As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2017
Securities Act Registration No. 333-187668
Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-22819
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ☒
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___ ☐
Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 ☒
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ☒
Amendment No. 138 ☒
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
___________________________________
ETFis Series Trust I
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 593-4383
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
ETFis Series Trust I
c/o Corporation Service Company
2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400
Wilmington, DE 19808
(Name and Add ress of Agent for Service)
with a copy to:
Michael D. Mabry, Esq.
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2005 Market Street, Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA 19103
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
☒ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 |
☐ | on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 |
☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 |
☐ | on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 |
☐ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
☐ | on _______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
This post-effective amendment relates only to the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF series of the Registrant. No information relating to the other series of the Registrant is amended or superseded hereby.
PROSPECTUS | November 21, 2017
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred STOCK ETF
( Ticker: PFFA )
a series of
ETFis Series Trust I
The Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (the “ Fund ”) is an exchange-traded fund (“ ETF ”). Shares of the Fund are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “ Exchange ”) and trade at market prices. The market price for the Fund’s shares may be different from its net asset value per share.
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. |
Table of Contents
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY INFORMATION
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (Ticker: PFFA) (the “ Fund ”) seeks current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“ Shares ”). Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling Shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the table or example set forth below.
(1) | The management fee is structured as a “unified fee.” The Fund’s investment adviser has delegated to the Fund’s sub-adviser the obligation to pay all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for the management fee paid to the Fund’s adviser; payments under any 12b-1 plan; taxes and other governmental fees; brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses; interest and other costs of borrowing; litigation or arbitration expenses; acquired fund fees and expenses; and extraordinary or other non-routine expenses of the Fund; each of which is paid by the Fund. |
(2) | “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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years |
$ 143 | $ 444 |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities or other instruments (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund 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. The Fund is newly organized and, as of the date of the Prospectus, has not had any portfolio turnover.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest not less than 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. preferred stock, and in derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to such investments. The Fund considers an issuer of preferred stock to be in the U.S. if: (i) it is organized under the laws of, or maintains a principal place of business in, the U.S.; (ii) the principal
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trading market for its securities is in the U.S.; or (iii) during its most recent fiscal year, it derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the U.S., or has at least 50% of its assets in the U.S.
Preferred stock are a class of equity security that typically pay fixed or floating dividends to investors and have “preference” over common stock (but are subordinated to bonds), in that the company issuing the preferred and common stock must pay dividends to preferred stockholders before common stockholders, and, in the event of a bankruptcy or liquidation of the company’s assets, must put the claims of the preferred stockholders ahead of the claims of the common stockholders. The Fund’s portfolio will primarily consist of preferred stock issued by companies with market capitalizations of over $100 million, which may include small and mid-capitalization companies.
Although preferred stock represent an ownership interest in a company, preferred stockholders usually have no voting rights with respect to corporate matters of the issuer. Instead, preferred stock typically have rights and characteristics similar to debt instruments. The Fund may invest in all types of preferred stock, including, without limitation, floating and fixed-rate preferred stock, callable preferred stock, cumulative and non-cumulative preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and depositary preferred stock. Certain preferred stock may have call provisions, which entitle the issuer to redeem the stock at a predetermined price (i.e., the “call price”) after a specified date.
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s sub-adviser (the “ Sub-Adviser ”), may purchase and write put and call options in an effort to generate additional income and reduce volatility in the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser may also purchase and write put and call options in an effort to hedge against market or other risks in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund will also borrow from banks for investment purposes generally in an amount between 15% and 25% of its net assets, although it may borrow an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ 1940 Act ”). The use of borrowings to purchase additional investments is known as leverage.
The Sub-Adviser actively manages the Fund’s assets pursuant to a variety of quantitative, qualitative and relative valuation factors. The Sub-Adviser will typically evaluate potential investments with respect to certain key variables that the Sub-Adviser believes make a business successful over time, including, without limitation, a company’s competitive position, its perceived ability to earn a high return on capital, the historical and projected stability and reliability of its profits, its anticipated ability to generate cash in excess of its growth needs and its access to additional capital. In addition, when selecting preferred stock that are subject to a call provision, the Sub-Adviser generally seeks to underweight or eliminate those that trade above the call price and exhibit a low or negative yield-to-call (i.e., the rate of return that an investor would earn if the preferred stock was held until its call date).
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund can.
An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risks; therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in meeting its investment objective. Generally, the Fund will be subject to the following principal risks:
Authorized Participant Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants, none of which are obligated to engage in creation or redemption transactions. To the extent these Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to process creation and/or redemption orders, in either of these cases, Shares of the Fund may trade like closed-end fund shares at a discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and possibly face delisting.
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares . Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by those brokers. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell
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Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may significantly reduce investment results, and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Fluctuation of NAV; Unit Premiums and Discounts . The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV and supply and demand of Shares on the Exchange or any other exchange on which Shares are traded. It cannot be predicted whether 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 Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of the Fund trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the Shares during periods of market volatility. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to the Fund’s NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions and/or market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. 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 that are in addition to any losses caused by a decrease in NAV.
Leverage Risk. Leverage is investment exposure which exceeds the initial amount invested. When the Fund borrows money for investment purposes, or when the Fund engages in certain derivative transactions, such as options, the Fund may become leveraged. The loss on a leveraged derivative instruments may far exceed the Fund’s principal amount invested. Leverage can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses and therefore increase its volatility. The Fund cannot guarantee that the use of leverage will produce increased income or a higher return on an investment. The Fund will segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover transactions that may give rise to leverage to the extent required by the 1940 Act. This requirement limits the amount of leverage the Fund may have at any one time, but it does not eliminate leverage risk. The use of leverage may result in the Fund having to liquidate holdings when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its borrowing obligations or to meet segregation requirements. To the extent that the Fund borrows money from banks for investment purposes, the Fund will be required to pay interest on the loan, which is not a covered expense under the Fund’s unified fee, and will therefore increase expenses and reduce returns. The Fund’s bank loans may charge variable rate interest, which means that if interest rates rise, the Fund’s interest expense will increase.
Market Risk. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets that are generally beyond the Fund’s control, including the quality of the Fund’s investments, economic conditions, adverse investor sentiment, poor management decisions, lower demand for a company’s goods or services and general equity market conditions. In a declining market, the prices for all securities (including those in the Fund’s portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects. Security values tend to move in cycles, with periods when securities markets generally rise and periods when they generally decline. During a “flash crash,” the market prices of the Fund’s Shares may decline suddenly and significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio securities held by the Fund. Flash crashes may cause Authorized Participants and other market makers to limit or cease trading in the Fund’s Shares for temporary or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent that they sell Shares at these temporarily low market prices.
Management Risk. Because the Fund is actively managed, an investment in the Fund is subject to the risk that the investment process, techniques and risk analyses applied by the Sub-Adviser will not produce the desired results, and that the Fund’s investments may underperform the market or applicable benchmarks. The NAV of the Fund’s Shares changes daily based on the performance of the securities and other instruments in which it invests. Different types of securities and other instruments tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. There is no guarantee that the Sub-Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness or value of, or potential income from, particular investments will be correct or produce the desired results. If the Sub-Adviser fails to accurately judge potential investments, the Fund’s share price may be adversely affected.
Options Risk. The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, a covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the
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underlying security, currency, commodity, interest rate, index or other asset (each referred to as an underlying asset) above the exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying asset decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying asset at the exercise price or provide the cash settlement amount. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying asset, in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the case of a call, remains less than or equal to the exercise price, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular underlying asset is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related asset, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related asset. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options market, the Fund may be unable to close out an option position. If the Sub-Adviser applies a hedge in the Fund’s portfolio at an inappropriate time or judges market movements incorrectly, options strategies may lower the Fund’s return.
Preferred Stock Risk . There are special risks associated with investing in preferred stock, including:
Deferral and Omission . Preferred stock may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer or omit distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred stock that is deferring or omitting its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income.
Subordination . Preferred stock are generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of having priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments.
Liquidity . Preferred stock may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities.
Limited Voting Rights . Generally, traditional preferred stock offer no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred stockholders may elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred stockholders no longer have voting rights. In the case of hybrid-preferred stock, holders generally have no voting rights.
Special Redemption Rights . In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred stock may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred stock, a redemption may be triggered by certain changes in Federal income tax or securities laws. As with call provisions, a special redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. Investing in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally involves greater risk than investing in larger, more established companies. The securities of small and medium capitalization companies usually have more limited marketability and therefore may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general. Because small and medium capitalization companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger companies, it may be more difficult to buy or sell significant amounts of their shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Small and medium capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources and lack management depth, making them more susceptible to market pressures. Small and medium capitalization companies are typically subject to greater changes in earnings and business prospects than larger, more established companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may be particularly affected by interest rate increases, as they may find it more difficult to borrow money to continue or expand operations, or may have difficulty in repaying any loans which are floating rate. The foregoing risks are generally increased for smaller capitalization companies as compared to companies with larger capitalizations.
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No Assurance of Active Trading Market. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund. Further, market makers (other than lead market makers) have no obligation to make markets in the Fund’s shares and may discontinue doing so at any time without notice. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.
Non-Diversified Fund Risk. The Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
The Fund is new and therefore does not have a performance history for a full calendar year. Performance information for the Fund will be provided once it has annual returns for a full calendar year. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Virtus ETF Advisers LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser (the “ Adviser ”). ETFis Series Trust I (the “ Trust ”) and the Adviser have engaged Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC as the Fund’s sub-adviser (the “ Sub-Adviser ”) to manage the Fund’s investments, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board ”).
Jay D. Hatfield, co-founder and president of the Sub-Adviser, and Edward F. Ryan, co-founder, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer and chief operating officer of the Sub-Adviser, are the Fund’s portfolio managers and have served in such positions since the inception of the Fund’s operations.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Unlike conventional investment companies, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in blocks of 50,000 Shares or whole multiples thereof (“ Creation Units ”). The Fund’s Creation Units may be issued and redeemed, principally in-kind for securities included in the Fund, only by certain large institutions, referred to as “ Authorized Participants ,” that enter into agreements with the Fund’s principal underwriter. Retail investors may acquire and sell Shares only on the Exchange through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Exchange at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
The Fund’s distributions generally are taxed as ordinary income, capital gains or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA, in which case your distributions generally will be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from such account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Objective. The investment objective of the Fund may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ notice to the shareholders. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective.
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Investments. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ notice to the shareholders.
While the Fund’s primary focus is investment in preferred stock, the Fund has flexibility to invest in other types of securities, including, without limitation, real estate investment trusts (“ REITs ”), master limited partnerships (“ MLPs ”), exchange-traded products (“ ETPs ”), common stock and cash or cash equivalents, such as money market instruments. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in short positions on ETPs and other securities, including preferred and common stock. Please see the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “ SAI ”) for additional information about the securities and investment strategies described in this prospectus and about additional securities and investment strategies that may be used by the Fund.
Additional Information Regarding the Fund’s Investment Risks. In addition to the Fund’s principal investment risks, an investment in the Fund is also subject to the following risks:
Early Closing Risk. An unanticipated early closing of the Exchange may result in a shareholder’s inability to buy or sell Shares of the Fund on that day.
Risks Related to Investments in ETPs. Through its positions in other ETPs, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicles’ investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments tracked by an ETP could decrease (or increase). In addition, certain ETPs may track common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits. To the extent that the Fund invests in other ETPs, your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in other ETPs. By investing in the Fund, you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by underlying ETPs, in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Furthermore, the market value of an ETP’s shares may differ from its NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETP shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when an ETP trades at a premium (creating the risk that the Fund pays more than NAV for an ETP when making a purchase) or discount (creating the risks that the Fund’s NAV is reduced for undervalued ETPs it holds, and that the Fund receives less than NAV when selling an ETP).
Fund Shares Liquidity Risk. Trading in Shares of the Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. During stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may be less than the liquidity of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, which may be significantly less than the liquidity of other ETFs.
MLP Risk. Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between the MLP and the MLP’s general partner and cash flow risks. MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by macroeconomic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the energy infrastructure sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units of individual MLPs and other equity securities also can be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings power and coverage ratios.
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MLP Tax Risk . MLPs taxed as partnerships generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner is allocated a share of the MLP’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses. A change in current tax law, or a change in the underlying business mix of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which would result in such MLP being required to pay U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income. The classification of an MLP as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by the Fund were treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it could result in a reduction in the value of your investment in the Fund and lower income.
MLPs taxed as partnerships file a partnership tax return for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes and communicate to each investor in such MLP the investor’s allocable share of the MLP’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses via a “Schedule K-1.” Each year, the Fund will send you an annual tax statement (Form 1099) to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. An MLP might need to amend its partnership tax return and, in turn, send amended Schedules K-1 to investors in the MLP, such as the Fund. When necessary, the Fund will send you a corrected Form 1099 to reflect Schedule K-1 information reclassified by an MLP, which could, in turn, require you to amend your federal, state or local tax returns.
Historically, MLPs have been able to offset a significant portion of their taxable income with tax deductions, including depreciation and amortization expense deductions. The law could change to eliminate or reduce such tax deductions, which ultimately shelter the recognition of taxable income by the Fund. The elimination or reduction of such tax benefits could significantly reduce the value of the MLPs held by the Fund, which would similarly reduce the Fund’s NAV. Additionally, the Fund could consequently be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes on a greater portion of the amount of the distributions it receives from the MLPs, which would reduce the amount the Fund can distribute to shareholders and could increase the percentage of Fund distributions treated as dividends instead of tax advantaged return of capital.
Depreciation or other cost recovery deductions passed through to the Fund from investments in MLPs taxed as partnerships in a given year generally will reduce the Fund’s taxable income (and earnings and profits), but those deductions may be recaptured in the Fund’s taxable income (and earnings and profits) in subsequent years when the MLPs dispose of their assets or when the Fund disposes of its interests in the MLPs. When deductions are recaptured, distributions to the Fund’s shareholders may be taxable, even though the shareholders at the time of the distribution might not have held shares in the Fund at the time the deductions were taken by the Fund, and even though the Fund’s shareholders at the time of the distribution will not have corresponding economic gain on their shares at the time of the distribution.
The portion of the distributions received by the Fund each year that is considered a return of capital from the MLPs taxed as partnerships will not be known until the Fund receives a Schedule K-1 for that year with respect to certain of its MLP investments. The Fund’s tax liability will not be known until the Fund completes its annual tax return. The Fund’s tax estimates could vary substantially from the actual liability and therefore the determination of the Fund’s actual tax liability may have a material impact on the Fund’s NAV. The payment of corporate income taxes imposed on the Fund will decrease cash available for distribution to shareholders.
REIT Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that the value of stocks of REITs will decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Such a decline could be precipitated by, among other things, general economic decline, deterioration in the real estate rental market, declines in real estate property demand, changes in interest rates, declines in the availability of real estate financing, increases in borrower defaults, overbuilding, or other developments that reduce credit and cash positions of REITs and REIT operators on a local, regional or national level. REITs may also be adversely affected by poor management, failure to quality as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”), environmental problems, property tax increases or changes in federal, state or local regulations.
Redeeming Risk. Shares in the Fund may be redeemed only in Creation Units. Shares may not be redeemed in fractional Creation Units. Only Authorized Participants are authorized to transact in Creation Units with the Fund. All other persons or entities transacting in Shares must do so in the secondary market.
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Short Position Risk. Because the Fund’s potential loss on a short position arises from increases in the value of the asset sold short, the Fund will incur a loss on a short position, which is theoretically unlimited, if the price of the asset sold short increases from the short sale price. The counterparty to a short position or other market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at a desirable time or price and may reduce or eliminate any gain or result in a loss. In a rising market, the Fund’s short positions will cause the Fund to underperform the overall market and its peers that do not engage in short sales. If the Fund holds both long and short positions, and both positions decline simultaneously, the short positions will not provide any buffer (hedge) from declines in value of the Fund’s long positions. Certain types of short positions involve leverage, which may exaggerate any losses, potentially more than the actual cost of the investment, and will increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns.
Temporary Defensive Positions. In certain adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies. At such times, the Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Fund’s investment restrictions, shares of other investment companies, including money market funds. Under such circumstances, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in these investments and may do so for extended periods of time. To the extent that the Fund invests in money market instruments or other investment companies, shareholders of the Fund would indirectly pay both the Fund’s expenses and the expenses relating to those other investment companies with respect to the Fund’s assets invested in such investment companies. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed on the Fund’s website (www.virtusetfs.com) daily after the close of trading on the Exchange and prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange the following day.
The Fund’s investment adviser is Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. The Adviser was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in August 2013 and, since April 2015, has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Virtus Partners, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (ticker: VRTS) (together with its affiliates, “ Virtus ”). Virtus is a public company that operates a multi-manager asset management business and has substantial experience in the investment management and investment company industries. As of September 30, 2017, on a collective basis, Virtus-affiliated registered investment advisers manage approximately $90.6 billion in assets.
The Adviser has served as the Fund’s investment adviser since inception of the Fund’s operations pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for the oversight and management of all service providers to the Trust. The Adviser has engaged the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board, and will oversee the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the ETF exemptive order issued to the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser also assists with: (a) non-advisory operations of the Fund, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information, (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities, and (e) maintaining certain of the Fund’s records.
Adviser Compensation. The Adviser receives a monthly advisory fee from the Fund at the annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”). The Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this Prospectus. The Advisory Fee is structured as a “unified fee.” The Adviser has delegated to the Sub-Adviser the obligation to pay all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for the following expenses, each of which is paid by the Fund: the Advisory Fee; payments under any 12b-1 plan; taxes and other governmental fees; brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses; interest and other costs of borrowing; litigation or arbitration expenses; acquired fund fees and expenses; and extraordinary or other non-routine expenses of the Fund.
