As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
on November 26, 2012
Securities Act File No. 333-151713
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22209
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
Registration Statement Under The Securities Act Of 1933 þ
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ________ q
Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 þ
and/or
Registration Statement Under The Investment Company Act Of 1940 þ
Amendment No. 96 þ
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
Global X Funds
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
623 Fifth Avenue, 15
th
Floor
New York, NY 10022
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 644-6440
Bruno del Ama Global X Management Company LLC
623 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor
|
With a copy to:
Daphne Tippens Chisolm, Esq.
Law Offices of DT Chisolm, P.C.
11524 C Providence Road, Suite 326
Charlotte, NC 28277
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
q immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
þ on November 27, 2012, pursuant to paragraph (b)
q 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
q on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
q 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
q on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
q this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Global X Junior MLP ETF
NYSE Arca, Inc: MLPJ
Prospectus
November 27, 2012
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Shares in the
Fund are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other agency of the
U.S. Government, nor are shares deposits or obligations of any bank. Such shares in the Fund involve investment risks, including
the loss
of principal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
fund summarY | 1 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S STRATEGIES AND RISKS | 10 |
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION | 20 |
FUND MANAGEMENT | 20 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 21 |
BUYING AND SELLING fund SHARES | 22 |
FREQUENT TRADING | 22 |
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN | 23 |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 23 |
taxes | 24 |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 26 |
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION | 28 |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDEXES AND THE INDEX PROVIDER | 28 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 28 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 28 |
OTHER INFORMATION | 28 |
Global X Junior MLP ETF
Ticker: MLPJ Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Global X Junior MLP ETF (“Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Solactive Junior MLP Index (“Underlying Index”).
FEES AND EXPENSES
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares (“Shares”) of the Fund. You will also incur usual and customary brokerage commission when buying and selling Shares.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
Management Fees: | 0.75% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees: | None |
Other Expenses: 1 | 0.00% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses: | 0.75% |
Example: The following 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 customary brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling shares of the Fund in the secondary market. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell 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 the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
One Year | Three Years |
$77 | $240 |
1 | “Other Expenses” reflect estimated expenses for the Fund’s first fiscal year of operations. “Other Expenses” does not reflect deferred income tax liability to be incurred by the Fund. The Fund will accrue deferred income tax liability for its future tax liability associated with the capital appreciation of its investments and the distributions received by the Fund on equity securities of MLPs considered to be return of capital and for any net operating gains. The Fund’s accrued deferred tax liability will be reflected each day in the Fund’s net asset value per share. The Fund’s current and deferred tax liability, if any, will depend upon the Fund’s net investment gains and losses and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments and therefore may vary greatly from year to year depending on the nature of the Fund’s investments, the performance of those investments and general market conditions. Actual income tax expense, if any, will be incurred over many years, depending on if and when investment gains and losses are realized, the then-current basis of the Fund’s assets and other factors. |
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Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund had not yet commenced investment operations as of the most recent fiscal year end. Thus, no portfolio turnover rate is provided for the Fund.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of the Underlying Index. Moreover, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in securities that have economic characteristics of the small-capitalization segment of the Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) asset class. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers small-cap companies to be those companies included in, or similar in size to those included in, the Solactive Junior MLP Index, as of the latest reconstitution date, at the time of purchase. As of November 14, 2012, the market capitalization of the Solactive Junior MLP Index was between $200 million and $2.5 billion. The Fund’s capitalization range will change over time. The Fund’s 80% investment policies are non-fundamental and require 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before they can be changed.
The Underlying Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the small-capitalization segment of the United States master limited partnerships (MLP) asset class. As of November 14, 2012, the Underlying Index and was comprised of 24 MLPs engaged in the transportation, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining of natural resources. The Fund’s investment objective and Underlying Index may be changed without shareholder approval.
The Underlying Index is sponsored by an organization (“Index Provider”) that is independent of the Fund and Global X Management Company LLC, the investment adviser for the Fund (“Adviser”). The Index Provider determines the relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index. The Fund’s Index Provider is Structured Solutions AG.
The Adviser uses a “passive” or indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Underlying Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.
The Fund generally will use a replication strategy. A replication strategy is an indexing strategy that involves investing in the securities of the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as in the Underlying Index. However, the Fund may utilize a representative sampling strategy with respect to the Underlying Index when a replication strategy might be detrimental to shareholders, such as when there are practical difficulties or substantial costs involved in compiling a portfolio of equity securities to follow the Underlying Index, in instances in which a security in the Underlying Index becomes temporarily illiquid, unavailable or less liquid, or as a result of legal restrictions or limitations that apply to the Fund but not the Underlying Index.
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MLPs are publicly traded partnerships engaged in the transportation, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining of natural resources. By confining their operations to these specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. Of the 24 MLPs in the Index as of November 14, 2012, 15 trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the rest trade on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”).
To qualify as a MLP and to not be taxed as a corporation, a partnership must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). These qualifying sources include interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for the production of income described in the foregoing, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities.
MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, or the direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management. MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is paid to both common and subordinated units and is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions.
Due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, the Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a result, the Fund will be taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes.
Correlation: Correlation is the extent to which the values of different types of investments move in tandem with one another in response to changing economic and market conditions. An index is a theoretical financial calculation, while the Fund is an actual investment portfolio. The performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to the effect of taxes, transaction costs, asset valuations, foreign currency valuations, market impact, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs), legal restrictions or limitations, illiquid or unavailable securities, and timing variances.
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The Adviser seeks a correlation over time of 95% or better between the Fund’s performance, before fund fees, expenses and taxes, and the performance of the Underlying Index. A correlation percentage of 100% would indicate perfect correlation. If the Fund uses a replication strategy, it can be expected to have greater correlation to the Underlying Index than if it uses a representative sampling strategy.
Industry Concentration Policy: The Fund concentrates its investments ( i.e. , hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated.
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
As with any investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund's performance could trail that of other investments. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value ("NAV"), trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective, as well as other risks that are described in greater detail in the Additional Information About the Fund’s Strategies and Risks section of the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI").
Asset Class Risk: Securities in the Underlying Index or the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.
Cash Transaction Risk: Unlike many ETFs, the Fund expects to effect redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF. Because the Fund may effect redemptions for cash, rather than by in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. Such cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s Shares than for more conventional ETFs.
Concentration Risk: To the extent that the Fund's investments are concentrated in a particular country, market, industry or asset class, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that country, market, industry or asset class. The Fund is concentrated in energy and as such the Fund may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting the energy and energy infrastructure sector. For example, changes in governmental policies towards energy infrastructure may adversely affect Fund performance.
Equity Securities Risk: Equity securities are subject to changes in value and their values may be more volatile than other asset classes.
Industry Specific Risks: MLPs operating in the energy sector are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.
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Midstream. Midstream MLPs that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, increasing operating expenses and economic conditions, among others.
Exploration and production. Exploration and production MLPs produce energy resources, including natural gas and crude oil. Exploration and production MLPs that own oil and gas reserves are particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural gas. Substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on the value of such reserves and the financial condition of an MLP. Exploration and production MLPs seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with commodity prices by executing multi-year hedging strategies that fix the price of gas and oil produced. There can be no assurance that the hedging strategies currently employed by these MLPs are currently effective or will remain effective.
Marine shipping. Marine shipping MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping companies are exposed to many of the same risks as other energy companies. The highly cyclical nature of the marine transportation industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates and vessel values, which may adversely affect the revenues, profitability and cash flows of MLPs with marine transportation assets.
Propane. Propane MLPs are distributors or propane to homeowners for space and water heating. MLPs with propane assets are subject to earnings variability based upon weather conditions in the markets they serve, fluctuating commodity prices, customer conservation and increased use of alternative fuels, increased governmental or environmental regulation, and accidents or catastrophic events, among others.
Natural Resource. MLPs with coal, timber, fertilizer and other mineral assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve, which will be impacted by a wide range of domestic and foreign factors including fluctuating commodity prices, the level of their customers’ coal stockpiles, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, declines in production, mining accidents or catastrophic events, health claims and economic conditions, among others.
Issuer Risk: Fund performance depends on the performance of individual companies in which the Fund invests. Changes to the financial condition of any of those companies may cause the value of their securities to decline.
Liquidity Risk : Certain MLP securities may trade less frequently than those of larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations.
Market Risk: The Fund's NAV could decline over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.
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Market Trading Risks: The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Any of these factors may lead to the Shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.
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, cash flow risks, as described in more detail herein. MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by macro-economic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the energy 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.
Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers. As a result, the Fund’s performance may depend on the performance of a small number of issuers.
Passive Investment Risk : The Fund is not actively managed and the Adviser does not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Potential Substantial After-Tax Tracking Error From Index Performance: The Fund will be subject to taxation on its taxable income. The NAV of Shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities. The Underlying Index however is calculated without any deductions for taxes. As a result, the Fund’s after tax performance could differ significantly from the Underlying Index even if the pretax performance of the Fund and the performance of the Underlying Index are closely correlated. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund loses money because the borrower fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for loaned securities or of investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. As securities on loan may not be voted by the Fund, there is a risk that the Fund may not be able to recall the securities in sufficient time to vote on material proxy matters.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk: The Fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in small-capitalization companies, which are typically subject to lower trading volume, less liquidity, greater price volatility and less analyst coverage than larger more established companies.
Tax Risks: Tax risks associated with investments in the Fund include but are not limited to the following:
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Deferred Tax Liability. Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund that exceed such Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax-deferred return of capital that will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions regarding the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations currently 35% and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.
MLP Tax Risk. MLPs do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner is allocated a share of the partnership’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.
Returns of Capital Distributions From the Fund Reduce the Tax Basis of Fund Shares. A portion of the Fund’s distributions are expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. Returns of capital distribution are not taxable income to you but reduce your tax basis in your Fund Shares. Such a reduction in tax basis will result in larger taxable gains and/or lower tax losses on a subsequent sale of Fund Shares. Shareholders who sell their Shares for less than they bought them may still recognize a gain due to the reduction in tax basis. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of dividends or other distributions consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits from the Fund when, in fact, they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of the distributions is from the net profits of the Fund.
Tax-Favored Treatment of Qualified Dividends is Scheduled to Expire. Distributions by the Fund will be treated as dividends for tax purposes to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Under current federal income tax law, if applicable holding period requirements are met, qualified dividend income received by individuals and other non-corporate shareholders is taxed at long-term capital gain rates, which currently reach a maximum of 15%. However, the favorable tax treatment applicable to qualified dividends is scheduled to expire for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012 and, unless further Congressional action is taken, dividend income will thereafter be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to ordinary income (which rates are scheduled to increase at that time to a maximum rate of 39.6%).
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Tax Status of the Fund. The Fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes. This differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Code in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. As a result, the Fund will be obligated to pay applicable federal and state corporate income taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated. As discussed below, the Fund expects that a portion of the distributions it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes currently paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund does not have a full calendar year of performance. Thus, no bar chart or Average Annual Total Returns table is included for the Fund.
FUND MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser: Global X Management Company LLC.
Portfolio Managers: The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Bruno del Ama and Jose C. Gonzalez ("Portfolio Managers"). Mr. del Ama, who is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser, and Mr. Gonzalez, who is Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser, have been Portfolio Managers of the Fund since inception.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Shares will be listed and traded at market prices on an exchange. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Shares is based on market price, and because exchange-traded fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). Only “Authorized Participants” (as defined in the SAI) who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("Distributor"), may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated into blocks of 50,000 Shares or multiples thereof ("Creation Units"). The Fund will issue Creation Units in return for a basket of cash and/or securities that the Fund specifies each Business Day. Redemptions of Creation Units are effected principally for cash.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s taxable distributions will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. A portion of the Fund’s distributions is also expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. Return of capital distributions are not taxable to you, but reduce your tax basis in your Fund Shares.
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PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The Adviser and its related companies may pay broker/dealers or other financial intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of The Fund’s Shares and related services. These payments create a conflict of interest by influencing your broker/dealer or other intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S STRATEGIES AND RISKS
ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES
In addition to the investment strategies discussed above under Fund Summaries—Principal Investment Strategies , the Fund may use the following investment strategies:
Derivative Instruments, Cash or Stocks not included in the Underlying Index: The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in (i) certain futures, options and swap contracts (which may be leveraged and are considered derivatives), (ii) cash and cash equivalents and (iii) stocks not included in the Underlying Index that the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index.
Leverage: The Fund may borrow money from a bank as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its portfolio securities. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of domestic equity securities and ADRs and 105% of the value of the foreign equity securities (other than ADRs) being lent. This collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis.
ADDITIONAL RISKS
The Fund is subject to the risks described below. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return and/or its ability to meet its objectives.
Asset Class Risk
The returns from the types of securities in which the Fund invests may under-perform returns from the various general securities markets or different asset classes. The stocks in the Underlying Indexes may under-perform fixed-income investments and stock market investments that track other markets, segments and sectors. Different types of securities tend to go through cycles of out-performance and under-performance in comparison to the general securities markets.
Cash Transactions Risk
Unlike most exchange-traded funds, this Fund intends to effect all redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF. Because the Fund currently intends to affect all redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. If the Fund recognizes a gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize a gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such a gain sooner than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees, which will be higher than if the Fund redeemed its Shares in-kind, will be passed on to redeemers of Creation Units in the form of redemption transaction fees. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s Shares than for more conventional ETFs.
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Concentration Risk
To the extent that its Underlying Index or portfolio is concentrated in the securities of companies in a particular country, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. For example, changes in governmental policies towards energy infrastructure and natural gas may adversely affect the Fund’s performance
The Global X Junior MLP ETF may be concentrated in energy, and as such the Fund may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector.
Counterparty Risk
Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty to a swap contract or other similar investment instrument may default on its payment obligation to the Fund. Such a default may cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.
Derivatives Risk
Derivatives risk is the risk that loss may result from the Fund’s investments in options, futures and swap contracts, which may be leveraged and are types of derivatives. Investments in leveraged instruments may result in losses exceeding the amounts invested. The Fund may use these instruments to help the Fund track its Underlying Index. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus the Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.
Equity Securities Risk
The Fund invests in equity securities, which are subject to changes in value that may be attributable to market perception of a particular issuer or to general stock market fluctuations that affect all issuers. Investments in equity securities may be more volatile than investments in other asset classes.
Industry Specific Risk
MLPs operating in the energy sector are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.
Midstream
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MLPs that operate midstream assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, increasing operating expenses and economic conditions, among others. Further, MLPs that operate gathering and processing assets are subject to natural declines in the production of the oil and gas fields they serve. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the owner of such assets to direct commodity price risk.
Exploration and production
Exploration and production MLPs are particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given reservoir to become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices were higher, resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production from, that reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but also can result in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, the accuracy of assumptions regarding future commodity prices and future exploration and development costs and engineering and geological interpretations and judgments. Different reserve engineers may make different estimates of reserve quantities and related revenue based on the same data. Actual oil and gas prices, development expenditures and operating expenses will vary from those assumed in reserve estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of reserves and future net cash flow being materially different from those estimated in reserve reports. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in prices after the date of reserve estimates may result in downward revisions to such estimates. Substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on a given exploration and production company’s financial position and results of operations. In addition, due to natural declines in reserves and production, exploration and production companies must economically find or acquire and develop additional reserves in order to maintain and grow their revenues and distributions. Exploration and production MLPs seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with commodity prices by executing multi-year hedging strategies that fix the price of gas and oil produced. There can be no assurance that the hedging strategies currently employed by these MLPs are currently effective or will remain effective.
