodian and determined each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. New York time).
In calculating NAV, the Fund’s investments are valued using market quotations when available. The Fund values fixed income portfolio securities using prices provided directly from one or more broker-dealers, market makers, or independent third-party pricing services which may use matrix pricing and valuation models, as well as recent market transactions for the same or similar assets, to derive values. Certain short-term debt securities may be valued on the basis of amortized cost. Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities, U.S. government securities, money market instruments and certain fixed income securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE Arca. The values of such securities used in computing the NAV of the Fund are determined as of such times.
When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable or not representative of an investment’s fair value, investments are valued using fair value pricing as
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determined in good faith by the Advisor under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Investments that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (1) securities that are not actively traded, including “restricted” securities and securities received in private placements for which there is no public market; (2) securities of an issuer that becomes bankrupt or enters into a restructuring; (3) securities whose trading has been halted or suspended; and (4) foreign securities traded on exchanges or markets that close before the Fund’s NAV is calculated.
The frequency with which the Fund’s investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the Fund invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations. If the Fund invests in other open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, they may rely on the net asset values of those companies to value the shares they hold of them. Those companies may also use fair value pricing under some circumstances.
Valuing the Fund’s investments using fair value pricing results in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Accordingly, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate NAV and the prices used to determine the Fund’s Indicative Intra-Day Value (“IIV”), which could result in the market prices for Shares deviating from NAV.
The approximate value of the Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value, or IIV, is disseminated by the NYSE Arca every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the NYSE Arca. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV may not be calculated in the same manner as NAV, which is computed once per day.
An independent third party calculator calculates the IIV for the Fund during hours of trading on the NYSE Arca by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares of that Fund. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in the Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owed to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of the Fund’s liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Trust’s website.
The Fund provides the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, but the Fund is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Fund makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
Net Investment Income and Capital Gains
As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to their shareholders as “distributions.”
The Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, typically are passed along to Fund shareholders as dividends from net investment income. The Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever they sell securities. Net
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capital gains typically are passed along to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” Net investment income and net capital gains typically are distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, the Fund may decide to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities, as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period, in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital. You will be notified regarding the portion of a distribution that represents a return of capital.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Shares of the Fund only if the broker through which you purchased Shares makes such option available. Distributions which are reinvested nevertheless will be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund. The summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date of this Prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that a Fund shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund, and does not address the consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, tax-exempt shareholders, those who hold Fund Shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, “non-U.S. shareholders” (as defined below). This discussion does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, gift or non-U.S. tax law. Furthermore, this discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares, based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Fund
The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a separate “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under the Code. To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must meet certain annual income and quarterly asset diversification requirements and must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if any.
As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. If the Fund
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fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Code), the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year, plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, if the Fund invests in original issue discount obligations (such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest), the Fund will be required to include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the term of the obligation, even if the related cash payment is not received by the Fund until a later year. Under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling portfolio securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund Distributions. In general, Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property, and regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received by each Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following calendar year.
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Distributions of the Fund’s net investment income (except, as discussed below, qualified dividend income) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent designated as capital gain dividends by the Fund, distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless of a Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Distributions of qualified dividend income are, to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, taxed to certain non-corporate Fund shareholders at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gain, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its dividend-paying stocks. Substitute payments received on Fund Shares that are lent out will be ineligible for being reported as qualified dividend income.
The Fund intends to distribute its net capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end, the Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and each Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, each Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund.
In addition, high-income individuals (and certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income” in addition to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including capital gain dividends) received from the Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your tax advisor regarding this tax.
Sales of Shares. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares held for one year or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to the Shares.
Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions. On an issue of Shares of the Fund as part of a Creation Unit where the creation is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss on creation or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
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In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder (as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income taxation.
With respect to non-U.S. shareholders of the Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty), subject to certain exceptions for “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” discussed below. U.S. federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of the Fund’s net capital gain. Special rules apply with respect to dividends of the Fund that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests.”
In general, all “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” (each defined below) will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnished the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to the Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.
In general, subject to certain exceptions, non-U.S. shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of a sale or other disposition of Shares of the Fund.
To claim a credit or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed net capital gain (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through back-up withholding (discussed below), a non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
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Back-Up Withholding
The Fund (or a financial intermediary such as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on a Fund shareholder to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a current rate of 28% from taxable distributions and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain information about its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” to the withholding agent or certifies that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a “withholdable payment” may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
“Withholdable payments” generally include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.
The Fund may be required to impose a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information, certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions from, FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
For a more detailed tax discussion regarding an investment in the Fund, and for special tax treatment on the sale and distribution by the Fund, please see the section of the SAI entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
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The Trust, the Advisor, and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Advisor, and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to a code). There can be no assurance that the codes will be effective in preventing such activities. The codes permit personnel subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund. The codes are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.
Fund Website and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Advisor maintains a website for the Fund at www.IQetfs.com. The website for the Fund contains the following information, on a per-Share basis, for the Fund: (1) the prior Business Day’s NAV; (2) the reported mid-point of the bid-ask spread at the time of NAV calculation (the “Bid-Ask Price”); (3) a calculation of the premium or discount of the Bid-Ask Price against such NAV; and (4) data in chart format displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the Bid-Ask Price against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four previous calendar quarters (or for the life of the Fund, if shorter). In addition, on each Business Day, before the commencement of trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca, the Fund will disclose on its website (www.IQetfs.com) the identities and quantities of the portfolio securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis for the calculation of NAV at the end of the Business Day.
A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the NYSE Arca. The NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to achieve its objectives. The NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is a registered investment company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond those limitations.
Financial Highlights are not presented for the IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF since the Fund has not yet commenced operations.
The following notice does not constitute part of the Prospectus, nor is it incorporated into the Prospectus.
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IndexIQ ETF Trust is committed to respecting the privacy of personal information you entrust to us in the course of doing business with us.
The Trust may collect non-public personal information from various sources. The Trust uses such information provided by you or your representative to process transactions, to respond to inquiries from you, to deliver reports, products, and services, and to fulfill legal and regulatory requirements.
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers to anyone unless permitted by law or approved by the customer. We may share this information within the Trust’s family of companies in the course of providing services and products to best meet your investing needs. We may share information with certain third parties who are not affiliated with the Trust to perform marketing services, to process or service a transaction at your request or as permitted by law. For example, sharing information with companies that maintain or service customer accounts for the Trust is essential. We may also share information with companies that perform administrative or marketing services for the Trust, including research firms. When we enter into such a relationship, we restrict the companies’ use of our customers’ information and prohibit them from sharing it or using it for any purposes other than those for which they were hired.
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. Within the Trust, we restrict access to personal information to those employees who require access to that information in order to provide products or services to our customers, such as handling inquiries. Our employment policies restrict the use of customer information and require that it be held in strict confidence.
We will adhere to the policies and practices described in this notice for both current and former customers of the Trust.
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Trust | IndexIQ ETF Trust, a registered open-end investment company | |
Fund | The investment portfolios of the Trust | |
Shares | Shares of the Fund offered to investors | |
Advisor | IndexIQ Advisors LLC | |
Sub-Advisor | MacKay Shields LLC | |
Custodian | The Bank of New York Mellon, the custodian of the Fund’s assets | |
Distributor | ALPS Distributors, Inc., the distributor of the Fund | |
AP or Authorized Participant | Certain large institutional investors such as brokers, dealers, banks or other entities that have entered into authorized participant agreements with the Distributor | |
NYSE Arca | NYSE Arca, Inc., the primary market on which Shares are listed for trading | |
IIV | The Indicative Intra-Day Value, an appropriate per-Share value based on the Fund’s portfolio | |
1940 Act | Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended | |
NAV | Net asset value | |
SAI | Statement of Additional Information | |
SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission | |
Secondary Market | A national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time | |
Securities Act | Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
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IndexIQ ETF Trust
Mailing Address
800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710
Rye Brook, New York 10573
1-888-934-0777
www.IQetfs.com
28
PROSPECTUS | [DATE], 2016
IndexIQ ETF Trust
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like more information about the Trust, the Fund and the Shares, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual/Semi-annual Report
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders (once available). In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s SAI. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (and is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and the SAI are available free upon request by calling IndexIQ at 1-888-934-0777. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the SAI at the Fund’s website: http://www.IQetfs.com.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
By telephone: | 1-888-934-0777 | ||
By mail: |
IndexIQ ETF Trust
c/o IndexIQ 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710 Rye Brook, NY 10573 |
||
On the Internet: | SEC Edgar database: http://www.sec.gov; or www.IQetfs.com |
You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the SAI) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund and its Shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep the Prospectus for future reference.
Dealers effecting transactions in the Fund’s Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation dealers have to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
IQ ® and IndexIQ ® are registered service marks of IndexIQ.
The Trust’s investment company registration number is 811-22227.
The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is effective. This statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Preliminary
Statement of Additional Information
Subject to Completion, dated October 17, 2016
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
INDEXIQ ETF TRUST
800 WESTCHESTER AVENUE
SUITE S-710
RYE BROOK, NEW YORK 10573
PHONE: (888) 934-0777
[ __ ]
This Statement of Additional Information (this “SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus dated [ __ ], 2016 (the “Prospectus”) for the IndexIQ ETF Trust (the “Trust”), relating to the IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF (HYLV) (the “Fund”), as it may be revised from time to time.
A copy of the Trust’s Prospectus relating to the Fund and the Fund’s annual or semi-annual reports (once available), may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust, c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203, by calling (888) 934-0777, or by visiting the Trust’s website at www.IQetfs.com.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted.
Table of Contents
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND | 1 |
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING | 1 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES | 2 |
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS | 3 |
MANAGEMENT | 8 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 14 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 14 |
MANAGEMENT SERVICES | 14 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 17 |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE | 18 |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 19 |
INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE | 20 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES | 20 |
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS | 22 |
CONTINUOUS OFFERING | 29 |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 30 |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 30 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION | 31 |
OTHER INFORMATION | 40 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 40 |
APPENDIX A | 1 |
APPENDIX B |
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this SAI and the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust.
The SAI does not constitute an offer to sell securities.
The information contained herein regarding the indexes underlying the Fund (the “Underlying Index”) and [__] (the “Index Provider”) was provided by the Index Provider, while the information contained herein regarding the securities markets and The Depository Trust Company was obtained from publicly available sources.
The Underlying Index of the Fund is the [__].
[The Fund is not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by [__] (the “Index Provider”), and the Index Provider makes no claim, prediction, warranty, or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to (i) the results to be obtained from the use of the underlying index upon which the Fund is based (the “Underlying Index”), (ii) the figure at which the Underlying Index is said to stand at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise, or (iii) the suitability of the Underlying Index for the purpose to which it is being put in connection with the Fund. The Index Provider has not provided, nor will it provide, any financial or investment advice or recommendation in relation to an Underlying Index to the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or their clients. The Underlying Index is calculated by the Index Provider or its agent. The Index Provider shall not be (a) liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in an Index or (b) under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.]
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND
The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 1, 2008 and is authorized to have multiple segregated series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust currently consists of a number of separate investment portfolios, of which 19 are in operation. This SAI addresses the IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF (the “Fund”), an investment portfolio of the Trust, which is deemed to be diversified for the purposes of the 1940 Act. Other portfolios may be added to the Trust in the future. The shares of the Fund are referred to herein as “Fund Shares” or “Shares.” The offering of Shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
The Fund is managed by IndexIQ Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”). The Advisor has been registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) since August 2007 and is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC.
The Fund is sub-advised by MacKay Shields LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”). The Sub-Advisor has been registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) since 1969 and is a wholly-owned, fully autonomous subsidiary of New York Life.
The Fund offers and issues Shares at net asset value (the “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for a basket of fixed income securities included in the relevant Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”). The Shares of the Fund trade or are expected to trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units are aggregations of [ ] Shares of the Fund. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Fund Shares. Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” section. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary for the Fund to maintain the listing of its Shares will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading and delisting of the Shares of the Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the value of the Underlying Index is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further trading on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.
The Fund’s continued listing on the Exchange or another stock exchange or market system is a condition of the exemptive relief the Fund obtained from the SEC to operate as an exchange-traded fund (“ETFs”). The Fund’s failure to be so listed would result in the termination of the Fund.
As in the case of other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
1
Investment Objectives
The Fund has an investment objective and policies that are distinct from the other series of the Trust. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be achieved. The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before the Fund’s fees and expenses) of a particular index (the “Underlying Index”) created by [__] (the “Index Provider”).
All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. Additional information about the Fund, its policies, and the investment instruments it may hold, is provided below.
The Fund’s share prices will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program.
Investment Restrictions
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to the Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The investment objective of the Fund and all other investment policies or practices of the Fund are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Shares of the Fund.
For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund. With respect to the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction B, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund:
A. May not invest 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries (excluding the United States (“U.S.”) government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities). Nonetheless, to the extent the Fund’s Underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund’s investments will exceed this 25% limitation to the extent that it is necessary to gain exposure to Underlying Index Components (as defined below) to track its Underlying Index.
B. May borrow money, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
C. May make loans to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
D. May act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), to the extent permitted under the 1933 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
E. May purchase or sell real estate or any interest therein to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
F. May not purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
G. May issue senior securities, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time.
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The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single ETF, open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Fund’s Prospectus under the headings “Principal Risk Factors,” “Description of the Principal Risks of the Fund” and “Additional Risks.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Fund’s Prospectus.
General
Investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the portfolio of securities held by the Fund may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of corporate bonds and fixed income securities generally, interest rates and other factors.
The Fund is not actively managed by traditional methods and therefore the adverse financial condition of any one issuer will not result in the elimination of its securities from the portfolio securities held by the Fund unless the securities of such issuer are removed from its respective Underlying Index.
An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding that the Fund will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of its Underlying Index because the total return generated by its portfolio securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of such securities and other Fund expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of its Underlying Index. It is also possible that for short periods of time, the Fund may not fully replicate the performance of its Underlying Index due to the temporary unavailability of certain Underlying Index securities in the Secondary Market or due to other extraordinary circumstances.
Such events are unlikely to continue for an extended period of time because the Fund is required to correct such imbalances by means of adjusting the composition of its portfolio securities. It is also possible that the composition of the Fund may not exactly replicate the composition of its Underlying Index if the Fund has to adjust its portfolio securities in order to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in its Underlying Index Components. In determining the Fund’s net assets for the purposes of this 80% threshold, accounting practices do not include collateral held under the Fund’s securities lending program, as such collateral does not represent a true asset of the Fund. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in investments not included in its Underlying Index, but which the Advisor believes will help the Fund track its Underlying Index. For example, there may be instances in which the Advisor may choose to purchase (or sell) securities not in the Underlying Index that the Advisor believes are appropriate to substitute for one or more Underlying Index Components in seeking to replicate, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Underlying Index.
Furthermore, the Fund may invest in one or more financial instruments, including but not limited to futures contracts, swap agreements and forward contracts, reverse repurchase agreements, and options on securities, indices and futures contracts (collectively, “Financial Instruments”). As an example of the use of such Financial Instruments, the Fund may use total return swaps on one or more Underlying Index Components in order to achieve exposures that are similar to those of the Underlying Index.
Bonds
The Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in corporate bonds. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a U.S. or non-U.S. company. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond’s face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date. Bonds generally are used by corporations and governments to borrow money from investors. The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest earned on the security and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by changes in the market rate of interest, the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.