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The Fund’s sub-adviser is Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10019. The Sub-Adviser serves in that capacity pursuant to a sub-advisory contract (the “ Sub-Advisory Agreement ”) with the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Fund as approved by the Board. The Sub-Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund and selects broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, subject to the Sub-Adviser’s best execution obligations and the Trust’s and the Sub-Adviser’s brokerage policies. The Adviser, however, will continue to have overall responsibility for the management and investment of the assets and responsibility for all advisory services furnished by the Sub-Adviser, and will supervise the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties for the Fund pursuant to written policies and procedures designed to prevent violations of applicable laws and regulations, Board procedures, and the provisions of the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, as supplemented from time to time.
The Sub-Adviser was organized as a New York limited liability company in January 2012. The Sub-Adviser has served as the sub-adviser of the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Jay D. Hatfield, its co-founder and president. Mr. Hatfield has been managing investments for clients, including private investment funds, since 2001. As of May 31, 2017 , the Sub-Adviser had approximately $500 million in assets under management.
Sub-Adviser Compensation. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser out of the Advisory Fee it receives from the Fund. The Adviser retains a portion of the Advisory Fee equal to an annualized rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, and the remainder of the Advisory Fee is paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser as full compensation for its services. The Sub-Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this Prospectus.
Disclosure Regarding Advisory Agreement Approval. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s most recent approval of the investment advisory agreement and investment sub-advisory agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report. You may obtain a copy of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, without charge, upon request to the Fund.
The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Adviser, subject to certain conditions, to enter into new sub-advisory agreements with affiliated or unaffiliated sub-advisers on behalf of the Fund without shareholder approval. The exemptive relief also permits material amendments to existing sub-advisory agreements with affiliated or unaffiliated sub-advisers (including the Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser) without shareholder approval. Under this structure, the Adviser has ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee such sub-advisers and recommend to the Board their hiring, termination, and replacement. The structure does not permit investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to be increased without shareholder approval, or change the Adviser’s obligations under the investment advisory agreement, including the Adviser’s responsibility to monitor and oversee sub-advisory services furnished to the Fund.
Jay D. Hatfield, co-founder and president of the Sub-Adviser, and Edward F. Ryan, co-founder, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer and chief operating officer of the Sub-Adviser, have served as portfolio managers for the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
Mr. Hatfield is the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Capital Management, LLC (“ ICM ”), a private investment company that he founded in 2002.
Prior to founding ICM, Mr. Hatfield was a portfolio manager with SAC Capital Advisors, where he managed a $500 million infrastructure fund focused on investing in credit instruments and infrastructure-related equities. Before joining SAC, Mr. Hatfield was a Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income Research at Zimmer Lucas Partners, where he was responsible for directing research for credit funds, including infrastructure related equities in the energy and utility sectors. Mr. Hatfield began his investment banking career at Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., where he
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spent over 10 years as an investment banker advising clients in the utility, power and energy industries. Mr. Hatfield began his career as an auditor and consultant at Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young), where he was a Certified Public Accountant and consultant, auditing and providing consulting services to companies in the technology, biotechnology and retailing industries.
Mr. Hatfield has a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in Finance and graduated with distinction and as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Mr. Hatfield also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis.
Mr. Ryan is a co-founder, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and the Chief Operating Officer of the Sub-Adviser. Prior to co-founding the Sub-Adviser, Mr. Ryan was engaged in venture capital projects in the financial technology sector. Prior to his venture capital activities, he was founder and Managing Partner of Mansion Partners, LP, a private investment partnership focused on value stocks and special situations, which he ran for twelve years.
Before launching his own investment management business, Mr. Ryan was Vice President and Director of Ansbacher (Dublin) Asset Management, Ltd., where he was part of a small team managing investments in global equity and fixed income markets for an offshore investment company and U.S. trusts and foundations. His primary investment focus was on financially troubled utilities, REITs and banks and thrifts.
Prior to joining Ansbacher, he was an Investment Analyst and the Secretary/Treasurer at J. Rothschild Capital Management Corp., a unit of RIT Capital Partners plc. Mr. Ryan was a member of the team that launched the U.S. operation, where he evaluated U.S. investment opportunities and managed all corporate financial functions. Mr. Ryan began his career at The Bank of New York, where he was a Senior Industry Analyst specializing in the oil service industry.
Mr. Ryan has a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University with a concentration in finance. He also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Saint John’s University (MN).
Additional Information. Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of Shares of the Fund is available in the Fund’s SAI.
The Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 20, 2012. The Board supervises the operations of the Trust and the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.
Virtus ETF Solutions LLC (the “ Administrator ”), located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, serves as the Fund’s operational administrator. The Administrator supervises the overall administration of the Trust and the Fund including, among other responsibilities, the coordination and day-to-day oversight of the Fund’s operations, the service providers’ communications with the Fund and each other and assistance with Trust, Board and contractual matters related to the Fund and other series of the Trust. The Administrator also provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust.
accounting services administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon (“ BNY Mellon ”), located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007, directly and through its subsidiary companies, provides necessary administrative, accounting, tax and financial reporting for the
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maintenance and operations of the Trust as the Fund’s accounting services administrator. BNY Mellon also serves as the custodian for the Fund’s assets, and serves as transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Fund.
ETF Distributors LLC (the “ Distributor ”), located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and the Fund.
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, located at 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as counsel to the Trust and the Independent Trustees.
The Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Sub-Adviser. General Trust expenses that are allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund and other series of the Trust are done so on a basis that the Board deems fair and equitable, which may be on a basis of relative net assets of the Fund and other series of the Trust or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund and other series of the Trust.
The Board has adopted on behalf of the Fund 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 0.25% 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 current 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 may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
The Adviser 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.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
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 five decimal places.
The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by, and under the direction of, the Board. In determining the value of the Fund’s assets, portfolio securities are generally valued at market using quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotes or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information regarding recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities,
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quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Short-term investments having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining the NAV. The Fund normally uses third party pricing services to obtain market quotations.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or which cannot be accurately valued using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued by the Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Board. Fair value pricing may be used, for example, in situations where (i) portfolio securities, such as securities with small capitalizations, are so thinly traded that there have been no transactions for that security over an extended period of time; (ii) an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to change the value of the portfolio security prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation; (iii) the exchange on which the portfolio security is principally traded closes early; or (iv) trading of the particular portfolio security is halted during the day and does not resume prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation. Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board, the Adviser consults with BNY Mellon and the Sub-Adviser on a regular basis regarding the need for fair value pricing. The Fund’s policies regarding fair value pricing are intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects portfolio security values as of the time of pricing. A portfolio security’s “fair value” price may differ from the price next available for that portfolio security using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures, and the fair value price may differ substantially from the price at which the security may ultimately be traded or sold. If the fair value price differs from the price that would have been determined using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures, you may receive more or less proceeds or Shares from redemptions or purchases of Fund Shares, respectively, than you would have otherwise received if the portfolio security were priced using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures 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 performance of the Fund may also be affected if a portfolio security’s fair value price were to differ from the security’s price using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The Board monitors and evaluates the Fund’s use of fair value pricing, and periodically reviews the results of any fair valuation under the Trust’s policies.
To the extent the assets of the Fund are invested in other open-end investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs reported by such registered open-end investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
The NAV is determined as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day that the Exchange is open for business. Currently, the Exchange is closed on weekends and in recognition of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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 may not be calculated in the same manner as NAV, which is computed once per day.
The IIV for the Fund is calculated 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 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 Fund’s website at www.virtusetfs.com.
The IIV calculations are based on local market prices and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close, which could affect premiums and discounts between the IIV and the market price of the Fund’s shares. Although the Trust provides information used to calculate the IIV, the Trust is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Trust makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
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Information regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked the Fund’s NAV for the most recently completed calendar year and the most recently completed calendar quarters since that year will be available without charge on the Fund’s website.
The Board 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, 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 (and 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. The Fund also imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units that are designed to offset the Fund’s transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. 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 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’s Shares. 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.
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to shareholders. The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The Fund may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either an income dividend or a capital gains distribution. Distributions may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available.
Each year, you will receive an annual statement (Form 1099) of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Distributions declared in December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December. The Fund makes every effort to search for reclassified income to reduce the number of corrected forms mailed to you. However, when necessary, you will receive a corrected Form 1099 to reflect reclassified information.
At the time you purchase your Fund Shares, the price of Shares may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation in value of portfolio securities held by the Fund. For taxable investors, a subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying Shares in the Fund just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.”
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The Fund expects, based on its investment objective and strategies, that its distributions, if any, will be taxable as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund Shares or receive them in cash. For federal income tax purposes, Fund distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Fund distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains no matter how long you have owned your Shares. A portion of income dividends reported by a Fund may be qualified dividend income eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates provided certain holding period requirements are met.
A sale of Fund Shares is a taxable event and, accordingly, a capital gain or loss may be recognized. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund Shares generally is treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
TAX TREATMENT OF FUND SHAREHOLDERS
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from taxable dispositions of Fund Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Fund distributions and gains from the sale of your Fund Shares generally are subject to state and local taxes.
Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% or lower treaty rate and U.S. estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by the Fund. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on payments or distributions made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or nonfinancial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts: (a) income dividends and (b) after December 31, 2018, certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund Shares. Information about a shareholder in the Fund may be disclosed to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
By law, if you do not provide your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains or proceeds from the sale of your Shares. Withholding is also imposed if the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid.
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An Authorized Participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) at the time of purchase and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.
If the Fund redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
This discussion of “Federal Income Taxes” is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in the Fund. For additional information, see the “Taxation” section of the Statement of Additional Information.
FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust maintains a website for the Fund at www.virtusetfs.com. The website for the Fund contains the following information, on a per-Share basis, for the Fund: (i) the prior Business Day’s NAV; (ii) the reported midpoint of the bid-ask spread at the time of NAV calculation (the “ Bid-Ask Price ”); (iii) a calculation of the premium or discount of the Bid-Ask Price against such NAV; and (iv) 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 Exchange, the Trust will disclose on the Fund’s website 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 Trust’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 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 its 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.
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The Fund is newly organized and therefore has not yet had any operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
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FACTS | WHAT DOES ETFIS SERIES TRUST I DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | |||
Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | |||
What? |
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
▪ Social Security number
▪ Assets
▪ Retirement Assets
▪ Transaction History
▪ Checking Account Information
▪ Purchase History
▪ Account Balances
▪ Account Transactions
▪ Wire Transfer Instructions
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
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How? | All financial companies need to share your personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons ETFis Series Trust I chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. | |||
Reasons we can share your personal information | Does ETFis Series Trust I share? | Can you limit this sharing? | ||
For our everyday business purposes – Such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus |
Yes | No | ||
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you |
No | We don’t share | ||
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We don’t share | ||
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences |
No | We don’t share | ||
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
No | We don’t share | ||
For non-affiliates to market to you | No | We don’t share | ||
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Questions? | Call (212) 593-4383 | |||
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Page 2 |
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Who we are | |
Who is providing this notice? | ETFis Series Trust I |
What we do | |
How
does ETFis Series Trust I
protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
How
does ETFis Series Trust I
collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
▪ Open an account
▪ Provide account information
▪ Give us your contact information
▪ Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
▪ Make a wire transfer
▪ Tell us where to send the money
▪ Show your government-issued ID
▪ Show your driver’s license
We also collect your personal information from other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only: ▪ Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness
▪ Affiliates from using your information to market to you
▪ Sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
Definitions | |
Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
▪ Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, the investment adviser to ETFis Series Trust I, ETF Distributors LLC, the principal underwriter for ETFis Series Trust I, and Virtus ETF Solutions LLC, the operational administrator for ETFis Series Trust I, could each be deemed to be an affiliate.
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Non-affiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
▪ ETFis Series Trust I does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
|
Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
▪ ETFis Series Trust I does not jointly market. |
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If you would like more information about the Trust, the Fund or the Shares, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. Once available, you will find in the Fund’s annual report a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the prior 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).
To receive a free copy of the Fund’s SAI, annual and semi-annual reports or other information about the Fund, or to make inquiries about the Fund, please call the Fund toll-free at (888) 383-0553. You can also access and download the SAI and the most recent annual and semi-annual reports without charge at the Fund’s website at www.virtusetfs.com or by written request to the Fund at the address below.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries :
By telephone: | (888) 383-0553 |
By mail: | ETFis Series Trust I |
1540 Broadway | |
New York, NY 10036 | |
On the Internet | SEC Edgar database: http://www.sec.gov; or www.virtusetfs.com |
Only one copy of a Prospectus or an annual or semi-annual report will be sent to each household address. This process, known as “householding,” is used for most required shareholder mailings. (It does not apply to confirmations of transactions and account statements, however.) You may, of course, request an additional copy of a Prospectus or an annual or semi-annual report at any time by calling or writing the Fund. You may also request that householding be eliminated from all your required mailings.
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. 20549-1520 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. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Fund or its Shares not contained in this Prospectus, and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep this 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.
ETFis Series Trust I: Investment Company Act file number 811-22819
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Virtus INFRACAP U.S. PREFERRED STOCK ETF (PFFA)
November 21, 2017
a series of
ETFis Series Trust I
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: (888) 383-0553
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Statement of Additional Information (“ SAI ”) is meant to be read in conjunction with the prospectus (“ Prospectus ”) for the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (Ticker: PFFA) (the “ Fund ”), a series of ETFis Series Trust I (the “ Trust ”), dated the same date as this SAI, which incorporates this SAI by reference in its entirety. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained at no charge by writing or calling the Fund at the address or phone number shown above. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. 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.
Audited financial statements are not presented for the Fund since the Fund is newly formed and had not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. Once available, you may obtain a copy of the Fund’s annual report at no charge by request to the Fund at the address or phone number noted below.
A copy of the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained, without charge, by calling (888) 383-0553 or visiting www.virtusetfs.com, or writing to the Trust, c/o ETF Distributors LLC, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND
ETFis Series Trust I (the “ Trust ”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 20, 2012 and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ 1940 Act ”). The Trust currently consists of 11 investment portfolios: the Fund; Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF (Ticker: VGFO); Virtus Glovista Emerging Markets ETF (Ticker: EMEM), InfraCap MLP ETF (Ticker: AMZA); InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (Ticker: PFFR); Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (Ticker: BBP); Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (Ticker: BBC); Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF (Ticker: NFLT); Reaves Utilities ETF (Ticker: UTES); Virtus Cumberland Municipal Bond ETF (Ticker: CUMB); and iSectors Post-MPT Growth ETF (Ticker: PMPT). Other portfolios may be added to the Trust in the future. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act. 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 (the “ Securities Act ”).
The Fund’s investment adviser is Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (the “ Adviser ”). The Adviser has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since October 2013. The Fund’s sub-adviser is Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (the “ Sub-Adviser ”). The Sub-Adviser has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since June 2014.
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 ”), generally in exchange for cash or a basket of equity securities included in the Fund’s portfolio (the “ Deposit Securities ”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “ Cash Component ”). Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units and, generally, in exchange for Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares of the Fund and are available only to certain large institutions, referred to as “ Authorized Participants ,” that enter into agreements with ETF Distributors LLC (the “ Distributor ”). In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
FUND NAME AND INVESTMENT POLICY. The Fund has a name that suggests a focus on a particular type of investment. In accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a policy that it will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its assets in U.S. preferred stock (the “Names Rule Policy”). For this Names Rule Policy, “assets” means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. In addition, in appropriate circumstance, synthetic investments may be included in the 80% basket of the Names Rule Policy if they have economic characteristics similar to the other investments included in the basket. The Fund will also consider the holdings of any ETF in which it invests when determining compliance with the Fund’s Names Rule Policy. The Fund’s Names Rule Policy is not a “fundamental” policy, which means that it may be changed without a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares as defined in the 1940 Act. However, under Rule 35d-1, shareholders must be given notice at least 60 days prior to any change by the Fund of its Names Rule Policy.
Fund Shares trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “ Exchange ”) at market prices that may be below, at or above NAV. 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 if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of Fund Shares, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (ii) the intra-day NAV of the Fund is no longer calculated or available, or (iii) any other event occurs or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon 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.
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The following policies supplement the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in the Prospectus for the Fund.
GENERAL INVESTMENT RISKS. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and its risks in this SAI and the Prospectus.
Borrowing. The Fund may, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, borrow money from banks for investment purposes or as a temporary measure. For example, the Fund may borrow money to meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. In the event the Fund should ever borrow money under these conditions, such borrowing could increase the Fund’s costs and thus reduce the value of the Fund’s assets. The 1940 Act presently allows the Fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) provided that, immediately after any such borrowing, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all such borrowings, and provided further that, in the event that the Fund’s asset coverage at any time falls below 300%, the Fund reduces its existing borrowings (within three days, excluding Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the foregoing limitation.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in securities convertible into common stock if, for example, the Fund believes that a company’s convertible securities are undervalued in the market. Convertible securities eligible for purchase by the Fund include convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks and warrants. Convertible securities are subject to risks associated with the performance of the company underlying the securities, as well as the underlying instruments.
Derivative Instruments. The Fund will comply with and adhere to all limitations on the manner and extent to which it effects transactions in derivative instruments (including futures and options on such futures) imposed by the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to the issuance of senior securities. Additionally, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “ CEA ”). Therefore, the Fund is not subject to regulation or registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
Recent legal and regulatory changes, and additional legal and regulatory changes in the future, may substantially affect over-the-counter derivatives markets, and such changes may impact the Fund’s use of such instruments. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.