Marine shipping
Marine shipping MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping companies are exposed to many of the same risks as other energy companies. In addition, the highly cyclical nature of the marine transportation industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates and vessel values, which may adversely affect the revenues, profitability and cash flows of such companies. Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for certain energy commodities. Changes in demand for transportation of commodities over longer distances and supply of vessels to carry those commodities may materially affect revenues, profitability and cash flows. The value of marine transportation vessels may fluctuate and could adversely affect the value of shipping company securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Declining marine transportation values could affect the ability of shipping companies to raise cash by limiting their ability to refinance their vessels, thereby adversely impacting such company’s liquidity. Shipping company vessels are at risk of damage or loss because of events such as mechanical failure, collision, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss and bad weather. In addition, changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes, boycotts and government requisitioning of vessels. These sorts of events could interfere with shipping lanes and result in market disruptions and a significant reduction in cash flow for the shipping companies.
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Propane
Propane MLPs are distributors or propane to homeowners for space and water heating. MLPs with propane assets are subject to earnings variability based upon weather conditions in the markets they serve, fluctuating commodity prices, customer conservation and increased use of alternative fuels, increased governmental or environmental regulation, and accidents or catastrophic events, among others.
Natural Resource
MLPs with coal, timber, fertilizer and other mineral assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve, which will be impacted by a wide range of domestic and foreign factors including fluctuating commodity prices, the level of their customers’ coal stockpiles, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, declines in production, mining accidents or catastrophic events, health claims and economic conditions, among others. In light of increased state and federal regulation, it has been increasingly difficult to obtain and maintain the permits necessary to mine coal. Further, such permits, if obtained, have increasingly contained more stringent, and more difficult and costly to comply with, provisions relating to environmental protection.
Issuer Risk
Issuer risk is the risk that any of the individual companies that the Fund invests in may perform badly, causing the value of its securities to decline. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, changes in technology, disruptions in supply, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors. Issuers may, in times of distress or on their own discretion, decide to reduce or eliminate dividends which would also cause their stock prices to decline.
Leverage Risk
The Fund (i) may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, and (ii) borrow money from a bank as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and therefore increase the risks associated with investing in our Fund. If the value of the Fund’s assets increases, then leveraging would cause the Fund's net asset value to increase more sharply than it would have had the Fund not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of the Fund’s assets decreases, leveraging would cause the Fund's NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had the Fund not leveraged. The Fund may incur additional expenses in connection with borrowings.
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Liquidity Risk
Although common units of MLPs trade on the NYSE and the NASDAQ, certain MLP securities may trade less frequently than those of larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations. In the event certain MLP securities experience limited trading volumes, the prices of such MLPs may display abrupt or erratic movements at times. Additionally, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable to do so. The Fund’s investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities. This also may affect adversely the Fund’s ability to make dividend distributions to you.
Management Risk
The Fund may not fully replicate its Underlying Index and may hold securities not included in its Underlying Index. Therefore, the Fund is subject to management risk. That is, the Adviser’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Fund’s investment strategies will influence the Fund’s performance significantly.
The Fund is not actively managed. The Fund may be affected by a general decline in the market segments relating to its Underlying Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of, its Underlying Index regardless of their investment merit. The Adviser does not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. You could lose money over short periods due to fluctuation in the Fund’s NAV in response to market movements, and over longer periods during market downturns.
Market Trading Risks
Absence of Active Market
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Although Shares are or will be listed for trading on the exchange and may be listed on certain foreign exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained.
Lack of Market Liquidity
Secondary market trading in Shares may be halted by the exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. 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 Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Risks of Secondary Listings
The Fund’s shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Fund’s primary listing is maintained. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Fund’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Fund’s shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.
Secondary Market Trading Risk
Shares of the Fund may trade in the secondary market on days when the Fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem Shares. On such days, Shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced on days when the Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.
Secondary market trading in Fund shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to "circuit breaker" rules on the stock exchange or market. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of Fund shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Shares of the Fund May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV
Shares of the Fund may trade at, above or below their NAV. The per-share NAV of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of such Fund’s holdings. The trading prices of Shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV as well as market supply and demand. The trading prices of the Fund's shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. Any of these factions may lead to the Fund's shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to the Fund’s NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund's NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from NAV. If a shareholder purchases at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
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Costs of Buying or Selling Fund Shares
Buying or selling Fund shares involves two types of costs that apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the "spread" - that is, the difference between what professional investors are willing to pay for Fund shares (the "bid" price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Fund shares (the "ask" price). Because of the costs inherent in buying or selling Fund shares, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment results and an investment in Fund shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
MLP Risk
Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock.
Holders of units of MLPs have more limited control right sand limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP as compared to holders of stock of a corporation. For example, MLP unit holders may not elect the general partner or the directors of the general partner and the MLP unit holders have limited ability to remove an MLP’s general partner. MLPs are controlled by their general partners, which generally have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties to the MLP, which may permit the general partner to favor its own interests over the MLPs. The Fund derives substantially all of its cash flow from investments in equity securities of MLPs. The amount of cash that the Fund will have available to pay or distribute to you depends entirely on the ability of the MLPs that the Fund owns to make distributions to their partners and the tax character of those distributions. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has control over the actions of underlying MLPs. The amount of cash that each individual MLP can distribute to its partners will depend on the amount of cash it generates from operations, which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors affecting the energy infrastructure market generally and on factors affecting the particular business lines of the MLP. Available cash will also depend on the MLPs’ level of operating costs (including incentive distributions to the general partner), level of capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in working capital needs, and other factors. The Fund expects to generate significant investment income, and the Fund’s investments may not distribute the expected or anticipated levels of cash, resulting in the risk that the Fund may not have the ability to make cash distributions as investors expect from MLP-focused investments.
Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for a majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.
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MLPs are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and health and safety laws as well as laws and regulations specific to their particular activities. These laws and regulations address: health and safety standards for the operation of facilities, transportation systems and the handling of materials; air and water pollution requirements and standards; solid waste disposal requirements; land reclamation requirements; and requirements relating to the handling and disposition of hazardous materials. MLPs are subject to the costs of compliance with such laws applicable to them, and changes in such laws and regulations may adversely affect their results of operations.
MLPs are subject to numerous business related risks, including: deterioration of business fundamentals reducing profitability due to development of alternative energy sources, among other things, consumer sentiment, changing demographics in the markets served, unexpectedly prolonged and precipitous changes in commodity prices and increased competition that reduces the MLP’s market share; the lack of growth of markets requiring growth through acquisitions; disruptions in transportation systems; the dependence of certain MLPs upon unrelated third parties; availability of capital for expansion and construction of needed facilities; a significant decrease in production due to depressed commodity prices or otherwise; the inability of MLPs to successfully integrate recent or future acquisitions; and the general level of the economy.
Non-Diversification Risk
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified.” This means that the Fund may invest most of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of companies. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular companies, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these companies.
Passive Investment Risk
The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments relating to the Underlying Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of, the Underlying Index regardless of their investment merits. The Adviser does not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Potential Substantial After-Tax Tracking Error From Index Performance
The Fund will be subject to taxation on its taxable income. The NAV of Shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities. The Underlying Index however is calculated without any deductions for taxes. As a result, the Fund’s after tax performance could differ significantly from the Underlying Index even if the pretax performance of the Fund and the performance of the Underlying Index are closely correlated.
Securities Lending Risk
The Fund may engage in lending its portfolio securities. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
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Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Small-capitalization companies may have greater volatility in price than the stocks of large companies due to limited product lines or resources or a dependency upon a particular market niche. Further, stocks of mid-sized companies could be more difficult to liquidate during market downturns compared to larger, more widely traded companies.
Tax Risks
In addition to other risk considerations, an investment in the Fund’s shares will involve certain tax risks, including, but not limited to, the risks summarized below and discussed in more detail elsewhere in this Prospectus. Tax matters are complicated, and the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the purchase and ownership of the Fund’s shares will depend on the facts of each investor’s situation. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences that may affect the investor’s investment in the Fund.
Deferred Tax Liability
Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund that exceed such Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax-deferred return of capital that will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the net asset value. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions regarding the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations currently 35% and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.
MLP Tax Risk
The benefit you are expected to derive from the Fund’s investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, an MLP has no federal income tax liability at the entity level. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLP’s business, an MLP were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the MLP would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate. If an MLP were classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the amount of cash available for distribution would be reduced and part or all of the distributions the Fund receives might be taxed entirely as dividend income. Therefore, treatment of one or more MLPs as a corporation for federal income tax purposes could affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective and would reduce the amount of cash available to pay or distribute to you. The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships could be subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in MLPs and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund.
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Returns of Capital Distributions From the Fund Reduce the Tax Basis of Fund Shares
A portion of the Fund’s distributions are expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. Returns of capital distribution are not taxable income to you but reduce your tax basis in your Fund Shares. Such a reduction in tax basis will result in larger taxable gains and/or lower tax losses on a subsequent sale of Fund Shares. Shareholders who sell their Shares for less than they bought them may still recognize a gain due to the reduction in tax basis. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of dividends or other distributions consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits from the Fund when, in fact, they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of the distributions is from the net profits of the Fund.
Tax-Favored Treatment of Qualified Dividends is Scheduled to Expire
Distributions by the Fund will be treated as dividends for tax purposes to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Under current federal income tax law, if applicable holding period requirements are met, qualified dividend income received by individuals and other non-corporate shareholders is taxed at long-term capital gain rates, which currently reach a maximum of 15%. However, the favorable tax treatment applicable to qualified dividends is scheduled to expire for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012 and, unless further Congressional action is taken, dividend income will thereafter be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to ordinary income (which rates are scheduled to increase at that time to a maximum rate of 39.6%).
Tax Status of the Fund
The Fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes. This differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Code in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. As a result, the Fund will be obligated to pay applicable federal and state corporate income taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated. As discussed below, the Fund expects that a portion of the distributions it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes currently paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes even if the MLP security is sold at a loss.
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Tracking Error Risk
Tracking risk is the risk that the Fund’s performance may vary substantially from the performance of the Underlying Index it tracks as a result of imperfect correlation between the Fund’s securities and those of the Underlying Index. In addition to the risk of tracking error due to the effect of taxes, imperfect correlation may result from share purchases and redemptions, expenses, changes in the Underlying Indexes, asset valuations, foreign currency valuations, market impact, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs), legal restrictions and timing variances, among other factors.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s combined Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The largest holdings of the Fund can be found at www.globalxfunds.com and Fund Fact sheets provide information regarding the Fund’s top holdings and may be requested by calling 1-888-GX-Fund-1 (1-888-493-8631).
FUND MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Global X Management Company LLC serves as the Adviser and the administrator for the Fund. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the investment activities of the Fund and the Fund’s business affairs and other administrative matters. The Adviser has been an investment adviser since 2008. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal offices located at 623 Fifth Avenue, 15 th floor, New York, New York 10022.
Pursuant to a Supervision and Administration Agreement and subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished, all supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund and also bears the costs of various third-party services required by the Fund, including audit, certain custody, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs. The Supervision and Administration Agreement also requires the Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Fund pays the Adviser a fee (“Management Fee”) in return for providing investment advisory, supervisory and administrative services under an all-in fee structure. The Management Fee for the Fund is at an annual rate (stated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund) of 0.75%.
In addition, the Fund bears other fees and expenses that are not covered by the Supervision and Administration Agreement, which may vary and will affect the total ratio of the Fund, such as taxes, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, interest and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses). The Adviser may earn a profit on the Management Fee paid by the Fund. Also, the Adviser, and not Fund shareholders, would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services, including decreases resulting from an increase in net assets.
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The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics, (“Code”) as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to a Code). There can be no assurance that the Codes will be effective in preventing such activities. The Codes permit personnel subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund. The Codes are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.
Approval of Advisory Agreement
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Supervision and Administration Agreement and the related Investment Advisory agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
Portfolio Management
The portfolio managers who are currently responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are Bruno del Ama and Jose Gonzalez.
Bruno del Ama: Bruno del Ama has been Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser since March 2008. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. del Ama was a director at Radian Asset Assurance from 2004 to 2008. Mr. del Ama received a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton Business School.
Jose Gonzalez: Jose Gonzalez has been Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser since March 2008. Mr. Gonzalez is also a registered representative of GWM Group, Inc. (“GWM”), a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Gonzalez has been affiliated with GWM since 2006.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities of the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
SEI Investments Distribution Co. distributes Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund. The Distributor’s principal address is One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Adviser.
BUYING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
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Shares of the Fund trade on the listing exchange and elsewhere during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. There is no minimum investment for purchases made on the listing exchange. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. In addition, you will also incur the cost of the “spread,” which is the difference between what professional investors are willing to pay for Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Shares (the “ask” price). The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of Shares. The spread with respect to Shares varies over time based on the Fund’s trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund has a lot of trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund has little trading volume and market liquidity. Because of the costs of buying and selling Shares, frequent trading may reduce investment return.
Shares of the Fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the Creations and Redemptions section in the SAI. Once created, Shares generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of the Fund trade under the trading symbols listed for the Fund in the Description of the Fund section.
The Fund will be listed on the listing exchange. The listing exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Book Entry
Shares of the Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.
Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants include DTC, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any rights as an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.
FREQUENT TRADING
Unlike frequent trading of shares of a traditional open-end mutual funds (i.e., not exchange-traded shares), frequent trading of Shares on the secondary market does not disrupt portfolio management, increase the Fund’s trading costs, lead to realization of capitalization gains, or otherwise harm Fund shareholders because these trades does not involve the Fund directly. A few institutional investors are authorized to purchase and redeem each Shares directly with the Fund. When these trades are effected in-kind (i.e., for securities, and not for cash), they do not cause any of the harmful effects (noted above) that may result from frequent cash trades. Moreover, the Fund imposes transaction fees on in-kind purchases and redemptions of the Fund to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting in-kind trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that the Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. For these reasons, the Board of Trustees has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter frequent trading and market-timing in Shares of the Fund.
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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a distribution and services plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution of its Shares and pay service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders of each class and the maintenance of shareholder accounts in an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year.
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, because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund. By purchasing Shares subject to distribution fees and service fees, you may pay more over time than you would by purchasing Shares with other types of sales charge arrangements. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the rules of FINRA. The net income attributable to Shares will be reduced by the amount of distribution fees and service fees and other expenses of the Fund.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Net Investment Income and Capital Gains. As the Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to their shareholders as “distributions.”
It is the policy of the Trust each fiscal year to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income (i.e., generally, the income that they earn from cash distributions and interest on their investments, and any capital gains, net of the Fund’s expenses). A portion of the Fund’s distributions are also expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes.
The Trust is an open-end registered investment company under the 1940 Act. As such, the Fund is generally limited under the 1940 Act to one distribution in any one taxable year of long-term capital gains realized by the Fund. In this regard, that portion of the Fund’s income which consists of gain realized by the Fund on a sale of equity units in an MLP (other than the portion of such gain representing recapture income) may constitute long-term capital gain subject to this limitation. Cash distributions received by the Fund from the MLPs in which such Fund invests generally will not constitute long-term capital gain, except to the extent that (i) such MLP distributions relate to long-term capital gain realized by the MLP on a sale by the MLP of its assets or (ii) the distributions received from a particular MLP exceed such Fund’s tax basis in its equity units in such MLP. The Fund does not expect that a material portion of the cash distributions they receive from MLPs in which they invest will constitute long-term capital gain.
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The Fund may determine to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities, as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital. You will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution which represents a return of capital. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Shares of the Fund only if the broker through which you purchased Shares makes such option available.
TAXES
Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices as in effect as of the date of this Prospectus, all of which are subject to change. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this Prospectus. Counsel to the Fund has not rendered any legal opinion regarding any tax consequences relating to the Fund or your investment in the Fund. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax information set out below.
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Prospectus and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that the Fund shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund, to Fund shareholders that are, or that are holding Shares through, a partnership (or other pass-through entity) or to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares.
Federal Income Taxation of the Fund. The Fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes and as such is obligated to pay federal and applicable state and foreign corporate taxes on its taxable income. This differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Code in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. As a result, the Fund will be obligated to pay federal and state taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated.
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As discussed below, the Fund expects that a portion of the distribution it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes currently paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.