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An issuer may have the right to redeem or “call” a bond before maturity, in which case the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Similarly, the Fund may have to reinvest interest income or payments received when bonds mature, sometimes at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a “coupon” rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed-rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed-rate bond’s yield (income as a percent of the bond’s current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. When an investor purchases a fixed-rate bond at a price that is greater than its face value, the investor is purchasing the bond at a premium. Conversely, when an investor purchases a fixed-rate bond at a price that is less than its face value, the investor is purchasing the bond at a discount. Fixed-rate bonds that are purchased at a discount pay less current income than securities with comparable yields that are purchased at face value, with the result that prices for such fixed-rate securities can be more volatile than prices for such securities that are purchased at face value. Other types of bonds bear interest at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Interest rates on “floating rate” or “variable rate” bonds may be higher or lower than current market rates for fixed-rate bonds of comparable quality with similar final maturities. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of “floating rate” or “variable rate” bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed-rate bonds, but their value may decline if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. The Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Generally, prices of higher quality issues tend to fluctuate less with changes in market interest rates than prices of lower quality issues and prices of longer maturity issues tend to fluctuate more than prices of shorter maturity issues. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation’s earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer’s general creditworthiness) or secured (backed by specified collateral).
The value of the debt securities generally will fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including, among others, changes in the perceived creditworthiness of the issuers of those securities, movements in interest rates, and the maturity of the debt security. Generally, a rise in interest rates will reduce the value of fixed-income securities, and a decline in interest rates will increase the value of fixed-income securities. Longer term debt securities generally pay higher interest rates than do shorter term debt securities but also may experience greater price volatility as interest rates change.
Ratings
An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by Moody’s, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Fitch, or another credit rating agency designated as a nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) by the SEC, or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by the Adisor or the Sub-Advisor. Bonds rated Baa3 or above by Moody’s or BBB- or above by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch are considered “investment-grade” securities, bonds rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations subject to moderate credit risk and may possess certain speculative characteristics, while bonds rated BBB are regarded as having adequate capacity to meet financial commitments. The ratings of fixed-income securities by a NRSRO are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect future conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition, there may be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities in each rating category.
The Fund will invest in bonds that may not have an investment-grade rating. Bonds rated lower than Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Fitch are considered below investment-grade quality and are obligations of issuers that are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Such securities (“lower-rated securities”) are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are subject to a substantial degree of credit risk. Lower-rated securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial. Bonds rated below investment-grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality bonds because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated bonds is even narrower. Please see Appendix B of this SAI for a description of each rating category of Moody's, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch.
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High Yield Securities
Typically, high yield debt securities (sometimes called "junk bonds") are rated below investment grade by one or more of the rating agencies and are generally considered to be speculative. Investment in lower rated corporate debt securities provides greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and principal and income risk. These high yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments.
Investors should be willing to accept the risk associated with investment in high yield/high risk securities. Investment in high yield/high risk bonds involves special risks in addition to the risks associated with investments in higher rated debt securities. High yield/high risk bonds may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade bonds. The prices of high yield/high risk bonds have been found to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than more highly rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments.
The secondary market on which high yield/high risk bonds are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade bonds. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which the Fund could sell a high yield/high risk bond. A projection of an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in high yield/high risk bond prices because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. If such securities are determined to be illiquid, then the Fund will limit its investment in these securities subject to its limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield/high risk bonds, especially in a thinly traded market.
Some high yield securities are issued by smaller, less-seasoned companies, while others are issued as part of a corporate restructuring, such as an acquisition, merger, or leveraged buyout. Companies that issue high yield securities are often highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with investment-grade securities. Some high yield securities were once rated as investment-grade but have been downgraded to junk bond status because of financial difficulties experienced by their issuers.
If the issuer of high yield/high risk bonds defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In the case of high yield/high risk bonds structured as zero coupon or payment-in-kind securities, the market prices of such securities are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and therefore tend to be more volatile than securities that pay interest periodically and in cash.
Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield/high risk bonds may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for higher grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because such valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available. The use of credit ratings as the sole method for evaluating high yield/high risk bonds also involves certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield/high risk bonds. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings on a timely basis to reflect subsequent events.
Floating and Variable Rate Securities
Floating and variable rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular and range from daily up to annually, or may be based on an event, such as a change in the prime rate.
Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with liquidity features such as (1) put options or tender options that permit holders (sometimes subject to conditions) to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries or (2) auction rate features, remarketing provisions, or other maturity-shortening devices designed to enable the issuer to refinance or redeem outstanding debt securities (market-dependent liquidity features). Variable or floating rate securities that include market-dependent liquidity features may have greater liquidity risk than other securities, due to (for example) the failure of a market-dependent liquidity feature to operate as intended (as a result of the issuer's declining creditworthiness,
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adverse market conditions, or other factors) or the inability or unwillingness of a participating broker/dealer to make a secondary market for such securities. As a result, variable or floating rate securities that include market-dependent liquidity features may lose value and the holders of such securities may be required to retain them until the later of the repurchase date, the resale date, or maturity.
The interest rate on a floating rate debt instrument ("floater") is a variable rate that is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater may reset periodically, typically every three to six months, or whenever a specified interest rate changes. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates; the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.
Tracking Error Risk
The Fund’s performance may not match its Underlying Index during any period of time. Although the Fund attempts to track the performance of its Underlying Index, the Fund may not be able to duplicate its exact composition or return for any number of reasons, including but not limited to risk that the strategies used by the Advisor to match the performance of the Underlying Index may fail to produce the intended results, liquidity risk and new fund risk, as well as the incurring of Fund expenses, which the Underlying Index does not incur. For example, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in its Underlying Index due to restrictions or limitations imposed, by or a lack of liquidity in, certain countries and stock exchanges in which such securities trade, or may be delayed in purchasing or selling securities included in the Underlying Index. To the extent the Fund intends to engage principally in cash transactions for the creation and redemption of Shares, such practice will affect the Fund’s ability to match the return of its Underlying Index. In addition, tracking error may be created by the use of underlying ETFs or derivative instruments to track Underlying Index Components. In addition, tracking error may occur because of differences in timing of the accrual or the valuation of dividends or interest or tax gains or losses.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities constituting up to 331/3% of its total assets (as permitted by the 1940 Act). Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions, such as brokers or dealers, pursuant to agreements requiring the loans to be continuously secured by collateral in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, irrevocable bank letters of credit (upon consent of the Board) or any combination thereof, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions may be invested in liquid, short-term investments approved by the Advisor.
Investing the collateral subjects the Fund to risks, and the Fund will be responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. The Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of a loan, the Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.
The Fund will generally not have the right to vote securities during the existence of the loan, but the Advisor may call the loan to exercise the Fund’s voting or consent rights on material matters affecting the Fund’s investment in such loaned securities. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral and loaned securities should the borrower of the securities fail financially.
Loans will be made only to firms deemed creditworthy, and when the consideration which can be earned from securities loans is deemed to justify the attendant risk. The creditworthiness of a borrower will be considered in determining whether to lend portfolio securities and will be monitored during the period of the loan. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by the Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations stated elsewhere in this SAI or the Prospectus regarding investing in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
Money Market Instruments
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis rather than in Underlying Index Components, when it would be more efficient or less expensive for the Fund to do so, or as collateral for Financial Instruments, for liquidity purposes, or to earn interest. The instruments in which the Fund
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may invest include: (1) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. government; (2) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (3) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc., a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Advisor; (4) repurchase agreements; and (5) money market mutual funds. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
Futures Contracts
The Fund may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific instrument or index at a specified future time and at a specified price. Assets committed to futures contracts will be segregated by the custodian to the extent required by law.
Futures contracts may be used by the Fund to replicate an Underlying Index Component’s performance. These futures contracts would reference the performance of a security that is an Underlying Index Component or would reference the performance of an index on which such an Underlying Index Component is based, would reference the performance of another index that produces similar returns to those of the Underlying Index Component’s index, or would be used in combination to produce similar returns to those of the Underlying Index Component’s index. The Fund will not use futures contracts for speculative purposes.
All counterparties are subject to pre-approval by the Board. The Board’s pre-approval is based on the creditworthiness of each potential futures contract counterparty. In addition, the Advisor will monitor and manage the counterparty risk posed by the counterparties and take actions as necessary to decrease counterparty risk to the Fund by, among other things, reducing futures contract exposures to certain counterparties and/or seeking alternate or additional counterparties.
The number of counterparties may vary over time. During periods of credit market turmoil or when the aggregate futures contract notional amount needed by the Fund is relatively small given the level of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may have only one or a few counterparties. In such circumstances, the Fund will be exposed to greater counterparty risk. Moreover, the Fund may be unable to enter into any futures contract on terms that make economic sense (e.g., they may be too costly). To the extent that the Fund is unable to enter into any futures contracts, it may not be able to meet its investment objective. If the Fund is unable to enter into futures contracts, it may engage in other types of derivative transactions, although the added costs, higher asset segregation requirements and lower correlation to Underlying Index Component performance of these other derivatives may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective.
Total Return Swaps
Total return swaps give the Fund the right to receive the appreciation in the value of a specified security, index or other instrument in return for a fee paid to the counterparty, which will typically be an agreed upon interest rate. Total return swaps can also be used to replicate an exposure to a short position in an asset class where the Fund has the right to receive the depreciation in value of a specified security, index or other instrument (“inverse swaps”). If the underlying asset in a total return swap declines in value (or increases in value, if an inverse swap) over the term of the swap, the Fund may also be required to pay the dollar value of that decline (or increase, if an inverse swap) to the counterparty.
The Fund may use total return swaps to replicate an Underlying Index Component’s performance. These total return swaps would reference the performance of an security that is an Underlying Index Component or a ETF, ETN or ETV (each an “exchange-traded issuer”) that is an Underlying Index Component, an index on which such an exchange-traded issuer is based, or one or more of the portfolio constituents of such exchange-traded issuer.
Total return swaps are considered illiquid by the Fund. Consequently, the Fund will segregate liquid assets, which may include securities, cash or cash equivalents, to cover the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations under outstanding swap agreements. This segregation of assets may limit the Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
All counterparties are subject to pre-approval by the Board. The Board’s pre-approval is based on the creditworthiness of each potential swap counterparty. In addition, the Advisor will monitor and manage the counterparty risk posed by the counterparties and take actions as necessary to decrease counterparty risk to the Fund
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by, among other things, reducing swap exposures to certain counterparties and/or seeking alternate or additional counterparties.
The number of counterparties may vary over time. During periods of credit market turmoil or when the aggregate swap notional amount needed by the Fund is relatively small given the level of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may have only one or a few counterparties. In such circumstances, the Fund will be exposed to greater counterparty risk. Moreover, the Fund may be unable to enter into any total return swap on terms that make economic sense (e.g., they may be too costly). To the extent that the Fund is unable to enter into any total return swaps, it may not be able to meet its investment objective. If the Fund is unable to enter into total return swaps, it may engage in other types of derivative transactions, although the added costs, higher asset segregation requirements and lower correlation to Underlying Index Component performance of these other derivatives may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective.
Cyber Security
With the increasing use of the Internet and technology in connection with the Fund’s operations, the Fund has become potentially more susceptible to greater operational and information security risks through breaches in cyber security. Cyber security breaches include, without limitation, infection by computer viruses and unauthorized access to the Fund’s systems through “hacking” or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operations to be disrupted. Cyber security breaches may also occur in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as denial-of-service attacks or situations where authorized individuals intentionally or unintentionally release confidential information stored on the Fund’s systems. A cyber security breach may cause disruptions and impact the Fund’s business operations, which could potentially result in financial losses, inability to determine the Fund’s NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of shareholders to transact business, violation of applicable law, regulatory penalties and/or fines, compliance and other costs.
The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. Further, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent future cyber incidents. In addition, because the Fund works closely with third-party service providers (e.g., custodians and unaffiliated sub-advisers), indirect cyber security breaches at such third-party service providers may subject Fund shareholders to the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches. Further, indirect cyber security breaches at an issuer of securities in which the Fund invests may similarly negatively impact Fund shareholders because of a decrease in the value of these securities. While the Fund has established risk management systems designed to reduce the risks associated with cyber security breaches, there can be no assurances that such measures will be successful particularly since the Fund does not control the cyber security systems of issuers or third-party service providers. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Liquidation of the Fund
The Board may determine to close and liquidate the Fund at any time, which may have adverse consequences for shareholders. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders will receive a liquidating distribution in cash or in-kind equal to their proportionate interest in the Fund. A liquidating distribution may be a taxable event to shareholders, resulting in a gain or loss for tax purposes, depending upon a shareholder's basis in his or her shares of the Fund. A shareholder of a liquidating Fund will not be entitled to any refund or reimbursement of expenses borne, directly or indirectly, by the shareholder (such as sales loads, account fees, or fund expenses), and a shareholder may receive an amount in liquidation less than the shareholder’s original investment.
Tax Risks
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares of the Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this SAI is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of the Fund.
Board Responsibilities. The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board. The Board has considered and approved contracts, as described herein, under which certain companies provide essential management and administrative services to the Trust. The day-to-day business of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is performed by the service providers of the Trust, such as the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, Distributor and Administrator. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has
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oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks such as events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or the Fund. The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of an investment portfolio, at which time the Advisor and Sub-Advisor present the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the investment portfolio. Additionally, the Advisor and Sub-Advisor provide the Board with an overview of, among other things, the firm’s investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the investment portfolio’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the service providers, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee of the Board, oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.
Under the overall supervision of the Board and the Audit Committee (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to the Trust employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the operations of the Trust and the Fund to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor and Sub-Advisor and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on at least an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor and the Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Advisor, the Board receives detailed information from the Advisor and Sub-Advisor. Among other things, the Board regularly considers each of the Advisor’s and Sub-Advisor’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various policies and procedures of the Trust and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s performance and investments.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer meets regularly with the Board to review and discuss compliance and other issues. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Advisor and Sub-Advisor. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report, material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report, any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures, and material compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from the Trust’s service providers regarding operational risks, portfolio valuation and other matters. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the financial statements of the Fund, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Trust and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust’s internal controls.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives and the Board’s discussions with the service providers to the Trust, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Trust’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Advisor and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Trust’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, years of birth, position with the Trust, term of office, portfolios supervised and the principal occupations and other directorships for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as Executive Officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the Executive Officers of the Trust. The members of the
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Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.
The Chairman of the Board, Adam Patti, is an interested person of the Trust as that term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the “Interested Trustee”) because of his affiliation with the Advisor. Three of the Trustees, Reena Aggarwal, Michael Pignataro and Paul Schaeffer, and their immediate family members have no affiliation or business connection with the Advisor or the Fund’s principal underwriter or any of their affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Advisor or the Fund’s principal underwriter. These Trustees are not Interested Persons of the Trust and are referred to herein as “Independent Trustees.”
There is an Audit Committee and Nominating Committee of the Board, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee and comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The Committee chair for each is responsible for running the Committee meeting, formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinating with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of such Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. There is a Valuation Committee, which is comprised of the Independent Trustees and representatives of the Advisor to take action in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Fund in accordance with the Board-approved Valuation Procedures. The Board has determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the series of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a majority of the Board, the assets under management of the series of the Trust, the number of portfolios overseen by the Board and the total number of trustees on the Board.
Independent Trustees
Name and Year
of Birth (1) |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Term of
Office and Length of Time Served (2) |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3) |
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years |
|||||
Reena Aggarwal
1957 |
Trustee |
Since
August 2008 |
Robert E. McDonough Professor (2003 to present) and Professor of Finance (2000 to 2003), McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University (2000 to present); Co-Chair of Board, Social Innovations and Public Service Fund, Georgetown University (2012 to present); and Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors, L.P. (2013 to present). | 20 |
FBR & Co.