Options. The Fund may write call and put options on securities, ETFs or security indexes to seek income or may purchase or write put or call options for hedging purposes. Although not required to do so, the Fund will typically write a call option only if the option is “covered” by the Fund holding a position in the underlying securities or by other means which would permit immediate satisfaction of the Fund’s obligation as writer of the option. The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, a covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying securities above the exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying securities at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security, in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the case of a call, remains less than or equal to the exercise price, the Fund will lose its
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entire investment in the option. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options market, the Fund may be unable to close out a position.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a bilateral agreement to buy or sell a security (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contracts) for a set price in the future. Futures contracts are designated by boards of trade that have been designated “contracts markets” by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”). No purchase price is paid or received when the contract is entered into. Instead, the Fund, upon entering into a futures contract (and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts), would be required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures commission merchant (“FCM”) an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments or liquid, high-grade fixed income securities, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. By using futures contracts as a risk management technique, given the greater liquidity in the futures market than in the cash market, it may be possible to accomplish certain results more quickly and with lower transaction costs.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the FCM will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the FCM will pay the excess to the Fund. These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the FCM, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to market.” When the futures contract is closed out, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, then the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, then the full margin amount and the amount of the gain are paid to the Fund and the FCM pays the Fund any excess gain over the margin amount.
There is a risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a futures contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty.
The Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases and sell futures contracts, and margin deposits must be maintained at all times when a futures contract is outstanding. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a gain or a loss. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, it will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.
While futures positions taken by the Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing organization associated with the exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing out transactions and guarantees that, as between the clearing members of an exchange, the sale and purchase obligations will be performed with regard to all positions that remain open at the termination of the contract. If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures contract position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments.
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Securities Index Futures Contracts . Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts may be used in an attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in securities prices. A securities index futures contract does not require the physical delivery of securities, but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contract’s expiration date, a final cash settlement occurs, and the futures positions are simply closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of securities on which the future is based.
By establishing an appropriate “short” position in an index future, the Fund may also seek to protect the value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for the securities on which the future is based. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, the Fund can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a “long” position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are in fact acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, the Fund will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case.
Limitations on Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts . Futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain risks. If the Sub-Adviser applies a hedge in the Fund’s portfolio at an inappropriate time or judges market movements incorrectly, futures strategies may lower the Fund’s return. The Fund could also experience losses if the prices of its futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market.
In general, the Fund will not purchase or sell futures contracts unless either (i) the futures contracts are purchased for “bona fide hedging” purposes (as defined under the CFTC regulations); or (ii) if purchased for other purposes, (A) the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits and premiums required to establish such positions on the Fund’s existing futures would not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio or (B) the aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options contracts, or swaps positions determined at the time the most recent position was established does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions it has entered into.
In instances involving the purchase of futures contracts, the Fund will deposit in a segregated account with its custodian an amount of cash, cash equivalents and/or appropriate securities equal to the cost of such futures contracts, to the extent that such deposits are required under the 1940 Act.
Additional Information Regarding Leverage. Certain derivatives involve leverage; that is, the amount invested may be less than the full economic exposure of the derivative instrument, and the Fund could lose more than the amount invested. Federal securities laws, regulations and guidance may require the Fund to segregate assets or to otherwise hold instruments that offset the Fund’s current obligations under the derivative instrument. This process is known as “cover.” The Fund will not enter into any derivative transaction unless it can comply with guidance from the SEC regarding cover, and, if SEC guidance so requires, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least sufficient to cover its current obligations under the derivative transaction or otherwise “cover” the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. If a large portion of the Fund’s assets is used for cover, it could affect portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The leverage involved in certain derivative transactions may result in the Fund’s NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment. To the extent the Fund writes put and call options, the Fund will “cover” its obligations in accordance with applicable SEC guidance.
EQUITY SECURITIES.
Direct and Indirect Common Stock. The Fund may invest in equity securities, both directly and indirectly through investments in shares of ETFs and other investment companies, American Depositary Receipts (“ ADRs ”) and other types of securities and instruments described in this SAI and in the Prospectus. The equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio may include common stocks traded on domestic or foreign securities exchanges or on the over-the-counter market. In addition to common stocks, the equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio may also include preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible bonds and other equity securities. Prices of equity securities in which the Fund may invest may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates and
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specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all equity securities, which could also result in losses for the Fund. Market declines may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of equity securities will decline.
Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”). The Fund may invest in (or sell short) exchange-traded funds (“ ETFs ”), exchange-traded notes (“ ETNs ”) and other ETPs. The shares of an ETF may be assembled in a block (typically 50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s NAV) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. The Fund’s ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act, which provides that the ETFs will not be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. ETPs other than ETFs are issued in shares or units, and trade on exchanges like ETFs.
There is a risk that the underlying ETPs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the service providers to the ETPs, such as the trustees or sponsors, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETPs. Also, because the ETPs in which the Fund invests may be granted licenses by agreement to use various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETPs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETP may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETP, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETP with a similar strategy, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETP would be available for investment at that time.
Investments in ETPs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in conventional registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds) that hold a portfolio of securities including, without limitation: (1) risks that the general level of security prices for the ETP’s investment strategy may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each share or unit of the ETP; (2) an index-based ETP may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETP and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or number of stocks held; and (3) an index-based ETP may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based.
In addition, ETPs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETP’s shares may trade at a discount to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETP’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) trading of an ETP’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; and (4) ETP shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade, or activation of “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) may halt trading temporarily. ETPs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors in which the ETP is designed to track or invest.
Investments in Companies with Business Related to Commodities. As explained under “Fundamental Restrictions” below, the Fund does not invest directly in commodities. However, the Fund may from time to time invest in securities of companies whose business is related to commodities, or in registered investment companies or other companies that invest directly or indirectly in commodities. For example, the Fund may invest in companies whose business is related to mining of precious or other metals (e.g., gold, silver, etc.) or registered investment companies or publicly or privately traded companies that invest in securities of mining companies and related instruments (including, without limitation, the underlying commodities). Investments in equity securities of companies involved in mining or related precious metals industries, and the value of the investment companies and other companies that invest in precious metals and other commodities are subject to a number of risks. For example, the prices of precious metals or other commodities can make sharp movement, up or down, in response to cyclical economic conditions, political events or the monetary policies of various countries, any of which may adversely affect the value of companies who business is related to such commodities, or the value of investment companies and other companies investing in such business or commodities. Furthermore, such companies are subject to risks related to fluctuations of prices and perceptions of value in commodities markets generally.
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Money Market Funds . In order to maintain sufficient liquidity, for cash management purposes, or to implement investment strategies, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in shares of one or more money market funds. Generally, money market funds are registered investment companies that seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity by investing primarily in high quality money market instruments, including, without limitation, U.S. government obligations, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company or any other governmental agency, entity or person. While investor losses in money market funds have been rare, they are possible. In addition, the Fund will incur additional indirect expenses to the extent it invests in shares of money market funds due to acquired fund fees and other costs.
Other Investment Companies. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (ETFs or other investment companies) if, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the ETF’s or investment company’s total outstanding stock (“ 3% Limitation ”). Accordingly, the Fund is subject to the 3% Limitation unless (i) the ETF or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such exemptive orders to numerous ETFs and their investment advisers, which permit investment companies to invest in such ETFs (“ Exempted ETFs ”) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including, without limitation, that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Exempted ETF.
To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to certain ETFs, that limitation may prevent the Fund from allocating its investments in the manner that the Sub-Adviser considers optimal, or cause the Sub-Adviser to select a similar basket of stocks (pre-selected groups of securities related by index or sector made available through certain brokers at a discount brokerage rate) (“ Stock Baskets ”) or a similar index-based mutual fund or other investment company as an alternative. The Fund’s investments in other investment companies will be subject to the same 3% Limitation described above.
Under the 1940 Act, to the extent that a fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) in purchasing securities issued by another investment company, the fund must either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to its investment in such securities (ETFs and other investment companies) and vote such proxies only in accordance with the instructions, or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the securities. In the event that there is a vote of ETF or other investment company shares held by the Fund, the Fund intends to vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including, without limitation, dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock. Preferred stocks may include the obligation to pay a stated dividend. The price of preferred stocks could depend more on the size of the dividend than on the company’s performance. If a company fails to pay the dividend, its preferred stock is likely to drop in price. Changes in interest rates can also affect the price of preferred stock.
Real Estate Securities. The Fund will not invest directly in real estate, but may invest in readily marketable securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. The Fund may also invest in readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts (“ REITs ”). REITs are generally publicly traded on national stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including, without limitation, risks related to changes in interest rates, possible declines in the value of and demand for real estate, adverse general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding in a given market and environmental problems.
The Fund may invest in global real estate companies outside the U.S. These companies include, but are not limited to, companies with similar characteristics to a REIT structure, in which revenue consists primarily of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties, dividend distributions as a percentage of taxable net income
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are high (generally greater than 80%), debt levels are generally conservative and income derived from development activities is generally limited.
Mortgage REITs. Mortgage REITs lend money to developers and owners of properties and invest primarily in mortgages and similar real estate interests. Mortgage REITs receive interest payments from the owners of the mortgaged properties. Accordingly, mortgage REITs are subject to the credit risk of the borrowers to whom they extend funds. Credit risk is the risk that the borrower will not be able to make interest and principal payments on the loan to the REIT when they are due. Mortgage REITs also are subject to the risk that the value of mortgaged properties may be less than the amounts owed on the properties. If a mortgage REIT is required to foreclose on a borrower, the amount recovered in connection with the foreclosure may be less than the amount owed to the mortgage REIT.
Mortgage REITs are subject to significant interest rate risk. During periods when interest rates are declining, mortgages are often refinanced or prepaid. Refinancing or prepayment of mortgages may reduce the yield of mortgage REITs. When interest rates decline, however, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. In addition, rising interest rates generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of a mortgage REIT’s investments to decline. A REIT’s investment in adjustable rate obligations may react differently to interest rate changes than an investment in fixed rate obligations. As interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investment in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Mortgage REITs typically use leverage (and in many cases, may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and could adversely affect a REIT’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates, increased interest rate volatility, downturns in the economy and reductions in the availability of financing or deterioration in the conditions of the REIT’s mortgage-related assets.
Equity REITs. Certain REITs may make direct investments in real estate. These REITs are often referred to as “Equity REITs.” Equity REITs invest primarily in real properties and earn rental income from leasing those properties. Equity REITs may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. A decline in rental income may occur because of extended vacancies, limitations on rents, the failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties or poor management. Equity REITs also can be affected by rising interest rates. Rising interest rates may cause investors to demand a high annual yield from future distributions that, in turn, could decrease the market prices for such REITs. In addition, rising interest rates also increase the costs of obtaining financing for real estate projects. Because many real estate projects are dependent upon receiving financing, this could cause the value of the Equity REITs in which the Fund invests to decline.
Warrants and Rights. Warrants are essentially options to purchase equity securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants but generally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, and receive no dividends, with respect to the equity interests underlying warrants or rights, and will have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer, until the warrant or right is exercised. Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including, without limitation, the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant or right can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant or right may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in foreign equity securities traded on U.S. exchanges, in over-the-counter markets or in the form of ADRs described below. The Fund may also invest in foreign currency and foreign currency-denominated securities. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. The value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S.
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dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding an issuer’s financial condition and operations. Some foreign countries impose conditions and restrictions on foreigners’ ownership of interests in local issuers, including restricting ownership to certain classes of investment in an issuer, which may reduce potential investment returns and impair disposition of those investments. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than those applicable to domestic custodial arrangements and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign issuers, brokers and securities markets may be subject to less government supervision. Foreign securities trading practices, including those involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries because of inconsistent legal interpretations or less defined legal and regulatory provisions or because of corruption or influence on local courts.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars or other governmental intervention. There may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises and securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit and taxing power of the foreign government. Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political, economic or social instability, military action or unrest or adverse diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Sub-Adviser will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their effects.
Depositary Receipts. American Depositary Receipts (“ ADRs ”) provide a method whereby the Fund may invest in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities, and may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that participates in a sponsored program. Generally, ADRs are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and are denominated in U.S. dollars, while the underlying securities of the ADRs in the Fund’s portfolio are usually denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect the value of the ADR and, therefore, the value of the Fund’s portfolio, either positively or negatively (i.e., foreign currency risk). In addition to foreign currency risk, ADRs present certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include political, economic or legal developments in the company’s home country (including war or other instability, expropriation of assets, nationalization and confiscatory taxation), withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments or capital transactions or other restrictions. In addition, although the ADRs in which the Fund invests are listed on major U.S. exchanges, there can be no assurance that a market for these securities will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. If that happens, the Fund may have difficulty selling securities, or selling them quickly and efficiently at the prices at which they have been valued.
The Fund may also invest in Global Depositary Receipts (“ GDRs ”) and European Depositary Receipts (“ EDRs ”). GDRs are receipts for shares in a foreign-based corporation traded in capital markets around the world. While ADRs permit foreign corporations to offer shares to American citizens, GDRs allow companies in Europe, Asia, the United States and Latin American to offer shares in many markets around the world. EDRs are similar to ADRs and GDRs, except they are typically issued by European banks or trust companies, denominated in foreign currencies and designed for use outside the U.S. securities markets.
Emerging Market Securities. An “emerging market” is any country that the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations or its authorities has determined to have a low or middle income economy. Investing in emerging markets involves exposure to potentially unstable governments, the risk of nationalization of business, restrictions on foreign ownership, prohibitions on repatriation of assets and a system of laws that may offer
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less protection of property rights. Emerging market economies may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local and global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. The securities markets in emerging markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States and other developed countries. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by the Fund. A limited number of issuers in emerging markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in these countries may also affect the Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. The inability of the Fund to dispose fully and promptly of positions in declining markets would cause the Fund’s NAV to decline as the values of the unsold positions are marked to lower prices. In addition, these securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board ”), the Fund will determine the liquidity of its investments, which will be monitored by the Board pursuant to reports. In determining the liquidity of its investments, the Fund may consider various factors including, without limitation: (i) the frequency of trades and quotations; (ii) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; (iv) the nature of the security (including, without limitation, any demand or tender features); and (v) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including, without limitation, the ability to assign or offset the Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the investment). If through a change in values, net assets or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would seek to take appropriate steps to protect liquidity. An investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.
Within its limitations on investment in illiquid securities, the Fund may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws or in a registered public offering. Where registration for a restricted security held by the Fund is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense, and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33⅓% of its total assets to broker-dealers, major banks or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities which the Fund has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Board. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities, the Fund will consider relevant facts and circumstances, and may not lend securities to any company affiliated with an investment adviser to the Fund. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities or letters of credit. The Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Fund any interest paid on the loaned securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that the Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly in money market instruments including, without limitation, U.S. Government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including, without
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limitation, those subject to repurchase agreements). Money market instruments also may include, without limitation, Banker’s Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of banks, Commercial Paper, and Master Notes. Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank that “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Commercial Paper maturity generally ranges from two to 270 days and is usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest directly in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch or, if not rated, is deemed to be of equivalent quality. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes may be acquired by the Fund through the Master Note program of the Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof.
SHORT SALES. The Fund may enter into short sales, which are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete a short sale, the Fund will borrow the security from a broker-dealer, which generally involves the payment of a premium and transaction costs, and then sell the borrowed security to a buyer in the market. The Fund will cover its short position by buying shares in the market either (i) at its discretion or (ii) when called by the broker-dealer lender. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the broker-dealer lender any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. In addition, the net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet regulatory or other requirements, until the short position is closed out.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. When the Fund makes a short sale, the Fund will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. government securities, or equity securities) on the Fund’s books and/or in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian or broker (or an affiliate thereof) in an amount sufficient to cover the current value of the securities to be replaced as well as any dividends, interest and/or transaction costs due to the broker-dealer lender, to the extent such deposit is required by applicable law and/or the parties involved in the transaction. In determining the amount to be segregated, any securities that have been sold short by the Fund will be marked to market daily. To the extent the market price of the security sold short increases and more assets are required to meet the Fund’s short sale obligations, additional assets will be segregated to ensure adequate coverage of the Fund’s short position obligations.
In addition, the Fund may make short sales “against the box,” which occur when the Fund sells a security short while owning securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur transaction costs, including, without limitation, interest, in connection with opening, maintaining and closing short sales against the box.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in U.S. government securities, defined to be U.S. government obligations such as U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government such as Government National Mortgage Association (“ GNMA ”) as well as obligations of U.S. government authorities, agencies and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“ FNMA ”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“ FHLMC ”), Federal Housing Administration (“ FHA ”), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“ FFCB ”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“ FHLB ”), Student Loan Marketing Association (“ SLMA ”), and the Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities may be acquired subject to repurchase agreements. While obligations of some U.S. government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (e.g., GNMA), several are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (e.g., FNMA, FHLMC), and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself (e.g., SLMA, FFCB). No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in the future, other than as set forth above, since
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it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. government does not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Securities . The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if the Fund holds sufficient liquid assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, the Fund will not accrue interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, the Fund will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although the Fund would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, the Fund may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if such action was determined to be appropriate. In such a case, the Fund could incur a short-term gain or loss.