The Fund invests its assets primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a partner in the MLPs, the Fund must report its allocable share of the MLPs’ taxable income in computing its taxable income, regardless of the extent (if any) to which the MLPs make distributions. Based upon the Adviser’s review of the historic results of the types of MLPs in which the Fund invests, the Adviser expects that the cash flow received by the Fund with respect to its MLP investments will generally exceed the taxable income allocated to the Fund (and this excess generally will not be currently taxable to the Fund but, rather, will result in a reduction of the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in each MLP as described in the following paragraph). This is the result of a variety of factors, including significant non-cash deductions, such as accelerated depreciation. There is no assurance that the Adviser’s expectation regarding the tax character of MLP distributions will be realized. If this expectation is not realized, there may be greater tax expense borne by the Fund and less cash available to distribute to you or to pay to expenses.
The Fund will also be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular graduated corporate tax rates on any gain recognized by the applicable Fund on any sale of equity securities of an MLP. Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund that exceed such Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities.
The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (a) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (b) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions regarding the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations currently 35% and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.
Federal Income Taxation of Holders of the Fund’s Shares. The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. The tax basis of Shares of the Fund must be reduced by any distribution which is treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of the Fund may be disallowed if Fund Shares or other substantially identical shares are acquired within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders (including undistributed capital gain included in income). Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes.
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Distributions. Distributions by the Fund will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from such Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Additional Distributions will generally be treated as a return of capital that will reduce the tax basis of shares held by a shareholder.
Dividends paid by the Fund to a Non-U.S. investor generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If an income tax treaty applies to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, the Non-U.S. investor will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty in order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding tax.
Backup Withholding. In certain cases, the Fund will be required to withhold at the applicable withholding rate, and remit to the U.S. Treasury such amounts withheld from any distributions paid to the Fund shareholder which: (a) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number; (b) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS: (c) has failed to certify to the Fund that such Fund shareholder is not subject to backup withholding; or (d) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under federal, state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, possibly retroactively.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund calculates its NAV generally once daily Monday through Friday generally as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business, based on prices at the time of closing, provided that any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar shall be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more major banks or dealers that make a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers). The NAV of the Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of such Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding Shares, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
In calculating the Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such Fund’s published NAV per share. The Fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation.
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In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The frequency with which the Fund’s investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the Fund invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations.
Investments that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (i) an unlisted security related to corporate actions; (ii) a restricted security (i.e., one that may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)); (iii) a security whose trading has been suspended or which has been de-listed from its primary trading exchange; (iv) a security that is thinly traded; (v) a security in default or bankruptcy proceedings for which there is no current market quotation; (vi) a security affected by currency controls or restrictions; and (vii) a security affected by a significant event (i.e., an event that occurs after the close of the markets on which the security is traded but before the time as of which the Fund’s NAV is computed and that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s investments). Examples of events that may be “significant events” are government actions, natural disasters, armed conflict, acts of terrorism, and significant market fluctuations.
Valuing the Fund’s investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Use of fair value prices and certain current market valuations could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value and the prices used by the Fund’s Underlying Index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Fund’s Underlying Index.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which a shareholder may purchase Shares, the value of the Fund’s investments may change on days when shareholders are not able to purchase Shares. Additionally, due to varying holiday schedules redemption requests made on certain dates may result in a settlement period exceeding seven calendar days. A list of the holiday schedules of the foreign exchanges of the Fund’s Underlying Indexes, as well as the dates on which a settlement period would exceed seven calendar days in 2012 is contained in the SAI.
The value of assets denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by the Adviser as investment adviser. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by each Index Provider may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Index.
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PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION
Information regarding how often the Shares of the Fund traded on the listing exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the net asset value of the Fund during the past calendar year can be found at www.globalxfunds.com.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDEXES AND THE INDEX PROVIDER
Solactive Junior MLP Index
The Solactive Junior MLP Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the small-capitalization segment of the United States master limited partnerships (MLP) asset class. As of November 14, 2012, the market capitalization of the Solactive Junior MLP Index was between $200 million and $2.5 billion. As of November 14, 2012, the Underlying Index was comprised of 24 MLPs engaged in the transportation, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining of natural resources. The Underlying Index is comprised of MLPs that meet certain criteria relating to size and liquidity, as determined by Structured Solutions AG. The index is maintained by Structured Solutions AG.
Structured Solutions AG (Structured Solutions) is a leading company in the structuring and indexing business for institutional clients. Structured Solutions runs the Solactive index platform. Solactive indices are used by issuers worldwide as underlying indices for financial products. Structured Solutions does not sponsor, endorse or promote the Fund and is not in any way connected to it and does not accept any liability in relation to its issue, operation and trading.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
SEI Investments Global Funds Services is the sub-administrator for the Fund.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is the custodian and transfer agent for the Fund.
Dechert LLP serves as legal counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
Ernst & Young, LLP serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, financial highlights are not yet available.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the listing exchange. The listing 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 listing exchange has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
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For purposes of the 1940 Act, Shares are issued by a registered investment company and purchases of such Shares by investment companies and companies relying on Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act are subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in Shares beyond the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that the registered investment company and companies relying on Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act enter into an agreement with the Trust regarding the terms of the investment.
The Trust has obtained an SEC order permitting registered investment companies to invest in Shares as described above. One such condition stated in the order is that registered investment companies relying on the order must enter into a written agreement with the Trust.
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 Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur at any point. Broker dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on NYSE Arca is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at NYSE Arca upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
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For more information visit our website at or
call 1-888-GXFund-1 (1-888-493-8631)
www.globalxfunds.com
Investment Adviser Global X Management Company LLC 623 Fifth Avenue, 15 th floor New York, NY 10022
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Distributor SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456
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Custodian and Transfer Agent Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 40 Water Street Boston, MA 02109
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Sub-Administrator SEI Investments Global Funds Services One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456
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Legal Counsel to the Independent Trustees Dechert LLP 1775 I Street Washington, DC 20006-2401
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young, LLP 2005 Market Street, Suite 700 Philadelphia, PA 19103
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A Statement of Additional Information dated November 27, which contains more details about the Fund, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.
Additional information about the Fund and its investments is available in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. The annual report will explain the market conditions and investment strategies affecting the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.
You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of the Fund’s shareholder report or the Statement of Additional Information by calling 1-888-GXFund-1 (1-888-493-8631). Free copies of the Fund’s shareholder report and the Statement of Additional Information are available from our website at www.globalxfunds.com.
Information about the Fund, including its reports and the Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington DC, 20549-1520.
PROSPECTUS
Distributor
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
November 27, 2012
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-22209
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Statement of Additional Information
Dated November 27, 2012
This Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus (“Prospectus”) for the Global X Junior MLP ETF (MLPJ), the (“Fund”) of Global X Funds (“Trust”) as such Prospectus may be revised or supplemented from time to time.
The Prospectus for the Funds is dated November 27, 2012. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to SEI Investments Global Fund Services, One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456, calling 1-888-GXFund-1 (1-888-493-8631) or visiting www.globalxfunds.com. The principal U.S. national stock exchange on which all Funds identified in this SAI are or will be listed is NYSE Arca (“Exchange”).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND its FUNDs | 1 |
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION | 1 |
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING | 1 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND RISKS | 2 |
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDEX AND THE INDEX PROVIDER | 13 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 14 |
CURRENT 1940 ACT LIMITATIONS | 15 |
CONTINUOUS OFFERING | 15 |
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 16 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST | 17 |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS | 17 |
STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES | 21 |
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES | 22 |
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES OF THE ADVISER AND RELATED COMPANIES | 22 |
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION | 23 |
CODE OF ETHICS | 23 |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 24 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 25 |
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS | 26 |
PROXY VOTING | 26 |
SUB-ADMINISTRATOR | 27 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 27 |
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT | 28 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 28 |
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM | 31 |
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS | 32 |
CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS | 32 |
PURCHASE AND ISSUANCE OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS | 32 |
REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS | 36 |
TAXES | 38 |
SALES OF SHARES | 40 |
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND its FUNDs
The Trust currently consists of 87 investment portfolios. The Trust was formed as a Delaware Statutory Trust on March 6, 2008 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The offering of the Trust’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). This SAI relates only to the Global X Junior MLP ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund is “non-diversified” and as such, the Fund’s investments are not required to meet certain diversification requirements under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a specified benchmark index (“Underlying Index”). The Fund’s investment objective and Underlying Index may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given 60 days’ prior notice of any change of the Fund’s investment objective. If the Adviser changes the Underlying Index, the name of the Fund may be changed as well. The Fund is managed by Global X Management Company LLC (“Adviser”).
The Fund offers and issue shares at its net asset value per share (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (each, a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for a basket of equity and securities included in its Underlying Index (“Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”). The shares of the Fund are, or will be, listed and expected to be traded on the NYSE Arca (“Exchange”).
Shares trade in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a Cash Component. Creation Units typically are a specified number of shares. The number of shares per Creation Unit of the Fund are as follows:
Fund |
Number of Shares per
Creation Unit |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | 50,000 |
The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of shares. Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash equal to 110% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The required amount of deposit may be changed by the Adviser from time to time. See the Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units section of this SAI for further discussion. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be in addition to the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such conditions and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, that section of the Prospectus.
Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange and trade throughout the day on the Exchange and other secondary markets. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of any Fund will continue to be met. The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from its listing if (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than fifty (50) record and/or beneficial holders of the Fund for thirty (30) or more consecutive trading days, (2) the value of the Underlying Index on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available, (3) the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available, or (4) any other event shall occur or condition exist 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.
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As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of shares of the Fund, the Exchange disseminates every fifteen seconds, through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, an updated IOPV for the Fund as calculated by an information provider or a market data vendor. The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IOPVs, and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPVs.
An IOPV has an equity securities value component and a cash component. The equity securities values included in an IOPV are the values of the Deposit Securities for the applicable Fund. While the IOPV reflects the current market value of the Deposit Securities required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit Aggregation, it does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by the applicable Fund at a particular point in time because the current portfolio of the Fund may include securities that are not a part of the Deposit Securities. Therefore, the Fund’s IOPV disseminated during the Exchange trading hours should not be viewed as a real time update of the Fund’s NAV, which is calculated only once a day.
In addition to the equity component described in the preceding paragraph, the IOPV for the Fund includes a cash component consisting of estimated accrued dividends and other income, less expenses. If applicable, the IOPV also reflects changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the applicable foreign currency.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the share prices of Fund 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 applicable Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies that comprise the relevant Underlying Index and through transactions that provide substantially similar exposure to securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund operates as an index fund and will not be actively managed. Adverse performance of a security in the Fund’s portfolio will ordinarily not result in the elimination of the security from the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of its Underlying Index and in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) (collectively “Depositary Receipts”) based on the securities in its Underlying Index. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, as well as in stocks not included in its Underlying Index but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track its Underlying Index.
The Global X Junior MLP ETF will use a replication strategy. A replication strategy is an indexing strategy that involves investing in the securities of the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as in the Underlying Index. However, the Fund may utilize a representative sampling strategy with respect to its Underlying Index when a replication strategy might be detrimental to its shareholders, such as when there are practical difficulties or substantial costs involved in compiling a portfolio of equity securities to follow its Underlying Index, or, in certain instances, when securities in the Underlying Index become temporarily illiquid, unavailable or less liquid, or due to legal restrictions.
The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of the Fund’s Underlying Index and in Depositary Receipts based on securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund also has adopted a non-fundamental policy to invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities suggested by its name. The Fund has also adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in such policy. If, subsequent to an investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Fund’s future investments will be made in a manner that will bring the Fund into compliance with this policy.
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The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objectives and policies of the Fund.
COMMODITY RISK Commodity risks would subject the Fund to potentially greater volatility than traditional securities. Commodity prices are influenced by unfavorable weather, animal and plant disease, geologic and environmental factors as well as government regulation.
CONCENTRATION RISK. To the extent that its Underlying Index or portfolio is concentrated in the securities of companies in a particular country, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class, the Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class.
EQUITY SWAPS, TOTAL RATE OF RETURN SWAPS AND CURRENCY SWAPS. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in swap contracts.
A swap is an agreement involving the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Some swaps currently are, and more in the future will be, centrally cleared. Examples of swap agreements include, but are not limited to, equity, index or other total return swaps and foreign currency swaps.
The Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. These instruments provide a great deal of flexibility. For example, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in the stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).
Total rate of return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for the payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index or an index component. The Fund also may enter into currency swaps, which involve the exchange of the rights of the Fund and another party to make or receive payments in specific currencies. Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights of the Fund and another party to make or receive payments in specific currencies.
Some swaps transactions are entered into on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund will enter into equity swaps only on a net basis. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term. Equity swaps do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is limited to the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an equity swap, or any other swap entered into on a net basis, defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. In contrast, other swaps transactions may involve the payment of the gross amount owed. For example, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that the amount payable by the Fund under a swap is covered by segregated cash or liquid assets, the Fund and the Adviser believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Fund’s borrowing restrictions.
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Swaps that are centrally-cleared are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be entitled to the net amount of gains the investor is entitled to receive plus the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the clearing organization’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the investor.
To the extent a swap is not centrally cleared, the use of swaps also involves the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement.
The Fund will not enter into any swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party is rated either A, or A-1 or better by S&P, or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”); or A or Prime-1 or better by Moody’s, or has received a comparable rating from another organization that is recognized as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated by such rating organization, is determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap might decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Changing conditions in a particular market area, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the swap agreement, may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of the counterparty. For example, the counterparty may have experienced losses as a result of its exposure to a sector of the market that adversely affect its creditworthiness. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Such contractual remedies, however, may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws that may affect such Fund’s rights as a creditor (e.g . , the Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it contractually is entitled to receive). The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with markets for other similar instruments which are traded in the interbank market.
The use of equity, total rate of return and currency swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
In connection with the Fund’s position in a swaps contract, the Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable SEC requirements.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets (minus any percent of Fund assets invested in other derivatives) in U.S. or foreign futures contracts and may purchase and sell call and put options on futures contracts. These futures contracts and options will be used to simulate full investment in the respective Underlying Index, to facilitate trading or to reduce transaction costs. The Fund will only enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange. The Fund will not use futures or options for speculative purposes. In connection with the Fund’s position in a futures contract or related option, the Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable SEC requirements.
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Futures Contracts . Each Fund may enter into certain equity, index and currency futures transactions, as well as other futures transactions that become available in the markets. By using such futures contracts, the Funds may obtain exposure to certain equities, indexes and currencies without actually investing in such instruments. Index futures may be based on broad indices, such as the S&P 500 Index, or narrower indices. A futures contract on foreign currency creates a binding obligation on one party to deliver, and a corresponding obligation on another party to accept delivery of, a stated quantity of foreign currency for an amount fixed in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency futures may be used by the Fund to help the Fund track the price and yield performance of its Underlying Index.
Some futures contracts are traded on organized exchanges regulated by the SEC or Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and transactions on them are cleared through a clearing corporation, which guarantees the performance of the parties to the contract. If regulated by the CFTC, such exchanges may be designated contract markets or swap execution facilities.
The Fund may also engage in transactions in foreign stock index futures, which may be traded on foreign exchanges. Participation in foreign futures and foreign options transactions involves the execution and clearing of trades on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade. Neither the National Futures Association (“NFA”) nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any such organization, even if it is formally linked to a domestic market. Moreover, foreign laws and regulations and transactions executed under such laws and regulation may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by domestically. In addition, the price of foreign futures or foreign options contract may be affected by any variance in the foreign exchange rate between the time an order is placed and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised.
Unlike purchases or sales of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker or in a segregated account with a custodian or sub-custodian an amount of liquid assets, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in security transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract, which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking-to-market.” For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the future contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. Prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures by the Fund. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge. The price of the future may move more than or less than the price of the instruments being hedged. If the price of the futures moves less than the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by the loss on the futures. If the price of the futures moves more than the price of the hedged instruments, the Fund involved will experience either a loss or gain on the futures which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the instruments that are the subject of the hedge. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of instruments being hedged and movements in the price of futures contracts, the Fund may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of instruments being hedged if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of such instruments has been greater than the volatility over such time period of the futures, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. Conversely, the Fund may buy or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the instruments being hedged is less than the volatility over such time period of the futures contract being used, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser.