(2011 to present) Hennessy Funds Trust (fka The FBR Funds) (2006 to 2011) |
|||||
Michael A. Pignataro, 1959
|
Trustee | Since April 2015 | Proprietor, Countless Collectables LLC (online retailer) (2009 to present); Director, Credit Suisse Asset Management (2001 to 2013); and Chief Financial Officer, Credit Suisse Funds (1996 to 2012). | 20 | The New Ireland Fund, Inc. (closed-end fund) (2015 to present) | |||||
Paul D. Schaeffer, 1951
|
Trustee | Since April 2015 | President, AlphaHut (dba Aspiring Solution Partners) (financial services consulting) (2013 to present); Managing Director, Forward Management LLC (asset management) (2010 to 2013); and President, Reflow Management (mutual fund service provider) (2008 to 2010). | 20 |
Context Capital Funds (mutual fund trust) (2014 to present); PopTech! (conference operator) (2012 to present)
|
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Interested Trustee
Name and Year
of Birth (1) |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Term of
Office and Length of Time Served (2) |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee (3) |
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years |
|||||
Adam S. Patti
1970 (4) |
Chairman and Trustee
President and Principal Executive Officer |
Since November 2008
Since July 2008 |
Chairman, Trustee, President and Principal Executive, IndexIQ Trust (2008 to present); and Chief Executive Officer, the Advisor (2007 to present); and Chief Executive Officer, IndexIQ (2006 to present). | 20 | None |
Other Officers
Name and Year of Birth (1) |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Term of
Office and Length of Time Served (2) |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Matthew V. Curtin, 1982 | Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer |
Since June
2015 |
Chief Compliance Officer, IndexIQ (since June 2015); Associate General Counsel, New York Life Insurance Company (since February 2015); Associate, Dechert LLP (2007 to 2015). | |||
David L. Fogel
1971 |
Treasurer,
Principal
Executive Vice President |
Since
October
Since June 2011 |
Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer, IndexIQ Trust (2008 to present); Executive Vice President, IndexIQ Trust (2011 to present); President (2013 to present) and Executive Vice President (2006 to 2013), IndexIQ; and formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, IndexIQ Trust (2008-2015). |
(1) | The address of each Trustee or officer is c/o IndexIQ, 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710, Rye Brook, New York 10573. |
(2) | Trustees and Officers serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
(3) | The Fund is part of a “fund complex” as defined in the 1940 Act. The fund complex includes all open-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Advisor and any funds that have an investment advisor that is an affiliated person of the Advisor. As of the date of this SAI, the fund complex consists of the Trust’s series and the one fund of the IndexIQ Trust advised by the Advisor. |
(4) | Mr. Patti is an “interested person” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) because of his affiliations with the Advisor. |
The Board met six times during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.
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Description of Standing Board Committees
Audit Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Trust’s independent auditors, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Trust management and such independent auditors. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the financial statements and the independent audits of the series of the Trust; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Trust’s Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, the Audit Committee met two times.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee has been established to: (i) assist the Board in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (ii) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its Advisor or distributor (as defined by the 1940 Act); and (iii) advise the Board on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Nominating Committee. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and should be directed to the attention of the IndexIQ ETF Trust Nominating Committee. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, the Nominating Committee met one time.
Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee shall oversee the implementation of the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee shall make fair value determinations on behalf of the Board as specified in the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee has appointed the Advisor Fair Valuation Committee to deal in the first instance with questions that arise or cannot be resolved under the Valuation Procedures. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Trust’s Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, the Valuation Committee did not meet.
Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of their ability to review and understand information about the Trust and its series provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the series of the Trust, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on their own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Patti should serve as trustee of the Trust because of the experience he has gained as Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor and Chief Executive Officer of IndexIQ, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as chairman and trustee of the Trust’s series since 2008.
The Trust has concluded that Ms. Aggarwal should serve as trustee of the Trust and as the audit committee financial expert because of the experience she has gained as a professor of finance and deputy dean at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, her service as trustee for another mutual fund family, the experience she has gained serving as trustee of the Trust’s series since 2008 and her general expertise with respect to financial matters and accounting principles.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Pignataro should serve as trustee of the Trust because of the experience he has gained as a businessman and, in particular, his prior service in the financial services industry as a Director of Credit Suisse Asset Management and Chief Financial Officer of the Credit Suisse Funds.
The Trust has concluded that Mr. Schaeffer should serve as trustee of the Trust because of his experience in the financial services industry, including his experience as a director of and service provider to investment companies.
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Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
Listed below for each Trustee is a dollar range of securities beneficially owned in the Trust together with the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in all registered investment companies overseen by each Trustee that are in the same family of investment companies as the Trust, as of December 31, 2015. As of the December 31, 2015, the IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF had not yet commenced operations.
Name of
Trustee |
Fund Name |
Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies (1) |
||||
Reena Aggarwal | IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF | None | None | ||||
Michael A. Pignataro | IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF | None | None | ||||
Paul D. Schaeffer | IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF | None | None | ||||
Adam S. Patti (2) | IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF | None | None |
(1) “Family of Investment Companies” consists of all mutual funds and ETFs advised by the Advisor and its affiliate advisers.
(2) Interested Trustee.
Board Compensation
For each in-person quarterly Board Meeting, each Independent Trustee receives $5,000. For each additional in-person meeting, each Independent Trustee receives $3,000 and for any phone meeting, each Independent Trustee receives $2,000. As Audit Committee chair, Ms. Aggarwal receives an annual stipend of $10,000. In addition, the Independent Trustees are reimbursed for all reasonable travel expenses relating to their attendance at the Board Meetings. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016:
Name and Position |
Aggregate
Compensation From The Trust |
Pension or
Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Trust Expenses |
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total Compensation
From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees (1) |
||||
Reena Aggarwal, Trustee | $36,000 | N/A | N/A | $90,500 | ||||
Michael A. Pignataro 2 , Trustee | $24,000 | N/A | N/A | $51,000 | ||||
Paul D. Schaeffer 2 , Trustee | $23,000 | N/A | N/A | $48,500 | ||||
Adam S. Patti, Trustee & Chairman | None | None | None | None |
(1) | “Fund Complex” consists of all mutual funds and ETFs advised by the Advisor and its affiliate advisors. |
(2) | Messrs. Pignataro and Schaeffer were elected trustees of the Trust on April 15, 2016. |
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Code of Ethics
The Trust, its Advisor, Sub-Advisor and principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
The Board believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. As such, the Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by each series of the Trust to the Advisor. The Advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, a summary of which is included in Appendix A to this Statement of Additional Information. The Board will periodically review each series’ proxy voting record.
The Trust is required to disclose annually the series complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31 of each year. The Fund’s Form N-PX will be available at no charge upon request by calling 1-888-934-0777. It will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Fund has not commenced operations and there are no owners of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management.”
Advisor
IndexIQ Advisors LLC, the Advisor, serves as investment advisor to each series of the Trust, including the Fund, and has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Trust, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor, subject to the supervision of the Board and in concert with the Sub-Advisor, provides an investment program for the Fund and is responsible for the investment of the its assets in conformity with its stated investment policies. The Advisor is responsible for the supervision of the Sub-Advisor and its management of the investment portfolio of the Fund. The Advisor also arranges for the provision of distribution, sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, administration and all other services necessary for the series of the Trust to operate.
The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement is also terminable with respect to the Fund at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Advisor or by the Advisor on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to receive a fee, payable monthly, at the annual rate for the Fund of [__]% based on a percentage of its average daily net assets.
In consideration of the fees paid with respect to the Fund and the other series of the Trust, the Advisor has agreed to pay all expenses of the Trust, except (i) brokerage and other transaction expenses, including taxes; (ii) extraordinary legal fees or expenses, such as those for litigation or arbitration; (iii) compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, counsel to the Independent Trustees, and the Trust’s chief compliance officer; (iv) extraordinary expenses; (v) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) the advisory fee payable to the Advisor hereunder.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund have not commenced operations and, therefore, have not yet incurred any advisory fees under the Advisory Agreement.
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In addition to providing advisory services under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund and the other series of the Trust; (ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund and the other series of the Trust; (iii) arranges for (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains the records of the Fund and the other series of the Trust; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services.
Sub-Advisor
MacKay Shields LLC, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as investment sub-advisor to the Fund pursuant to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Sub-Advisor is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and shall make investment decisions for the Fund, subject to the supervision by the Advisor and the Board. For its services, the Sub-Advisor is compensated by the Advisor. As of December 31, 2015, the Sub-Adviser managed approximately $88.9 billion in assets.
The Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Sub-Advisory Agreement is also terminable with respect to the Fund at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Advisor or by the Sub-Advisor on 60 days’ written notice to the Advisor.
Portfolio Managers
The Sub-Advisor acts as portfolio manager for the Fund. Subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board, the Sub-Advisor will supervise and manage the investment portfolios of the Fund and will direct the purchase and sale of its investment securities. The Sub-Advisor utilizes a team of investment professionals acting together to manage the assets of the Fund. The team meets regularly to review portfolio holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity. The team adjusts holdings in the portfolio as they deem appropriate in the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective.
The portfolio managers who are currently jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are [ ] and [ ].
Other Accounts Managed
The following tables provide additional information about other portfolios or accounts managed by the Fund’s portfolio managers as of [DATE].
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Total number of other accounts managed by the portfolio managers within each category below and the total assets in the accounts managed within each category below.
Portfolio Manager |
Registered Investment
Companies |
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | ||||||||
Number of
Accounts |
Total
Assets ($mm) |
Number of
Accounts |
Total
Assets ($mm) |
Number of
Accounts |
Total
Assets ($mm) |
||||||
[ ] | [ ] | [$ ] | [ ] | [$ ] | [ ] | [$ ] | |||||
[ ] | [__] | [$__] | [__] | [$__] | [__] | [$__] |
Material Conflicts of Interest .
Because the portfolio managers manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. Each portfolio manager may manage portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund managed by the portfolio manager due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers does not generally provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio managers’ bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed (see “Compensation”). In addition, current trading practices do not allow the Sub-Advisor to intentionally favor one portfolio over another as trades are executed as trade orders are received. Portfolio’s rebalancing dates also generally vary between fund families. Program trades created from the portfolio rebalance are executed at market on close.
Certain portfolio managers who are responsible for managing certain institutional accounts of the Sub-Advisor share a performance fee based on the performance of the account. These accounts are distinguishable from the Fund because they use techniques that are not permitted for the Fund, such as short sales and leveraging. To address potential conflicts of interest between the clients and the portfolio manager, the Sub-Advisor developed Allocation Procedures, Codes of Ethics and Policies and Procedures for Portfolio Management and Trades in Securities to assist and guide the portfolio managers and other investment personnel when faced with a conflict. Although the Sub-Advisor has adopted such policies and procedures to provide for equitable treatment of trading activity and to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated in a manner that is fair and appropriate, it is possible that unforeseen or unusual circumstances may arise that may require different treatment between the Fund and other accounts managed.
Compensation for the Portfolio Manager
The Sub-Advisor primarily pays fixed compensation through a portfolio manager’s annual salary, which is paid in monthly installments in arrears. Salaries are set by reference to a range of factors, taking account of seniority and responsibilities and the market rate of pay for the relevant position. Annual salaries are set at competitive levels to attract and maintain the best professional talent. Variable or incentive compensation, both cash bonus and deferred awards, are a significant component of total compensation for portfolio managers at the Sub-Advisor. Incentive compensation received by portfolio managers is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. This approach instills a strong sense of commitment towards the overall success of the firm. Deferred awards are provided to attract, retain, motivate and reward key personnel. As such, the Sub-Advisor maintains a phantom equity plan and awards vest and pay out after several years. Thus, portfolio managers share in the results and success of the firm.
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The Sub-Advisor maintains an employee benefit program, including health and non-health insurance, and a 401k defined contribution plan for all of its employees regardless of their job title, responsibilities or seniority.
The Sub-Advisor does not align the portfolio managers’ compensation to the investment performance of specific funds or of other accounts they manage. The compensation received by portfolio managers is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative factors may include: (i) investment performance; (ii) assets under management; (iii) revenues and profitability; and (iv) industry benchmarks. The qualitative factors include, among others, leadership, adherence to the firm’s policies and procedures, and contribution to the firm’s goals and objectives. To the extent that an increase in the size of a fund or another account managed by a portfolio manager has a positive impact on revenues/profitability, a portfolio manager’s compensation may also increase. There is no difference between the method used in determining portfolio managers’ compensation with respect to the Fund and other accounts they manage. We do not believe the compensation structure provides an incentive for an employee who provides services to a fund to take undue risks in managing the assets of the fund.
Ownership of Securities
The portfolio managers do not own Shares of the Fund.
Fund Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) serves as the Fund’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent and securities lending agent. BNY Mellon’s principal address is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement with the Trust, BNY Mellon provides necessary administrative, legal, tax, accounting services, and financial reporting for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. BNY Mellon is responsible for maintaining the books and records and calculating the daily net asset value of the Fund. In addition, BNY Mellon makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services. BNY Mellon also provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust.
Under the Custody Agreement with the Trust, BNY Mellon maintains in separate accounts cash, securities and other assets of the Trust and the Fund, keeps all necessary accounts and records, and provides other services. BNY Mellon is required, upon order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by BNY Mellon and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust for the Fund. Under the Custody Agreement, BNY Mellon is also authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for Fund investments outside the United States.
Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Services Agreement with the Trust, BNY Mellon acts as transfer agent to the Fund, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to the Fund.
The Advisor compensates BNY Mellon for the foregoing services out of the Advisor’s unified management fee.
BNY Mellon also serves as the Trust’s securities lending agent pursuant to a Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. As compensation for providing securities lending services, BNY Mellon receives a portion of the income earned by the Fund on collateral investments in connection with the lending program.
Index Provider
[__] (the “Index Provider”), located at [__], developed and sponsors the Underlying Index. The Index Provider has entered into an index licensing agreement (the “Licensing Agreement”) with the Advisor to allow the Advisor’s use of the Underlying Index for the operation of the Fund. The Advisor pays licensing fees to the Index Provider from the Advisor’s management fees or other resources. The Advisor has, in turn, entered into a sub-licensing agreement (the “Sub-Licensing Agreement”) with the Trust to allow the Fund to utilize the Underlying Index. The Fund pay no fees to the Index Provider or the Advisor under the Sub-Licensing Agreement.
[The Fund is not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Index Provider, and the Index Provider makes no claim, prediction, warranty, or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to (i) the results to be obtained from the use of the Underlying Index (upon which the Fund is based), (ii) the figure at which the Underlying Index is said to stand at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise, or (iii) the suitability of the Underlying Index for the purpose to which it is being put in connection with the Fund. The Index Provider has not provided, nor will it provide, any financial or investment advice or recommendation in relation to an Underlying Index to the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or their clients. The Underlying Index is calculated by Index Provider or its
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agent. The Index Provider shall not be (a) liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in an Index or (b) under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.]
Distributor
ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Distributor, is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). NYLIFE Distributors LLC has entered into a Services Agreement with ALPS to distribute the Fund.
Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in whole Creation Units, as described in the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Distributor also acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.10% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the respective Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
Under the Service and Distribution Plan, and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will receive and review after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Advisor and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at PricewaterhouseCoopers Center, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017, serves as independent registered public accounting firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will perform the annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements.
Ernst & Young LLP, located at 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, serves as tax advisor to the Trust and will prepare the Fund’s federal, state and excise tax returns, and advise the Trust on matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation.