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The Fund has adopted the following investment limitations, which cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding voting Shares. A “majority” for this purpose means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares represented in person or by proxy at a meeting at which more than 50% of its outstanding Shares are represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase of the applicable securities.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) | issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act; |
(2) | borrow money (including, without limitation, borrowing to meet redemptions), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act; |
(3) | pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets; |
(4) | act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws; |
(5) | make loans, provided that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33⅓% of total Fund assets; |
(6) | purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate; provided, however, that the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate (including, without limitation, investments in REITs and mortgage-backed securities); |
(7) | invest more than 25% of its total assets in any particular industry or group of industries; or |
(8) | invest in commodities. |
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) | purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions); |
(2) | make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management over a portfolio company; |
(3) | invest in securities of other registered investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act; |
(4) | invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs, although the Fund may invest in the common stock of companies that invest in or sponsor such programs; |
(5) | purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have more than 5% of its total net assets (taken at the lower of cost or current value) invested in warrants; or |
(6) | invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. |
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With respect to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the treatment of the fundamental restrictions related to borrowing money and issuing senior securities are exceptions to this general rule.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on borrowing money, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices will not constitute borrowing.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets, any such activity to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with (i) writing covered put or call options, (ii) the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, or (iii) collateral or initial or variation margin arrangements with respect to options, forward contracts, futures contracts (including, without limitation, those relating to indices), or options on futures contracts or indices will not be considered pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on making loans, investment in U.S. government obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and repurchase agreements will not be deemed to be the making of a loan.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction regarding concentration in a particular industry, (i) securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), tax-exempt securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions and investments in other registered investment companies are not considered to be issued by members of any industry (although the Fund will consider the holdings of an underlying registered investment company in applying its concentration policy), (ii) if the Fund invests in a revenue bond tied to a particular industry, the Fund will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the industry to which the revenue bond is tied, and (iii) in the case of loan participations where the Fund is not in a direct debtor/creditor relationship with the borrower, both the financial intermediary and the ultimate borrower are considered issuers.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on investments in commodities, the purchase or sale by the Fund of options, forward contracts, futures contracts (including, without limitation, those relating to indices), options on futures contracts or indices or interests in equity securities issued by companies (including, without limitation, investment companies) that hold or invest in one or more commodities as their sole or principal business activity will not be considered an investment in commodities.
With respect to the above non-fundamental investment restriction on purchasing securities on margin, short sales of securities and futures trades, forward contracts or similar trades requiring margin deposits or other use of a margin account will not be considered purchasing securities on margin.
The 1940 Act allows the Fund to borrow from any bank (including, without limitation, pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33⅓% of its total assets and the Fund will, to the extent necessary, reduce its existing borrowings (within three days, excluding Sundays and holidays) to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Board is responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and those companies that furnish services to the Fund; reviews the performance of the Fund; and oversees the business activities of the Fund. This section of the SAI provides information about the persons who serve as trustees (“ Trustees ”) and executive officers to the Trust, as well as the entities that provide services to the Trust.
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. Following are the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, their years of birth and addresses, their present positions with the Trust, and their principal occupations during the past five years. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act (“ Interested Trustees ”) and those Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act (“ Independent Trustees ”), are identified in the table. The address of each Trustee and executive officer of the Trust, unless otherwise indicated, is 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
Name
and Year of
Birth |
Position(s)
held
with Trust |
Length
of
Time Served |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee* |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years |
Independent Trustees | |||||
James Simpson Year of Birth: 1970 |
Trustee | Since Inception | President, ETP Resources, LLC (since 2009) (a financial services consulting company) | 15 | Trustee (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II (4 portfolios) |
Robert S. Tull Year of Birth: 1952 |
Trustee | Since Inception | Independent Consultant (since 2013); Chief Operating Officer, Factor Advisors, LLC (2010-2013) | 15 | Trustee (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II (4 portfolios) |
Stephen O’Grady Year of Birth: 1946 |
Trustee | Since 2014 | Lead Market Maker, GFI Group (2011-2012); Partner, Kellogg Capital Markets (2004-2011) | 15 | Trustee (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II (4 portfolios); Trustee (2013-2015), Greenhaven LLC; Trustee (since 2014), Acacia Group LLC; Trustee (since 2014), ETFS Trust (4 portfolios) |
Myles J. Edwards Year of Birth: 1961 |
Trustee | Since 2016 | General Counsel, CCO and COO, Shufro, Rose & Co., LLC (since 2014); General Counsel and CCO, Constellation Wealth Advisers, LLC (2011–2014) | 15 | Trustee (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II (4 portfolios) |
*The Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Virtus ETF Trust II. | |||||
Interested Trustee** | |||||
William J. Smalley Year of Birth: 1983 |
Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer | Since Inception | President, Virtus ETF Solutions LLC (since 2012); Managing Principal, ETF Distributors LLC (since 2012); Managing Director, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (since 2012); President and Chief Executive Officer, Virtus ETF Trust II (since 2015); Vice President, Factor Advisors, LLC (2010-2012) | 11 | None |
** Mr. Smalley is an Interested Trustee because he is an employee of the Adviser. | |||||
OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |||||
Brinton W. Frith Year of Birth: 1969 |
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Since Inception |
President, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (since 2013); Managing Director, Virtus ETF Solutions LLC (since 2013); Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II; President, Javelin Investment Management, LLC (2008-2013) |
N/A | N/A |
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Nancy J. Engberg Year of Birth: 1956 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2015 | Senior Vice President (since 2017); Vice President (2008 to 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer (2008 to 2011 and since 2016), Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; various officer positions (since 2003) with Virtus affiliates; Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2017), Virtus Asset Trust; Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President (2011 to 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President (2010 to 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President (2011 to 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2011), Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund; Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President (2012 to 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2012), Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. and Virtus Global Dividend & Income Fund Inc.; Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President (2013 to 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust; Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer (since 2014), Duff & Phelps Select Energy MLP Fund Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II | N/A | N/A |
15 |
Kevin J. Carr Year of Birth: 1954 |
Secretary | Since 2015 | Senior Vice President (since 2009), Vice President, Counsel and Secretary (2008 to 2009), Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. and/or certain of its subsidiaries; various senior officer positions (since 2005) with Virtus affiliates; Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary (since 2017), Virtus Asset Trust ; Secretary, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (since 2015); Senior Vice President (since 2013), Vice President (2005 to 2013), Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary (since 2005), Virtus Mutual Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (2013 to 2014), Vice President (2012 to 2013) and Assistant Secretary (since 2012), Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (2005 to 2012), Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc. and Virtus Global Dividend & Income Fund Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2013 to 2016), Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary (2010 to 2013), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2011), Duff & Phelps Global Utility Income Fund Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2013 to 2014), Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2012 to 2013), Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Counsel and Secretary (2011 to 2012), Virtus Closed-End Funds; and Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2013 to 2017), Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust; Secretary (since 2015), Virtus ETF Trust II | N/A | N/A |
Board Structure. The Trust’s Board includes four Independent Trustees and one Interested Trustee, Mr. Smalley, who is Chairman of the Board. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until a successor is elected, qualified and serving as a Trustee . The Board has not appointed an Independent Trustee to serve as lead Independent Trustee. The Board believes this structure is appropriate because, among other things, the Board’s current small size and the small number of funds in the Trust permit Trust management to communicate with each Independent Trustee as and when needed, and permit each Independent Trustee to be involved in each committee of the Board (each a “ Committee ”) as well as each Board function. The Board may consider appointing an independent Chairman or a lead Independent Trustee in the future, particularly if the Board’s size or the Trust’s complexity materially increases.
With respect to risk oversight, the Board holds four regular meetings each year to consider and address matters involving the Trust and the Fund. During these meetings, the Board receives reports from the Adviser, the Trust’s sub-advisers, Trust management, the Fund’s administrator, transfer agent and distributor, and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “ CCO ”), on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with Trust management or the CCO to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Board has established a committee structure that includes an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee (discussed in more detail below). Each Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees have engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.
Qualification of Trustees. The Board has considered each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in light of the Board’s function and the Trust’s business and structure, and has determined that each Trustee possesses experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that enable the Trustee to be an effective member of the Board. In this regard, the Board has considered the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills for each Trustee:
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James Simpson | Mr. Simpson has experience as an independent trustee for other ETFs and as President of ETP Resources, a financial information services company that provides detailed reference data on U.S.-listed exchange-traded products. He also has experience working for financial institutions and securities exchanges and has consulted with respect to the development of exchange-traded products. |
Robert S. Tull | Mr. Tull has experience as an independent trustee for other ETFs and as a consultant to financial companies and as chief operating officer to financial services companies. Mr. Tull has also assisted with the development of exchange-traded products. |
Stephen O’Grady | Mr. O’Grady has experience as an independent trustee for other ETFs and in the development and operation of ETF trading systems and futures exchanges and has served as president of an options brokerage firm. |
Myles J. Edwards | Mr. Edwards has experience as general counsel, chief compliance officer and chief operating officer of SEC registered investment advisers, hedge funds and FINRA member broker-dealers. |
William J. Smalley | Mr. Smalley has experience in the financial industry, including the development of exchange-traded products, and is a founder of the Adviser and the Distributor. |
The Board has determined that each of the Trustees’ careers and background, combined with their interpersonal skills and general understanding of financial and other matters, enable the Trustees to effectively participate in and contribute to the Board’s functions and oversight of the Trust. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Trustee Standing Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:
Audit Committee: The Independent Trustees are the current members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Fund’s financial statements and interacts with the Fund’s independent auditors on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee also serves in the role of the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee and, as such, receives, investigates and makes recommendations as to appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees or agents. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter and meets periodically as necessary.
Nominating Committee: The Independent Trustees are the current members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee nominates, selects and appoints Independent Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board and to stand for election at appropriate meetings of the shareholders of the Trust. The Nominating Committee meets only as necessary. The Nominating Committee generally will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Trust.
Beneficial Ownership of Shares of the Fund. Because the Fund is newly organized, none of the Trustees own Shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.
Ownership In Fund Affiliates . As of December 31, 2016, none of the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate families, owned, beneficially or of record, securities of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s principal underwriter or any affiliate of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter.
Compensation. Officers of the Trust and the Trustees who are interested persons of the Trust or the Adviser receive no salary from the Trust. Each Independent Trustee receives $2,000 per year per series of the Trust. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer of the Trust for his or her travel and other expenses relating to attendance at Board or committee meetings. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Trustees are estimated to receive the following compensation:
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1 | As of October 31, 2017, the Fund had not yet commenced operations. Fees are estimated for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2018. |
2 | These amounts will not be paid directly by the Fund, but instead will be paid by the Sub-Adviser out of the Sub-Adviser’s fee, pursuant to the Adviser’s unified fee arrangement with the Fund, the payment obligation for which the Adviser has delegated to the Sub-Adviser, as described below. |
CODES OF ETHICS. The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics, as required by Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, that is designed to prevent personnel of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s principal underwriter subject to the codes from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which securities may also be held by persons subject to the codes). The codes of ethics permit personnel of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the principal underwriter subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, subject to certain restrictions and pre-approval requirements. In addition, the codes of ethics of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the principal underwriter require that access persons of such entities report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the code of ethics.
Anti-Money Laundering Program . The Trust has adopted an anti-money laundering (“ AML ”) program, as required by applicable law, that is designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. The Trust’s AML Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring the operations and internal controls of the program. Compliance officers at certain of the Fund’s service providers are also responsible for monitoring aspects of the AML program. The AML program is subject to the continuing oversight of the Board.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES. The Trust has adopted a proxy voting and disclosure policy that delegates to the Fund’s proxy voting manager the authority to vote proxies for the Fund, subject to oversight of the Board. The Sub-Adviser serves as the proxy voting manager for the Fund. Copies of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are included as Appendix A and Appendix B , respectively, to this SAI.
No later than August 31 of each year, the Trust files Form N-PX with the SEC. Form N-PX states how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30. The Fund’s proxy voting records, as set forth in its most recent Form N-PX filing, will be available upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund at (866) 383-7636. This information will also be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had no Shares outstanding.
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The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management of the Fund.”
Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. The Adviser was organized as a Delaware limited liability company in August 2013 and, since April 2015, has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Virtus Partners, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (ticker: VRTS) (together with its affiliates, “ Virtus ”). Virtus is a public company that operates a multi-manager asset management business and has substantial experience in the investment management and investment company industries. As of September 30, 2017, on a collective basis, Virtus-affiliated registered investment advisers manage approximately $90.6 billion in assets. The Adviser has served as the investment adviser of the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to each other series of the Trust and each series of Virtus ETF Trust II, an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC. The Adviser is responsible for the oversight and management of all service providers to the Trust.
The Adviser has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Trust, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser (the “ Advisory Agreement ”). The Advisory Agreement is effective for an initial two-year period and will remain in effect thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days’ notice by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Advisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services; or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties; or from the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
The Adviser has engaged the Sub-Adviser to manage the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Adviser and the Board, and will oversee the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the ETF exemptive order issued to the Adviser and the Trust.
Adviser Compensation. The Adviser is entitled to receive a fee, payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”). The Fund has not paid any advisory fees to the Adviser as of the date of this Prospectus. The Advisory Fee is structured as a “unified fee.” The Adviser has delegated to the Sub-Adviser the obligation to pay all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for the following expenses, each of which is paid by the Fund: the Advisory Fee; payments under any 12b-1 plan; taxes and other governmental fees; brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses; interest and other costs of borrowing; litigation or arbitration expenses; acquired fund fees and expenses; and extraordinary or other non-routine expenses of the Fund.
Sub-Adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser is Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor, New York, NY, 10019. The Sub-Adviser serves in that capacity pursuant to a sub-advisory contract (the “ Sub-Advisory Agreement ”) with the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Fund as approved by the Board. The Sub-Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund and selects broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, subject to the Sub-Adviser’s best execution obligations and the Trust’s and the Sub-Adviser’s brokerage policies. The Adviser, however, will continue to have overall responsibility for the management and investment of the assets and responsibility for all advisory services furnished by the Sub-Adviser, and will supervise the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties for the Fund pursuant to written policies and procedures designed to prevent violations of applicable laws and regulations, Board procedures, and the provisions of the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, as supplemented from time to time.
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The Sub-Adviser was organized as a New York limited liability company in January 2012. The Sub-Adviser has served as the sub-adviser of the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Jay D. Hatfield, its co-founder and president. Mr. Hatfield has been managing investments for clients, including private investment funds and another ETF, since 2001. As of May 31, 2017, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $500 million in assets under management.
Sub-Adviser Compensation. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser out of the Advisory Fee it receives from the Fund. The Adviser retains a portion of the Advisory Fee equal to an annualized rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, and the remainder of the Advisory Fee is paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser as full compensation for its services. The Sub-Adviser has not been paid any advisory fees as of the date of this SAI.
Portfolio ManagerS. Jay D. Hatfield, co-founder and president of the Sub-Adviser, and Edward F. Ryan, co-founder, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer and chief operating officer of the Sub-Adviser, have served as portfolio managers for the Fund since the inception of the Fund’s operations. The portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.
Ownership of Fund Shares. The portfolio managers did not own any Shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI because the Fund had not yet commenced operations.
Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts. The table below shows the number of, and total assets in, such other accounts as of October 31, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, none of these accounts has an advisory fee based on the performance of the account.
Portfolio Manager | Type of Accounts |
Total
Number
Accounts Managed |
Total
Assets
Accounts Managed |
Number of Accounts where Advisory Fee is Based upon Account Performance | Total Assets where Advisory Fee is Based upon Account Performance |
Jay D. Hatfield | Registered Investment Companies | 2 | $658,338,762 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 3 | $30,069,824 | 3 | $30,069,824 | |
Separately Managed Accounts | 18 | $31,216,007 | 0 | $0 | |
Edward F. Ryan | Registered Investment Companies | 2 | $658,338,762 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
Separately Managed Accounts | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
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Material Conflicts of Interest. Because each of the portfolio managers may at times manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. The portfolio managers may manage portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund. However, the portfolios managed by the portfolio managers may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund 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. The portfolio managers 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, the portfolio managers may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios may 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. In addition, current trading practices would not allow the Sub-Adviser to intentionally favor one portfolio over another as trades are executed as trade orders are received.
Compensation. The portfolio managers are compensated by the Sub-Adviser and do not receive any compensation directly from the Fund or the Adviser. Mr. Hatfield, as an owner of the Sub-Adviser, is thus entitled to profits related to his ownership. Since profits are expected to increase as assets increase, Mr. Hatfield is expected to receive increased profits as an owner of the Sub-Adviser as assets of the Fund increase. Mr. Ryan receives compensation in the form of a base salary that is determined by the advisory fee revenue generated by the Sub-Adviser’s assets under management. Thus, Mr. Ryan’s compensation is aligned with the interests of the Sub-Adviser’s clients, including the Fund and its investors. Mr. Ryan may also earn a bonus each year based on the profitability of the Sub-Adviser.
ADMINISTRATOR. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, Virtus ETF Solutions LLC (the “ Administrator ”) serves as the operational administrator of the Trust. The Administrator’s address is 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator supervises the overall administration of the Trust and the Fund including, among other responsibilities, the coordination and day-to-day oversight of the Fund’s operations, the service providers’ communications with the Fund and each other and assistance with Trust, Board and contractual matters related to the Fund and other series of the Trust. The Administrator also provides persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust. The Administrator will be indemnified in connection with or arising out of performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, except for losses resulting from the willful malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of Administrator in the performance of such obligations and duties. The Sub-Adviser pays the Administrator out of the Sub-Adviser’s advisory fee pursuant to the Adviser’s unified fee arrangement with the Fund; however, the Fund is newly formed and the Sub-Adviser has not paid any fees on behalf of the Fund for administration services as of the date of this SAI.