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In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the futures and the instruments being hedged, the price of futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the cash market due to certain market distortions. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through off-setting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, with respect to financial futures contracts, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into off-setting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced thus producing distortions. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect correlation between the movements in the cash market and movements in the price of futures, a correct forecast of general market trends or interest rate movements by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time frame.
In general, positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange, board of trade or other trading facility that provides a secondary market for such futures. Although each Fund intends to purchase or sell futures only on trading facilities where there appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on any trading facility will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In such an event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. However, in the event futures contracts have been used to hedge portfolio securities, such securities may not be sold until the futures contract can be terminated. In such circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an offset on a futures contract.
Further, it should be noted that the liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by “daily price fluctuation limits” established by commodity exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. The trading of futures contracts is also subject to the risk of trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or other disruptions of normal trading activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions or to recover excess variation margin payments.
Successful use of futures by the Fund is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of securities may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Options on Futures Contracts . The Fund may purchase and write options on the futures contracts described above. A futures option gives the holder, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive and execute a long futures contract (if the option is a call) or a short futures contract (if the option is a put) at a specified price at any time during the period of the option. Like the buyer or seller of a futures contract, the holder, or writer, of an option has the right to terminate its position prior to the scheduled expiration of the option by selling, or purchasing an option of the same series, at which time the person entering into the closing transaction will realize a gain or loss. Each Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and variation margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers’ requirements similar to those described above. Net option premiums received will be included as initial margin deposits.
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Investments in futures options involve some of the same considerations that are involved in connection with investments in futures contracts (for example, the existence of a liquid secondary market). In addition, the purchase or sale of an option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not correspond to changes in the value of the option purchased. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based, or upon the price of the securities being hedged, an option may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or such securities. In general, the market prices of options can be expected to be more volatile than the market prices on the underlying futures contract. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, however, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts may frequently involve less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the purchase or sale of futures contracts.
CFTC REGULATION. In February 2012, the CFTC announced substantial amendments to the exclusions, and to the conditions for reliance on the exclusions, from registration as a commodity pool operator. Under these amendments, the Fund may only use a de minimis amount of commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swaps) other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC). A de minimis amount is defined as amount such that the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options that are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase) may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s net asset value or, alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s net asset value (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The CFTC amendments became effective on April 24, 2012, but the compliance date is December 31, 2012. Therefore, pending judicial challenge, as of January 1, 2013, the CFTC amendments will impose limitations on the Funds’ trading of commodity interests. Because, however, each of the Funds engages only in a de minimis amount of such transactions, the Funds expect to continue to claim an exclusion from registration as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act, and the Adviser expects to continue to claim an exclusion as a commodity trading advisor with respect to the Funds. Therefore, none of the Funds or the Adviser expect to be subject to the registration and regulatory requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Government Intervention in Financial Markets. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government, other governments and financial and prudential regulators to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Most significantly, the U.S. Government has enacted a broad-reaching new regulatory framework over the financial services industry and consumer credit markets, the potential impact of which on the value of securities held by the Fund is unknown. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund. The Fund has established procedures to assess the liquidity of portfolio holdings and to value instruments for which market prices may not be readily available. The Adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.
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The value of the Fund’s holdings is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national, or global economic disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which the Fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, issuers of securities held by the Fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention. In addition, it is not certain that the U.S. Government will intervene in response to a future market disturbance and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted. It is difficult for issuers to prepare for the impact of future financial downturns, although companies can seek to identify and manage future uncertainties through risk management programs.
ILLIQUID OR RESTRICTED SECURITIES. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. The Fund may purchase commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and securities that are not registered under the Securities Act but can be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. These securities will not be considered illiquid so long as the Adviser determines, under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees that an adequate trading market exists. This practice could increase the level of illiquidity during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing these securities.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. Such investments will be limited so that, as determined after a purchase is made, either: (a) not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such investment company will be owned by the Fund, the Trust as a whole and its affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act); or (b) (i) not more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund will be invested in the securities of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate securities of investment companies as a group and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. Investments by the Fund in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), will be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act except as permitted by SEC orders. Each Fund may rely on SEC orders that permit it to invest in certain ETFs beyond the limits contained in the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and conditions. Generally, these terms and conditions require the Board to approve policies and procedures relating to certain of the Fund’s investments in ETFs. These policies and procedures require, among other things, that (i) the Adviser conduct the Fund’s investment in ETFs without regard to any consideration received by the Fund or any of its affiliated persons and (ii) the Adviser certify to the Board quarterly that it has not received any consideration in connection with an investment by the Fund in an ETF, or if it has, the amount and purpose of the consideration will be reported to the Board and an equivalent amount of advisory fees shall be waived by the Adviser.
Certain investment companies whose securities are purchased by the Fund may not be obligated to redeem such securities in an amount exceeding 1% of the investment company’s total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Therefore, such securities that exceed this amount may be illiquid.
If required by the 1940 Act, the Fund expects to vote the shares of other investment companies that are held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
Leverage. The Fund may (i) invest up to 20% of its total assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts or other derivatives, and (ii) borrow money at fiscal quarter ends to maintain the required level of diversification to qualify as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the fund may be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and therefore increase the risks associated with investing in our Fund. If the value of the Fund's assets increases, then leveraging would cause the Fund's net asset value to increase more sharply than it would have had the Fund not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of the Fund's assets decreases, leveraging would cause the Fund's net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had the Fund not leveraged. The Fund may incur additional expenses in connection with borrowings.
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MLP Risk. Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of units of MLPs have more limited control right sand limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP as compared to holders of stock of a corporation. For example, MLP unit holders may not elect the general partner or the directors of the general partner and the MLP unit holders have limited ability to remove an MLP’s general partner. MLPs are controlled by their general partners, which generally have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties to the MLP, which may permit the general partner to favor its own interests over the MLPs. The Fund derives substantially all of its cash flow from investments in equity securities of MLPs. The amount of cash that the Fund will have available to pay or distribute to you depends entirely on the ability of the MLPs that the Fund owns to make distributions to their partners and the tax character of those distributions. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has control over the actions of underlying MLPs. The amount of cash that each individual MLP can distribute to its partners will depend on the amount of cash it generates from operations, which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors affecting the energy infrastructure market generally and on factors affecting the particular business lines of the MLP. Available cash will also depend on the MLPs’ level of operating costs (including incentive distributions to the general partner), level of capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in working capital needs, and other factors. The Fund expects to generate significant investment income, and the Fund’s investments may not distribute the expected or anticipated levels of cash, resulting in the risk that the Fund may not have the ability to make cash distributions as investors expect from MLP-focused investments.
Certain MLPS in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for a majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.
MLPs are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and health and safety laws as well as laws and regulations specific to their particular activities. These laws and regulations address: health and safety standards for the operation of facilities, transportation systems and the handling of materials; air and water pollution requirements and standards; solid waste disposal requirements; land reclamation requirements; and requirements relating to the handling and disposition of hazardous materials. MLPs are subject to the costs of compliance with such laws applicable to them, and changes in such laws and regulations may adversely affect their results of operations.
MLPs are subject to numerous business related risks, including: deterioration of business fundamentals reducing profitability due to development of alternative energy sources, among other things, consumer sentiment, changing demographics in the markets served, unexpectedly prolonged and precipitous changes in commodity prices and increased competition that reduces the MLP’s market share; the lack of growth of markets requiring growth through acquisitions; disruptions in transportation systems; the dependence of certain MLPs upon unrelated third parties; availability of capital for expansion and construction of needed facilities; a significant decrease in production due to depressed commodity prices or otherwise; the inability of MLPs to successfully integrate recent or future acquisitions; and the general level of the economy.
New Fund Risks. The Fund is a new fund, with no operating history, which may result in additional risks for investors in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund. While shareholder interests will be the paramount consideration, the timing of any liquidation may not be favorable to certain individual shareholders.
NON-DIVERSIFICATION RISK. Non-diversification risk is the risk that a non-diversified fund may be more susceptible to adverse financial, economic or other developments affecting any single issuer, and more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act. A “non-diversified” classification means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The securities of a particular issuer may dominate the Underlying Index of such the Fund and, consequently, the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund may also concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as noted in the description of the Fund. The securities of issuers in particular industries may dominate the Underlying Index of such the Fund and, consequently, the Fund’s investment portfolio. This may adversely affect its performance or subject the Fund’s shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by less concentrated investment companies.
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OPTIONS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest up to 20% of net assets in put options and buy call options and write covered call and secured put options. Such options may relate to particular securities, foreign and domestic stock indices, financial instruments, foreign currencies or the yield differential between two securities (“yield curve options”) and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange or issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. A call option for a particular security or currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and a writer the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security or currency. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security or currency gives the purchaser the right to sell the security or currency at the stated exercise price to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security or currency. In contrast to an option on a particular security, an option on an index provides the holder with the right to make or receive a cash settlement upon exercise of the option. The amount of this settlement will be equal to the difference between the closing price of the index at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars, times a specified multiple.
Options trading is a highly specialized activity, which entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments and, therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
Each Fund will write call options only if they are “covered.” In the case of a call option on a security or currency, the option is “covered” if the Fund owns the security or currency underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if the Fund maintains with its custodian a portfolio of securities substantially replicating the index, or liquid assets equal to the contract value. A call option also is covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security, currency or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
All put options written by the Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option or will use the other methods described in the next sentence. A put option also is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the same security or currency as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
With respect to yield curve options, a call (or put) option is covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and segregates liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund’s liability for such a covered option generally is limited to the difference between the amount of the Fund’s liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by the Fund. Yield curve options also may be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations.
The Fund’s obligation to sell subject to a covered call option written by it, or to purchase a security or currency subject to a secured put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series ( i.e ., same underlying security or currency, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. Such a purchase does not result in the ownership of an option. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying security or currency or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying security. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transaction costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer, unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, will not be able to sell the underlying security or currency (in the case of a covered call option) or liquidate the segregated assets (in the case of a secured put option) until the option expires or the optioned security or currency is delivered upon exercise with the result that the writer in such circumstances will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.
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When the Fund purchases an option, the premium paid by it is recorded as an asset of the Fund. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium (the premium less the commission) received by the Fund is included in the liability section of the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of this asset or deferred credit will be subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option purchased or written. The current value of the traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the current bid price. If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold) and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.
There are several risks associated with transactions in certain options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities, currency and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may agree to purchase portfolio securities from financial institutions subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (“repurchase agreements”). Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. Although the securities subject to a repurchase agreement may bear maturities exceeding one year, settlement for the repurchase agreement will never be more than one year after the Fund’s acquisition of the securities and normally will be within a shorter period of time. Securities subject to repurchase agreements normally are held either by the Trust’s custodian or sub-custodian (if any), or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the securities subject to the agreement in an amount exceeding the repurchase price (including accrued interest). Default by the seller would, however, expose the Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action or delay in connection with the disposition of the underlying obligations. In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is unenforceable.
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REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may borrow funds by selling portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker/dealers and agreeing to repurchase them at a mutually specified date and price (“reverse repurchase agreements”). Each Fund may use the proceeds of reverse repurchase agreements to purchase other securities either maturing, or under an agreement to resell, on a date simultaneous with or prior to the expiration of the reverse repurchase agreement. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price. Each Fund will pay interest on amounts obtained pursuant to a reverse repurchase agreement. While reverse repurchase agreements are outstanding, the Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities, plus accrued interest, subject to the agreement.
SECURITIES LENDING. Collateral for loans of portfolio securities made by the Fund may consist of cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or irrevocable bank letters of credit (or any combination thereof). The borrower of securities will be required to maintain the market value of the collateral at not less than the market value of the loaned securities, and such value will be monitored on a daily basis. When the Fund lends its securities, it continues to receive payments equal to the dividends and interest paid on the securities loaned and simultaneously may earn interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment in borrowed collateral. The Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, attendant to securities on loan pass to the borrower, such loans may be called so that the securities may be voted by the Fund if a material event affecting the investment is to occur. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially.
SENIOR SECURITIES. Senior securities include any obligation or instrument issued by the Fund evidencing indebtedness and increases the speculative nature of your investment. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation. Please see the discussion above regarding Leverage for risks associated with senior securities.
SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits, bank notes and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), “A-1” by Standard & Poors Rating Service (“S&P”) or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; (vi) repurchase agreements; and (vii) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party. Bank notes generally rank junior to deposit liabilities of banks and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Bank notes are classified as “other borrowings” on a bank’s balance sheet, while deposit notes and certificates of deposit are classified as deposits. Bank notes are not insured by the FDIC or any other insurer. Congress has temporarily increased FDIC deposit insurance on deposit notes from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2013.
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The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in the obligations of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such obligations include Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”), which are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by offices of foreign and domestic banks located outside the United States; Eurodollar Time Deposits (“ETDs”), which are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or a foreign bank; Canadian Time Deposits (“CTDs”), which are essentially the same as ETDs except they are issued by Canadian offices of major Canadian banks; Schedule Bs, which are obligations issued by Canadian branches of foreign or domestic banks; Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”), which are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States; and Yankee Bankers’ Acceptances (“Yankee BAs”), which are U.S. dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States.
Commercial paper purchased by the Fund may include asset-backed commercial paper. Asset-backed commercial paper is issued by a special purpose entity that is organized to issue the commercial paper and to purchase trade receivables or other financial assets. The credit quality of asset-backed commercial paper depends primarily on the quality of these assets and the level of any additional credit support.
TRACKING VARIANCE. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund is subject to the risk of tracking variance. Tracking variance may result from share purchases and redemptions, transaction costs, expenses and other factors. Share purchases and redemptions may necessitate the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund and the resulting transaction costs which may be substantial because of the number and the characteristics of the securities held. In addition, transaction costs are incurred because sales of securities received in connection with spin-offs and other corporate reorganizations are made to conform the Fund’s holdings to its investment objective. Tracking variance also may occur due to factors such as the size of the Fund, the maintenance of a cash reserve pending investment or to meet expected redemptions, changes made in the Fund’s designated index or the manner in which the index is calculated or because the indexing and investment approach of the Adviser does not produce the intended goal of the Fund. Tracking variance is monitored by the Adviser at least quarterly. In the event the performance of the Fund is not comparable to the performance of its designated index, the Board of Trustees will evaluate the reasons for the deviation and the availability of corrective measures.
UNDERWRITING. Underwriting risk is when the Fund buys all of the new shares that a company is selling, and the price goes down before they are sold or investors de not want to buy them.
WARRANTS. To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may purchase warrants and similar rights, which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the owners to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time. The prices of warrants do not necessarily correlate with the prices of the underlying shares. The purchase of warrants involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of a warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrant’s expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDEX AND THE INDEX PROVIDER
Solactive Junior MLP Index
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The Solactive Junior MLP Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the small-capitalization segment of the United States master limited partnerships (MLP) asset class. As of November 14, 2012, the market capitalization of the Solactive Junior MLP Index was between $200 million and $2.5 billion. As of November 14, 2012, the Underlying Index was comprised of 24 MLPs engaged in the transportation, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining of natural resources. The Underlying Index is comprised of MLPs that meet certain criteria relating to size and liquidity, as determined by Structured Solutions AG. The index is maintained by Structured Solutions AG.
The Index Provider is described below:
Structured Solutions AG (Structured Solutions) is a leading company in the structuring and indexing business for institutional clients. Structured Solutions runs the Solactive index platform (formerly S-BOX platform). Solactive indices are used by issuers worldwide as underlying indices for financial products. Structured Solutions does not sponsor, endorse or promote the Fund and is not in any way connected to it and does not accept any liability in relation to its issue, operation and trading.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund is subject to the investment policies enumerated in this section, which may be changed with respect to a particular Fund only by a vote of the holders of a majority of such Fund’s outstanding shares.