Legal Counsel
Kaye Scholer LLP, 250 West 55th Street, New York, New York 10019, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to the general supervision by the Board and the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, which may be affiliates of the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions. The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealers who receive compensation for their services in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Compensation may also be paid in connection with riskless principal transactions (in Nasdaq or over-the-counter securities and securities listed on an exchange) and agency Nasdaq or over-the-counter transactions executed with an electronic communications network or an alternative trading system.
The Fund will give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions in implementing trading policy. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are traded on an exchange, the Fund’s policy will be to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Advisor and Sub-
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Advisor believe that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund from obtaining a high quality of brokerage services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Advisor or Sub-Advisor will rely upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations will be necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable.
The Advisor and Sub-Advisor do not consider sales of Shares by broker-dealers as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions.
As permitted by Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the Advisor or Sub-Advisor may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the commission that another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction, if the Advisor or Sub-Advisor makes a good faith determination that the broker’s commission paid by the Fund is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the Advisor’s or Sub-Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the Fund and its other investment advisory clients. The practice of using a portion of the Fund’s commission dollars to pay for brokerage and research services provided to the Advisor or Sub-Advisor is sometimes referred to as “soft dollars.” Section 28(e) is sometimes referred to as a “safe harbor,” because it permits this practice, subject to a number of restrictions, including the Advisor’s or Sub-Advisor’s compliance with certain procedural requirements and limitations on the type of brokerage and research services that qualify for the safe harbor.
Research products and services may include, but are not limited to, general economic, political, business and market information and reviews, industry and company information and reviews, evaluations of securities and recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities, financial data on a company or companies, performance and risk measuring services and analysis, stock price quotation services, computerized historical financial databases and related software, credit rating services, analysis of corporate responsibility issues, brokerage analysts’ earnings estimates, computerized links to current market data, software dedicated to research, and portfolio modeling. Research services may be provided in the form of reports, computer-generated data feeds and other services, telephone contacts, and personal meetings with securities analysts, as well as in the form of meetings arranged with corporate officers and industry spokespersons, economists, academics and governmental representatives. Brokerage products and services assist in the execution, clearance and settlement of securities transactions, as well as functions incidental thereto, including but not limited to related communication and connectivity services and equipment, software related to order routing, market access, algorithmic trading, and other trading activities. On occasion, a broker-dealer may furnish the Advisor or Sub-Advisor with a service that has a mixed use (that is, the service is used both for brokerage and research activities that are within the safe harbor and for other activities). In this case, the Advisor or Sub-Advisor is required to reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that any portion of the service that does not qualify for the safe harbor is paid for by the Advisor or Sub-Advisor from its own funds, and not by portfolio commissions paid by the Fund.
Research products and services provided to the Advisor or Sub-Advisor by broker-dealers that effect securities transactions for the Fund may be used by the Advisor or Sub-Advisor in servicing all of its accounts. Accordingly, not all of these services may be used by the Advisor or Sub-Advisor in connection with the Fund. Some of these products and services are also available to the Advisor or Sub-Advisor for cash, and some do not have an explicit cost or determinable value. The research received does not reduce the advisory fees paid to the Advisor or Sub-Advisor for services provided to the Fund. The Advisor’s or Sub-Advisor’s expenses would likely increase if the Advisor or Sub-Advisor had to generate these research products and services through its own efforts, or if it paid for these products or services itself.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund have not commenced operations and, therefore, have not entered into securities transactions.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Portfolio Disclosure Policy
The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees and agents of the Fund, including the Advisor. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of
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information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of the Fund.
As an ETF, information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any Order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to the Fund, regulations of the Fund’s listing Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of the Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day (as defined below). This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) and/or third party service providers.
The Fund will disclose on the Fund’s website (www.IQetfs.com) at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value (the “NAV”) on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on the Business Day. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge.
Daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings is permitted to personnel of the Advisor, the Distributor and the Fund’s administrator, custodian and accountant and other agents or service providers of the trust who have need of such information in connection with the ordinary course of their respective duties to the Fund. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings.
The Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year, within sixty (60) days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.
No person is authorized to disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy. The Trust’s Board reviews the implementation of the Policy on a periodic basis.
The approximate value of the Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value or IIV, is disseminated by the Exchange every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the Exchange. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV will be calculated by an independent third party calculator and may not be calculated in the exact same manner as NAV, which is computed daily.
The Exchange calculates the IIV during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in the Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owing to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Fund’s website. In determining the estimated value for each of the component securities, the IIV will use last sale, market prices or other methods that would be considered appropriate for pricing fixed income securities held by registered investment companies.
Although the Fund provides the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, the Fund is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Fund makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES
Organization and Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and registered investment company. The Trust was organized on July 1, 2008, and has authorized capital of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of no par value that may be issued in more than one class or series.
Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual shareholders meeting if the 1940 Act does not require such a meeting. Generally, there will not be annual meetings of Trust shareholders. If requested by shareholders of at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, the Trust will call a meeting of the Trust’s shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a Trustee and will assist in communications
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with other Trust shareholders. Shareholders holding two-thirds of Shares outstanding may remove Trustees from office by votes cast at a meeting of Trust shareholders or by written consent.
All Shares will be freely transferable; provided, however, that Shares may not be redeemed individually, but only in Creation Units. The Shares will not have preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, and none of the Shares will have any preference to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirements, liquidation, redemption or any other feature. Shares have equal voting rights, except that, if the Trust creates additional funds, only Shares of that fund may be entitled to vote on a matter affecting that particular fund. Trust shareholders are entitled to require the Trust to redeem Creation Units if such shareholders are Authorized Participants. The Declaration of Trust confers upon the Board the power, by resolution, to alter the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that Shares of the Trust may be individually redeemable. The Trust reserves the right to adjust the stock prices of Shares to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any such adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
The Trust’s Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders or the officers of the Trust for acts or obligations of the Trust which are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the Trust for all loss and expense of the Fund’s shareholders held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The risk of a Trust’s shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would not be able to meet the Trust’s obligations and this risk should be considered remote. If the Fund does not grow to a size to permit it to be economically viable, the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, shareholders may be required to liquidate or transfer their Shares at an inopportune time and shareholders may lose money on their investment.
Book Entry Only System
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as securities depositary for the Shares. The Shares of the Fund are represented by global securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except as provided below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.
DTC has advised the Trust as follows: DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments (from over 100 countries). DTC was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges in accounts of DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, the NSCC and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. More specifically, DTCC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the NYSE Alternext U.S. (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange LLC) (the “Alternext”) and FINRA.
Access to DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC agrees with and represents to DTC Participants that it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and bylaws and requirements of law. Beneficial ownership of Shares will be limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in Shares.
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Beneficial Owners of Shares will not be entitled to have Shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holders of the Shares. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC, DTC Participants and any Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests in order to exercise any rights of a holder of Shares. The Trust understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Trust requests any action of holders of Shares, or a Beneficial Owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding Shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of Beneficial Owners owning through them. DTC, through its nominee Cede & Co., is the record owner of all outstanding Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners will be effected as follows. DTC will make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of Shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust will provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Beneficial Owners may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to Shares by providing their names and addresses to the DTC registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.
Distributions of Shares shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants. The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
DTC rules applicable to DTC Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Creation
The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day (as defined below) through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Distributor processes purchase orders only on a day that the Exchange is open for trading (a “Business Day”). The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday except for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash
The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of the Fund generally consists of the Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or representation, of the securities included in the relevant Fund’s portfolio as selected by the Advisor (“Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund.
The Cash Component serves to compensate the Trust or the Authorized Participant, as applicable, for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number ( i.e. , the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number ( i.e. , the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component.
The Custodian through the NSCC (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time), the list of the name and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. This Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to orders to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by the Advisor, with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (that is a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below) or for other similar reasons. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where delivery of Deposit Securities to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, and in certain other situations.
In addition to the list of names and number of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units
All orders to create Creation Units must be placed with the Distributor either (1) through Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, by a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process; or (2) outside the Clearing Process by a DTC Participant (see the section of this SAI entitled “Additional Information Concerning Shares — Book Entry Only System”). In each case, the Participating Party or the DTC Participant must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (a “Participant Agreement”); such parties are collectively referred to as “APs” or “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. All Fund Shares, whether created through or outside the Clearing Process, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by U.S. mail, telephone, facsimile and other electronic means of communication by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (the “Closing Time”) (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time), as long as they are in proper form. Mail is received periodically throughout the day. An order sent by U.S. mail will be opened and time stamped when it is received. If an order to purchase Creation Units is received in proper form by Closing Time, then it will be processed that day. Purchase
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orders received in proper form after Closing Time will be processed on the following Business Day and will be priced at the NAV determined on that day. Custom orders must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below in the sections of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”
All orders to create Creation Units from investors who are not Authorized Participants shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g. , to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement.
Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Units that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of the Fund Deposit. For more information about Clearing Process and DTC, see the sections of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation—Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation—Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”
Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process
The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Custodian to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the Fund Deposit to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process
Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”).
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All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then-current Deposit Securities and Cash Component. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected through a DTC participant outside the Clearing Process and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Sale of Creation Units—Creation—Creation Transaction Fee.”
Creation Units may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Cash Component plus (2) 125% of the then-current market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to Closing Time and funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by Closing Time or funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending receipt of the undelivered Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 125% of the daily marked-to-market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities. To the extent that undelivered Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the undelivered Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and the Fund for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the undelivered Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation—Creation Transaction Fee.” The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units
The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if: (1) the order is not in proper form; (2) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of any Fund; (3) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (4) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (5) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (6) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Advisor, have an adverse effect
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on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (7) there exist circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and the Advisor that make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Advisor, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+3 basis” (that is three Business Days after trade date). However, the Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+3 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.
To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, the Trust will issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value equal to 110%, which the Adviser may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Trust is cash in U.S. Dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Trust’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee
Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Creation Transaction Fee for each creation order is $[__]. The Creation Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Advisor or Sub-Advisor believes that waiver of the Creation Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund.
An additional variable fee of up to four times the fixed transaction fee (expressed as a percentage of the value of the Deposit Securities) may be imposed for (1) creations effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) cash creations (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.
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In order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Creation Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Creation Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.
Redemption
The process to redeem Creation Units is essentially the reverse of the process by which Creation Units are created, as described above. To redeem Shares directly from the Fund, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or must redeem through an Authorized Participant. The Trust redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Authorized Participants must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit.
With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units. Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Fund Securities — as announced on the Business Day the request for redemption is received in proper form — plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Redemption—Redemption Transaction Fee”).
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within three Business Days (that is “T+3”). However, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on a basis other than T+3 to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (that is the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.
In the event that cash redemptions are permitted or required by the Trust, proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption.
Placement of Redemption Orders Using the Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements with an Authorized Participant for an order to redeem. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Distributor after Closing
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Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (2) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Fund Shares, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than the DTC Cut-Off-Time, and the Cash Redemption Amount, if owed to the Fund, which delivery must be made by 2:00 p.m. New York Time; and (3) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Distributor receives an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process, the Distributor will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date.
The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered or received upon redemption (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth the section of this SAI entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Distributor. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Distributor by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered or received (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered or received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Trust may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a transaction fee which will include an additional charge for cash redemptions to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting that is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.
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Redemption Transaction Fee
Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Redemption Transaction Fee for each redemption order is $[__]. The Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Advisor or Sub-Advisor believes that waiver of the Redemption Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. An additional variable fee of up to four times the fixed transaction fee (expressed as a percentage value of the Fund Securities) may be imposed for (1) redemptions effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) cash redemptions (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associate with the sale of Fund Securities). Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.
In order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an in-kind redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.
Cash Creations and Redemptions
The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Shares. In each instance of such cash creations and redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations and redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an over-allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the
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Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value (NAV).”
The NAV per Share for the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund ( i.e. , the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of the Fund is determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that such exchange is open. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
In computing the Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations. When market quotations are not readily available for a portfolio security the Fund must use such security’s fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with the Fund’s Fair Value Pricing Procedures which are approved by the Board of Trustees.
The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities is based on such securities’ closing price on local markets, when available. If a portfolio security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately reflect the fair value of such security, the portfolio security will be valued by another method that the Advisor believes will better reflect fair value in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations when the value of the Fund’s portfolio security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which such security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of such security) or trading in such security has been suspended or halted. In addition, the Fund may fair value foreign fixed income portfolio securities each day the Fund calculates its NAV. Accordingly, the Fund’s NAV may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a portfolio security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Fund’s Underlying Index. This may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Indices. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.
General Policies
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”
Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid at least annually by the Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for the Fund to improve its Underlying Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust may distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield on the underlying Portfolio Securities of the Fund, net of expenses of the Fund, as if the Fund owned such underlying Portfolio Securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital for tax purposes for certain shareholders.
Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust. The Trust may make additional distributions to the extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual “investment company taxable income” of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is
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necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
Dividend Reinvestment Service
No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Fund. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.
Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices, all as in effect as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”
Except to the extent discussed below, this summary assumes that the Fund’s shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code, and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares, and does not address the tax consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, those who hold Fund Shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, tax-exempt shareholders. This discussion does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. This discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Fund
In General . The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders.
To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must meet certain income, asset and distribution requirements, described in more detail below. Specifically, the Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”) (i.e., partnership that are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive at least 90% of their income from interest, dividends, and other qualifying RIC income described above), and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one
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issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock of each such issuer is held by the Fund and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or business or in the securities of one or more QPTPs. Furthermore, the Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if any.
Failure to Maintain RIC Status . If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Code), the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, possibly eligible for (i) in the case of an individual Fund shareholder, treatment as a qualified dividend (as discussed below) subject to tax at preferential long-term capital gains rates or (ii) in the case of a corporate Fund shareholder, a dividends-received deduction. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
Excise Tax . The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income generally if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year, plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within such calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
Phantom Income . With respect to some or all of its investments, the Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling Portfolio Securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event the Fund’s shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions. (See also —“Certain Debt Instruments” below.)
Certain Debt Instruments . Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund (such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment in-kind interest) may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.
If the Fund acquires debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) in the secondary market, such debt securities may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or original issue discount in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or original issue discount, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt
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securities having acquisition discount, or original issue discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
PFIC Investments . The Fund may purchase shares in a non-U.S. corporation treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax (plus charges in the nature of interest on previously-deferred income taxes on the PFIC’s income) on any “excess distributions” made on, or gain from a sale (or other disposition) of, the PFIC shares even if the Fund distributes such income to its shareholders.
In lieu of the increased income tax and deferred tax interest charges on excess distributions on, and dispositions of, a PFIC’s shares, the Fund can elect to treat the underlying PFIC as a “qualified electing fund,” provided that the PFIC agrees to provide the Fund with certain information on an annual basis. With a “qualified electing fund” election in place, the Fund must include in its income each year its share (whether distributed or not) of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC.
In the alternative, the Fund can elect, under certain conditions, to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year its PFIC shares. The Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of the PFIC shares and as an ordinary loss (up to any prior net income resulting from the mark-to-market election) any decrease in the value of the PFIC shares.
With a “mark-to-market” or “qualified election fund” election in place on a PFIC, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of the sum of the actual distributions received by it on the PFIC shares and the proceeds from its dispositions of the PFIC’s shares. Any such income generally would be subject to the RIC distribution requirements and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above).
Section 1256 Contracts . The Fund may be required to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on so-called “Section 1256 contracts,” such as certain futures contracts and most non-U.S. currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market. Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in Section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” or a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund. In addition, the Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund. Income from futures contracts generally would be subject to the RIC distribution requirements and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above).
Swaps . As a result of entering into swap contracts, the Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. The Fund also may make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments generally will constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap generally will result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, the Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss. The tax treatment of many types of credit default swaps is uncertain.