ACCOUNTING, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement (the “ Accounting Services Agreement ”), The Bank of New York Mellon (“ BNY Mellon ” or the “ Accounting Services Administrator ”) serves as accounting administrator for the Fund. BNY Mellon’s principal address is 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007. Under the Administration Agreement, BNY Mellon provides necessary administrative, legal, tax, accounting services and financial reporting for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Fund. In addition, BNY Mellon makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services.
BNY Mellon provides accounting and administration services to the Trust, including, among other responsibilities, assisting in the preparation and filing of documents required for compliance by the Fund with applicable laws and regulations and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund.
The Sub-Adviser pays the Accounting Services Administrator out of the Sub-Adviser’s advisory fee pursuant to the Adviser’s unified fee arrangement with the Fund; however, the Fund is newly formed and the Sub-Adviser has not paid any fees on behalf of the Fund for accounting administration services as of the date of this SAI.
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BNY Mellon serves as custodian of the Fund’s assets (the “ Custodian ”). The Custodian has agreed to (1) make receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund; (2) collect and receive all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Fund’s portfolio investments; (3) respond to correspondence from Fund shareholders and others relating to its duties; and (4) make periodic reports to the Fund concerning the Fund’s operations. The Custodian does not exercise any supervisory function over the purchase and sale of securities.
BNY Mellon serves as transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Fund (the “ Transfer Agent ”). The Transfer Agent has agreed to (1) issue and redeem Shares of the Fund; (2) make dividend and other distributions to shareholders of the Fund; (3) respond to correspondence by Fund shareholders and others relating to its duties; (4) maintain shareholder accounts; and (5) make periodic reports to the Fund.
BNY Mellon is the principal operating subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
Distributor. ETF Distributors LLC is located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).
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 0.25% 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 current 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 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.
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES. The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. Additionally, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates may pay, out of their own resources, amounts to financial intermediaries for assistance with communication, distribution of materials and other services for their clients that are shareholders of the Fund, or for other services in connection with the organization or operation 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. The Board has selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the current fiscal year, to audit the annual financial statements of the Fund and to prepare the Fund’s federal, state and excise tax returns. Such firm will audit the financial statements of the Fund at least once each year. A copy of the most recent annual report containing the audit report will accompany this SAI whenever a shareholder or a prospective investor requests it.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, located at 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Independent Trustees.
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to the general supervision of the Board and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for, makes decisions with respect to and places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement by and among the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser serves as investment adviser for a number of client accounts, in addition to the Fund.
Brokerage Selection. The Fund has adopted, and the Board has approved, policies and procedures relating to the direction of portfolio securities transactions to brokers. In accordance with these policies and procedures, in selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Sub-Adviser’s general guiding principle is to obtain the best overall execution for each trade, which is a combination of price and execution. With respect to execution, the Sub-Adviser considers a number of factors, including, without limitation, the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the efficiency of the facilities of the executing broker-dealer (including research services), any risk assumed by an executing broker-dealer and other factors that may be unique to a particular order. Recognizing the value of these judgmental factors, the Sub-Adviser may select brokers that charge a brokerage commission that is higher than the lowest commission that might otherwise be available for any given trade. The Sub-Adviser may not give consideration to sales of Shares of the Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that are affiliated with the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser or that promote or sell the Shares, so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Board that are designed to ensure that the selection is consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s obligation to seek best execution and not based upon the broker’s sales efforts.
Under Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers that provide the Sub-Adviser with brokerage, research, analysis, advice and similar services, and the Sub-Adviser may pay to these brokers and dealers, in return for such services, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers and dealers, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of that particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commission paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and the other clients of the Sub-Adviser over the long-term. The research received by the Sub-Adviser may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, and political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Sub-Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Sub-Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Research may be received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts, personal meetings, research seminars, software programs and access to computer databases. In some instances, research products or services received by the Sub-Adviser may also be used by the Sub-Adviser for functions that are not research related (i.e. not related to the making of investment decisions). Where a research product or service has a mixed use, the Sub-Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to its use and will pay for the non-research function in cash using its own funds.
The research and investment information services described above make available to the Sub-Adviser for its analysis and consideration the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. These services may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Fund, and not all such services may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Sub-Adviser’s own investment research in rendering services to the Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to materially reduce the expenses of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its services under the Sub-Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the advisory fees payable by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. In these cases, the Fund may initiate trades through brokers on an agency basis and may pay a commission in connection with the transaction. The Fund may also effect these transactions by dealing directly with the dealers that make a market in the securities involved, in which case the costs of such transactions would involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions.
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Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the reporting period. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover of the Fund may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by cash requirements for redemption of Shares and by requirements that enable the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor in making investment decisions, and the Fund may engage in short-term trading to achieve its investment objectives. High rates of portfolio turnover could lower performance of the Fund due to increased transaction costs and may also result in the realization of short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates.
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. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of 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 SEC applicable to the Fund, the regulations of the 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.
A “ Business Day ” with respect to the Fund is any day on which the Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Trust will disclose on the Fund’s website 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 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 will be publicly available at no charge. The website for the Fund is www.virtusetfs.com.
The Fund may also send a portion or all of this information to shareholders of the Fund and to investment company analysts and rating and trading entities. However, the Fund will not send this information to shareholders of the Fund or to analysts or rating and/or trading entities until such information is at least 30 days old or until one Business Day after the information has been posted to the Fund’s website.
The officers of the Trust, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may share non-public portfolio holdings information with the Fund’s service providers that require such information for legitimate business and Fund oversight purposes, such as the Fund’s operating administrator, fund accounting administrator, transfer agent, distributor, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, and legal counsel as identified in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI and Doremus FP (a financial EDGARizing, typesetting and printing firm). The Fund, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may also provide non-public portfolio holdings information to appropriate regulatory agencies as required by applicable laws and regulations. The Fund’s service providers receiving such non-public information are subject to confidentiality obligations requiring such service providers to keep non-public portfolio holdings information confidential. Certain of the service providers have codes of ethics that prohibit trading based on, among other things, non-public portfolio holdings information.
The Fund’s policies regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings are subject to the continuing oversight and direction of the Board. The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Administrator are required to report to the Board any known disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to unauthorized third parties. The Fund has not entered (and does not
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currently intend to enter) into any arrangement providing for the receipt of compensation or other consideration in exchange for the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information, other than the benefits that result to the Fund and its shareholders from providing such information, which include the publication of Fund ratings and rankings.
The Fund is also required to make available to the public a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings, as reported on a fiscal quarter basis. This information is generally available within 60 days of the Fund’s fiscal quarter end and will remain available until the next fiscal quarter’s portfolio holdings report becomes available. You may obtain a copy of these quarterly portfolio holdings reports by calling the Fund at (888) 383-0553. The Fund will also file these quarterly portfolio holdings reports with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q, as applicable. The Fund’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. The first and third quarter portfolio holdings reports will be filed with the SEC on Form N-Q, and the second and fourth fiscal quarter portfolio holdings reports will be included with the semi-annual and annual reports, respectively, which are sent to shareholders and filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR.
The approximate value of the Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value (“ 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 and may not be calculated in the exact same manner as NAV, which is computed once per day.
The IIV for the Fund is calculated 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 the Fund’s 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 equity securities held by registered investment companies.
The IIV calculations are based on local market prices and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close, which could affect premiums and discounts between the IIV and the market price of the Fund’s shares. Although the Trust provides the information used to calculate the IIV, the Trust is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Trust 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 a registered investment company. The Trust was organized on September 20, 2012, and it has authorized capital of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest of no par value, which 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 one-third of the outstanding shares of the Trust or any series thereof, the Trust will call a meeting of the shareholders of the Trust or the series, as applicable. Shareholders holding two-thirds of all Trust 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.
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Shares have equal voting rights, except that, if the Trust creates additional series, only shares of that series may be entitled to vote on a matter affecting that particular series. 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 prices of Shares to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any such adjustments would be accomplished through splits or reverse splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund. 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, you may be required to liquidate or transfer your Shares at an inopportune time, and you may lose money on your investment.
Book Entry Only System . Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) acts as securities depository for the Fund’s Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, 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 book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, LLC and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “ Indirect Participants ”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is 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 ”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is 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 the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust will inquire of each DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust will provide each 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 the DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust will pay to each DTC Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions will 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, will credit immediately with respect to the DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners with respect to the 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 aspect 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 the DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
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DTC may decide 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 will take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost. The DTC Participants’ rules and policies are made publicly available through DTC’s website at: www.dtcc.com.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Creation. The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day, for an order received in proper form.
Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of cash or an in-kind deposit of Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and a Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “ Fund Deposit ,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component will be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component will be such negative amount, and the creator will be entitled to receive cash from the Fund in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities.
The Fund, through the NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names 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. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order 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 the Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Sub-Adviser 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—i.e., 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, that may not be eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below) or that may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of the Fund Deposit, the Fund, through 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. To be eligible to place orders to create a Creation Unit of the Fund, an entity must be (i) a “ Participating Party ,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of NSCC (the “ Clearing Process ”) or a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”) and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“ Participant Agreement ”). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement with the Fund. All Shares of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit size aggregations of Shares (50,000 in the case of the Fund). All orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (“ Order Cut-Off Time ”), in each case on the date such order is placed in order
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for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. 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 (see “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process”). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Orders to create Creation Units of the Fund will be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, an Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the Fund will need to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. 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 Order Cut-Off Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation 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 the transfer of Deposit Securities and the Cash Component.
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 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 Transfer Agent 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 requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component 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 (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) 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 that wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not 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. A 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 Trust by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. 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 will be final and binding. Cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Trust through the Federal Reserve wire system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Trust no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Trust does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposit as newly constituted to
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reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Creation Units may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the 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 (i) the Cash Component plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “ Additional Cash Deposit ”). The order will 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 the Order Cut-Off Time on such date and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Trust by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by the Order Cut-Off Time, or federal 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 rejected and the investor will be liable to the Trust for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash will be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily mark-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or in the event a mark-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 missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust 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 missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Trust or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the second 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 in respect of the Fund if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated through the facilities of the Exchange for that date by the Trust, as described above; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of Beneficial Owners; or (g) as a result of circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, facsimile or computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor will notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Transfer Agent and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor will 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 will be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination will be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in creation transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum creation transaction fee, assessed per transaction, as follows:
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Fund Name | Creation Transaction Fee |
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (Ticker: PFFA) | [__] |
The Trust, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a creation of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.
Redemption. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor and the Fund and only on a Business Day. The Trust will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial Owners 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. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to the Fund, the Trust, through NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the Deposit Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day. To the extent permitted by the Fund’s exemptive relief, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, provide such redeemer a basket of cash and/or securities which differs from the exact composition of the Deposit Securities but does not differ in NAV. Deposit 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 Deposit Securities, as announced by the Trust on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Deposit Securities (the “ Cash Redemption Amount ”), less a redemption transaction fee described below in the section entitled “Redemption Transaction Fee.” In the event that the Deposit Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.
Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Trust not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Fund after the Order Cut-Off Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such Business Day. The requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the second Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside 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 that wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not 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 Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Trust not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or proceeded by the requisite number of Shares of the Fund and the Cash Redemption Amount specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Trust not later than 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, Eastern time, on the next Business Day following such Transmittal Date (the “ DTC Cut-Off-Time ”); and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
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After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Deposit Securities, which are expected to be delivered within two Business Days, and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust.
The calculation of the value of the Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Trust according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Trust by a DTC Participant not later than the Order Cut-Off 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 Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Trust on such Transmittal Date. In the event that the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are not delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, the Trust may deliver the Deposit Securities notwithstanding such deficiency in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery, prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, and subsequent maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value at least equal to 115% of the value of the missing Shares (the “Cash Collateral”). If, however, a redemption order is submitted to the Trust by a DTC Participant not later than the Order Cut-Off Time on the Transmittal Date but either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the Fund (including any Cash Collateral) 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 Deposit Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Trust, i.e., the Business Day on which the Shares of the Fund (including any Cash Collateral) are delivered through DTC to the Trust by the DTC Cut-Off-Time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Deposit Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash which the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Deposit Securities).
Redemptions of Shares for Deposit Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, and the Trust (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 Deposit Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the offering and sale of the Deposit 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 Deposit 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 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.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund: (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 Shares’ NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
Redemption Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in redemption transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum redemption transaction fee, assessed per transaction as follows:
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Fund Name | Redemption Transaction Fee |
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (Ticker: PFFA) | [___] |
Where Shares are redeemed for cash, the redemption transaction fee will be deducted from such redemption proceeds. The Trust, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.
SECURITIES SETTLEMENTS FOR REDEMPTIONS
The Trust generally intends to pay for redemptions of Creation Units on a basis of “T” (i.e., trade date) plus two business days. The Trust may pay for redemptions of Creation Units on a basis other than T plus two in order to accommodate holiday schedules, to account for treatment by U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within the normal settlement period. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future and longer (worse) redemption periods are possible.
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(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(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 unsold allotment within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(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 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 a national securities exchange.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Investing in the Fund – Determination of Net Asset Value.”
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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 management fees, 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 the 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.
The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by, and under the direction of, the Board. In determining the value of the Fund’s assets, equity securities are generally valued at market using quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotes or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information regarding recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining the NAV. The Fund normally uses third party pricing services to obtain portfolio security prices.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or which cannot be accurately valued using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued by the Trust’s Fair Value Pricing Committee at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Board. The Trust 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 Trust may fair value foreign equity portfolio securities each day the Trust calculates the Fund’s 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 will be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security. 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 . Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid quarterly 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 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 makes additional distributions to the minimum extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual 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 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 Shares 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
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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.
The following is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This “Taxes” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
This is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund is a Separate Corporation . The Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. Losses in one Fund do not offset gains in another Fund and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying for regulated investment company status as described below are determined at the Fund level rather than the Trust level.
Election to be Taxed as a Regulated Investment Company. The Fund has elected and intends to qualify, or, if newly organized, intends to elect and qualify, each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “fund”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. If the Fund so qualifies, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders.
In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy the following requirements:
● | Distribution Requirement —the Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year). |
● | Income Requirement —the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”). |
● | Asset Diversification Test —the Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, in the securities of one or more QPTPs. |
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Fund for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under
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current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See, “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test, which may have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance.
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) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Fund may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Portfolio Turnover. For investors that hold their Fund Shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a fund with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable fund with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Fund’s after-tax performance. See, “Taxation of Fund Distributions - Distributions of Capital Gains” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Fund may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See, “Non-U.S. Investors – Capital Gain Dividends” and “–Interest-Related Dividends and Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends” below.
Capital Loss Carryovers. The capital losses of the Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. Rules similar to those that apply to capital loss carryovers of individuals apply to RICs. Thus, if the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Fund in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Fund. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Fund increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year lookback period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Fund’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Fund’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Fund undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and redemptions or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another fund. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Fund’s control, there can be no assurance that the Fund will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change. Additionally, if the Fund engages in a tax-free reorganization with another fund, the effect of these and other rules not discussed herein may be to disallow or postpone the use by the Fund of its capital loss carryovers (including any current year losses and built-in losses when realized) to offset its own gains or those of the other fund, or vice versa, thereby reducing the tax benefits Fund shareholders would otherwise have enjoyed from use of such capital loss carryovers.
Deferral of Late Year Losses. The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it
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had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year (see, “Taxation of Fund Distributions—Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:
(i) | any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and |
(ii) | the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. |
The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence.
Undistributed Capital Gains . The Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%). If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its Shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Federal Excise Tax . To avoid a 4% non-deductible excise tax, the Fund must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Fund may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Fund’s taxable year. Also, the Fund will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Fund intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Fund having to pay an excise tax.
Foreign income tax . Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Fund. The U.S. has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Fund will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Fund may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Fund not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Fund on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund’s assets to be invested in various countries is not known.
Purchase of Shares. As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order to purchase Shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers acting in concert with each other) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market
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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.
Taxation of Fund Distributions
The Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain for each taxable year. Distributions by the Fund will be treated in the manner described below regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund (or of another fund). You will receive information annually as to the federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.
Distributions of Net Investment Income. The Fund receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Fund may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits. See the discussion below under the headings, “–Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals” and “– Dividends-Received Deduction for Corporations.”
Distributions of Capital Gains. The Fund may derive capital gain and loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions paid from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your Shares in the Fund. Any net short-term or long-term capital gain realized by the Fund (net of any capital loss carryovers) generally will be distributed once each year and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund.
Returns of Capital. Distributions by the Fund that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his Shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his Shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Fund Shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Fund Shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Fund over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals. Ordinary income dividends reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. “Qualified dividend income” means dividends paid to the Fund (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Fund and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Fund dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Fund must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, investors must hold their Fund Shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the qualifying dividend income received by the Fund is equal to or greater than 95% of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain) in any taxable year, all of the ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be qualifying dividend income.
Dividends-Received Deduction for Corporations . For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may qualify for the 70% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by the Fund that so qualifies will be reported by the Fund each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by the Fund from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to
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certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Fund and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Fund may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the Shares on which the dividends earned by the Fund were debt-financed or held by the Fund for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Fund Shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Fund dividends on your Shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Even if reported as dividends eligible for the dividends-received deduction, all dividends (including any deducted portion) must be included in your alternative minimum taxable income calculation . Income derived by the Fund from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.
Impact of Realized but Undistributed Income and Gains, and Net Unrealized Appreciation of Portfolio Securities . At the time of your purchase of Shares, the price of Shares may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Fund. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income), capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Fund may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.