The Fund:
1. | May not issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
2. | May not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
3. | May not act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the Securities Act, except as permitted under the Securities Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. Among other things, to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, this would permit the Fund to act as an underwriter of securities in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment objective, investment policies and investment program; |
4. | May not purchase or sell real estate or any interests therein, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. Notwithstanding this limitation, the Fund may, among other things: (i) acquire or lease office space for its own use; (ii) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (iii) invest in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; or (iv) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities; |
5. | May not purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
6. | May not make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
7. | May not “concentrate” its investments in a particular industry or group of industries: (I) except that the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries; and (II) except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction from time to time, provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (a) this limitation will not apply to the Fund’s investments in: (i) securities of other investment companies; (ii) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (iii) repurchase agreements (collateralized by the instruments described in clause (ii)) or (iv) securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by Members of any industry; (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to the financing activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry. |
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Notwithstanding these fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies to the full extent permitted under Section 12 or any other provision of the 1940 Act (or any successor provision thereto) or under any regulation or order of the SEC.
If a percentage limitation is satisfied at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from a change in the value of the Fund’s investments will not constitute a violation of such limitation, except that any borrowing by the Fund that exceeds the fundamental investment limitations stated above must be reduced to meet such limitations within the period required by the 1940 Act (currently three days). In addition, if the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities exceed 15% of net assets because of changes in the value of the Fund’s investments, the Fund will take action to reduce its holdings of illiquid securities within a time frame deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund. Otherwise, the Fund may continue to hold a security even though it causes the Fund to exceed a percentage limitation because of fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s assets.
Any Investment Restriction which involves a maximum percentage (other than the restriction set forth above in Investment Restriction No. 2) will not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of the Fund. The 1940 Act requires that if the asset coverage for borrowings at any time falls below the limits under the 1940 Act described in Investment Restriction No. 2, the Fund will, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays), reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the net asset coverage of such borrowings shall conform to such limits.
CURRENT 1940 ACT LIMITATIONS
BORROWING. Investment companies may not borrow money, except that an investment company may borrow money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).
LOANS. Investment companies may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
CONCENTRATION. For purposes of calculating concentration percentages, investment companies investing in (a) affiliated investment companies are required to look through to the holdings of the affiliated investment companies and include the holdings in calculations of concentration percentages, and (ii) unaffiliated investment companies are required to include the holdings of the unaffiliated investment companies to the extent that they are concentrated in calculations of concentration percentages. In addition, revenue bonds are characterized by the industry in which the revenue is used.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The method by which Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Unit Aggregations of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
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For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Unit Aggregations 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-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the Funds are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under 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 an exchange.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Policy On Disclosure Of Portfolio Holdings
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a policy on disclosure of portfolio holdings, which it believes is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. The policy is designed to: (i) protect the confidentiality of the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings information, (ii) prevent the selective disclosure of such information, and (iii) ensure compliance by Adviser and the Fund with the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and general principles of fiduciary duty. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings, or information derived from the Fund’s portfolio holdings, may, in the Adviser’s discretion, be made available to third parties if: i) such disclosure has been included in the Fund’s public filings with the SEC or is disclosed on the Fund’s publicly accessible Website; ii) such disclosure is determined by the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) to be in the best interests of Fund shareholders and consistent with applicable law; (iii) such disclosure information is made equally available to anyone requesting it; and (iv) the Adviser determines that the disclosure does not present the risk of such information being used to trade against the Fund.
Each business day portfolio holdings information will be provided to the Transfer Agent or other agent for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or other fee based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee based subscription services, including Authorized Participants, (defined below) and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of Funds in the secondary market. Information with respect to the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also disseminated daily on the Fund’s website.
The Distributor may also make available portfolio holdings information to other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings on the following business day. “Authorized Participants” are generally large institutional investors that have been authorized by the Distributor to purchase and redeem large blocks of shares (known as Creation Units) pursuant to legal requirements, including the exemptive order granted by the SEC, to which the Fund offers and redeems shares (“Global X Order”). Other than portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or posted on the publicly available Website may be provided to third parties only in limited circumstances, as described above.
Disclosure to providers of auditing, custody, proxy voting and other similar services for the Fund, as well as rating and ranking organizations, will generally be permitted; however, information may be disclosed to other third parties (including, without limitation, individuals, institutional investors, and Authorized Participants that sell shares of the Fund) only upon approval by the CCO. The recipients who may receive non-public portfolio holdings information are as follows: the Adviser and its affiliates, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Fund’s distributor, administrator and custodian, the Fund’s legal counsel, the Fund’s financial printer and the Fund’s proxy voting service. These entities are obligated to keep such information confidential. Third-party providers of custodial or accounting services to the Fund may release non-public portfolio holdings information of the Fund only with the permission of the CCO.
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Portfolio holdings will be disclosed through required filings with the SEC. Each Fund files its portfolio holdings with the SEC for each fiscal quarter on Form N-CSR (with respect to each annual period and semiannual period) and Form N-Q (with respect to the first and third quarters of the Fund’s fiscal year). Shareholders may obtain the Fund’s Forms N-CSR and N-Q filings on the SEC’s Website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Forms N-CSR and N-Q filings may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about the SEC’s Website or the operation of the public reference room.
Under the policy, the Board is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any other disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the preceding quarter.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The business and affairs of the Trust are overseen by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”). Subject to the provisions of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and Delaware law, the Board has all powers necessary and convenient to carry out this general oversight responsibility, including the power to the elect and remove the Trust’s officers. The focus of the Board’s oversight of the business and affairs of the Trust (and each of the Funds) is to protect the interests of the shareholders in the Funds.
The Board appoints and oversees the Trust’s officers and service providers. The Trust’s Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the Trust and each of the Funds based on each Fund’s investment objective, strategies, policies, and restrictions and agreements entered into by the Trust and/or the Adviser on behalf of the Trust. In carrying out its general oversight responsibility, the Board regularly interacts with and receives reports from the senior personnel of the Trust’s service providers (including, in particular, the Adviser) and the Trust’s CCO. The Board is assisted by the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm (who reports directly to the Trust’s Audit Committee), independent counsel to the Independent Trustees (as defined below), counsel to the Trust and the Adviser, and other experts selected and approved by the Board. (For purposes of this discussion and the discussion below, the term “Fund” or “Funds” means each Fund that has commenced operations.)
BOARD STRUCTURE AND RELATED MATTERS. Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), constitute 75 percent of the Board. Mr. Kartik Kiran Shah, an Independent Trustee, serves as Independent Chairman of the Board. The Independent Chairman’s helps to facilitate communication among the Independent Trustees as well as communication between the Independent Trustees and management of the Trust. The Independent Chairman may assume such other duties and performs such activities as the Board may, from time to time, determine should be handled by the Independent Chairman. Mr. Bruno del Ama is the sole Board member who is an “interested person” of the Trust (“Interested Trustee”). Mr. del Ama is an Interested Trustee due to his affiliation with the Adviser. The Board believes that having an interested person on the Board facilitates the ability of the Independent Trustees to fully understand (i) the Adviser’s commitment to providing and/or arranging for the provision of quality services to the Funds and (ii) corporate and financial matters of the Adviser that may be of importance in the Board’s decision-making process.
The Trustees discharge their responsibilities collectively as a Board, as well as through Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter that delineates the specific responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established two standing committees: an Audit Committee and a Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee. Currently, each of the Independent Trustee serves on each of these committees, which are comprised solely of Independent Trustees.
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The Board periodically evaluates its structure and composition as well as various aspects of its operations. On an annual basis, the Board conducts a self-evaluation process that, among other things, considers (i) whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively, (ii) given the size and composition of the Board and each if its committees, whether the Trustees are able to effectively oversee the number of Funds in the complex and (iii) whether the mix of skills, perspectives, qualifications, attributes, education, and relevant experience of the Trustees helps to enhance the Board’s effectiveness.
There are no specific required qualifications for Board membership. The Board believes that the different skills, perspectives, qualifications, attributes, education, and relevant experience of each of the Board members provide the Board with a variety of complementary skills. Please note that (i) none of the Board members is an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws and (ii) the Board not is responsible for the day to day operations of the Trust and the Funds.
The Board of Trustees met six (6) times during the fiscal period ended November 30, 2012. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings.
The Trustees are identified in the table below, which provides information as to their principal business occupations held during the last five years and certain other information. Each Trustee serves until his or her death, resignation or removal and replacement. As of November 14, 2012 each of the Trustees oversees 87 Funds (31 of which were operational). Each Trustee serves until his death, resignation or removal and replacement. The address for all Trustees and officers is c/o Global X Funds, 623 Fifth Avenue, 15 th floor, New York, New York 10022.
Independent Trustees
Name, Address (Year of Birth) |
Position(s) Held with Funds |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Directors |
Other Directorships Held by Trustees during the Past 5 Years |
|
Sanjay Ram Bharwani (1974) |
Trustee (since 2008) | CEO of Risk Advisors Inc. (since 2007) (consulting firm); Chief Information Officer, M. Safra & Co (2004-2006) (hedge fund). | 87 | None. | |
Scott R. Chichester 1 (1970)
|
Trustee (since 2008) | CFO, Sterling Seal & Supply Inc. (since 2011), Director, President & Treasurer, Bayview Acquisition Corp (since 2010); CPA, Penda Aiken Inc. (2009-2011) (consultant); Founder and President, DirectPay USA LLC (since 2006) (payroll company); Chief Financial Officer, Ong Corporation (2002-2010) (technology company); and Proprietor, Scott R. Chichester CPA (since 2001) (CPA firm). | 87 | Director of Bayview Acquisition Corp (since 2010). | |
Kartik Kiran Shah (1977) |
Trustee (since 2008) | Vice President, Business Development, Cynvenio Biosystems (2012-present); Independent Consultant, Self-Employed (2011-2012) (non-financial services); Director, Wireless Generation (2008-2011) (software). | 87 | None. | |
1 | Mr. Chichester is currently married to a sister of Mr. del Ama’s wife. While an “immediate family member” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of Mr. del Ama would be considered an Interested Person, Mr. Chichester is not considered an immediate family member for this purpose. Although this fact was taken into consideration in determining whether Mr. Chichester should be considered to be an Independent Trustee for purposes of the Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, it was determined that this relationship was not one that should disqualify Mr. Chichester from serving as an Independent Trustee of the Trust. |
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Interested Trustees/Officers
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In addition to the information set forth in the table above, each Trustee possesses other relevant skills, perspectives, qualifications, attributes, education, and relevant experience. The following provides additional information about certain qualifications and experience of each of the Trustees and the reason why he was selected to serve as trustee.
Sanjay Ram Bharwani: Mr. Bharwani has experience in capital markets, technology, risk management and security valuation. He is currently the CEO of Risk Advisors Inc., a risk management consultancy and previously served as the Chief Information Officer of a multi-strategy hedge fund. Mr. Bharwani received his MBA from the Wharton Business School.
Scott R. Chichester: Mr. Chichester, CPA, has experience in accounting and finance, having served as CEO of a payroll business; experience as CFO of a technology start-up; experience as an accountant at a bulge bracket investment bank; experience as an auditor at a Big Four accounting firm.
Kartik Kiran Shah: Mr. Shah has experience in organizational design, strategic planning, financial analysis and product development, having served as a senior manager in an education software and consulting business; manager of corporate strategy at a biotechnology company; and as consultant with a major management consulting firm. Mr. Shah received his MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Bruno del Ama: Mr. del Ama has experience in the investment management industry, including as a board member of another investment adviser; management and organizational experience as chief executive officer of the Fund’s Adviser; experience as a manager at a bond insurance company; experience as a management consultant. Mr. del Ama received his MBA from the Wharton Business School.
RISK MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT. The Funds are subject to a variety of risks, including (but not limited to) investment risk, financial risk, legal, regulatory and compliance risk, and operational risk. Consistent with its responsibility for general oversight of business and affairs of the Trust and the Funds, the Board oversees the Adviser’s day to day management of the risks to which the Trust and the Funds are subject. The Board has charged the Adviser with (i) identifying possible events and circumstances that could have demonstrable, adverse effects on the business and affairs of the Trust and the Funds; (ii) implementation of processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to continuously evaluate business and market conditions to facilitate the processes described in (i) and (ii) above. The Adviser seeks to address the day-to-day risk management of the Trust and the Funds by relying on the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures (i.e., the Trust’s compliance program) as well as the compliance programs of the Trust’s various service providers, internal control mechanisms and other risk oversight mechanisms as well as the assistance of the Trust’s sub-administrator. The Adviser also separately considers potential risks that may impact the individual Funds.
As noted above, on behalf of the Trust, the Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, various compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address certain of risks to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, under the general oversight of the Board, the Adviser and the Trust’s other service providers have adopted a variety of processes, policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to which the Trust and the Funds are subject. Different processes, policies, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, the Adviser oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations, and compliance of the Funds’ investments with various regulatory and other requirements.
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Because the day to day operations of the Fund is carried out by the Adviser, the risk exposure of the Trust and the Funds are mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Board. In addition to the risk management processes, policies, procedures, and controls implemented by the Adviser, the Board seeks to oversee the risk management structure of the Trust and the Funds directly and through its committees (as described below). In this regard, the Board has requested that the Adviser, the CCO for the Trust and the Adviser, the independent auditors for the Trust, and counsel to the Trust and Adviser provide the Board with periodic reports regarding issues that should be focused on the Board members. In large part, the Board oversees Adviser’s management of the Trust’s risk management structure through the Board’s review of regular reports, presentations and other information from officers of the Trust and other persons. Senior officers of the Trust, including the Trust’s CCO, regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. In this regard, the Board periodically receives reports regarding the Trust’s service providers, either directly or through the CCO. On at least a quarterly basis, the Independent Trustees meet with the CCO to discuss matters relating to the Trust’s compliance program and, in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board receives at least annually a written report from the CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance program. In connection with the CCO’s annual Rule 38a-1 compliance report to the Board, the Independent Trustees meet with the CCO in executive session to discuss the Trust’s compliance program.
Further, the Board regularly receives reports from the Adviser with respect to the Funds’ investments and securities trading and, as necessary, any fair valuation determinations made by the Advisers with respect to certain investments held by the Funds. Senior officers of the Trust and Adviser routinely report regularly to the Board on valuation matters, internal controls, accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit Committee receives information on the Funds’ internal controls and financial reporting from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified nor can processes and controls be developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects of certain risks. Some risks are simply beyond the reasonable control of the Funds, their management and service providers. Although the risk management process, policies and procedures of the Funds, their management and service providers are designed to be effective, there is no guarantee that they will eliminate or mitigate all such risks. Moreover, it may be necessary to bear certain risks to achieve each Fund’s investment objective.
STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees currently has two standing committees: an Audit Committee and a Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee. Currently, each Independent Trustee serves on each of these committees.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The purposes of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of Trustees in (1) its oversight of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and related controls and procedures maintained by or on behalf of the Trust; (2) its oversight of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (3) selecting, evaluating and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent registered public accounting firm (or nominating the independent registered public accounting firm to be proposed for shareholder approval in any proxy statement); and (4) evaluating the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. During the fiscal period ended November 30, 2011, the Audit Committee held 4 meetings.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, NOMINATION AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The purposes of the Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee are, among other things, to assist the Board of Trustees in (1) its assessment of the adequacy of the Board’s adherence to industry corporate governance best practices; (2) periodic evaluation of the operation of the Trust and meetings with management of the Trust concerning the Trust’s operations and the policies and procedures application to the Fund; (3) review, consideration and recommendation to the full Board regarding Independent Trustee compensation; (4) its identification and evaluation of potential candidates to fill a vacancy on the Board; and (5) selection from among potential candidates of a nominee to be presented to the full Board for its consideration. The Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee will not consider shareholders’ nominees. During the fiscal period ended November 30, 2011, the Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee held 2 meetings.