Short Sales . In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. If, however, the Fund already owns property that is identical to the kind it borrows and sells pursuant to a short sale “against the box,” and such pre-existing ownership position has appreciated (i.e., the fair market value exceeds the Fund’s tax basis), the Fund may be required to recognize such gain at the time the borrowed stock is sold. Any gain or loss realized upon closing out a short sale generally is considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by
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the Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules generally would treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules also may terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by the Fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the Fund for more than one year. In general, the Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.
Foreign Currency Transactions . Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income, expenses or other items denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects or pays such items are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options and futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, generally are also treated as ordinary income or loss, unless the Fund were to elect otherwise where such an election is permitted.
Non-U.S. Investments . Dividends, interest and proceeds from the direct or indirect sale of non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding tax and other taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if the Fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may not have sufficient information to do so or may choose not to do so. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.
Special or Uncertain Tax Consequences . The Fund’s investment or other activities could be subject to special and complex tax rules that may produce differing tax consequences, such as disallowing or limiting the use of losses or deductions, causing the recognition of income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, affecting the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur or altering the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
The Fund may engage in investment or other activities the treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. In particular, the tax treatment of swaps and certain other derivatives and income from foreign currency transactions is unclear for purposes of determining the Fund’s status as a RIC. If a final determination on the tax treatment of the Fund’s investment or other activities differs from the Fund’s original expectations, the final determination could adversely affect the Fund’s status as a RIC or the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell assets, alter its portfolio or take other action in order to comply with the final determination.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund Distributions . In general, Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property and regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received by the Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following calendar year.
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Distributions of the Fund’s net investment income and the Fund’s net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses (collectively referred to as “ordinary income dividends”) are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (subject to an exception for “qualified dividend income, as discussed below). Corporate shareholders of the Fund may be eligible to take a dividends-received deduction with respect to such distributions, provided the distributions are attributable to dividends received by the Fund on stock of U.S. corporations with respect to which the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements. To the extent designated as “capital gain dividends” by the Fund, distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless of the Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Such dividends will not be eligible for a dividends-received deduction by corporate shareholders.
Distributions of ”qualified dividend income” (defined below) are taxed to certain non-corporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks. Dividends subject to these special rules, however, are not actually treated as capital gains and, thus, are not included in the computation of a non-corporate shareholder’s net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The portion of distributions that the Fund may report as qualified dividend income generally is limited to the amount of qualified dividend income received by the Fund, but if for any Fund taxable year 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain from sales of stock and securities) consist of qualified dividend income, all distributions of such income for that taxable year may be reported as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations and qualified non-U.S. corporations. Income from dividends received by the Fund from a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) or another RIC generally is qualified dividend income only to the extent that the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other RIC.
To the extent that the Fund makes a distribution of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (assuming the shareholder holds its Shares of the Fund as capital assets).
The Fund intends to distribute its net capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end, the Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and the Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, the Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Fund Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such net capital gain will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.
With respect to non-corporate Fund shareholders (i.e., individuals, trusts and estates), ordinary income and short-term capital gain are taxed at a current maximum rate of 39.6% and long-term capital gain is taxed at a current maximum rate of 20%. Corporate shareholders are taxed at a current maximum rate of 35% on their income and gain.
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In addition, high-income individuals (and certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income,” in addition to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including capital gain dividends) received from the Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your tax advisor regarding this tax.
If the Fund is a “qualified fund of funds” (i.e., a RIC at least 50% of the total assets of which, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, is represented by interests in other RICs) or more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of a taxable year consist of non-U.S. stock or securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders certain non-U.S. income taxes paid by the Fund. This means that each shareholder will be required to (i) include in gross income, even though not actually received, the shareholder’s pro rata share of the Fund’s non-U.S. income taxes, and (ii) either take a corresponding deduction (in calculating U.S. federal taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income tax), subject to certain limitations.
Investors considering buying Shares just prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).
Exempt-Interest Dividends . If at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) the Fund is a qualified fund of funds (as defined above), or (ii) 50% or more of the Fund’s assets, by value, consist of certain obligations exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to obligations of a state or local governmental unit), the Fund shall be qualified to designate a portion of its dividends as “exempt-interest dividends.” Exempt-interest dividends generally will be excludable from a shareholder’s gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends will be included, however, in determining the portion, if any, of a person’s social security and railroad retirement benefit payments subject to U.S. federal income tax. Interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry shares of the Fund that pays exempt-interest dividends will not be deductible by the shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent attributable to exempt-interest dividends.
Furthermore, exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund could subject certain shareholders in the Fund to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. Under the Code, corporations are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the corporation’s “adjusted current earnings,” which more closely reflect a corporation’s economic income. Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by the Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate shareholder of such Fund may be required to pay alternative minimum tax on exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, if the Fund invests in “private activity bonds,” a portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by such Fund may be treated as an item of “tax preference” and, therefore, could subject certain shareholders of the Fund to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
REIT/REMIC Investments . The Fund may invest in REITs owning residual interests in “real estate mortgage investment conduits” (“REMICs”). Income from a REIT to the extent attributable to a REMIC residual interest (known as “excess inclusion” income) is allocated to the Fund’s shareholders in proportion to the dividends received from the Fund, producing the same income tax consequences as if the Fund shareholders directly received the excess inclusion income. In general, excess inclusion income (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) constitutes “unrelated business taxable income” to certain entities (such as a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity), and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, does not qualify for any withholding tax reduction or exemption. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year certain types of entities own Shares, the Fund will be subject to a tax equal to the product of (i) the excess inclusion income allocable to such entities and (ii) the highest U.S. federal income tax rate imposed on corporations (currently 35%). The Fund also is subject to information reporting with respect to any excess inclusion income.
Sales of Shares . Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares held for one year or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain
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dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares will be disallowed if substantially identical shares are purchased (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the Fund Shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Legislation passed by Congress requires reporting of adjusted cost basis information for “covered securities,” which generally include shares of a RIC acquired on or after January 1, 2012, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their brokers to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and available elections for their accounts.
Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions . On an issue of Shares as part of a Creation Unit, made by means of an in-kind deposit, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind by a payment of Fund Securities, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss on an issue or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Fund Shares.
Reportable Transactions . If the Fund shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Shares of $2 million or more (for an individual Fund shareholder) or $10 million or more (for a corporate shareholder) in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the Fund shareholder may be required file a disclosure statement with the IRS. Significant penalties may be imposed upon the failure to comply with these reporting rules. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these rules in light of their individual circumstances.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder (as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income taxation.
Ordinary Income Dividends . With respect to non-U.S. shareholders of the Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty), subject to certain exceptions for dividends effectively connected with a trade or business of a non-U.S. shareholder conducted in the United States, “interest-related dividends,” “short-term capital gain dividends,” and dividends subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act (“FIRPTA”), as discussed below (see—“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).
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In cases where dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder conducted in the United States, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. federal income tax return. Furthermore, such income also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation.
In general, all “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” (each defined below) will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnishes the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to such Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.
Capital Gain Dividends . Non-U.S. shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on capital gain dividends distributed (or deemed to be distributed) by the Fund, unless (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would incur a 30% U.S. federal income tax on his capital gain, (ii) the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. shareholder (see—“Ordinary Income Dividends” above for a discussion of the applicable tax consequences), or (iii) the distribution is subject to FIRPTA, as discussed below (see —“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).
Sales of Fund Shares . Under current law, gain on a sale or exchange of Shares generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax (including withholding at the source) unless (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who was physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would incur a 30% U.S. federal income tax on his capital gain, (ii) the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. shareholder (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder generally would be taxable on such gain at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and, in the case of a corporate non-U.S. shareholder, may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax), or (iii) the gain is subject to FIRPTA, as discussed below (see —“Investments in U.S. Real Property”) .
Credits or Refunds . To claim a credit or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed long-term capital gains (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through withholding, a non-U.S. Fund shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. Fund shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
Investments in U.S. Real Property . Subject to the exemptions described below, a non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA on any gain from the sale or exchange of Shares if the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (as defined below) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the non-U.S. shareholder held such Shares and the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of those Shares. Any such gain will be taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. Fund shareholder and in certain cases will be collected through withholding at the source in an amount equal to 15% of the sales proceeds. The Fund will be a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) (which includes shares of U.S. real property holding corporations and certain participating debt securities) equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business.
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An exemption from FIRPTA applies if either (i) the class of Shares disposed of by the non-U.S. shareholder is regularly traded on an established securities market (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the non-U.S. shareholder did not actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such class of Shares at any time during the five-year period prior to the disposition, or (ii) the Fund is a “domestically-controlled RIC.” A “domestically-controlled RIC” is any RIC in which at all times during the relevant testing period 50% or more in value of the RIC’s stock is owned by U.S. persons.
Furthermore, special rules apply under FIRPTA in respect of distributions attributable to gains from USRPIs. In general, if the Fund is a U.S. real property holding corporation (taking certain special rules into account), distributions by such Fund attributable to gains from USRPIs will be treated as income effectively connected with a trade or business within the United States, subject generally to tax at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders and, in the case of a corporation that is a non-U.S. shareholder, a “branch profits” tax at a rate of 30% (or other applicable lower treaty rate). Such distributions will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally will give rise to an obligation on the part of the non-U.S. shareholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Even if the Fund is treated as a U.S. real property holding corporation, distributions on the Fund’s Shares will not be treated, under the rule described above, as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that owns (for the applicable period) 5% or less (by class) of Shares and such class is regularly traded on an established securities market for U.S. federal income tax purposes (but such distribution will be treated as ordinary dividends subject to a 30% withholding tax or lower applicable treaty rate).
Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain “wash sale” and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will be treated as having received such distributions.
All shareholders of the Fund should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the rules described above.
The Fund (or a financial intermediary such as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on the Fund shareholder to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a 28% rate from taxable distributions and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against the Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA") generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on "withholdable payments" (defined below) made to (i) a "foreign financial institution" ("FFI"), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other specified requirements, and (ii) a "non-financial foreign entity" (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain information to the withholding agent about certain of its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” or certifies that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a "withholdable payment" may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
"Withholdable payments" generally include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.
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The Fund may be required to impose a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information, certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions from, FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
Section 351
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or any group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of a given Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, that Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to achieve their objective. The Exchange has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is a registered investment company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond those limitations.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o IndexIQ Advisors LLC, 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710, Rye Brook, New York 10573.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Fund have not yet commenced operations.
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SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The Advisor has delegated proxy-voting authority to the Fund’s Sub_Advisor, MacKay Shields. A summary of MacKay Shields' proxy voting policies and procedures is provided below.
MacKay Shields has adopted proxy-voting policies and procedures pursuant to where clients have delegated proxy-voting authority to MacKay Shields, all proxies are voted in the best interest of such clients without regard to the interests of MacKay Shields or related parties. When a client retains MacKay Shields, the firm generally determines through its investment management agreement whether it will vote proxies on behalf of that client. Currently, MacKay Shields uses ISS as its third-party proxy voting service provider. If the client appoints MacKay Shields as its proxy-voting agent, the client will also instruct MacKay Shields to vote its proxies in accordance with custom guidelines provided by the client, MacKay Shields' Standard Guidelines (currently the same as the ISS standard guidelines), or in the case of a Taft-Hartley client, in accordance with the ISS Taft-Hartley guidelines. MacKay Shields informs the client's custodian to send all proxies to ISS. MacKay Shields then informs ISS that the client has appointed MacKay Shields as its agent and instructs ISS as to which guidelines to follow.
Once the appropriate guidelines have been established, each proxy must be voted in accordance with those guidelines unless a MacKay Shields portfolio manager believes that it is in the best interest of the client(s) to vote otherwise. In those cases, the portfolio manager must complete a form describing the reasons for departing from the guidelines and disclosing any facts that might suggest there is a conflict. The portfolio manager submits the form to MacKay Shields' Compliance Department for review. If the Compliance Department determines that no "conflict" exists, then the dissent will be approved and ISS will be informed of how to vote. All dissenting votes are presented to MacKay Shields' Compliance Committee. If MacKay Shields' General Counsel or CCO determines that a conflict exists, the matter will immediately be referred to MacKay Shields' Compliance Committee for consideration. In accordance with Firm procedures in this area, the committee members will consider the matter and resolve the conflict as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. Please see the "Guidelines Examples" section above for examples of MacKay Shields' guidelines with respect to certain typical proxy votes.
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DESCRIPTION OF FIXED-INCOME RATINGS
A rating is generally assigned to a fixed-income security at the time of issuance by a credit rating agency designated as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) by the SEC. While NRSROs may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings given to securities at issuance do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on a particular subsequent date.
Fixed-income securities which are unrated expose the investor to risks with respect to capacity to pay interest or repay principal which are similar to the risks of lower-rated speculative bonds. Evaluation of these securities is dependent on the investment adviser’s judgment, analysis and experience in the evaluation of such securities.
Investors should note that the assignment of a rating to a security by an NRSRO may not reflect the effect of recent developments on the issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments or on the likelihood of default.
Securities deemed to be high yield are rated below Baa3 by Moody’s and below BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Fitch.
The descriptions below relate to general long-term and short-term obligations of an issuer.
Moody’s Ratings
Long-Term Obligations
Aaa : Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa : Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A : Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa : Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba : Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B : Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa : Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative, of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca : Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C : Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note : Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Absence of Rating : Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the creditworthiness of the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or entities that are not rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody’s publications.
Withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
Short-Term Obligations
Moody’s short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations, generally with an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months.
Moody's employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1 : Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 : Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 : Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP : Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
US Municipal Short-Term Debt Obligations
There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment-grade and are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG). In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.
MIG 1 : This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2 : This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3 : This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG : This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
Long-Term Obligations
AAA : An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA : An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment is very strong.
A : An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB : An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB ; B ; CCC ; CC ; and C : Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB : An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B : An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC : An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC : An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor's Rating Services expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C : An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
D : An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor's Rating Services believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
NR : NR indicates no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's Rating Services does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Note : The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Short-Term Obligations
A-1 : A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 : A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3 : A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B : A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C : A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D : A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor's Rating Services believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
Municipal Short-Term Obligations
An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor's opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.
SP-1 : Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 : Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 : Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Fitch Ratings
Long-Term Obligations
AAA : Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA : Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A : High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB : Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB : Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B : Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
CCC : Substantial credit risk. CCC ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.
CC : Very high levels of credit risk. CC ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
C : Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. C indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned RD or D ratings, but are instead rated in the B to C rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.
Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below CCC.
The subscript 'emr' is appended to a rating to denote embedded market risk which is beyond the scope of the rating. The designation is intended to make clear that the rating solely addresses the counterparty risk of the issuing bank. It is not meant to indicate any limitation in the analysis of the counterparty risk, which in all other respects follows published Fitch criteria for analyzing the issuing financial institution. Fitch does not rate these instruments where the principal is to any degree subject to market risk.