Dividends Declared in December and Paid in January . Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year in accordance with the guidance that has been provided by the IRS.
Medicare Tax . A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from taxable dispositions of Fund Shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Sales of Fund Shares
Sales of Fund Shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Fund Shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your sale. If you held your Shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be a capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your Shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
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Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.
If the Fund redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Tax Basis Information . A shareholder’s cost basis information will be provided on the sale of any of the shareholder’s Shares, subject to certain exceptions for exempt recipients. Please contact the broker (or other nominee) that holds your Shares with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Wash Sales . All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a sale of your Fund Shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other Shares in the Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your Share sale. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new Shares.
Sales at a Loss Within Six Months of Purchase . Any loss incurred on a sale of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you by the Fund on those Shares.
Reportable Transactions. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to the Fund and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the fund to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under “Investment Strategies” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Fund.
In General . In general, gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Options, Futures, Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements and Hedging Transactions. In general, option premiums received by the Fund are not immediately included in the income of the fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by the Fund is exercised and the fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the fund minus (b) the fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by the Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of the Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by the Fund expires unexercised, the fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
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The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by the Fund as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the fund on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Internal Revenue Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Internal Revenue Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.
In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, the Fund’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the fund, defer losses to the fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the fund’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid the Fund-level tax.
Certain of the Fund’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If the Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the Shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.
Securities Lending . While securities are loaned out by the Fund, the fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 70% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
Investments in Convertible Securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.
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Investments in partnerships and QPTPs . For purposes of the Income Requirement, income derived by a fund from a partnership that is not a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the fund. While the rules are not entirely clear with respect to a fund investing in a partnership outside a master feeder structure, for purposes of testing whether a fund satisfies the Asset Diversification Test, the fund generally is treated as owning a pro rata share of the underlying assets of a partnership. See, “Taxation of the Fund.” In contrast, different rules apply to a partnership that is a QPTP. A QPTP is a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market, (b) that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and (c) that derives less than 90% of its income from sources that satisfy the Income Requirement (e.g., because it invests in commodities). All of the net income derived by a fund from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income but the fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in one or more QPTPs. However, there can be no assurance that a partnership classified as a QPTP in one year will qualify as a QPTP in the next year. Any such failure to annually qualify as a QPTP might, in turn, cause a fund to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a fund with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. Fund investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
If an MLP is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (whether or not a QPTP), all or portion of the dividends received by a fund from the MLP likely will be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of such MLPs. Further, because of these accelerated deductions, on the disposition of interests in such an MLP, a fund likely will realize taxable income in excess of economic gain with respect to those MLP interests (or if the fund does not dispose of the MLP, the fund could realize taxable income in excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the fund must take such income into account in determining whether the fund has satisfied its Distribution Requirement. A fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its Distribution Requirement and to meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the fund to sell securities or borrow money at such time. In addition, any gain recognized, either upon the sale of a fund’s MLP interest or sale by the MLP of property held by it, including in excess of economic gain thereon, treated as so-called “recapture income,” will be treated as ordinary income. Therefore, to the extent a fund invests in MLPs, fund shareholders might receive greater amounts of distributions from the fund taxable as ordinary income than they otherwise would in the absence of such MLP investments.
Although MLPs are generally expected to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, some MLPs may be treated as PFICs or “regular” corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular MLPs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a fund can invest in MLPs and will impact the amount, character, and timing of income recognized by the Fund.
Investments in Securities of Uncertain Tax Character. The Fund may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.
Backup Withholding
By law, a portion of your taxable dividends and sales proceeds may be withheld unless you:
● | provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number, |
● | certify that this number is correct, |
● | certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and |
● | certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
Withholding is also imposed if the IRS requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special U.S.
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tax certification requirements applicable to non-U.S. investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-U.S. Investors” heading below.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.
In General . The United States imposes a flat 30% withholding tax (or a withholding tax at a lower treaty rate) on U.S. source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Fund, subject to certain exemptions described below. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Fund Shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Capital Gain Dividends . In general, capital gain dividends reported by the Fund as paid from its net long-term capital gains, other than long-term capital gains realized on disposition of U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. Generally, dividends reported by the Fund as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. “Qualified interest income” includes, in general, U.S. source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation that is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. Similarly, short-term capital gain dividends reported by the Fund as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than short-term capital gains realized on disposition of U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you were a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year. The Fund reserves the right to not report interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Fund’s reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.
Net Investment Income from Dividends on Stock and Foreign Source Interest Income Continue to be Subject to Withholding Tax; Foreign Tax Credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. investors on the income earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to U.S. withholding tax.
Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Income Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business . If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale of Shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
U.S. Estate Tax. Transfers by gift of Shares of the Fund by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-U.S. shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to Fund Shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a
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U.S. federal transfer certificate, which permits the decedent’s property to be transferred without federal estate tax liability. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Fund Shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to U.S. situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000, an affidavit from an appropriate individual that states that the decedent’s U.S. situs assets are below this threshold amount may be sufficient to transfer the Fund Shares.
U.S. Tax Certification Rules . Special U.S. tax certification requirements may apply to non-U.S. shareholders both to avoid U.S. backup withholding imposed at a rate of 28% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the United States and the shareholder’s country of residence. In general, if you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8 BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a U.S. person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8 BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on payments or distributions made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or non-financial foreign entities (“NFFE”): (a) income dividends and (b) after December 31, 2018, certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund Shares. The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S. accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the United States and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Fund will need to provide documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Fund. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.
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Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Fund.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
The Fund is newly organized and therefore has not yet had any operations as of the date of this SAI.
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TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
1. Purpose; Delegation . The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the policies and procedures for voting proxies received from issuers whose securities are held by each series (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) of ETFis Series Trust I and Virtus ETF Trust II (individually, a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”). The board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) believes that while typically each Fund’s Sub-Adviser is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for such Fund, there may also be times when the Board determines that the Adviser or another person or group of persons is in the best position to make such voting decisions (such person or group of persons, the “Proxy Voting Manager”). Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, each Fund’s Proxy Voting Manager is hereby delegated the duty to make proxy voting decisions for such Fund, and to implement and undertake such other duties as set forth in, and consistent with, these Policies and Procedures.
2. Definitions
(a) Proxy . A proxy permits a shareholder to vote without being present at annual or special meetings. A proxy is the form whereby a person who is eligible to vote on corporate matters transmits written instructions for voting or transfers the right to vote to another person in place of the eligible voter. Proxies are generally solicited by management, but may be solicited by dissident shareholders opposed to management’s policies or strategies.
(b) Proxy Voting Manager . Proxy Voting Manager, as used herein, refers to the individual, individuals or committee of individuals appointed by the Board as being responsible for supervising and implementing these Policies and Procedures with respect to a particular Fund.
3. Policy for Voting Proxies Related to Exchange Traded Funds and other Investment Companies . Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), all proxies from exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or other investment companies voted by a Fund, registered in the name of the Fund, will have the following voting instructions typed on the proxy form: “Vote these shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such shares. The beneficial owner of these shares is a registered investment company.”
4. Policy for Voting Proxies Related to Other Portfolio Securities .
(a) Fiduciary Considerations . Proxies with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted solely in the interests of the shareholders of the Trust. Any conflict of interest must be resolved in the way that will most benefit the shareholders.
(b) Management Recommendations . Since the quality and depth of management is a primary factor considered when investing in a company, the recommendation of management on any issue should be given substantial weight. The vote with respect to most issues presented in proxy statements should be cast in accordance with the position of the company’s management, unless it is determined that supporting management’s position would adversely affect the investment merits of owning the stock. However, each issue should be considered on its own merits, and the position of the company’s management should not be supported in any situation where it is found not to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
5. Conflicts of Interest . The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances a Proxy Voting Manager may have a conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of a Fund. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, situations where a Proxy Voting Manager or one or more of its affiliates, including, without limitation, officers, directors or employees, has or is seeking a client relationship with the issuer of the security that is the subject of the proxy vote. The Proxy Voting Manager shall periodically inform its employees that they are under an obligation to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of the Proxy Voting Manager with respect to voting proxies on behalf of a Fund, both as a result of the employee’s personal relationships and due to circumstances that may arise during the conduct of the Proxy Voting Manager’s business, and to bring any conflict of interest of which they become aware to the attention of
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the Proxy Voting Manager. With respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies, the Proxy Voting Manager shall not vote proxies relating to such issuers on behalf of a Fund until it has determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method of resolving such conflict of interest has been determined in the manner described below. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence the Proxy Voting Manager’s decision-making in voting a proxy. Materiality determinations will be based upon an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. If the Proxy Voting Manager determines that a conflict of interest is not material, the Proxy Voting Manager may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of a conflict. If the conflict of interest is determined to be material, either (i) the conflict shall be disclosed to the Board and the Proxy Voting Manager shall follow the instructions of the Board or (ii) the Proxy Voting Manager shall vote the issue in question based upon the recommendation of an independent third party under a contractual arrangement approved by the Board. The Proxy Voting Manager shall keep a record of all materiality decisions and report them to the Board on an annual basis.
6. Routine Proposals . Proxies for routine proposals (such as election of directors, selection of independent public accountants, stock splits and increases in capital stock) with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies should generally be voted in favor of management.
7. Non-Routine Proposals . Votes on non-routine matters and votes against a management’s recommendations with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted as determined by the Proxy Voting Manager to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
8. Proxy Voting Procedures . Proxy voting will be conducted in compliance with the policies and practices described herein and is subject to the Proxy Voting Manager’s supervision. A reasonable effort should be made to obtain proxy material and to vote in a timely fashion. Each Proxy Voting Manager shall maintain records regarding the voting of proxies under these Policies and Procedures.
9. Form N-PX . The Proxy Voting Manager shall gather, collate and present information relating to the proxy voting activities of itself and/or its delegate(s) in such format and medium as the Fund shall request in order for the Fund to discharge its disclosure and reporting obligations pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act. A record of each proxy vote will be entered on Form N-PX. A copy of each Form N-PX will be signed by the President of the Trust. The Form is to be filed by August 31 each year. Each reporting period covered by the Form N-PX runs from July 1 to June 30. The Trust will disclose in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in its registration statement (in the SAI) filed with the SEC that the Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request at (888) 383-0553 (or another toll-free telephone number for the Fund) and is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
10. Proxy Voting Managers’ Voting Procedures . The Trust acknowledges that certain of the Proxy Voting Managers to the various Funds have adopted voting policies and procedures for their clients that have been delivered to the Trust. To the extent that a Proxy Voting Manager has not adopted such policies and procedures, it shall adopt the policies and procedures provided herein as its own and shall otherwise vote all proxies in what it believes is the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. To the extent that a Proxy Voting Manager’s policies and procedures are consistent with these Policies and Procedures, the Proxy Voting Manager may implement them with respect to voting proxies on behalf of each Fund managed by such Proxy Voting Manager. However, the provisions of paragraph 5 of these Policies and Procedures relating to conflicts of interest shall supersede any comparable provisions of any Proxy Voting Manager’s policies and procedures.
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Sub-Adviser PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Statement of Policy
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders, and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that these rights are properly and timely exercised. Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) votes proxies in the best interest of its clients and in accordance with these policies and procedures.
Proxy-Voting Procedures
All proxies received by the Sub-Adviser are sent to Edward F. Ryan, who (1) keeps a record of each proxy received, (2) determines which accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser hold the security to which the proxy relates, and (3) determines the date by which the Sub-Adviser must vote the proxy in order to allow adequate time for the completed proxy to be returned to the issuer. Absent material conflicts, the portfolio managers determine how the Sub-Adviser should vote the proxy. Mr. Ryan is responsible for completing the proxy and mailing the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.
Voting Guidelines
In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, the Sub-Adviser votes proxies in the best interests of each particular client, which may result in different voting results for proxies for the same issuer.
Conflicts of Interest
The Chief Compliance Officer seeks to identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the Sub-Adviser and its clients. This examination includes a review of the relationship of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates with the issuer of each security and any affiliates of the issuer to determine if the issuer is a client of the Sub-Adviser or an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser or has some other relationship with the Sub-Adviser or a client of the Sub-Adviser.
If a material conflict exists, the Chief Compliance Officer determines whether voting is in the best interests of the client and whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients. Except in the case of clients that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Chief Compliance Officer may give the clients the opportunity to vote their proxies themselves. In the case of ERISA clients, if the Advisory Contract reserves to the client the authority to vote proxies when the Sub-Adviser determines that it has a material conflict that affects its best judgment as an ERISA fiduciary, the Sub-Adviser will give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies itself.
Disclosure
The Sub-Adviser discloses in the Brochure and brochure supplement that clients may contact the Chief Compliance Officer by electronic mail or telephone to obtain information on how the Sub-Adviser voted proxies for the accounts of particular clients and to request a copy of this policy and these procedures. If a client requests this information, the Chief Compliance Officer will prepare a written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy about which the client has inquired, the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how the Sub-Adviser voted the proxy.
Recordkeeping
The Chief Compliance Officer maintains files relating to the proxy-voting procedures in an easily accessible place. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Advisor. Records of the following are included:
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This policy and these procedures and any amendments thereto; | |
Each proxy statement that the Sub-Adviser receives, unless the Sub-Adviser has a third party retain the proxy statements, so long as the third party undertakes to provide a copy of a proxy statement promptly upon request; | |
A record of each vote that the Sub-Adviser casts; | |
A copy of any document the Sub-Adviser created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies or that memorializes that decision; and | |
A copy of each written client request for information on how the Sub-Adviser voted client proxies and a copy of any written response to any written or oral client request for information on how the Sub-Adviser voted client proxies. |
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ETFis Series Trust I
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) | (1) | Certificate of Trust of ETFis Series Trust I dated September 20, 2012, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 |
(2) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust of ETFis Series Trust I dated September 20, 2012, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 | |
(3) | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 19, 2013, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(b) | Bylaws of ETFis Series Trust I dated September 20, 2012, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed April 2, 2013 | |
(c) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – See relevant portions of Certificate of Trust, Declaration of Trust and Bylaws | |
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 4, 2015, between ETFis Series Trust I and Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (“Advisory Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 48, filed June 8, 2015 |
(2) | Form of Amendment to Schedule A to the Advisory Agreement, filed herewith | |
(3) | Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated August 14, 2017, between ETFis Series Trust I and Virtus ETF Advisers LLC on behalf of Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF and Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed October 31, 2017 | |
(4) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated August 1, 2014, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of InfraCap MLP ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, filed October 17, 2014 | |
(5) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated May 8, 2015, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, on behalf of Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 41, filed May 8, 2015 | |
(6) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated August 5, 2015, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and W. H. Reaves & Co., Inc. d/b/a Reaves Asset Management, on behalf of Reaves Utilities ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 58, filed August 21, 2015 | |
(7) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 3, 2015, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Cumberland Advisors, Inc., on behalf of Virtus Cumberland Municipal Bond ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 79, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(8) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated August 16, 2016, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and iSectors, LLC, on behalf of iSectors Post-MPT Growth ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 99, filed August 25, 2016 | |
(9) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated November 10, 2016, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 100, filed November 21, 2016 | |
(10) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 12, 2017, among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Wellington Management Company LLP, on behalf of Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed |
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October 31, 2017 | ||
(11) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Glovista Investments LLC, on behalf of Virtus Glovista Emerging Markets ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed October 31, 2017 | |
(12) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, filed herewith | |
(e) | (1) | Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated February 8, 2017, between ETFis Series Trust I and ETF Distributors LLC (“Distribution Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed October 31, 2017 |
(2) | Amendment dated November 1, 2017 to Exhibit A to the Distribution Agreement, to be filed by amendment | |
(f) | Not Applicable | |
(g) | (1) | Custody Agreement dated December 6, 2013, between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon (“Custody Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 58, filed August 21, 2015 |
(2) | Amendment dated October 8, 2015 to the Custody Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 78, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(h) | (1) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated December 6, 2013, between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon (“Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 58, filed August 21, 2015 |
(2) | Amendment dated September 21, 2015 to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, filed October 16, 2015 | |
(3) | Amendment dated October 8, 2015 to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 78, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(4) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated December 6, 2013, between ETFis Series Trust I and The Bank of New York Mellon (“Transfer Agency and Service Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 58, filed August 21, 2015 | |
(5) | Amendment dated September 21, 2015 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, filed October 16, 2015 | |
(6) | Amendment dated October 8, 2015 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 78, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(7) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement between ETF Distributors LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon and Authorized Participants, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(8) | Administrative Services Agreement dated August 6, 2013, between ETFis Series Trust I and Virtus ETF Solutions LLC (“Administrative Services Agreement”), incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 41, filed May 8, 2015 | |
(9) | Amendment dated November 1, 2017 to Exhibit A and Exhibit C of the Administrative Services Agreement, to be filed by amendment | |
(10) | Expense Limitation Agreement dated May 8, 2015, between ETFis Series Trust I, on behalf of Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF, and Etfis Capital LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 41, filed May 8, 2015 |
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(11) | Expense Limitation Agreement dated December 8, 2015, between ETFis Series Trust I, on behalf of Virtus Cumberland Municipal Bond ETF, and Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 79, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(12) | Fee Waiver Agreement dated October 31, 2017, for Virtus Glovista Emerging Markets ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed October 31, 2017 | |
(i) | (1) | Legal Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 |
(2) | Legal Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP with respect to Telsey Millennial Consumer ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 91, filed July 8, 2016 | |
(3) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP with respect to InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 100, filed November 21, 2016 | |
(4) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP with respect to Virtus Glovista Emerging Markets ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 111, filed April 7, 2017 | |
(5) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP with respect to Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 112, filed May 22, 2017 | |
(6) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP with respect to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, filed herewith | |
(j) | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, filed herewith | |
(k) | Not applicable | |
(l) | Form of Initial Share Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed December 24, 2013 | |
(m) | Distribution and Service Plan for ETFis Series Trust I dated May 5, 2016, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 91, filed July 8, 2016 | |
(n) | Not applicable | |
(o) | Reserved | |
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of the ETFis Series Trust I, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 100, filed November 21, 2016 |
(2) | Code of Ethics of ETF Distributors LLC, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, dated June 30, 2016, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 100, filed November 21, 2016 | |
(3) | Code of Ethics of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, filed August 1, 2014 | |
(4) | Code of Ethics of Tuttle Tactical Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed October 10, 2014 | |
(5) | Code of Ethics of LifeSci Index Partners, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 15, filed November 28, 2014 |
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(6) | Code of Ethics of W. H. Reaves & Co., Inc. d/b/a Reaves Asset Management, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 31, filed March 12, 2015 | |
(7) | Code of Ethics of Bramshill Investments, LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 78, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(8) | Code of Ethics of Cumberland Advisors, Inc., incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 79, filed December 8, 2015 | |
(9) | Code of Ethics of iSectors ® , LLC, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, filed March 1, 2016 | |
(q) | Powers of Attorney, incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed October 10, 2014 |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant
No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
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.