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TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
Listed below for each Trustee is a dollar range of securities beneficially owned in the Fund together with the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in all registered investment companies overseen by each Trustee that are in the same family of investment companies as the Trust, as of December 31, 2011.
Name of Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities In Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
Independent Trustees | ||
Sanjay Ram Bharwani | N/A | N/A |
Scott R. Chichester | N/A | N/A |
Kartik Kiran Shah | N/A | N/A |
Interested Trustee | ||
Bruno del Ama | N/A | $50,001 - $100,000 |
To the best of the Trust’s knowledge, as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES OF THE ADVISER AND RELATED COMPANIES
As of December 31, 2011, no Independent Trustee (or any of his immediate family members) owned beneficially or of record securities of any Trust investment adviser, its principal underwriter, or any person directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by or under common control with any Trust investment adviser or principal underwriter.
Name of Independent Trustee | Name of Owners and Relationship to Director | Company | Title of Class | Value of Securities | Percent of Class |
Sanjay Ram Bharwani | None | None | None | None | None |
Scott R. Chichester | None | None | None | None | None |
Kartik Kiran Shah | None | None | None | None | None |
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No Independent Trustee or immediate family member has during the two most recently completed calendar years had: (i) any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or series of similar transactions, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000; (ii) any securities interest in the principal underwriter of the Trust or the investment adviser or their affiliates (other than the Trust); or (iii) any direct or indirect relationship of any nature, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, with:
· | the Funds; |
· | an officer of the Funds; |
· | an investment company, or person that would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, having the same investment adviser or principal underwriter as the Funds or having an investment adviser or principal underwriter that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds; |
· | an officer or an investment company, or a person that would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, having the same investment adviser or principal underwriter as the Funds or having an investment adviser or principal underwriter that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds; |
· | the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds; |
· | an officer of the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds; |
· | a person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds; or |
· | an officer of a person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds. |
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
The Interested Trustee is not compensated by the Trust. Independent Trustee fees are paid by the Adviser. All of the Independent Trustees are reimbursed for their travel expenses and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings (these other expenses are subject to Board review to ensure that they are not excessive). The Trust does not accrue pension or retirement benefits as part of the Funds’ expenses, and Trustees are not entitled to benefits upon retirement from the Board of Trustees. The Trust’s officers receive no compensation directly from the Trust.
The estimated compensation to be paid to the Independent Trustees for the fiscal year end November 30, 2013 is set forth in the following table:
Name of Independent Trustee | Aggregate Compensation from Funds |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued
as Part of Funds Expenses |
Total Compensation from Trust |
Sanjay Ram Bharwani | $470 | $0 | $15,000 |
Scott R. Chichester | $470 | $0 | $15,000 |
Kartik Kiran Shah | $470 | $0 | $15,000 |
CODE OF ETHICS
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The Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics, as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to a code of ethics). There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. The codes permit personnel subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund. The codes are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser, Global X Management Company LLC, serves as investment manager to the Funds pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. It is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC and is located at 623 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor New York, NY 10022. Bruno del Ama and Jose C. Gonzalez each own more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Adviser, which was organized in Delaware on March 28, 2008 as a limited liability company.
Pursuant to a Supervision and Administration Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser oversees the operation of the Fund, provides or causes to be furnished the advisory, supervisory, administrative, distribution, transfer agency, custody and all other services necessary for the Fund to operate, and exercises day-to-day oversight over The Fund’s service providers. Under the Supervision and Administration Agreement, the Adviser also bears all the fees and expenses incurred in connection with its obligations under the Supervision and Administration Agreement, including, but not limited to, the costs of various third-party services required by the Fund, including audit, certain custody, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs except those fees and expenses specifically assumed by the Trust on behalf of the Fund.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is responsible for the management of the investment portfolio of the Fund. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Fund's investment strategies will influence the Fund's performance significantly.
The Fund pays the Adviser a fee (“Management Fee”) for the advisory, supervisory, administrative and other services it requires under an all-in fee structure. The Fund also bears other expenses which are not covered under the Supervisory and Administrative Agreement that may vary and will affect the total level of expenses paid by the Fund, such as taxes, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, interest and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses).
For its advisory, supervisory and administrative services, the Fund will pay monthly a Management Fee to the Adviser at annual rates set forth in the table below (stated as a percentage of the Fund’s respective average daily net assets).
Fund |
Management Fee |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | 0.75% |
The Adviser and its affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Fund also may invest. The Adviser does not use inside information in making investment decisions on behalf of the Fund.
Each of the Supervision and Administration Agreement and the related Investment Advisory Agreement remains in effect for two (2) years from its effective date and thereafter continues in effect for as long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually, by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement or interested persons of the Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each of the Supervision and Administration Agreement and the related Investment Advisory Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Funds’ shareholders, on 60 calendar days written notice to the Adviser, and by the Adviser on the same notice to the Trust and that it shall be automatically terminated if it is assigned.
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Each of the Supervision and Administration Agreement and the related Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable to the Funds or its shareholders for anything other than willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties. The Investment Advisory Agreement also provides that the Adviser may engage in other businesses, devote time and attention to any other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, and render investment advisory services to others.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Bruno del Ama and Jose Gonzalez are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investments.
Portfolio Manager’s Compensation
The Adviser believes that its compensation program is competitively positioned to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Portfolio managers receive a salary and are eligible to receive an annual bonus. The portfolio manager’s salary compensation is designed to be competitive with the marketplace and reflect the portfolio manager’s relative experience and contribution to the Funds. Base salary compensation is reviewed and adjusted annually to reflect increases in the cost of living and market rates. The annual incentive bonus opportunity provides cash bonuses based upon the Fund’s performance and individual contributions. As shareholders of the Adviser, Bruno del Ama and Jose C. Gonzalez also may benefit economically from any profits generated by the Adviser.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager
It is anticipated that the portfolio manager will be responsible for multiple investment accounts, including other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of the Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute the Fund’s trades. The Adviser has structured the portfolio manager’s compensation in a manner, and the Fund and the Adviser have adopted policies, procedures and a code of ethics, reasonably designed to safeguard the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any such conflicts that may arise.
As of October 31, 2012, Bruno del Ama and Jose Gonzalez were responsible for the management of the following accounts:
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Other Accounts Managed (As of October 31, 2012) |
Accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account | |||
Category of Account | Number of Accounts in Category | Total Assets in Accounts in Category | Number of Accounts in Category | Total Assets in Accounts in Category | |
Bruno del Ama | Registered investment companies | 31 | 1,446,638,595 | 0 | $0 |
Other pooled investment vehicles | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
Other accounts | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
Jose C. Gonzalez | Registered investment companies | 31 | 1,446,638,595 | 0 | $0 |
Other pooled investment vehicles | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |
Other accounts | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
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Although the funds in the Trust that are managed by Messrs. del Ama and Gonzalez may have different investment strategies, each has an investment objective of seeking to replicate, before fees and expenses, its respective underlying index. The Adviser does not believe that management of the various accounts presents a material conflict of interest for Messrs. del Ama and Gonzalez or the Adviser.
Disclosure of Securities Ownership
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Fund’s portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Fund.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and in various jurisdictions. The Adviser effects transactions for the Fund with those brokers and dealers that the Adviser believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of providing the most efficient and best execution of trades. The primary consideration of the Adviser is to seek prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price. The sale of Shares by a broker-dealer is not a factor in the selection of broker-dealers. The Adviser and its affiliates do not currently participate in any soft dollar transactions, although the Adviser relies on Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act in effecting or executing transactions for the Fund. Accordingly, in selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) provided to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Adviser to the Fund. Such brokerage and research services might consist of reports and statistics on specific companies or industries or broad overviews of the securities markets and the economy. Shareholders of the Fund should understand that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to other clients.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Funds for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities by the Funds are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Funds in a manner deemed equitable to all of the Funds by the Adviser. Bundling or bunching transactions for the Funds is intended to result in better prices for portfolio securities and lower brokerage commissions, which should be beneficial to all of the Funds.
PROXY VOTING
The Fund has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Adviser, subject to the Boards of Trustees’ oversight. In delegating proxy responsibilities, the Board has directed that proxies be voted consistent with The Fund’s and its shareholders' best interests and in compliance with all applicable proxy voting rules and regulations. The Adviser has adopted proxy voting policies and guidelines for this purpose ("Proxy Voting Policies") and the Adviser has engaged a third party proxy solicitation firm which is responsible for the actual voting of all proxies in a timely manner, while the CCO is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the Proxy Voting Policies. The Proxy Voting Policies have been adopted by the Trust as the policies and procedures that the Adviser will use when voting proxies on behalf of the Fund.
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I. General Policy
The Proxy Voting Policies address, among other things, material conflicts of interest that may arise between the interests of the Funds and the interests of the Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies will ensure that all issues brought to shareholders are analyzed in light of the Adviser’s fiduciary responsibilities.
In voting to elect board nominees for uncontested seats, the following factors will be taken into account: (i) whether majority of the company’s directors are independent; (ii) whether key board committees are entirely composed of independent directors; (iii) excessive board memberships and professional time commitments to effectively serve the company’s board; and (iv) the attendance record of incumbent directors at board and committee meetings.
Equity compensation plans will also be reviewed on a case-by-case basis based upon their specific features. For example, stock option plans will be evaluated using criteria such as: (i) whether the plan is performance-based; (ii) dilution to existing shareholders; (iii) the cost of the plan; (iv) whether discounted options are allowed under the plan; (v) whether the plan authorizes the re-pricing of options or reload options without shareholder approval; and (vi) the equity overhang of all plans. Similarly, employee stock purchase plans generally will be supported under the guidelines upon consideration of factors such as (i) whether the plan sets forth adequate limits on share issuance; (ii) whether participation limits are defined; and (iii) whether discounts to employees exceed a threshold amount.
The Proxy Voting Policies provide for review and vote on shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with this approach, these guidelines support a shareholder proposal upon the compelling showing that it has a substantial economic impact on shareholder value. As such, proposals that request that the company report on environmental, labor or human rights issues are only supported when such concerns pose a substantial risk to shareholder value.
II. Record of Proxy Voting
Information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended November 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-843-7824 and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
SUB-ADMINISTRATOR
SEI Investments Global Fund Services (“SEI Global”), located at Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456, serves as Sub-Administrator to the Fund. As sub-administrator, SEI Global provides the Fund with all required general administrative services, including, without limitation, office space, equipment, and personnel; clerical and general back office services; bookkeeping, internal accounting and secretarial services; the calculation of NAV; and the preparation and filing of all reports, registration statements, proxy statements and all other materials required to be filed or furnished by the Fund under federal and state securities laws. As compensation for these services, the sub-Administrator receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from its fees.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement under which SEI Investments Distribution Co. (“SEI”), with principal offices at One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456, as agent, receives orders to create and redeem shares in Creation Unit Aggregations and transmits such orders to the Trust’s Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. SEI bears the following costs and expenses relating to the distribution of shares: (i) the costs of processing and maintaining records of creations of Creation Units; (ii) all costs of maintaining the records required of a registered broker/dealer; (iii) the expenses of maintaining its registration or qualification as a dealer or broker under federal or state laws; (iv) filing fees; and (v) all other expenses incurred in connection with the distribution services as contemplated in the Distribution Agreement. No compensation is payable by the Trust to SEI for such distribution services. The Distribution Agreement provides that the Trust will indemnify SEI against certain liabilities relating to untrue statements or omissions of material fact except those resulting from the reliance on information furnished to the Trust by SEI, or those resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of SEI, or SEI’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor, its affiliates and officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust or the Fund. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or any stock exchange.
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Additionally, the Adviser or its affiliates may, from time to time, and from its own resources, pay, defray or absorb costs relating to distribution, including payments out of its own resources to the Distributor or to otherwise promote the sale of shares.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., located at 40 Water Street, Boston, MA 02109, serves as Custodian of the Fund’s assets. The custodian relationship is managed through SEI Global. As Custodian, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 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 shareholders, security brokers and others relating to its duties; and (4) make periodic reports to the Fund concerning the Fund’s operations. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. does not exercise any supervisory function over the purchase and sale of securities. As compensation for these services, the Custodian receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from its fees.
As Transfer Agent, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 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. As compensation for these services, the Transfer Agent receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from its fees.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Declaration of Trust of the Trust (“Declaration”) permits the Trust’s Board of Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of one or more separate series representing interests in one or more investment portfolios. The Trustees or Trust may create additional series and each series may be divided into classes.
Under the terms of the Declaration, each share of the Fund represents a proportionate interest in the particular Fund with each other share of its class in the same Fund and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging to the Fund as are authorized by the Trustees and declared by the Trust. Upon any liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to that class available for distribution. Shares do not have any preemptive or conversion rights. The right of redemption is described in the Prospectus. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the 1940 Act, the right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by the Fund may be suspended for more than seven days (i) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or trading in the markets the Fund normally utilizes is closed or is restricted as determined by the SEC, (ii) during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of instruments owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (iii) for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund. The Trust also may suspend or postpone the recording of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions. In addition, shares of the Fund are redeemable at the unilateral option of the Trust. The Declaration permits the Board to alter the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that shares of beneficial interest of the Trust may be individually redeemable. Shares when issued as described in the Prospectus are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. In the interests of economy and convenience, certificates representing shares of the Fund are not issued.
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Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit Aggregation(s) of the Fund and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in such Fund’s shares, a holder of shares may be a “control person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Fund.
The proceeds received by the Fund for each issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors of that Fund, will be specifically allocated to and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of the Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect to that Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses with respect to the Funds normally are allocated in proportion to the NAV of the respective Fund except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and proportionate fractional votes for fractional shares held. Each Fund and other funds of the Trust entitled to vote on a matter will vote in the aggregate and not by Fund, except as required by law or when the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular Fund or class.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required by the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each investment portfolio affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that an investment portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each investment portfolio in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of the investment portfolio. Under the Rule, the approval of an Investment Advisory Agreement, a distribution plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or any change in the fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to an investment portfolio only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such investment portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of Trustees are exempt from the separate voting requirements stated above.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of shareholders to one vote for each share represented by such shares on all matters presented to shareholders, including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar-based voting”). However, to the extent required by the 1940 Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Trust may elect all of the Trustees, irrespective of the vote of the other shareholders. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, the President or Secretary of the Trust or upon the written request of holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.
The Declaration authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval (except as stated in the next paragraph), to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust, or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a “master-feeder” structure by investing substantially all of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company or pooled portfolio.
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The Declaration also authorizes the Trustees, in connection with the termination or other reorganization of the Trust or any series or class by way of merger, consolidation, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets, or otherwise, to classify the shareholders of any class into one or more separate groups and to provide for the different treatment of shares held by the different groups, provided that such termination or reorganization is approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of each group of shareholders that are so classified.
The Declaration permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment: (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders specified in the Declaration; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) to the amendment section of the Declaration; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.
The Declaration permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust: (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine that such action is in the best interest of the Trust or its shareholders. The factors and events that the Trustees may take into account in making such determination include: (i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, or any series or class thereof, or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on their business or operations.
In the event of a termination of the Trust or the Fund, the Board, in its sole discretion, could determine to permit the shares to be redeemable in aggregations smaller than Creation Unit Aggregations or to be individually redeemable. In such circumstance, the Trust may make redemptions in-kind, for cash, or for a combination of cash or securities.
The Declaration provides that the Trustees will not be liable to any person other than the Trust or a shareholder and that a Trustee will not be liable for any act as a Trustee. Additionally, subject to applicable federal law, no person who is or who has been a Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any shareholder for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. However, nothing in the Declaration protects a Trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The Declaration provides for indemnification of Trustees and officers of the Trust unless the indemnitee is liable to the Trust or any shareholder by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
The Declaration provides that each shareholder, by virtue of becoming such, will be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of the Declaration.