Short-Term Obligations (Corporate and Public Finance)
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1 : Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 : Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3 : Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B : Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C : High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD : Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D : Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) of IndexIQ ETF Trust (“Registrant”), filed herewith. | |
(b) | By-Laws of Registrant. (1) | |
(c) | Articles 4 and 7 of the Trust Instrument, Exhibit 28(a), defines the rights of holders of the securities being registered (Certificates for shares are not issued), filed herewith. | |
(d)(1) | Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 15, 2015, between the Registrant and IndexIQ Advisors LLC (“Advisor”), as adviser for the Registrant and each of its investment portfolios (the “Funds”). (2) | |
(d)(2) | Notice of Fee Waiver dated May 9, 2016, between Registrant and Advisor, for IQ Enhanced Core Bond U.S. ETF and IQ Enhanced Core Plus Bond U.S. ETF. (6) | |
(d)(3) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Advisor and MacKay Shields LLC for IQ U.S. High Yield Low Volatility ETF, to be filed by amendment. | |
(e)(1) | Distribution Agreement between ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“Distributor”) and the Registrant. (1) | |
(e)(2) | Form of Authorized Participation Agreement. (3) | |
(f) | Not applicable. | |
(g) | Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (1) | |
(h)(1) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (1) | |
(h)(2) | Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (1) | |
(h)(3) | Form of Sub-License Agreement among the Registrant, the Investment Advisor and Financial Development Holdco LLC (“IndexIQ”). (1) | |
(h)(4) | Securities Lending Agreement between IndexIQ ETF Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon. (4) | |
(i) | Opinion and Consent of Kaye Scholer LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Registrant, to be filed by amendment. | |
(j) | Not applicable. | |
(k) | Not applicable. | |
(l) | Not applicable. | |
(m) | Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. (5) | |
(n) | Not applicable. | |
(o) | Reserved. | |
(p)(1) | Code of Ethics for the Investment Advisor. (7) | |
(p)(2) | Code of Ethics for the Distributor. (7) | |
(q) | Powers of Attorney executed by Reena Aggarwal, Adam S. Patti, Michael A. Pignataro and Paul D. Schaeffer. (2) |
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(1) | previously filed as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, filed on February 4, 2009. |
(2) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement filed on May 1, 2015. |
(3) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement filed on August 29, 2011. |
(4) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registration Statement filed on August 27, 2012. |
(5) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement, filed on June 29, 2011. |
(6) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement, filed on May 9, 2016. |
(7) | previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement filed on August 26, 2016. |
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Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant .
Not Applicable.
Item 30. Indemnification
Under Delaware law, Section 3817 of the Treatment of Delaware Statutory Trusts empowers Delaware business trusts to indemnify and hold harmless any trustee or beneficial owner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to such standards and restrictions as may be set forth in the governing instrument of the business trust. The Registrant’s Trust Instrument contains the following provisions:
Section 2. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent, employee, Investment Advisor or Principal Underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee, and, as provided in Section 3 of this Article VII, the Trust out of its assets shall indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee and officer of the Trust from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages whatsoever arising out of or related to such Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as a Trustee or officer of the Trust; provided that nothing herein contained shall indemnify, hold harmless or protect any Trustee or officer from or against any liability to the Trust or any Shareholder to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Section 3. Indemnification .
(a) | Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Subsection (b) below: |
(i) | every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust (including any individual who serves at its request as director, officer, partner, trustee or the like of another organization in which it has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; and |
(ii) | as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys, fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities. |
(b) | No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person: |
(i) | who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or |
(ii) | in the event the matter is not adjudicated by a court or other appropriate body, unless there has been a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office: by at |
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least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry). |
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses incurred in defending any proceeding may be advanced by the Trust before the disposition of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section; provided, however, that either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person will not be disqualified from indemnification under this Section.
(e) Any repeal or modification of this Article VII by the Shareholders, or adoption or modification of any other provision of the Declaration or By-laws inconsistent with this Article, shall be prospective only, to the extent that such repeal, or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption.
In addition, the Registrant has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with its Investment Advisor and a Distribution Agreement with its Distributor. These agreements provide indemnification for those entities and their affiliates. The Investment Advisor’s and Distributor’s personnel may serve as trustees and officers of the Trust. The Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund provides that the Investment Advisor will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Advisor or from reckless disregard by the Investment Advisor of its obligations or duties under the Agreement. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant will indemnify ALPS Distributors, Inc. against certain liabilities.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Trust Instrument or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
Trustees and officers liability policies purchased by the Registrant insure the Registrant and their respective trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies’ coverage limits and exclusions and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
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Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor .
The description of the Investment Advisor is found under the caption “Service Providers—Investment Advisor” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Management Services—Investment Advisor” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Investment Advisor provides investment advisory services to other persons or entities other than the Registrant.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters .
(a) ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: 1290 Funds, 13D Activist Fund, ALPS Series Trust, Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds, Babson Capital Funds Trust, BBH Trust, BLDRS Index Funds Trust, Broadview Funds Trust, Brown Management Funds, Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., Campbell Multi- Strategy Trust, Centaur Mutual Funds Trust, Centre Funds, Century Capital Management Trust, Columbia ETF Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds, Cortina Funds, Inc., CRM Mutual Fund Trust, CSOP ETF Trust, Cullen Funds, DBX ETF TRUST, db-X Exchange-Traded Funds Inc., ETFS Trust, EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, EGA Frontier Diversified Core Fund, Firsthand Funds, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust, Griffin Institutional Access Real Estate Fund, Heartland Group, Inc., Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund, IndexIQ Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, ISI Strategy Fund, James Advantage Funds, Lattice Strategies Trust, Laudus Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, Litman Gregory Funds Trust, Longleaf Partners Funds Trust, Mairs & Power Funds Trust, Managed Municipal Fund, North American Government Bond Fund, Oak Associates Funds, Pax World Series Trust I, Pax World Funds Trust III, PowerShares QQQ 100 Trust Series 1, Reality Shares EFT Trust, Resource Real Estate Diversified Income Fund, RiverNorth Funds, Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust, Smead Funds Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust, Stadion Investment Trust, Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Total Return US Treasury Fund, Transparent Value Trust, USCF ETF Trust, Wakefield Alternative Series Trust, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Westcore Trust, Whitebox Mutual Funds, Williams Capital Liquid Assets Fund, Wilmington Funds and WisdomTree Trust.
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 |
Edmund J. Burke | Director | None |
Jeremy O. May | President, Director | None |
Thomas A. Carter | Executive Vice President, Director | None |
Bradley J. Swenson | Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Robert J. Szydlowski | Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer | None |
Aisha J. Hunt | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Assistant Secretary | None |
Eric T. Parsons | Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer | None |
Randall D. Young** | Secretary | None |
Gregg Wm. Givens** | Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary | None |
Douglas W. Fleming** | Assistant Treasurer | 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 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** The principal business address for Messrs. Young, Givens and Fleming is 333 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
* This list does not serve as an admission that the Trust considers all of these persons listed to be officers of investment companies having the same Investment Advisor or Distributor or having an Investment Advisor or Distributor that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Investment Advisor or Distributor.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records .
All accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder are maintained at:
IndexIQ Advisors LLC
800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S-710
Rye Brook, NY 10573
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286
ALPS Distributors, Inc.
1625 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
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Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
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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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rye Brook, and State of New York on this 17th day of October, 2016.
INDEXIQ ETF TRUST | ||
By: | /s/ Adam S. Patti | |
Adam S. Patti | ||
President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Name | Title | Date |
/s/ Reena Aggarwal* | Trustee | October 17, 2016 |
Reena Aggarwal | ||
/s/ Michael A. Pignataro* | Trustee | October 17, 2016 |
Michael A. Pignataro | ||
/s/ Paul D. Schaeffer* | Trustee | October 17, 2016 |
Paul D. Schaeffer | ||
/s/ Adam S. Patti | Chairman, Trustee | October 17, 2016 |
Adam S. Patti | President and Principal | |
Executive Officer | ||
/s/ David L. Fogel | Treasurer and Principal | October 17, 2016 |
David L. Fogel | Financial Officer | |
/s/ David L. Fogel | ||
David L. Fogel, Attorney-in-fact | ||
* PURSUANT TO POWERS OF ATTORNEY PREVIOUSLY FILED
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EXHIBIT LIST
(a) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of IndexIQ ETF Trust |
Exhibit (a)
INDEXIQ ETF TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
This AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST (hereinafter “ Declaration of Trust ”) is made as of September 27, 2016 by the trustees party hereto (together with all other persons from time to time duly elected, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with Article 5 hereof, the “ Trustees ”) and amends and restates that certain Declaration of Trust dated, August 27, 2008 (the “ Original Declaration of Trust ”).
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to continue the statutory trust formed pursuant to the Original Declaration of Trust for the purpose of carrying on the business of an open-end registered management investment company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board ”) desires to amend and restate the Original Declaration of Trust and has determined that a shareholder vote is not required to effect such amendment; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such purpose, the Trustees and any successor Trustee selected in accordance with Article 5 hereof are acquiring and may hereafter acquire assets which they will hold and manage as trustees of a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, this Trust is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial interest in one or more separate series, all in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Declaration of Trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold in trust all cash, securities, and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder, and that they will manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
Article
1
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name . This Trust shall be known as the “ IndexIQ ETF Trust ”, and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name or names as they may from time to time determine.
Section 1.2 Definitions . Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided below:
(a) “ 1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any successor statute) and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(b) “ Bylaws ” means the Bylaws of the Trust as amended from time to time;
(c) “ Class ” means any of the separate classes of Shares established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of this Article 4 hereof which the Trustees have allocated assets and liabilities of the Trust in accordance with Article 4 ;
(d) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and any successor statute) and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(e) “ Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency thereto);
(f) “ Covered Person ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.1 ;
(g) “ Declaration of Trust ” means this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time; and
(h) “ DSTA ” means the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code (and any successor statute), as amended from time to time;
(i) “ General Items ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.5.1 ;
(j) “ Person ,” “ Interested Person ,” and “ Principal Underwriter ” have the respective meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(k) “ Original Declaration of Trust ” or “ Declaration ” means the original Declaration of Trust, dated as of August 27, 2008;
(l) “ Series ” means any of the separate series of Shares established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 hereof and to which the Trustees have allocated assets and liabilities of the Trust in accordance with Article 4 ;
(m) “ Shareholder ” means a record owner of Shares;
(n) “ Shares ” means the shares of beneficial interest in the Trust described in Article 4 thereof and shall include fractional and whole Shares;
(o) “ Trust ” means the Delaware statutory trust established by the Original Declaration of Trust; and
(p) “ Trustee ” or “ Trustees ” means each signatory to this Declaration of Trust so long as such signatory shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other individuals who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with Article 5 hereof and are then in office.
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Article 2
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF TRUST
Section 2.1 Nature of Trust . The Trust is a statutory trust of the type referred to in the DSTA. The Trustees shall file a certificate of trust in accordance with Section 3810 of the DSTA. The Trust is not intended to be, shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as, a general or a limited partnership, joint venture, corporation or joint stock company, nor shall the Trustees or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be deemed to be, or be treated in any way whatsoever as though they were, liable or responsible hereunder as partners or joint venturers.
Section 2.2 Purpose of Trust . The purpose of the Trust is to engage in, operate and carry on the business of an open-end management investment company and to do any and all acts or things as are necessary, convenient, appropriate, incidental or customary in connection therewith.
Section 2.3 Interpretation of Declaration of Trust .
Section 2.3.1 Governing Instrument . This Declaration of Trust shall be the governing instrument of the Trust and shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 2.3.2 No Waiver of Compliance with Applicable Law . No provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or any valid rule, regulation or order of the Commission thereunder.
Section 2.3.3 Power of the Trustees Generally . Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Trustees may exercise all powers of trustees under the DSTA on behalf of the Trust.
Article
3
REGISTERED AGENT; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Section 3.1 Registered Agent . The name of the registered agent of the Trust is The Corporation Trust Company, and the registered agent’s business address in Delaware is Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
Section 3.2 Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Trust is 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite S710, Rye Brook, New York 10573. The principal place of business of the Trust may be changed by the Trustees.
Article
4
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 4.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest . The beneficial interests in the Trust shall be divided into Shares, all without par value, and the Trustees shall have the authority from time to time to divide the class of Shares into two or more separate and distinct series of Share (“ Series ”) or classes of Shares (“ Classes ”) as provided in Section 4.9 of this Article 4 .
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Section 4.2 Number of Authorized Shares . The Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares. The Trustees may issue Shares for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share dividend or split), all without action or approval of the Shareholders.
Section 4.3 Ownership and Certification of Shares . The Secretary of the Trust, or the Trust’s transfer or similar agent, shall record the ownership and transfer of Shares or each Series and Class separately on the record books of the Trust. The record books of the Trust, as kept by the Secretary of the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, shall contain the name and address of and the number of Shares held by each Shareholder, and such record books shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of Shares and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by such Shareholders. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, transfer of Shares, and similar matters for the Trust or any Series or Class.
Section 4.4 Status of Shares .
Section 4.4.1 Fully Paid and Non-assessable . All Shares when issued on the terms determined by the Trustees shall be fully paid and non-assessable.
Section 4.4.2 Personal Property . Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust.
Section 4.4.3 Party to Trust Agreement. Every Person by virtue of having become registered as a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of Trust and to have become a party thereto.
Section 4.4.4 Death of Shareholder . The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees. The representative shall be entitled to the same rights as the decedent under this Trust.
Section 4.4.5 Title to Trust; Right to Accounting . Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting.
Section 4.5 Determination of Shareholders . The Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books or establish record dates and times for the purposes of determining the Shareholders entitled to be treated as such, to the extent provided or referred to in Section 7.3 .
Section 4.6 Shares Held by Trust . The Trustees may hold as treasury shares, reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time, any Shares of any Series or Class reacquired by the Trust.
Section 4.7 Shares Held by Persons Related to Trust . Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in which any such person is interested may acquire,
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own, hold and dispose of Shares of the Trust to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may purchase Shares from any such person or any such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of such Shares generally.
Section 4.8 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Shareholders shall not, as Shareholders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Shares or other securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine. Shareholders shall have no appraisal rights with respect to their Shares and, except as otherwise determined by resolution of the Trustees in their sole discretion, shall have no exchange or conversion rights with respect to their Shares. No action may be brought by a Shareholder on behalf of the Trust unless Shareholders owing not less than a majority of the then-outstanding Shares, or Series or Class thereof, join in the bringing of such action. A Shareholder of Shares in a particular Series or Class of the Trust shall not be entitled to participate in a derivative or class action lawsuit on behalf of any other Series or Class, as appropriate, or on behalf of the Shareholders in any such other Series or Class of the Trust.
Section 4.9 Series and Classes of Shares .
Section 4.9.1 Classification of Shares . The Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Series or Class into one or more Series or Class that may be established and designated from time to time.
Section 4.9.2 Establishment and Designation . The Trustees shall have exclusive power without the requirement of Shareholder approval: to establish and designate separate and distinct Series and Classes of Shares and to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges of such Series or Class as the Trustees may from time to time determine; to divide or combine the Shares or any Series or Class into a greater or lesser number without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the Shares of such Series or Class in the assets held with respect to that Series; to classify or reclassify any issued Shares or any Series or Class thereof into one or more Series or Classes; and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. The establishment and designation of any Series or Class (in addition to those established and designated in this Section below) shall be effective upon the adoption by a majority of the Trustees of a resolution setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such Series or Class, or as otherwise provided in such instrument.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees to establish and designate any further Series or Class, by entry into the Original Declaration of Trust, the Trustees established and designated the following initial Series:
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IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (fka
IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Composite ETF)
IQ Hedge Macro Tracker ETF (fka IQ Hedge Macro ETF)
IQ Hedge Long/Short Tracker ETF (fka IQ Hedge Long/Short ETF)
IQ Hedge Event-Driven Tracker ETF (fka IQ Hedge Event-Driven ETF)
IQ Hedge Market Neutral Tracker ETF (fka IQ Hedge Market Neutral ETF)
Section 4.9.3 Separate and Distinct Nature . Each Series and Class, including without limitation the Series specifically established and designated in Section 4.9.2 , shall be separate and distinct from any other Series and Class and shall maintain separate and distinct records on the books of the Trust, and the assets belonging to any such Series or Class shall be held and accounted for separately from the assets of the Trust or any other Series or Class.