Reference is made to Article IX of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated by reference herein. The general effect of the indemnification available to an officer or Trustee may be to reduce the circumstances under which the officer or Trustee is required to bear the economic burden of liabilities and expenses related to actions taken by the individual in his or her capacity as an officer or Trustee.
The Registrant (sometimes referred to as the “ Trust ”) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is operated pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust that permits the Registrant to indemnify every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, including, without limitation, 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 ”). Each Covered Person is 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 in settlement thereof. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:
No indemnification is provided to a Covered Person to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law.
The rights of indemnification under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust; are severable; will not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person is entitled; will continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person; and will inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust will affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, 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 such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
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Subject to applicable federal law, expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification shall be advanced by the Trust or the applicable Series 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.
To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and therefore, is 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.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser and Sub-Advisers
The description of the Adviser is found under the caption “Management of the Fund - Investment Adviser” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Management Services - Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Adviser may provide investment advisory services to other persons or entities other than the Registrant.
The information as to the directors and officers of Virtus ETF Advisers LLC set forth in the Virtus ETF Advisers LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-78585) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC set forth in Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-79940) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of LifeSci Index Partners, LLC set forth in LifeSci Index Partners, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-80539) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC set forth in Newfleet Asset Management, LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-51559) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of W. H. Reaves & Co. set forth in W. H. Reaves & Co.’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-13457) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers of Cumberland Advisors, Inc. set forth in Cumberland Advisors, Inc.’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-55344) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
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The information as to the directors and officers at iSectors ® , LLC, set forth in iSectors ® , LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-69601) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers Wellington Management Company LLP, set forth in Wellington Management Company LLP’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-15908) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
The information as to the directors and officers Glovista Investments LLC, set forth in Glovista Investments LLC’s Form ADV filed with the SEC (Reference No. 801-68843) and amended through the date hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
(a) ETF Distributors LLC (the “ Distributor ”) acts as the distributor for each series of the Registrant and each series of Virtus ETF Trust II.
(b) The directors and officers of the Distributor are as follows:
Name* | Positions with the Distributor | Positions with Trust |
Michael A. Angerthal | Executive Vice President | n/a |
George R. Aylward | Executive Vice President | Trustee |
Matthew Brown | President | n/a |
Kevin J. Carr | Assistant Secretary | n/a |
Mark S. Flynn | General Counsel and Secretary | n/a |
Brinton Frith | Senior Vice President | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
David G. Hanley | Treasurer | n/a |
David Martin | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | n/a |
Mardelle Peña | Executive Vice President | n/a |
William J. Smalley | Executive Vice President | President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary |
* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is: 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
(c) During the Registrant’s most recent fiscal year, the Distributor did not receive any net underwriting discounts or commissions, compensation on redemptions and repurchases, brokerage commissions or other compensation.
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 the following locations:
Virtus ETF Advisers LLC
1540 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10036
The Bank of New York Mellon
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10007
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ETF Distributors LLC
1540 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
LifeSci Index Partners, LLC
250 West 55th Street, Suite 16B
New York, NY 10019
Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, CT 06103
W. H. Reaves & Co., Inc.
10 Exchange Place, 18 th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Cumberland Advisors, Inc.
One Sarasota Tower
2 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 303
Sarasota, FL 34236
iSectors ® , LLC
W6240 Communication Court
Appleton, WI 54914
Wellington Management Company LLP
280 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Glovista Investments LLC
One Evertrust Plaza, 11 th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
C- 7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 21 st day of November, 2017.
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I | |||
(Registrant) | |||
By: | /s/ William J. Smalley | ||
William J. Smalley, President | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person(s) in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
Name | Title | Date |
/s/ William J. Smalley | Trustee, President | November 21, 2017 |
William J. Smalley | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ Brinton Frith | Treasurer | November 21, 2017 |
Brinton Frith | (Principal Financial Officer) | |
/s/ Stephen G. O’Grady* | Trustee | November 21, 2017 |
Stephen G. O’Grady | ||
/s/ James Simpson* | Trustee | November 21, 2017 |
James Simpson | ||
/s/ Robert S. Tull* | Trustee | November 21, 2017 |
Robert S. Tull | ||
Trustee | ||
Myles J. Edwards |
* By: | /s/ William J. Smalley | November 21, 2017 | |
William J. Smalley, Attorney-in-fact |
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Exhibit Index
(d)(2) | Form of Amendment to Schedule A to the Advisory Agreement | |
(d)(12) | Sub-Advisory Agreement among ETFis Series Trust I, Virtus ETF Advisers LLC and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, on behalf of Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | |
(i)(6) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP with respect to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | |
(j) | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
C- 9
Exhibit (d)(2)
ETFis SERIES TRUST I
AMENDMENT TO SCHEDULE A TO THE
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT (the “Amendment”) dated as of the _____ day of __________, 2017, to the Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2015 (the “ Advisory Agreement ”), is entered into by and between ETFis SERIES TRUST I (the “ Trust ”), a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), and Virtus ETF Advisers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 (the “ Adviser ”).
WHEREAS, each of the Trust and the Adviser is a party to the Advisory Agreement; and
WHEREAS, each of the Trust and the Adviser desires to amend the Advisory Agreement to replace Schedule A.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Schedule A to the Advisory Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Schedule A attached hereto.
2. Except to the extent amended hereby, the Advisory Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date and year first written above.
ETFis SERIES TRUST I | VIRTUS ETF ADVISERS LLC |
By: William J. Smalley, President |
By: Brinton W. Frith, President |
SCHEDULE A
to the
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
between
ETFis SERIES TRUST I
and
VIRTUS ETF ADVISERS LLC
(As of__________, 2017)
As compensation for the Adviser’s services rendered, the Adviser shall be entitled to a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the greater of (1) the minimum fee or (2) the average daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:
Fund | Minimum Fee | Rate | |||
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Unconstrained Bond ETF | $ | 0 | 0.700% | ||
Reaves Utilities ETF | $ | 25,000 | 0.075% | ||
iSectors ® Post-MPT Growth ETF | $ | 25,000 | 0.125% | ||
Virtus Cumberland Municipal Bond ETF | $ | 0 | 0.245% | ||
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF 1 2 | $ | 25,000 | 0.45% | ||
Virtus WMC Global Factor Opportunities ETF 1 | $ | 0 | 0.49% | ||
Virtus Glovista Emerging Markets ETF 1 | $ | 0 | 0.68% | ||
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF 1 2 | $ | 0 | 0.80% |
1 The management fee for this Fund is structured as a “unified fee”, out of which the Adviser pays all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for the fee payment under this Agreement; payments under any 12b-1 plan; taxes and other governmental fees; brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses; interest and other costs of borrowing; litigation or arbitration expenses; acquired fund fees and expenses; and extraordinary or other non-routine expenses of the Fund; each of which is paid by the Fund.
2 For the avoidance of doubt, the Trust, the Adviser and the Fund’s Sub-Adviser have not entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund that provides for a unified fee pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser is obligated to pay, or reimburse the Fund for the payment of, the Adviser’s fee, as described in the third sentence of the first paragraph of Section 9 of the Agreement.
Exhibit (d)(12)
ETFIS SERIES TRUST I
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
[DATE]
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28 th Floor
New York, NY 10019
RE: Sub-Advisory Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
ETFis Series Trust I (the “Trust”) is an open-end investment company of the series type registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”), and is subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The shares of the Trust are offered or may be offered in several series of shares, including the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (sometimes hereafter referred to as the “Fund”).
Virtus ETF Advisers LLC (the “Adviser”) evaluates, recommends, selects and retains sub-advisers for the Fund and the other series of the Trust and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
1. | Engagement as a Sub-Adviser . The Adviser, being duly authorized, hereby engages Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) as the discretionary sub-adviser to invest and reinvest the assets of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth herein. |
2. | Acceptance of Engagement; Standard of Performance . The Sub-Adviser accepts its engagement as the discretionary sub-adviser for the Fund and agrees to use its best professional judgment to make investment decisions for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof. |
3. | Fund Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall reimburse the Adviser for, or, at the direction of the Adviser, pay directly, all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for the Adviser’s advisory fee (other than the Adviser’s Shortfall, if any (as defined in Schedule B)); payments under the Fund’s 12b-1 plan (if any); taxes and other governmental fees; brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses; interest and other costs of borrowing; litigation or arbitration expenses; acquired fund fees and expenses; and extraordinary or other non-routine expenses of the Fund. A summary of projected fees and expenses that the Sub-Adviser will be responsible for under this paragraph has been provided to the Sub-Adviser by the Trust and the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Adviser may pay any of the Fund’s fees and expenses directly, and that the fee payable to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to Section 10 hereunder shall be reduced and set off by the amount of such payment and/or by the amount of the Adviser’s Shortfall. |
4. | Services of Sub-Adviser . In providing management services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will be subject to the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Trust as they apply to the Fund and as set forth in the Fund’s then current prospectus (“Prospectus”), statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as part of the Trust’s Registration Statement and Form 19b-4 application filed with the SEC, as the same may be periodically amended and provided to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser, and to the investment restrictions set forth in the Act and the Rules thereunder, the terms and conditions of the ETF exemptive order issued to the Adviser and the Trust, the supervision and control of the Trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”), and instructions from the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will not, without the Trust’s prior written approval, effect any transactions that would cause the Fund at the time of the transaction to be out of compliance with any of such restrictions or policies. The Sub-Adviser also will assist the Adviser and the Fund with certain operational services for the Fund including, without limitation, the following: (i) the preparation of tax |
returns; (ii) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders; (iii) the periodic updating of the prospectus and statement of additional information; and (iv) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities.
5. | Transaction Procedures . All transactions for the Fund will be consummated by payment to, or delivery by, the Custodian(s) from time to time designated by the Trust (the “Custodian”), or such depositories or agents as may be designated by the Custodian in writing, of all cash and/or securities due to or from the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will not have possession or custody of such cash and/or securities or any responsibility or liability with respect to such custody. The Sub-Adviser will advise the Custodian and confirm in writing to the Trust all investment orders for the Fund placed by it with brokers and dealers at the time and in the manner set forth in the Custody Agreement by and between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Custodian (as amended from time to time). The Trust will issue to the Custodian such instructions as may be appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction initiated by the Sub-Adviser. The Trust will be responsible for all custodial arrangements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees and, upon giving proper instructions to the Custodian, the Sub-Adviser will have no responsibility or liability with respect to custodial arrangements or the act, omissions or other conduct of the Custodian. |
6. | Allocation of Brokerage . The Sub-Adviser will have authority and discretion to select brokers and dealers to execute Fund transactions initiated by the Sub-Adviser, and to select the markets on or in which the transactions will be executed. |
A. | In placing orders for the sale and purchase of securities for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser’s primary responsibility will be to seek the best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. However, this responsibility will not obligate the Sub-Adviser to solicit competitive bids for each transaction or to seek the lowest available spreads or commission costs to the Fund, so long as the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the broker or dealer selected by it can be expected to obtain a “best execution” market price on the particular transaction and determines in good faith that the spread or commission cost is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided by such broker or dealer to the Sub-Adviser, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or of the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its clients, including the Fund, as to which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion, notwithstanding that the Fund may not be the direct or exclusive beneficiary of any such services or that another broker may be willing to charge the Fund a lower spread or commission on the particular transaction. |
B. | The Sub-Adviser may manage other portfolios and expects that the Fund and other portfolios the Sub-Adviser manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of the Fund with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Sub-Adviser manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated orders, as well as expenses incurred in the transaction, will be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the Sub-Adviser that bought or sold such securities in a manner considered by the Sub-Adviser to be equitable and consistent with the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations in respect of the Fund and to such other accounts. |
C. | The Sub-Adviser will not execute any transactions for the Fund with a broker or dealer that is (i) an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Act) of the Trust, the Sub-Adviser, any sub-adviser to any other series of the Trust, or the Adviser; (ii) a principal underwriter of the Trust’s shares; or (iii) an affiliated person of such an affiliated person or principal underwriter; in each case, unless such transactions are permitted by applicable law or regulation and carried out in compliance with any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are “affiliated persons” of the Trust or the Adviser, and applicable policies and procedures. |
D. | Consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust in respect of the Fund and the requirements of best price and execution, the Sub-Adviser may, under certain circumstances, arrange to have purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the Fund and another account managed by the Sub-Adviser (“cross transactions”), provided that such transactions are carried out in |
2
accordance with applicable law or regulation and any applicable policies and procedures of the Trust adopted on behalf of the Fund.
7. | Proxies . |
A. | Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Sub-Adviser written instructions to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser, or a third party designee acting under the authority and supervision of the Sub-Adviser, will review all proxy solicitation materials and be responsible for voting and handling all proxies in relation to the assets of the Fund. Unless the Adviser or the Trust gives the Sub-Adviser written instructions to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser will, in compliance with the proxy voting procedures of the Fund then in effect, vote or abstain from voting, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested. The Adviser will cause the Custodian to forward promptly to the Sub-Adviser all proxies upon receipt, so as to afford the Sub-Adviser a reasonable amount of time in which to determine how to vote such proxies. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide the Adviser in a timely manner with a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Trust to file Form N-PX as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Act. |
B. | The Sub-Adviser is authorized to deal with reorganizations, exchange offers and other voluntary corporate actions with respect to securities held in the Fund in such manner as the Sub-Adviser deems advisable, unless the Trust or the Adviser otherwise specifically directs in writing. With the Adviser’s approval, the Sub-Adviser will also have the authority to: (i) identify, evaluate and pursue legal claims, including commencing or defending suits, affecting the securities held at any time in the Fund, including claims in bankruptcy, class action securities litigation and other litigation; (ii) participate in such litigation or related proceedings with respect to such securities as the Sub-Adviser deems appropriate to preserve or enhance the value of the Fund, including filing proofs of claim and related documents and serving as “lead plaintiff” in class action lawsuits; (iii) exercise generally any of the powers of an owner with respect to the supervision and management of such rights or claims, including the settlement, compromise or submission to arbitration of any claims, the exercise of which the Sub-Adviser deems to be in the best interest of the Fund or required by applicable law, including ERISA, and (iv) engage suitable agents, including legal counsel, and to pay their reasonable fees, expenses and related costs from the Fund. |
8. | Prohibited Conduct . In providing the services described in this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser’s responsibility regarding investment advice hereunder is limited to the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to the Trust or any other investment company (or series thereof) sponsored by the Adviser or its affiliates regarding transactions for the Trust in securities or other assets. The Trust will provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser will be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company (or series thereof) is included in such a list provided to the Sub-Adviser prior to such prohibited action or the Sub-Adviser knew or reasonably should have known that the investment company (or series thereof) was sponsored by the Adviser (including, without limitation, where the Adviser’s name is included in the name of the investment company or series thereof). In addition, the Sub-Adviser will not (i) without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any unaffiliated third party, and (ii) will not delegate under any circumstances its obligation hereunder to provide investment advisory services to the Fund. |
9. | Information and Reports . |
A. | The Sub-Adviser will keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments relating to its duties as Sub-Adviser of which the Sub-Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund or the Trust. In this regard, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Trust, the Adviser and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Sub-Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request. In addition, prior to each meeting of the Trustees, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser and the Trustees with reports regarding the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund during the most recently completed quarter, which reports: (i) will include Sub-Adviser’s representation that its performance of its investment management duties hereunder is in |
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compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives and practices, the Act and applicable rules and regulations under the Act, and the diversification and minimum “good income” requirements of Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) otherwise will be in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser.
B. | Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will provide the other party with a list, to the best of the Adviser’s or the Sub-Adviser’s respective knowledge, of each affiliated person (and any affiliated person of such an affiliated person) of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, and each of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from the list of affiliated persons. |
C. | The Sub-Adviser will also provide the Adviser with any information reasonably requested by the Adviser regarding its management of the Fund required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. |
10. | Fees for Services . The compensation of the Sub-Adviser for its services under this Agreement will be calculated and paid by the Adviser in accordance with the attached Schedule B. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Sub-Adviser. |
11. | Limitation of Liability . Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will not be liable for any action taken, omitted or suffered to be taken by it in its best professional judgment, in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement, or in accordance with specific directions or instructions from the Trust; provided, however, that such acts or omissions will not have constituted a material breach of the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Fund as defined in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, or a material breach of any laws, rules, regulations or orders applicable to the Fund, and that such acts or omissions will not have resulted from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. |
12. | Confidentiality . Subject to the duty of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto will treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Trust in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Sub-Adviser may (i) disclose in marketing materials and similar communications that the Sub-Adviser has been engaged to manage assets of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) include performance statistics regarding the Fund in composite performance statistics regarding one or more groups of Sub-Adviser's clients published or included in any of the foregoing communications, provided that the Sub-Adviser does not identify any performance statistics as relating specifically to the Fund. |
13. | Assignment . This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Trust and the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Sub-Adviser. |
14. | Representations, Warranties and Agreements |
A. | The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | It is registered with the SEC as an “investment adviser” under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). |
2. | It will maintain, keep current and preserve such records on behalf of the Trust, in the manner required or permitted by the Act and the Rules thereunder as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company (to the extent applicable), which |
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shall include, without limitation, those records set forth on Schedule C . The Sub-Adviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and will be surrendered to the Trust or to the Adviser as agent of the Trust promptly upon request of either. The Trust acknowledges that Sub-Adviser may retain copies of all records required to meet the record retention requirements imposed by law and regulation.
3. | It will maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) complying with the requirements of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-l under the Act and will provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of the Code of Ethics and evidence of its adoption. It will institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges receipt of the written code of ethics adopted by and on behalf of the Trust. Each calendar quarter while this Agreement is in effect, a duly authorized compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser will certify to the Trust and to the Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-l during the previous calendar quarter and that there has been no material violation of its Code of Ethics, or of Rule 17j-1(b), or that any persons covered under its Code of Ethics has divulged or acted upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws, and if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Annually, the Sub-Adviser will furnish to the Trust and the Adviser a written report which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 concerning the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser will permit the Trust and the Adviser to examine the reports required to be made by the Sub-Adviser under Rules 204A-1(b) and 17j-l(d)(1) and this subparagraph. |
4. | It has adopted and implemented, and throughout the term of this Agreement will maintain in effect and implement, written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation, by it and its supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the rules that the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser with any certifications, information and access to personnel and resources (including those resources that will permit testing of Sub-Adviser’s compliance policies by the Adviser) that the Adviser may reasonably request to enable the Trust to comply with Rule 38a-1 under the Act. The Sub-Adviser has provided the Trust with true and complete copies of its policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) and related information reasonably requested by the Trust and/or the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with periodic reviews by the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel of the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures, their operation and implementation and other compliance matters and to provide to the Trust and/or the Adviser from time to time such additional information and certifications in respect of the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures, compliance by the Sub-Adviser with federal securities laws and related matters as the Trust’s and/or the Adviser’s compliance personnel may reasonably request. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of any compliance violations which affect the Fund. |
5. | The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9 of the Act or otherwise. The Sub-Adviser will also immediately notify the Trust and the Adviser if it is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Fund. |
B. | The Trust represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | The Trust is a statutory trust established pursuant to the laws of State of Delaware; |
2. | The Trust is duly registered with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act; |
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3. | The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within the Trust’s powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary action (including without limitation all necessary approvals and other actions required under the 1940 Act) and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on the Trust; |
4. | No consent of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and |
5. | This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms. |
C. | The Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that: |
1. | The Adviser is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its business; |
2. | The Adviser is duly registered with the SEC as an “investment adviser” under the Advisers Act; |
3. | The Adviser has been duly appointed by the Trustees and shareholders of the Trust to provide investment services to the Trust as contemplated by the advisory contract; |
4. | The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within Adviser’s powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on Adviser; |
5. | No consent of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and |
6. | This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against Adviser. |
15. | No Personal Liability . Reference is hereby made to the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, a copy of which has been filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and elsewhere as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The name “ETFis Series Trust I” refers to the Trustees under said Declaration of Trust as Trustees, and not personally, and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, agent or employee of the Trust will be held to any personal liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust; only the trust estate under said Declaration of Trust is liable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers, directors, partners, shareholders or employees will, under any circumstances, have recourse or cause or willingly permit recourse to be had directly or indirectly to any personal, statutory, or other liability of any shareholder, Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust or of any successor of the Trust, whether such liability now exists or is hereafter incurred for claims against the trust estate. |
16. | Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement among the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser and the Trust, which amendment, other than amendments to Schedules A, C and D, is subject to the approval of the Trustees and the shareholders of the Fund as and to the extent required by the Act, subject to any applicable orders of exemption issued by the SEC. |
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17. | Effective Date; Term . This Agreement will become effective on the date set forth on the first page of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), and will continue in effect until the date that is two years from the Effective Date. The Agreement will continue from year to year thereafter only so long as its continuance has been specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Act, and by the majority vote of the disinterested Trustees in accordance with the requirements of Section 15(c) thereof. |
18. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as defined in the Act), upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, (ii) by the Sub-Adviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Trust, or (iii) by the Adviser upon 30 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser or the Board immediately upon the material breach by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement or by the Sub-Adviser immediately upon the material breach by the Adviser of this Agreement. This Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its “assignment”, as such term is defined in and interpreted under the terms of the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Provisions of this Agreement relating to indemnification will survive any termination of this Agreement. |
19. | Applicable Law . To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted, as the same may be amended from time to time, this Agreement will be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware. |
20. | Severability . If any term or condition of this Agreement will be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby, and each and every term and condition of this Agreement will be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
21. | Notices. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed duly given if delivered personally or by overnight delivery service or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or at such other address as will be designated by any party in a written notice to the other party. |
(a) | To the Trust at: |
ETFis Series Trust I
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Attention: William J. Smalley
(b) | To the Adviser at: |
Virtus ETF Advisers LLC
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Brinton W. Frith
(c) | To the Sub-Adviser at: |
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Edward F. Ryan
22. | Certifications. The Sub-Adviser hereby warrants and represents that it will provide the requisite certifications reasonably requested by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Trust necessary for those named officers to fulfill their reporting and certification obligations on Form N-CSR |
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and Form N-Q as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to the extent that such reporting and certifications relate to the Sub-Adviser’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide a quarterly certification in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule D .
23. | Indemnification . The Sub-Adviser will indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and the Trust from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser’s obligation under this Paragraph will be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser or the Trust (as applicable), is caused by or is otherwise directly related to (i) any breach by the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) of its representations or warranties made herein, (ii) any willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence of the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder, or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or SAI, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Sub-Adviser or the Trust, or the omission of such information, by the Adviser or Trust (as applicable) for use therein. |
A party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) will (i) provide prompt notice to the other of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and /or settlement of the Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party will have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but will not have the right to control the defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party.
No party will be liable to another party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
24. | Relationship of Parties . The Adviser, the Trust and Sub-Adviser are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing in this Agreement will be construed so as to make them partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them. Sub-Adviser will perform its duties under this Agreement as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the Trust, the Trustees or the Adviser. |
25. | Receipt of Disclosure Document . The Trust and the Adviser acknowledge receipt, at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement, of a copy of Part 2A of the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV containing certain information concerning the Sub-Adviser and the nature of its business. |
26. | Counterparts; Fax Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including executed counterparts delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission) with the same effect as if all signing parties had originally signed the same document, and all counterparts will be construed together and will constitute the same instrument. For all purposes, signatures delivered and exchanged by facsimile transmission will be binding and effective to the same extent as original signatures. |
(Signature page follows.)
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ETFIS SERIES Trust I
By: | |
Name: William J. Smalley | |
Title: President |
VIRTUS ETF ADVISERS LLC
By: | |
Name: Brinton W. Frith | |
Title: President | |
ACCEPTED:
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: |
SCHEDULES: | A. | Sub-Adviser Functions |
B. | Sub-Advisory Fee | |
C. | Records to be Maintained by the Sub-Adviser | |
D. | Form of Sub-Certification |
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SCHEDULE A
SUB-ADVISER FUNCTIONS
With respect to managing the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets, the Sub-Adviser will provide, at its own expense:
(a) | An investment program for the Fund consistent with its investment objectives based upon the development, review and adjustment of buy/sell strategies approved from time to time by the Board of Trustees and the Adviser in paragraph 3 of this Sub-Advisory Agreement and implementation of that program; |
(b) | Periodic reports, on at least a quarterly basis, in form and substance acceptable to the Adviser, with respect to: i) compliance with the Code of Ethics and the Trust’s code of ethics; ii) compliance with procedures adopted from time to time by the Trustees of the Trust relative to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; iii) diversification of Fund assets in accordance with the then prevailing Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information pertaining to the Fund and governing laws, regulations, rules and orders; iv) compliance with governing restrictions relating to the fair valuation of securities for which market quotations are not readily available or considered "illiquid" for the purposes of complying with the Fund’s limitation on acquisition of illiquid securities; v) any and all other reports reasonably requested in accordance with or described in this Agreement; and vi) the implementation of the Fund’s investment program, including, without limitation, analysis of Fund performance; |
(c) | Promptly after filing with the SEC an amendment to its Form ADV, a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Trustees; |
(d) | Attendance by appropriate representatives of the Sub-Adviser at meetings requested by the Adviser or Trustees at such time(s) and location(s) as reasonably requested by the Adviser or Trustees; and |
(e) | Notice to the Trustees and the Adviser of the occurrence of any event which would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. |
(f) | Provide reasonable assistance in the valuation of securities including the participation of appropriate representatives at fair valuation committee meetings. |
SCHEDULE B
SUB-ADVISORY FEE
For services provided to the Trust, the Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser a fee, payable monthly in arrears, equal to an annualized rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Sub-Adviser Fee”); provided, however, that the Adviser shall be entitled to retain a payment equal to an annualized rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, during the prior calendar month, payable (if applicable) at the end of each calendar year or the termination of this Agreement (the “Adviser’s Retention”). To the extent that the Adviser’s Retention for any month is less than the net advisory fee actually retained by the Adviser for such period after payment by the Adviser of any of the Fund’s expenses for such period and the Sub-Adviser Fee as set forth above (such difference, the “Adviser’s Shortfall”), then the Sub-Adviser will waive its fee and/or reimburse the Adviser in an aggregate amount equal to the Adviser’s Shortfall.
SCHEDULE C
RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE SUB-ADVISER
1. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(5) and (6)) A record of each brokerage order, and all other Fund purchases and sales, given by the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Trust for, or in connection with, the purchase or sale of securities, whether executed or unexecuted. Such records will include: |
A. | The name of the broker; |
B. | The terms and conditions of the order and of any modifications or cancellations thereof; |
C. | The time of entry or cancellation; |
D. | The price at which executed; |
E. | The time of receipt of a report of execution; and |
F. | The name of the person who placed the order on behalf of the Trust. |
2. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(9)) A record for each fiscal quarter, completed within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter, showing specifically the basis or bases upon which the allocation of orders for the purchase and sale of Fund securities to named brokers or dealers was effected, and the division of brokerage commissions or other compensation on such purchase and sale orders. Such record: |
A. | Will include the consideration given to: |
(i) | The sale of shares of the Trust by brokers or dealers. |
(ii) | The supplying of services or benefits by brokers or dealers to: |
(a) | The Trust, |
(b) | The Adviser, |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser, and |
(d) | Any person other than the foregoing. |
(iii) | Any other consideration other than the technical qualifications of the brokers and dealers as such. |
B. | Will show the nature of the services or benefits made available. |
C. | Will describe in detail the application of any general or specific formula or other determinant used in arriving at such allocation of purchase and sale orders and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
D. | Will show the name of the person responsible for making the determination of such allocation and such division of brokerage commissions or other compensation. |
3. | (Rule 31a-1(b)(10)) A record in the form of an appropriate memorandum identifying the person or persons, committees or groups authorizing the purchase or sale of Fund securities. Where a committee or group makes an authorization, a record will be kept of the names of its members who participate in the authorization. There will be retained as part of this record: any memorandum, recommendation or instruction supporting or authorizing the purchase or sale of Fund securities and such other information as is appropriate to support the authorization.* |
4. | (Rule 31a-1(f)) Such accounts, books and other documents as are required to be maintained by registered investment advisers by rule adopted under Section 204 of the Advisers Act, to the extent such records are necessary or appropriate to record the Sub-Adviser’s transactions for the Trust. |
5. | Records as necessary under Trust policies and procedures, including without limitation those related to valuation determinations. |
* Such information might include: current financial information, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, reports by analysts and from brokerage firms (including their recommendations, i.e., buy, sell, hold) or any internal reports or subadviser review.
SCHEDULE D
FORM OF SUB-CERTIFICATION
To: |
Re: | Sub-Adviser’s Form N-CSR and Form N-Q Certification for the [Name of Fund]. |
From: | [Name of Sub-Adviser] |
Representations in support of Investment Company Act Rule 30a-2 certifications of Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
[Name of Fund]. |
In connection with your certification responsibility under Rule 30a-2 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I have reviewed the following information presented in the schedule of investments for the period ended [Date of Reporting Period] (the “Report”) which forms part of the N-CSR or N-Q, as applicable, for the Trust.
Schedule of Investments
Our organization has designed, implemented and maintained internal controls and procedures, designed for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and completeness of relevant portfolio trade data transmitted to those responsible for the preparation of the Schedule of Investments. As of the date of this certification there have been no material modifications to these internal controls and procedures.
In addition, our organization has:
a. | Designed such internal controls and procedures to ensure that material information is made known to the appropriate groups responsible for servicing the above-mentioned mutual Trust. |
b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the date of this certification and we have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. |
c. | In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no fraud, whether or not material, that involves our organization’s management or other employees who have a significant role in our organization’s control and procedures as they relate to our duties as Sub-Adviser to the Fund. |
I have read the draft of the Report which I understand to be current as of [Date of Reporting Period] and based on my knowledge, such draft of the Report does not, with respect to the Fund, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information is presented, not misleading with respect to the period covered by such draft Report.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation, to the Fund’s Chief Accounting Officer:
a. | All significant changes, deficiencies and material weakness, if any, in the design or operation of the Sub-Adviser’s internal controls and procedures which could adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data with respect to the Fund in a timely fashion; |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Sub-Adviser’s management or other employees who have a significant role in the Sub-Adviser’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
I certify that to the best of my knowledge:
a. | The Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager(s) has/have complied with the restrictions and reporting requirements of the Sub-Adviser’s and the Trust’s Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The term Portfolio Manager is as defined in the Code. |
b. | The Sub-Adviser has complied with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund and the Policies and Procedures of the Fund as adopted by the Fund Board of Trustees. |
c. | I have no knowledge of any compliance violations except as disclosed in writing to the Virtus Compliance Department by me or by the Sub-Adviser’s compliance administrator. |
d. | The Sub-Adviser has complied with the rules and regulations of the 33 Act and 40 Act, and such other regulations as may apply to the extent those rules and regulations pertain to the responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund as outlined above. |
e. | Since the submission of our most recent certification there have not been any divestments of securities of issuers that conduct or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan. |
This certification relates solely to the Fund named above and may not be relied upon by any other Trust or entity.
The Sub-Adviser does not maintain the official books and records of the above Fund. The Sub-Adviser’s records are based on its own portfolio management system, a record-keeping system that is not intended to serve as the Fund official accounting system. The Sub-Adviser is not responsible for the preparation of the Report.
_______________________________ | __________________________ | |
[Name of Sub-Adviser] | Date | |
[Name of Authorized Signer] | ||
[Title of Authorized Signer] |
Exhibit (i)(6)
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Suite 2600
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7018
Telephone 215.564.8000
Fax 215.564.8120
www.stradley.com
November 21, 2017
Board of Trustees
ETFis Series Trust I
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Re: |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration
Statement of ETFis Series Trust I |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to ETFis Series Trust I, a statutory trust organized under Delaware law (the “Trust”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Trust of its shares of beneficial interest, no par value (the “Shares”), of the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF series of the Trust (the “Fund”).
This opinion is furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 28(i) of Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).
We have examined the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, as amended, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust (the “Declaration”), the Bylaws of the Trust, certain resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust relating to the creation, authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares, and a Certificate of Good Standing dated November 21, 2017 from the State of Delaware.
We have also examined the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed by the Trust, on behalf of the Fund (the “Registration Statement”) under the Investment Company Act and the Securities Act, all as amended to date, as well as other items we deem material to this opinion.
In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Trust and others.
Philadelphia | Washington | New York | Chicago
Board of Trustees
ETFis Series Trust I
November 21, 2017
Page 2
This opinion is based exclusively on the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act governing the issuance of the Shares of the Fund and the reported case law thereunder, and does not extend to the securities or “blue sky” laws of the State of Delaware or other States.
We have assumed the following for purposes of this opinion:
1. The Shares will be issued in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration and Bylaws, each as amended to date, and resolutions of the Trust’s Board of Trustees relating to the creation, authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares.
2. The Shares will be issued against payment therefor as described in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information relating thereto included in the Registration Statement.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, when the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Investment Company Act and Securities Act, the Shares will, when sold in accordance with the Registration Statement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of the Trust and we further consent to reference in the Registration Statement of the Trust to the fact that this opinion concerning the legality of the issue has been rendered by us.
Very truly yours,
STRADLEY RONON STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP
By: | /s/ Michael D. Mabry | |
Michael D. Mabry, a Partner |
Exhibit (j)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the references to us under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, a series of ETFis Series Trust I.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 21, 2017