The Declaration provides that a shareholder of the Trust may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met: (i) the shareholder was a shareholder at the time of the action complained of; (ii) the shareholder was a shareholder at the time demand is made; (iii) the shareholder must make demand to the Trustees before commencing at derivative action on behalf of the Trust; (iv) any shareholders that hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust (or 10% of the outstanding shares of the series or class to which such action relates) must join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (v) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Declaration also provides that no person, other than the Trustees, who is not a shareholder of a particular series or class shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of or with respect to such series or class. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and will require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
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The term “majority of the outstanding shares” of either the Trust or a particular Fund or investment portfolio means, with respect to the approval of an Investment Advisory Agreement, a distribution plan or a change in the Fundamental investment policy, the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or such Fund or portfolio present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or such Fund or portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or such Fund or portfolio.
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Shareholder Information section in the Prospectus. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Acts as Securities Depository for the Shares of the Trust. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“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 whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”), which is owned by its member firms including international broker/dealers, correspondent and clearing banks, mutual fund companies and investment banks. 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 (“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. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in shares.
Beneficial Owners of shares are not entitled to have shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holder thereof. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC, the DTC Participant and any Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder of shares. The Trust understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Trust requests any action of holders of shares, or a Beneficial Owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of Beneficial Owners owning through them. As described above, the Trust recognizes DTC or its nominee as the owner of all shares for all purposes.
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 share holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares of the Fund, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
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Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares of the Trust. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants. The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares of the Trust at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange on which shares are listed.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS
The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations. The Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of shares outstanding of any Fund of the Trust, and to make a corresponding change in the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit, in the event that the per share price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.
PURCHASE AND ISSUANCE OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS
General. The Trust issues and sells shares of the Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the Fund’s NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined herein), of an order in proper form.
A “Business Day” with respect to the Fund is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Portfolio Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of shares of the Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities (the “Deposit Securities”) constituting an optimized representation of the Fund’s Underlying Index and an amount of cash in U.S. dollars computed as described below (the “Cash Component”). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio 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 Balancing Amount (as defined below). The “Balancing Amount” is an amount equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value (per Creation Unit) of the Fund and (y) the “Deposit Amount” which is the market value (per Creation Unit) of the Deposit Securities. The Balancing Amount serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. If the Balancing Amount is a positive number ( i.e. , the net asset value per Creation Unit is more than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Balancing Amount. If the Balancing Amount is a negative number ( i.e. , the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Balancing Amount. Payment of any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant that purchased the Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.
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The Adviser makes available through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) on each Business Day, 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 Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. Such Portfolio Securities are applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to purchases of Creation Units of a given Fund until such time as the next-announced Deposit Securities composition is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Portfolio Deposit for the Fund changes pursuant to changes in the composition of the Fund’s Portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the securities constituting the Underlying Index.
In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (that is a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below) or for other similar reasons. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where delivery of Deposit Securities to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, and in certain other situations. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Portfolio Deposit, in the composition of the Underlying Index, or resulting from stock splits and other corporate actions.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Portfolio Deposit, on each Business Day, the Cash Component effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund, will be made available.
Role of the Authorized Participant. Creation Units of shares may be purchased only by or through a DTC Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor (an Authorized Participant). Such Authorized Participant will agree pursuant to the terms of such Authorized Participant Agreement on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, as the case may be, to certain conditions, including that such Authorized Participant will make available in advance of each purchase of Creation Units an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component, once the net asset value of a Creation Unit is next determined after receipt of the purchase order in proper form, together with the transaction fee described below. The Authorized Participant may require the investor to enter into an agreement with such Authorized Participant with respect to certain matters, including payment of the Cash Component. Investors who are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be a DTC Participant or may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement, and that therefore orders to purchase Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant. As a result, purchase orders placed through an Authorized Participant may result in additional charges to such investor. The Trust does not expect to enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with more than a small number of DTC Participants that have international capabilities. A list of the current Authorized Participants may be obtained from the Distributor.
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Purchase Order. To initiate an order for a Creation Unit of shares of the Fund, the Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order to purchase shares of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian will then provide such information to the appropriate local sub-custodian(s). The Custodian shall cause the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of the Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the securities included in the designated Portfolio Deposit (or the cash value of all or a part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase or “cash in lieu” amount), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local sub-custodian. Those placing orders to purchase Creation Units through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order to the Distributor by the Cut-Off Time (as defined below) on such Business Day.
The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Trust, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by the Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fee. Any excess funds will be returned following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. This deadline is likely to be significantly earlier than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange.
Investors should be aware that an Authorized Participant may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in the particular form required by the individual Authorized Participant.
Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the trading session on the relevant Fund’s Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV.
Acceptance of Purchase Order. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to the Trust are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the Trust will accept the order, subject to its right (and the right of the Distributor and the Adviser) to reject any order until acceptance.
Once the Trust has accepted an order, upon next determination of the NAV of the shares, the Trust will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit of the Fund, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of any 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 any Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identify and number of shares disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Adviser, as described above; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio 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) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, the Fund’s Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Trust shall notify a prospective purchaser and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such person of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Fund’s Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
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Issuance of a Creation Unit. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit of shares of the Fund will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the applicable local sub-custodian(s) have confirmed to the Custodian that the required securities included in the Portfolio Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the applicable local sub-custodian or sub-custodians, the Distributor and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue, and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+3 basis” (that is three Business Days after trade date). To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, the Trust will issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value equal to 110%, which the Adviser may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Trust is cash in U.S. Dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Trust’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Cash Purchase Method. When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases thereof. In addition, the Trust may in its discretion make Creation Units of any of the other funds available for purchase and redemption in U.S. dollars. In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would otherwise be required to provide through an in-kind purchase, plus the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using the cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the investor will be required to pay a fixed purchase transaction fee, plus an additional variable charge for cash purchases, which is expressed as a percentage of the value of the Deposit Securities. The transaction fees for in-kind and cash purchases of Creation Units are described below.
Purchase Transaction Fee. A fixed purchase transaction fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. Purchasers of Creation Units for cash are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolios securities. Where the Trust permits an in-kind purchaser to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the purchaser will be assessed the additional variable charge for cash purchases on the “cash in lieu” portion of its investment. Purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust. Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The purchase transaction fees for in-kind purchases and cash purchases (when available) are listed in the table below. This table is subject to revision from time to time.
Fund |
Standard Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases |
Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases* |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | $500 | 3% |
_____________
* As a percentage of the value of the amount invested.
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REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor. The Trust will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners also may sell shares in the secondary market, but must accumulate enough shares 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 Adviser makes available through the NSCC prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity and number of shares that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. To the extent redemptions are effected in-kind, Portfolio Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creation of Creation Units. To the extent redemptions are effected in-kind, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Portfolio Securities on the Business Day of the request for redemption, 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 Portfolio Securities, less the redemption transaction fee described below. The redemption transaction fee described below is deducted from such redemption proceeds.
A fixed redemption transaction fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each redemption transaction. Redemptions of Creation Units for cash are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant Fund for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to disposing of portfolio securities. The fixed redemption transaction fee for redemptions in kind and for cash and the additional variable charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) are listed in the table below. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Portfolio Deposit from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.
Fund |
Standard Fee for In-Kind and Cash Redemptions |
Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Redemptions* |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | $500 | 2% |
_____________
* As a percentage of the value of the amount invested.
Redemption requests in respect of Creation Units must be submitted to the Distributor by or through an Authorized Participant. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a redemption request through an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption request no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the trading session on the relevant Fund’s Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV.
The Distributor will provide a list of current Authorized Participants upon request. The Authorized Participant must transmit the request for redemption, in the form required by the Trust, to the Distributor in accordance with procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, requests to redeem Creation Units may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant who has executed an Authorized Participant Agreement. At any given time there will be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors making a redemption request should be aware that such request must be in the form specified by such Authorized Participant. Investors making a request to redeem Creation Units should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the request by an Authorized Participant and transfer of the shares to the Trust’s Transfer Agent; such investors should allow for the additional time that may be required to effect redemptions through their banks, brokers or other financial intermediaries if such intermediaries are not Authorized Participants.
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Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of funds based on foreign indexes must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed an Authorized Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a redemption request to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund is deemed received by the Trust on the Business Day if: (i) such order is received by the Fund’s Distributor not later than the closing time of the applicable Exchange on the applicable Business Day; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of shares of the Fund specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Fund’s Custodian no later than 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day following the day the order was transmitted; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement are properly followed. Deliveries of Fund securities to redeeming investors generally will be made within three Business Days.
A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if (i) an Authorized Participant has transferred or caused to be transferred to the Trust’s Transfer Agent the Creation Unit of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be effective by the Exchange closing time on any Business Day and (ii) a request in form satisfactory to the Trust is received by the Distributor from the Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another redeeming investor within the time periods specified above. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the investor’s shares through DTC’s facilities by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the Business Day next following the day that the redemption request is received, the redemption request shall be rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for such transfers of shares through the DTC system may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the Exchange. Those making redemption requests should ascertain the deadline applicable to transfers of shares through the DTC system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effecting the transfer of the shares.
Upon receiving a redemption request, the Distributor shall notify the Trust and the Trust’s Transfer Agent of such redemption request. The tender of an investor’s shares for redemption and the distribution of the cash redemption payment in respect of Creation Units redeemed will be effected through DTC and the relevant Authorized Participant to the beneficial owner thereof as recorded on the book-entry system of DTC or the DTC Participant through which such investor holds, as the case may be, or by such other means specified by the Authorized Participant submitting the redemption request.
In connection with taking delivery of shares of Portfolio Securities upon redemption of shares of the Fund, a redeeming Beneficial Owner, or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such Beneficial Owner, must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Portfolio Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Portfolio Securities will be delivered.
Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within three Business Days (that is “T+3”). If neither the redeeming Beneficial Owner nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Beneficial Owner has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the portfolio securities in the applicable jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Portfolio Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may in its discretion 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 that the Trust may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the net asset value of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional variable charge for cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Portfolio Securities). The Trust may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differ from the exact composition of the Portfolio Securities but does not differ in NAV. Redemptions of shares for Deposit Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Fund could not lawfully deliver specific Deposit Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Deposit Securities under such laws.
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In the event that cash redemptions are permitted or required by the Trust, proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption (within seven calendar days thereafter).
To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, in the event the Authorized Participant that has submitted a redemption request in proper form is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Units to be redeemed to the Trust, at or prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the Business Day after the date of submission of such redemption request, the Distributor will nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value equal to 110%, which the Adviser may change from time to time, of the value of the missing shares in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Trust is cash in U.S. dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The Trust’s current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be held by the Trust’s Custodian, and that the fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant Agreement permits the Trust to purchase the missing shares or acquire the portfolio securities and the Cash Component underlying such shares at any time and subjects the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares, Portfolio Securities or Cash Component and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.
Because the portfolio securities of the Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for such Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of such Fund, or to purchase or sell shares of such Fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of such Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to any Fund (1) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the New York Stock 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’s portfolio securities or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
TAXES
Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices as in effect as of the date of this SAI, all of which are subject to change, including the following information which also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”
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The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Fund Shares. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that the Fund shareholder holds Fund Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code, and does not hold Fund Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Fund Shares, to Fund shareholders holding Fund Shares through a partnership (or other pass-through entity) or to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares.
The Fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes and as such is obligated to pay federal and applicable state and foreign corporate taxes on its taxable income. This differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Code in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. As a result, the Fund will be obligated to pay federal and state taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated.
As discussed below, the Fund expects that a portion of the distribution it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes currently paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.
The Fund invests its assets primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a partner in the MLPs, the fund must report its allocable share of the MLPs’ taxable income in computing its taxable income, regardless of the extent (if any) to which the MLPs make distributions. Based upon the Investment Adviser’s review of the historic results of the types of MLPs in which the Fund invests, the Investment Adviser expects that the cash flow received by the fund with respect to its MLP investments will generally exceed the taxable income allocated to the Fund (and this excess generally will not be currently taxable to the Fund but, rather, will result in a reduction of the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in each MLP as described in the following paragraph). This is the result of a variety of factors, including significant non-cash deductions, such as accelerated depreciation. There is no assurance that the Investment Adviser’s expectation regarding the tax character of MLP distributions will be realized. If this expectation is not realized, there may be greater tax expense borne by the Fund and less cash available to distribute to you or to pay to expenses.
The Fund will also be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular graduated corporate tax rates on any gain recognized by the applicable Fund on any sale of equity securities of an MLP. Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund that exceed such Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities.
The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the NAV. From time to time, the Investment Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions regarding the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations currently 35% and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.
39 |
The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. The tax basis of Shares of the Fund must be reduced by any distribution which is treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of the Fund may be disallowed if Fund Shares or other substantially identical shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Distribution may also be subject to state and local taxes.
Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund through the means of the dividend reinvestment service (see above) will nevertheless be taxable dividends to shareholders acquiring such additional Shares.
U.S. Shareholder. A “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
· | a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents); |
· | a domestic partnership; |
· | a domestic corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
· | an estate , the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
· | a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder.
Distributions by the Fund will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from such Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividends may be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income through 2012 if certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Dividends paid by the Fund to a Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If an income tax treaty applies to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, the Non-U.S. Shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty in order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding tax.
If the amount of a distribution exceeds a Shareholder’s allocable share of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Shareholder’s tax basis in such Fund’s shares and will reduce the tax basis of such shares. To the extent that any distribution received by a Shareholder exceeds the sum of (i) Shareholder’s allocable share of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and (ii) such Shareholder’s tax basis in such Fund’s shares, such excess will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares and will be taxed as described in “Redemptions and Sales of Shares” below.
SALES OF SHARES
Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his basis in his shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.
40 |
REPORTING
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, the shareholder may be required to file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. 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. Under recently enacted legislation, certain tax-exempt entities and their managers may be subject to excise tax if they are parties to certain reportable transactions.
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of shares should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of investing in such shares, including under state, local and foreign tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
BACK-UP WITHHOLDING
In certain cases, the Fund will be required to withhold at the applicable withholding rate, and remit to the U.S. Treasury such amounts withheld from any distributions paid to a shareholder who: (a) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number; (b) is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service; (c) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding; or (d) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV for the Fund is calculated by deducting all of the Fund’s liabilities (including accrued expenses) from the total value of its assets (including the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets, including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding, and generally rounded to the nearest cent, although the Fund reserves the right to calculate its NAV to more than two decimal places. The NAV for the Fund will generally be determined by SEI Global once daily Monday through Friday generally as of the regularly scheduled close of business of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing, provided that (a) any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar shall be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more major banks or dealers that makes a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers); and (b) U.S. fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the Bond Market Association announces an early closing time.
In calculating the Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund’s published net asset value per share. SEI Global may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation.
41 |
The value of assets denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by the Adviser as investment adviser. Any use of fair value prices, current market valuations or exchange rates different from the prices and rates used by the Index Providers may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to track its underlying index.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
GENERAL POLICIES
Dividends from net investment income, including any net foreign currency gains, are declared and paid at least annually and any net realized securities gains are distributed at least annually. In order to improve tracking error or comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, dividends may be declared and paid more frequently than annually. Dividends and securities gains distributions are distributed in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Dividends and other distributions of shares are distributed 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 Fund.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT SERVICE
No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the same Fund purchased in the secondary market.
OTHER INFORMATION
COUNSEL
Dechert LLP, with offices at 1775 I Street Washington, DC 20006-2401, is counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young, LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust, audits the Fund’s financial statements and may perform other services.