Section 4.9.4 Conversion Rights . Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to provide that holders of Shares of any Series or Class shall have the right to convert said Shares into Shares of one or more other Series or Class in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
Section 4.9.5 Rights and Preferences . The Trustees shall have exclusive power without the requirement of Shareholder approval to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences as between the Shares of the separate Series and Classes. The initial Series and any further Series and Classes that may from time to time be established and designated by the Trustees shall (unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to some further Series at the time of establishing and designating the same) have relative rights and preferences as set forth in this Section 4.9.5 .
Section 4.9.5.1 Assets and Liabilities “Belonging” to a Series or Class . All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of particular Series or Class, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other Series or Class and may be referred to herein as “assets belonging to” that Series or Class. The assets belonging to a particular Series or Class shall belong to that Series or Class for all purposes, and to no other Series or Class, subject only to the rights of creditors of that Series or Class. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series or Class (collectively, “ General Items ”), shall be allocated by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the Series and/or Classes in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Any General Items so allocated to a particular Series or Class shall belong to that Series/Class. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon all Shareholders for all purposes. The assets belonging to each particular Series and Class shall be charged with the liabilities in respect of that Series/Class and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributed to that Series/Class, and any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series or Class shall be allocated and charged by the
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Trustees to and among any one or more of the Series and Classes established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon all Shareholders for all purposes.
Section 4.9.5.2 Treatment of Particular Items . The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act and consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital, and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
Section 4.9.5.3 Limitation on Interseries and Interclass Liabilities . Subject to the right of the Trustees in their discretion to allocate general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves as provided in Section 4.9.5.1 , the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Series or Class shall be enforceable against the assets of such Series/Class only, and not against the assets of any other Series or Class. Notice of this limitation on liabilities between and among Series shall be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust (whether originally or by amendment) as filed or to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DSTA, and upon the giving of such notice in the certificate of trust, the statutory provisions of Section 3804 of the DSTA relating to limitations on liabilities between and among series (and the statutory effect under Section 3804 of setting forth such notice in the certificate of trust) shall become applicable to the Trust and each Series.
Section 4.9.5.4 Dividends . Dividends and capital gains distributions on Shares of a particular Series may be paid with such frequency, in such form, and in such amount as the Trustees may determine by resolution adopted from time to time, or pursuant to a standing resolution of resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. All dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Series or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of Shares of that Series/Class in proportion to the number of Shares of that Series/Class held by such holders at the date and time of record established for the payment of such dividends or distributions by the Trustees. Such dividends and distributions may be paid in cash, property or additional Shares of that Series/Class, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the Trustees may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of the form in which dividends or distributions are to be paid to that Shareholder. Any such dividend or distribution paid in Shares shall be paid at the net asset value thereof as determined in accordance with Section 4.9.5.8 .
Section 4.9.5.5 Redemption by Shareholder . Each Shareholder of a particular Series or Class shall have right on any business day to require the Trust to redeem all or any part of such Shareholder’s Shares of that Series or Class, subject to the following: any such redemption shall be made only: upon and subject to the terms and conditions provided in this Section 4.9.5.5 ; in accordance with and pursuant to procedures or methods prescribed or approved by the Trustees; and, in the case of any Series or Class now or hereafter authorized, if so determined by the Trustees, only in aggregations of such number of Shares and at such times as may be determined by, or determined pursuant to procedures or methods prescribed by or approved by, the Trustees from time to time with respect to such Series or Class. The number of
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Shares comprising an aggregation for purposes of redemption or repurchase as determined by the Trustees from time to time with respect to any Series or Class shall be referred to herein as a “Creation Unit” and collectively, as “Creation Units.” The Trustees shall have the unrestricted power to determine from time to time the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit by resolutions adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Trustees. Each holder of a Creation Unit aggregation of a Series or Class, upon request to the Trust accompanied by surrender of the appropriate stock certificate or certificates in proper form for transfer, if certificates have been issued to such holder, or in accordance with such other procedures as may from time to time be in effect if certificates have not been issued, shall be entitled to require the Trust to redeem all or any number of such holder’s Shares standing in the name of such holder on the books of the Trust, but in the case of Shares of any Series or Class as to which the Trustees have determined that such Shares shall be redeemable in Creation Unit aggregations, only in such Creation Unit aggregations of Shares of such Series or Class as the Trustees may determine from time to time in accordance with this Section 4.9.5.5 . The Trust shall, upon application of any Shareholder or pursuant to authorization from any Shareholder, redeem or repurchase from such Shareholder outstanding Shares for an amount per Share determined by the Trustees in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations; provided that (i) such amount per Share shall not exceed the cash equivalent of the proportionate interest of each Share or of any Class or Series of Shares in the assets of the Trust at the time of the redemption or repurchase and (ii) if so authorized by the Trustees, the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, charge fees for effecting such redemption or repurchase, at such rates as the Trustees may establish, as and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and may, at any time and from time to time, pursuant to such Act and such rules and regulations, suspend such right of redemption. The procedures for effecting and suspending redemption shall be as set forth in the Prospectus from time to time. Payment may be in cash, securities or a combination thereof, as determined by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees from time to time, less any applicable sales charges and/or fees.
Section 4.9.5.6 Redemption by Trust . The Trustees may cause the Trust to redeem the Shares of any Series or Class held by a Shareholder at the redemption price that would be applicable if such Shares were then being redeemed by the Shareholder pursuant to Section 4.9.5.5 upon such conditions as may from time to time be determined by the Trustees. Upon redemption of Shares pursuant to this Section 4.9.5.6 , the Trust shall promptly cause payment of the full redemption price to be made to such Shareholder for Shares so redeemed.
Section 4.9.5.7 Prevention of Personal Holding Company Status . The Trust may reject any purchase order, refuse to transfer any Shares, and compel the redemption of Shares if the Trustees determine that any such rejection, refusal, or redemption would prevent the Trust from becoming a personal holding company as defined by the Code.
Section 4.9.5.8 Net Asset Value . The net asset value per Share of any Series or Class shall be determined in accordance with the methods and procedures established by the Trustees from time to time and, to the extent required by applicable law, as disclosed in the then-current prospectus or statement of additional information for the Series/Class.
Section 4.9.5.9 Maintenance of Stable Net Asset Value . The Trustees may determine to maintain the net asset value per Share of any Series at a designated constant
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dollar amount and in connection therewith may adopt procedures not inconsistent with the 1940 Act for the continuing declaration of income attributable to that Series, or any Class thereof, as dividends payable in additional Shares of that Series/Class at the designated constant dollar amount and for the handling of any losses attributable to that Series/Class. Such procedures may provide that in the event of any loss each Shareholder shall be deemed to have contributed to the capital of the Trust attributable to that Series/Class his or her pro rata portion of the total number of Shares required to be canceled in order to permit the net asset value per Share of that Series/Class to be maintained, after reflecting such loss, at the designated constant dollar amount. Each Shareholder of the Trust shall be deemed to have agreed, by such Shareholder’s investment in any Series with respect to which the Trustees shall have adopted any such procedure, to make the contribution referred to in the preceding sentence in the event of any such loss. The Trustees may delegate any of their powers and duties under this Section 4.9.5.9 with respect to appraisal of assets and liabilities in the determination of net asset value or with respect to a suspension of the determination of net asset value to an officer or officers or agent or agents of the Trust designated from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 4.9.5.10 Transfer of Shares . Except to the extent that transferability is limited by applicable law or such procedures as may be developed from time to time by the Trustees or the appropriate officers of the Trust, Shares shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by the record holder’s agent thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trust’s transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate, if one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the register of the Trust.
Section 4.9.5.11 Equality of Shares . All Shares of each particular Series or Class shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging or attributable to that Series/Class (subject to the liabilities belonging to that Series/Class), and each Share of any particular Series or Class shall be equal in this respect to each other Share of that Series or Class, as applicable.
Section 4.9.5.12 Fractional Shares . Any fractional Share of any Series or Class, if any such fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Series/Class, including rights and obligations with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions, redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the Trust or any Series or Class.
Article
5
TRUSTEES
Section 5.1 Management of the Trust . The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility, including those specifically set forth in Section 5.10 and Section 5.11 herein. The enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such
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hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the applicable Series, and not an action in an individual capacity.
Section 5.2 Qualification . Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of Delaware.
Section 5.3 Number . The initial number of Trustees shall be one. By the vote or consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office, the Trustees may fix the number of Trustees at a number not less than two nor more than twenty-five. No decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his or her term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to Section 5.7 .
Section 5.4 Term and Election . Each Trustee shall hold office until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee or of a successor to such Trustee, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, and any Trustee who is appointed by the Trustees in the interim to fill a vacancy as provided hereunder shall have the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor, if any, or such term as the Trustees may determine.
Section 5.5 Composition of the Board of Trustees . No election or appointment of any Trustee shall take effect if such election or appointment would cause the number of Trustees who are Interested Persons to exceed the number permitted by Section 10 of the 1940 Act.
Section 5.6 Resignation and Retirement . Any Trustee may resign or retire as a Trustee (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by such Trustee and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary of the Trust. Such resignation or retirement shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument.
Section 5.7 Removal . Any Trustee may be removed with or without cause at any time: (i) by written instrument signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the number of Trustees in office prior to such removal, specifying the date upon which such removal shall become effective, or (ii) by the affirmative vote of Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds (2/3) of Shares outstanding, cast in person or by proxy at any meeting called for that purpose.
Section 5.8 Vacancies . Any vacancy or anticipated vacancy resulting for any reason, including without limitation the death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity of any of the Trustees, or resulting from an increase in the number of Trustees may (but need not unless required by the 1940 Act) be filled by a majority of the Trustees then in office, subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the 1940 Act, through the appointment in writing of such other person as such remaining Trustees in their discretion shall determine. The appointment shall be effective upon the acceptance of the person named therein to serve as a Trustee, except that any such appointment in anticipation of a vacancy occurring by reason of the resignation, retirement, or increase in number of Trustees to be effective at a later date shall become effective only at or after the effective date of such resignation, retirement or increase in number of Trustees.
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Section 5.9 Ownership of Assets of the Trust . The assets of the Trust and of each Series and Class shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. Legal title to all the Trust property shall be vested in the Trust as a separate legal entity under the DSTA, except that the Trustees shall have the power to cause legal title to any Trust property to be held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees or in the name of any other Person on behalf of the Trust on such terms as the Trustees may determine. In the event that title to any part of the Trust property is vested in one or more Trustees, the right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust property shall vest automatically in each person who may hereafter become a Trustee upon his or her due election and qualification. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee, he or she shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. To the extent permitted by law, such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any right or partition or possession thereof.
Section 5.10 Powers . Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility and the purpose of the Trust including, but not limited to, those enumerated in this Section 5.10 .
Section 5.10.1 Bylaws . The Trustees may adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that such Bylaws do not reserve that right to the Shareholders.
Section 5.10.2 Officers, Agents and Employees . The Trustees may, as they consider appropriate, elect and remove officers and appoint and terminate agents and consultants and hire and terminate employees, any one or more of the foregoing of whom may be a Trustee, and the Trustees may provide for the compensation of all of the foregoing.
Section 5.10.3 Committees . The Trustee may appoint from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees, including without implied limitation an Executive Committee, which may, when the Trustees are not in session (but subject to the 1940 Act), exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may determine, and an Audit Committee.
Section 5.10.4 Advisors, Administrators, Depositories and Custodians . The Trustees may, in accordance with Article 6 , employ one or more advisors, administrators, depositories, custodians and other persons and may authorize any depository or custodian to employ subcustodians or agents and to deposit all or any part of the assets of the Trust in a system or systems for the central handling of securities and debt instruments; retain transfer, dividend, accounting or Shareholder servicing agents or any of the foregoing; provide for the distribution of Shares by the Trust through one or more distributors, principal underwriters or otherwise; and set record dates or times for the determination of Shareholders.
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Section 5.10.5 Compensation . The Trustees may compensate or provide for the compensation of the Trustees, officers, advisors, administrators, custodians, other agents, consultants and employees of the Trust or the Trustees on such terms as they deem appropriate.
Section 5.10.6 Delegation of Authority . In general, the Trustees may delegate to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any employee, advisor, administrator, distributor, depository, custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agent, or any other agent or consultant of the Trust such authority, powers, functions and duties as they consider desirable or appropriate for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust, including without implied limitation, the power and authority to act in the name of the Trust and of the Trustees, to sign documents and to act as attorney-in-fact for the Trustees.
Section 5.10.7 Suspension of Sales . The Trustees shall have the authority to suspend or terminate the sales of Shares of any Series or Class at any time or for such periods as the Trustees may from time to time decide.
Section 5.11 Certain Additional Powers . Without limiting the foregoing and to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, other applicable law, and the fundamental policies and limitations of the applicable Series or Class, the Trustees shall have power and authority for and on behalf of the Trust and each separate Series and Class as enumerated in this Section 5.11 .
Section 5.11.1 Investments . The Trustees shall have the power to invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by trustees.
Section 5.11.2 Disposition of Assets . The Trustees shall have the power to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust.
Section 5.11.3 Ownership . The Trustees shall have the power to vote, give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership with respect to securities or other property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or other property as the Trustees shall deem proper.
Section 5.11.4 Subscription . The Trustees shall have the power to exercise powers and rights of subscription or other which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities.
Section 5.11.5 Payment of Expenses . The Trustees shall have the power to pay or cause to be paid all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust or any Series or Class, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees’ compensation and such expenses and charges for the Trust’s officers, employees, investment advisors, administrator, distributor, principal underwriter, auditor, counsel, depository, custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, accounting agent, shareholder servicing agent and such other agents, consultants and independent
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contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
Section 5.11.6 Form of Holding . The Trustees shall have the power to hold any securities or other property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or of any Series or Class or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or nominees or otherwise.
Section 5.11.7 Reorganization, Consolidation or Merger . The Trustees shall have the power to consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security of which is or was held in the Trust, and to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust.
Section 5.11.8 Compromise . The Trustees shall have the power to arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any Series or Class on any matter in controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes.
Section 5.11.9 Partnerships . The Trustees shall have the power to enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations.
Section 5.11.10 Borrowing . The Trustees shall have the power to borrow funds and to mortgage and pledge the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class or any part thereof to secure obligations arising in connection with such borrowing, consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Section 5.11.11 Guarantees . The Trustees shall have the power to endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations of any person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust property (or property of a Series or Class) or any part thereof to secure any of or all such obligations.
Section 5.11.12 Insurance . The Trustees shall have the power to purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Trust’s business, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, consultants, investment advisors, managers, administrators, distributors, principal underwriters, or independent contractors (or any person connection with the foregoing), of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person in any such capacity, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.
Section 5.11.13 Pensions . The Trustees shall have the power to pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and
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carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the officers, employees and agents of the Trust.
Section 5.11.14 Dividends . The Trustees shall have the power to make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner provided in Section 4.9.5.4 herein.
Section 5.11.15 Series and Classes . The Trustees shall have the power to establish separate and distinct Series and Classes with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 hereof and to establish the relative rights, powers and duties of such Series and Classes consistent with applicable law.
Section 5.11.16 Allocation . The Trustees shall have the power, subject to the provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Series or Class or to apportion the same between or among two or more Series or Classes, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Series or Class shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that Series or Class as provided for in Article 4 hereof.
Section 5.12 Vote of Trustees .
Section 5.12.1 Quorum . One-third of the Trustees then in office being present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5.12.2 Required Vote . Except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, any action to be taken by the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any Series or Class may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees at which a quorum is present, including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment enabling all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time.
Section 5.12.3 Consent in Lieu of a Meeting . Except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, the Trustees may, by written consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office, take any action which may have been taken at a meeting of the Trustees.
Article
6
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Section 6.1 Investment Advisor . The Trust may enter into written contracts with one or more persons to act as investment advisor or investment subadvisor to each of the Series or Classes and as such, to perform such functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management, research, valuation of assets, clerical and administrative functions, under terms and conditions, and for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable.
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Section 6.2 Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent . The Trust may enter into written contracts with one or more persons to act as administrator, custodian and/or transfer agent to perform such functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, under such terms and conditions, and for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable. Each such administrator, custodian and/or transfer agent shall be a bank or trust company having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
Section 6.3 Underwriter and Distributor . The Trust may enter into written contracts with one or more persons to act as underwriter and/or distributor whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party or parties to the contract or appoint such other party or parties its sales agent or agents for such Shares and with such other provisions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, and the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into transfer agency and/or shareholder service contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may in their discretion deem advisable.
Section 6.4 Parties to Contracts . Any contract of the character described in Section 6.1 , Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 or in Article 8 hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, including, without limitation, the investment advisor, any investment subadvisor, or any affiliated person of the investment advisor or investment subadvisor, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder or member of such other party to the contract, or may otherwise be trustee, shareholder or member of such other party to the contract, or may otherwise be interested in such contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or be accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom; provided , however , that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article 6 , Article 8 or the Bylaws. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may provide more than one of the services identified in this Article 6 .
Article
7
SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS AND MEETING
Section 7.1 Voting Powers . The Shareholders shall have power to vote only with respect to matters expressly enumerated in Section 7.1.1 and Section 7.1.3 or with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws, any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any state, or as the Trustees may otherwise deem necessary or desirable.
Section 7.1.1 Matters Upon Which Shareholders May Vote . The Shareholders shall have power to vote on the following matters:
(a) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Section 5.4 and Section 5.7 ;
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(b) with respect to a contract with a third party provider of services as to which Shareholder approval is required by the 1940 Act;
(c) with respect to a termination or reorganization of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 9.1 and Section 9.2 ;
(d) with respect to an amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as may be provided by this Declaration of Trust or applicable law; and
(e) with respect to any court action, proceeding or claim brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust, any Series or Class thereof or the Shareholders of the Trust; provided , however , that a shareholder of a particular Series or Class shall not be entitled to vote upon a derivative or class action on behalf of any other Series or Class or shareholder of any other Series/Class.
Section 7.1.2 Derivative Actions . A Shareholder or Shareholders may bring derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the Shareholder or Shareholders first make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such action is excused. A demand on the Trustees shall only be excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider such action, has a personal financial interest in the action at issue. A Trustee shall not be deemed to have a personal financial interest in an action or otherwise be disqualified from ruling with respect to a Shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration from his or her service on the Board of Trustees of the Trust or on the boards of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment advisor or underwriter. In addition to the foregoing requirements and the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the DSTA, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met:
(a) Shareholders holding at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Series or Class to which such action relates and who are eligible to bring such derivative action under the DSTA join in the request for the Trustees to commence such derivative action; and
(b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider the request for the derivative action and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
Section 7.1.3 Separate Voting by Series . On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted separately by individual Series, except (i) when required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in the aggregate or by Class, and not by individual Series; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one Series, then the Shareholders of all such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon.
Section 7.1.4 Number of Votes . On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, each Shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value for
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each Share standing in such Shareholder’s name on the books of each Series or Class in which such Shareholder owns Shares which are entitled to vote on the matter.
Section 7.1.5 Cumulative Voting . There shall be no cumulative voting.
Section 7.1.6 Voting of Shares; Proxies . Votes may be cast in person or by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving the invalidity of a proxy shall rest on the challenger.
Section 7.1.7 Actions Prior to the Issuance of Shares . Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 7.2 Meetings of Shareholders .
Section 7.2.1 Annual or Regular Meetings . No annual or regular meetings of Shareholders are required to be held.
Section 7.2.2 Special Meetings . Special meetings of Shareholders may be called by (i) the President of the Trust (ii) the Trustees or (iii) the Shareholders, if provided for in the Bylaws, from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter upon which Shareholder approval is deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable.
Section 7.2.3 Notice of Meetings . Written notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be given or caused to be given by the Trustees by mailing or transmitting such notice at least ten (10) days before such meeting, postage prepaid, stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting, to each Shareholder at the Shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Trust.
Section 7.3 Record Dates . For the purpose of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting, or who are entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution, or for the purpose of any other action, the Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books for such period, not exceeding thirty (30) days (except at or in connection with the termination of the Trust), as the Trustees may determine; or without closing the transfer books the Trustees may fix a date and time not more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of any meeting of Shareholders or other action as the date and time of record for the determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting or to be treated as Shareholders of record for purposes of such other action. Any Shareholder who was a Shareholder at the date and time so fixed shall be entitled to vote at such meeting or to be treated as a Shareholder of record for purposes of such other action, even though such Shareholder has since that date and time disposed of its Shares, and no Shareholder becoming such after that date and time shall be so entitled to vote at such meeting or to be treated as a Shareholder of record for purposes of such other action.
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Section 7.4 Quorum and Required Vote . Except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust, or the Bylaws, one-tenth (1/10) of the Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum as to any particular matter; provided , however , that any lesser number shall be sufficient for matters upon which the Shareholders vote at any meeting called in accordance with Section 7.5 . Any matter upon which the Shareholders vote shall be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such matter at a meeting of the Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except that Trustees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at such a meeting.
Section 7.5 Adjournments . If a meeting at which a quorum was present is adjourned, a meeting may be held within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting without the necessity of further notice for the purpose of taking action upon any matter that would have been acted upon at the original meeting but for its adjournment.
Section 7.6 Actions by Written Consent . Except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust, or the Bylaws, any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if Shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by the 1940 Act or by any express provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws) consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.
Section 7.7 Inspection of Records . The records of the Trust shall be open to inspection by Shareholders to the same extent as is required for stockholders of a Delaware business corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 7.8 Additional Provisions . The Bylaws may include further provisions for Shareholders’ votes and meetings and related matter not inconsistent with the provisions hereof.
Article
8
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 General Provisions .
Section 8.1.1 General Limitation of Liability . No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment advisor, subadvisor, principle underwriter or custodian of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee. 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 Trustee in connection with Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their, his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.
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Section 8.1.2 Notice of Limited Liability . Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or officer and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust or belonging or attributable to a Series or Class thereof, and may contain such further recitals as they, he or she may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder individually.
Section 8.1.3 Liability Limited to Assets of the Trust . All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust or belonging to a Series or Class thereof, as appropriate, for payment under such credit, contract or claim, and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 8.2 Liability of Trustee . The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder shall be binding upon the Trust, the Shareholders and any other person dealing with the Trust. The liability of this Trustees, however, shall be limited by this Section 8.2 .
Section 8.2.1 Liability for Own Actions . A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust or the Shareholders only for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
Section 8.2.2 Liability for Actions of Others . The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, consultant, advisor, administrative distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, Shareholder servicing agent or accounting agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for any act or omission of any other Trustee.
Section 8.2.3 Advice of Experts and Reports of Others . The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officers appointed by them, any independent public accountant and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of any other party to any contract entered into hereunder.
Section 8.2.4 Bond . Except as provided for in Section 8.5.4 , the Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 8.2.5 Declaration of Trust Governs Issues of Liability . The provisions of this Declaration of Trust, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the
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Trustees otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Shareholders and all other Persons bound by this Declaration of Trust to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Trustees.
Section 8.3 Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees . No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon the order of the Trustees.
Section 8.4 Liability of Shareholders . Without limiting the provisions of this Section 8.4 or the DSTA, the Shareholders shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations organized for profit under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Section 8.4.1 Limitation of Liability . No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust, and neither the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.
Section 8.4.2 Indemnification of Shareholders . In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a Shareholder and not because of such Shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or, in the case of a natural person, his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability; provided , however , there shall be no liability or obligation of the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such Shareholder’s ownership of any Shares or for losses suffered by reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Section 8.5 Indemnification .
Section 8.5.1 Indemnification of Covered Persons . Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Section 8.5.2 , every person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each, a “ Covered Person ”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been such a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in settlement thereof.
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Section 8.5.2 Exceptions . No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(a) for any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising out of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that the Covered Persons engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office;
(b) with respect to any matter as to which the Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust; or
(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8.5.2 ) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or position by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by: (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.2 ) acting on the matter (provided that a majority of Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel.
Section 8.5.3 Rights of Indemnification . The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, and shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
Section 8.5.4 Expenses of Indemnification . Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 8.5 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.5 , provided that either:
(a) Such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security of the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or
(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to the facts available upon a full trial), that there is a reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
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Section 8.5.5 Certain Defined Terms Relating to Indemnification . As used in this Section 8.5 , the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened;
(b) a “Disinterested Trustee” is one (i) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending; and
(c) “Liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
Section 8.6 Jurisdiction, Venue, and Waiver of Jury Trial.
Section 8.6.1 Application . This Section 8.6 applies only to Series established and designated pursuant to Section 4.9.2 on or after September 27, 2016.
Section 8.6.2 Jurisdiction, Venue and Waiver of Jury Trial. In accordance with Section 3804(e) of the DSTA, any suit, action or proceeding brought by or in the right of any Shareholder or any person claiming any interest in any Shares seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of, or in connection with, this Declaration of Trust or the Trust, any Series or Class or any Shares, including any claim of any nature against the Trust, any Series or Class, the Trustees or officers of the Trust, shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in such court for the claims asserted or, if not, then in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, and all Shareholders and other such Persons hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection they may make now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and further, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, ALL SHAREHOLDERS AND ALL OTHER SUCH PERSONS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. All Shareholders and other such persons agree that service of summons, complaint or other process in connection with any proceedings may be made by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier addressed to such person at the address shown on the books and records of the Trust for such person or at the address of the person shown on the books and records of the Trust with respect to the Shares that such person claims an interest in. Service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding against the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust may be made at the address of the Trust’s registered agent in the State of Delaware. Any service so made shall be effective as if personally made in the State of Delaware.
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Article
9
TERMINATION OR REORGANIZATION
Section 9.1 Termination of Trust or Series . Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust and each Series or Class designated and established pursuant to this Declaration of Trust shall continue without limitation of time.
Section 9.1.1 Termination . The Trust or any Series or Class (and the establishment and designation thereof) may be terminated either by a majority vote of the Trustees then in office upon a determination that the continuation of the Trust or Series is not in the best interests of the Trust, such Series or Class or the affected Shareholders as a result of factors or events adversely affecting the ability of the Trust, Series or Class to conduct its business and operations in an economically viable manner; or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shareholders of the Trust or the Series entitled to vote.
Section 9.1.2 Distribution of Assets . Upon termination of the Trust or any Series or Class, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets of the Trust to distributable form in cash or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the affected Shareholders in the manner set forth by resolution of the Trustees.
Section 9.1.3 Certificate of Cancellation . Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustees shall file a certificate of cancellation in accordance with Section 3810 of the DSTA.
Section 9.2 Reorganization . The Trustees may sell, convey, merge and transfer the assets of the Trust, or the assets belonging to any one or more Series or Classes, to another trust, partnership, association or corporation organized under the laws of any state of the United States, or to the Trust to be held as assets belonging to another Series or Class of the Trust, in exchange for cash, shares or other securities (including, in the case of a transfer to another Series or Class of the Trust, Shares of such other Series or Classes) with such transfer either (i) being made subject to, or with the assumption by the transferee of, the liabilities belonging to each Series or Class the assets of which are so transferred, or (ii) not being made subject to, or not with the assumption of, such liabilities. Following such transfer, the Trustees shall distribute such cash, Shares or other securities (giving due effect to the assets and liabilities belonging to and any other differences among the various Series or Classes the assets belonging to which have so been transferred) among the Shareholders of the Series or Classes the assets belonging to which have been so transferred. If all the assets of the Trust have been so transferred, the Trust shall be terminated.
Section 9.3 Merger or Consolidation .
Section 9.3.1 Authority to Merge or Consolidate . Pursuant to an agreement of merger or consolidation, the Trust, or any one or more Series or Classes, may merge or consolidate with or into one or more statutory trusts or other business entities formed or
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organized or existing under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States or any foreign country or other foreign jurisdiction.
Section 9.3.2 No Shareholder Approval Required . Any merger or consolidation described in Section 9.3.1 or any reorganization described in Section 9.2 shall not require the vote of the Shareholders affected thereby, unless such vote is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws, or unless such merger or consolidation would result in an amendment of this Declaration of Trust which would otherwise require the approval of such Shareholders.
Section 9.3.3 Subsequent Amendments . In accordance with Section 3815(f) of the DSTA, an agreement of merger or consolidation may effect any amendment to this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or effect the adoption of a new declaration of trust, Declaration of Trust, or Bylaws of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting statutory trust.
Section 9.3.4 Certificate of Merger or Consolidation . Upon completion of the merger or consolidation, the Trustees shall file a certificate of merger or consolidation in accordance with Section 3810 of the DSTA.
Article
10
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Signatures . To the extent permitted by applicable law, any instrument signed pursuant to a validly executed power of attorney shall be deemed to have been signed by the Trustee or officer executing the power of attorney. To the extent permitted by law, any Trustee or officer may, in his or her discretion, accept a facsimile signature as evidence of a valid signature on any document.
Section 10.2 Certified Copies . The original or a copy of this Declaration of Trust and of each amendment hereto shall be kept in the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments have been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy of this Declaration of Trust or of any such amendments certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust.
Section 10.3 Certain Internal References . In this Declaration of Trust or in any amendment hereto, references to this Declaration of Trust, and all expressions like “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration of Trust as a whole and as amended or affected by any such amendment.
Section 10.4 Headings . Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only, and in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 10.5 Resolution of Ambiguities . The Trustees may construe any of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be ambiguous or inconsistent
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with any other provisions hereof, and any such construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the meaning to be given to such provisions. In construing this Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
Section 10.6 Amendments .
Section 10.6.1 Generally . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust may be amended at any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office.
Section 10.6.2 Certificate of Amendment . In the event of any amendment to this Declaration of Trust which affects the Trust’s certificate of trust, the Trustees shall file a certificate of amendment in accordance with Section 3810 of the DSTA.
Section 10.6.3 Prohibited Retrospective Amendments . No amendment of this Declaration of Trust or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the limitation of liability provided to Trustees and officers hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
Section 10.7 Governing Law . This Declaration of Trust is executed and delivered with reference to the DSTA and the laws of the State of Delaware by all of the Trustees whose signatures appear below, and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the DSTA and the laws of the State of Delaware (unless and to the extent otherwise provided for and/or preempted by the 1940 Act or other applicable federal securities laws); provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees, or this Declaration of Trust (a) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the DSTA) pertaining to trusts which are inconsistent with the rights, duties, powers, limitations or liabilities of the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Declaration of Trust. All references to sections of the DSTA or the 1940 Act, or any rules or regulations thereunder, refer to such sections, rules, or regulations in effect as of the date of this Declaration of Trust, or any successor sections, rules, or regulations thereto.
Section 10.8 Severability . The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the DSTA, or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustees have executed this Declaration of Trust as of the date first written above.
/s/ Reena Aggarwal
Reena Aggarwal
/s/ Michael A. Pignataro
Michael A. Pignataro
/s/ Paul Schaeffer
Paul Schaeffer
/s/ Adam S. Patti
Adam S. Patti
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