42 |
SECURITIES LENDING AGENT
Citibank, N.A. (“Citi”) acts as the securities lending agent for the Trust. In its capacity as securities lending agent, Citi, among other things, enters into and maintains securities loan agreements with borrowers, negotiates fees with borrowers, delivers securities to borrowers, receives collateral from borrowers in connection with each loan, holds and safekeeps the collateral on behalf of the Trust portfolios and invests the cash collateral in accordance with the Adviser's instructions. The securities lending agents will receive fees from the Fund and such fee will be calculated on, and deducted from, that Fund's securities lending revenues.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by the Trust’s Prospectus. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this Statement of Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
43 |
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
(12) | Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement. 18/ | |||
(13) |
Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement. 19/ | |||
(14) |
Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement. 20/ | |||
(15) |
Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement. * | |||
(e) | (1) | Form of Distribution Agreement. 2 / | ||
(2) |
Form of Authorized Participation Agreement. 3/ | |||
(3) |
Amendment Number One to the Distribution Agreement. 5/ | |||
(4) | Amendment Number Two to the Distribution Agreement. 7/ | |||
(5) | Amendment Number Three to the Distribution Agreement. 8/ | |||
(6) | Amendment Number Four to the Distribution Agreement. 9/ | |||
(f) | Not Applicable. | |||
(g) | (1) | Form of Custodian Agreement. 2 / | ||
(2) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 5/ | |||
(3) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 7/ | |||
(4) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 8/ | |||
(5) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 9/ | |||
(6) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 10/ | |||
(7) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 11/ | |||
(8) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 12/ | |||
(9) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 13/ | |||
(10) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 14/ | |||
(11) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 15/ | |||
(12) | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 18/ | |||
(13) |
Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 19/ | |||
(14) |
Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. 20/ | |||
(15) |
Amendment to the Custodian Agreement. * | |||
(h) |
(1) | Form of Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 2 / | ||
(2) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 5/ | |||
(3) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 7/ | ||||
(4) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.8/ | ||||
(5) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.9/ | ||||
(6) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.10/ | ||||
(7) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.11/ | ||||
(8) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.12/ | ||||
(9) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.13/ | ||||
(10) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.14/ | ||||
(11) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement.15/ | ||||
(12) | Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 18/ | ||||
(13) |
Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 19/ | ||||
(14) |
Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. 20/ | ||||
(15) |
Amendment to the Transfer Agent Services Agreement. * | ||||
(16) |
Form of Administration Agreement. 2 / | ||||
(17) | Form of Supervision and Administration Agreement. 3 / | ||||
(18) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated December 5, 2008 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement. 4 / | ||||
(19) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated September 18, 2009 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.5/ | ||||
(20) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated February 26, 2010 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.6/ | ||||
(21) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated April 6, 2010 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.7/ | ||||
(22) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated June 9, 2010 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.8/ | ||||
(23) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated August 27, 2010 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.9/ | ||||
(24) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated November 17, 2010 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.10/ | ||||
(25) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated February 25, 2011 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.11/ | ||||
(26) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated May 11, 2011 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.12/ | ||||
(27) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated August 19, 2011 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.13/ | ||||
(28) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated November 11, 2011 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.14/ | |||
(29) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A dated February 24, 2012 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement.17/ |
|||
(30) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A dated February 24, 2012 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement. 18/ | |||
(31) | Amended and Restated Schedule A dated May 25, 2012 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement. 19/ | |||
(32) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A dated August 24, 2012 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement. 20/ |
|||
(33) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A dated November 16, 2012 to the Supervision and Administration Agreement. * |
|||
(34) |
Amended and Restated Supervision and Administration Agreement. 16/ |
|||
(35) | Form of Sub-Administration Agreement.6/ | |||
(36) | Amendment Number One to Sub-Administration Agreement.5/ | |||
(37) |
Amendment Number Two to Sub-Administration Agreement.7/ |
|||
(38)
(39) |
Amendment Number Eight to Sub-Administration Agreement. 13/
Form of Sub-License Agreement. 3 / |
|||
(40)
(41)
(42)
|
Amendment and Restated Schedules A and B to the Index Sub-License Agreement. 7/
Amendment and Restated Schedules A and B to the Index Sub-License Agreement. 8/
Expense Limitation Agreement. 14/
|
|||
(i) | (1) | Opinion and Consent of Fund Counsel. * | ||
(j) | (1) | Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP. 20/ | ||
(2) | Consent of Sanville & Company. 20/ | |||
(k) | Not applicable | |||
(l) | Initial Capital Agreement. 3/ | |||
(m) | (1) | Form of Distribution and Service Plan. 3/ | ||
(2) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 5/ | |||
(3) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 8/ | |||
(4) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 9/ | |||
(5) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 10/ |
(6) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 11/ | |||
(7) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 12/ | |||
(8) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 13/ | |||
(9) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 14/ | |||
(10)
(11)
(12) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 18/
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 19/
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. 20/ |
|||
(13) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution and Service Plan. * | |||
(n) | Not applicable | |||
(o) | Not applicable | |||
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of Global X Funds and Global X Management Company LLC. 4/ | ||
(2) | Code of Ethics of Distributor. 4/ | |||
*/ Included herein.
1 / Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s initial Registration Statement, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed June 17, 2008.
2 / Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-effective Amendment #1, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed August 15, 2008.
3/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-effective Amendment #2, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed October 27, 2008.
4 / Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #2, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed January 20, 2009.
5/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #4, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed November 16, 2009.
6/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #7, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed February 26, 2010.
7/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #9, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed April 16, 2010
8/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #11, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed June 16, 2010
9/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #15, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed October 27, 2010
10/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #20, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed January 10, 2011
11/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #31, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed May 3, 2011
12/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #32, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed May 11, 2011
13/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #41, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed September 20, 2011
14/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #52, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed November 22, 2011.
15/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #59, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed February 3, 2012.
16/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #62, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed February 23, 2012.
17/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #66, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed April 17, 2012.
18/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #68, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed April 25, 2012.
19/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #71, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed May 29, 2012.
20/ Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-effective Amendment #80, SEC File No. 333-151713, filed September 6, 2012.
Item 24. | Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund |
None.
Item 25. | Indemnification |
Section 3 of Article VII of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (a)(2) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement provides that, subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in the By-Laws, each Trustee or officer of the Registrant (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with the defense of any proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the Trust and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof; and that expenses in connection with the defense of any proceeding of the character described above shall be advanced by the Trust to the Covered Person from time to time prior to final disposition of such proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law. No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (i) to be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Registrant.
The Registrant’s financial obligations arising from the indemnification provided herein or in the By-Laws may be insured by policies maintained by the Registrant, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person as to acts or omissions as a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Registrant’s personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
Expenses in connection with the defense of any proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of Section 3 may be advanced by the Registrant (or its series) from time to time prior to final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Registrant (or series) if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under Section 3; provided, however, that either (i) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (ii) the Registrant is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (iii) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither “interested persons” of the Registrant nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled to indemnification under Section 3.
Section 2 of Article VII of the Registrant’s By-Laws filed as Exhibit (b) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement further provides that, with respect to indemnification of the Trustees and officers, the Registrant shall, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, indemnify its Trustees and officers to the fullest extent consistent with state law and the 1940 Act. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Registrant shall indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceedings, by reason of alleged acts or omissions within the scope of his or her service as a Trustee or officer of the Registrant, against judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by him or her in connection with such proceeding to the maximum extent consistent with state law and the 1940 Act. The Registrant may, to the fullest extent consistent with law, indemnify each person who is serving or has served at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or employee benefit plan (“Other Position”) and who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by reason of alleged acts or omissions while acting within the scope of his or her service in such Other Position, against judgments, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by him or her in connection with such proceeding to the maximum extent consistent with state law and the 1940 Act. The indemnification and other rights provided by Article VII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Trustee or officer of the Registrant. In no event will any revision, amendment or change to the By-Laws affect in any manner the rights of any Trustee or officer of the Trust to receive indemnification by the Trust against all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by the Trustee or officer in connection with any proceeding in which the Trustee or officer becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the Trust (including any amount paid or incurred by the Trustee or officer in the settlement of such proceeding) with respect to any act or omission of such Trustee or officer that occurred or is alleged to have occurred prior to the time such revision, amendment or change to the By-Laws is made.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1940 Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, 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 1940 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Section 7 of Article III of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, filed as Exhibit (a)(2) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement, also provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant. Section 7 states as follows:
If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of a claim or demand relating to such Person being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of such Person’s acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or such Person’s heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such claim or demand, but only out of the assets held with respect to the particular Series of Shares of which such Person is or was a Shareholder and from or in relation to which such liability arose. The Trust, on behalf of the applicable Series, may, at its option, assume the defense of any such claim made against such Shareholder. Neither the Trust nor the applicable Series shall be responsible for satisfying any obligation arising from such a claim that has been settled by the Shareholder without the prior written notice to, and consent of, the Trust.
Item 26. | Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser |
Global X Management Company LLC serves as investment adviser to the Funds and provides investment supervisory services. Information as to the officers and directors of Global X Management Company LLC is included in its Form ADV last filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-69093) and is incorporated herein by reference.
Set forth below is a list of officers and directors of Global X Management Company LLC, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years.
Name and Position | Principal Business(es) During the Last Two Fiscal Years |
Bruno del Ama, Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Global X Management Company LLC (since 2008) |
Jose C. Gonzalez, Principal | Chief Operating Officer, Global X Management Company LLC (since 2008); Founder and President of GWM Group, Inc. (since 2006) |
Item 27. | Principal Underwriters |
(a) Registrant's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. serves as underwriter for the following registered investment companies.
SEI Daily Income Trust | July 15, 1982 | |
SEI Liquid Asset Trust | November 29, 1982 | |
SEI Tax Exempt Trust | December 3, 1982 | |
SEI Institutional Managed Trust | January 22, 1987 | |
SEI Institutional International Trust | August 30, 1988 | |
The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund | November 14, 1991 | |
The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II | January 28, 1993 | |
Bishop Street Funds | January 27, 1995 | |
SEI Asset Allocation Trust | April 1, 1996 | |
SEI Institutional Investments Trust | June 14, 1996 | |
CNI Charter Funds | April 1, 1999 | |
Causeway Capital Management Trust | September 20, 2001 | |
ProShares Trust | 14, 2005 | |
Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund | January 8, 2007 | |
SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP | June 29, 2007 | |
TD Asset Management USA Funds | July 25, 2007 | |
SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP | July 31, 2007 | |
Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc. | July 12, 2008 | |
Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust | July 12, 2008 | |
Global X Funds | October 24, 2008 | |
ProShares Trust II | November 17, 2008 | |
Exchanged Traded Concepts Trust (f/k/a FaithShares Trust) | August 7, 2009 | |
Schwab Strategic Trust | October 12, 2009 | |
RiverPark Funds | September 8, 2010 | |
Adviser Managed Trust Fund | December 10, 2010 | |
Huntington Strategy Shares | July 26, 2011 | |
New Covenant Funds | March 30, 2012 |
The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services ("Funds Evaluation") and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions ("MarketLink").
(b) The following officers of SEI Investments Distribution Co. hold the following positions with the Registrant. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each officer is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456.
Name | Position with Underwriter | Position with Registrant | ||
William M. Doran | Director | None | ||
Edward D. Loughlin | Director | None | ||
Wayne M. Withrow | Director | None | ||
Kevin P. Barr | President & Chief Executive Officer | None | ||
Maxine J. Chou | Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer & Treasurer | None | ||
Karen E. LaTourette | Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary | None | ||
John C. Munch | General Counsel & Secretary | None | ||
Mark J. Held | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Lori L. White | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | None | ||
John P. Coary | Vice President & Assistant Secretary | None | ||
John J. Cronin | Vice President | None | ||
Robert M. Silvestri | Vice President |
None
|
Item 28. | Location of Accounts and Records |
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the offices of the: (a) Registrant; (b) Investment Adviser; (c) Principal Underwriter; (d) Administrator/Transfer Agent and (e) Custodian. The address of each is as follows:
(a) |
Registrant Global X Funds 623 Fifth Avenue, 15 th Floor New York, NY 10022
|
|
(b) |
Investment Adviser Global X Management Company LLC 623 Fifth Avenue, 15 th Floor New York, NY 10022 |
|
(c) |
Principal Underwriter SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456.
|
|
(d) |
Sub-Administrator SEI Investments Global Funds Services One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456. |
|
(e) |
Custodian and Transfer Agent Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
40 Water Street
Boston, MA 02109
|
Item 29. | Management Services |
Not Applicable.
Item 30. | Undertakings |
Not Applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City and State of New York on the 26th day of November, 2012.
Global X Funds | |
By: /s/ Bruno del Ama | |
President | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Name | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Bruno del Ama | President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee | November 26, 2012 | ||
Bruno del Ama | ||||
/s/ Jose C. Gonzalez | Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) and Principal Accounting Officer | November 26, 2012 | ||
Jose C. Gonzalez | ||||
* | ||||
Sanjay Ram Bharwani | Trustee | November 26, 2012 | ||
* | ||||
Scott R. Chichester | Trustee | November 26, 2012 | ||
* | ||||
Kartik Kiran Shah | Trustee | November 26, 2012 | ||
*/s/ Bruno del Ama | ||||
Attorney-In-Fact, pursuant to power of attorney
|
AMENDED AND RESTATED
SCHEDULE A
TO
GLOBAL X FUNDS
DECLARATION OF TRUST
As of November 16, 2012
Name of Fund | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF | September 26, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | August 17, 2009 |
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 9, 2010 |
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | March 2, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | February 5, 2009 |
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Emerging Africa ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X China Consumer ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Energy ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 15, 2009 |
Global X China Financials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 10, 2009 |
Global X China Industrials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Materials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | January 12, 2010 |
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 8, 2009 |
Global X Copper Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 14, 2011 |
Global X Platinum Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Silver Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 7, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Financials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 28, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Materials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | June 21, 2010 |
Global X China Mid Cap ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Lithium ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 22, 2010 |
Global X Uranium ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 3, 2010 |
Global X Gold Explorers ETF | August 27, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 3, 2010 |
Global X Next 11 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 16, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 2, 2011 |
Global X Junior Miners ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 16, 2011 |
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Rare Earths ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Strategic Metals ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 25, 2011 |
Global X SuperDividend ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | June 8, 2011 |
Global X Canada Preferred ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 23, 2011 |
Global X MLP ETF | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | April 18, 2012 |
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | December 7, 2011 |
Global X Hungary ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Luxembourg ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Czech Republic ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Slovakia ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Qatar ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kuwait ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Nigeria ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kazakhstan ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central America ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Southern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Eastern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central Asia ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Land ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Cement ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Advanced Materials ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Social Media Index ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | November 14, 2011 |
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Permanent ETF | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | February 7, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome & MLP ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | July 16, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Risk Parity ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | June 4, 2012 |
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXHIBIT A
TO THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN GLOBAL X FUNDS AND GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
DATED OCTOBER 20, 2008
Intending to be legally bound, the undersigned hereby amend and restate Exhibit A to the aforesaid Agreement to include the following investment portfolios as of November 16, 2012:
Name of Fund | Annual Advisory Fee (as a % of average daily net assets) | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF | 0.25% | September 26, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | August 17, 2009 |
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 9, 2010 |
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF | 0.25% | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | March 2, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF | 0.25% | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | February 5, 2009 |
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Emerging Africa ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X China Consumer ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Energy ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 15, 2009 |
Global X China Financials ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 10, 2009 |
Global X China Industrials ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Materials ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | January 12, 2010 |
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF | 0.25% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 8, 2009 |
Global X Copper Miners ETF | 0.25% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF | 0.25% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 14, 2011 |
Global X Platinum Miners ETF | 0.25% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Silver Miners ETF | 0.25% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 7, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Financials ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 28, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Materials ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | June 21, 2010 |
Global X China Mid Cap ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Lithium ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 22, 2010 |
Global X Uranium ETF | 0.25% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 4, 2010 |
Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 0.25% | August 27, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 3, 2010 |
Global X Next 11 ETF | 0.25% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF | 0.25% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 16, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF | 0.25% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 3, 2011 |
Global X Junior Miners ETF | 0.25% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 16, 2011 |
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund |
Annual Advisory Fee
(as a % of average daily net assets) |
Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Rare Earths ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Strategic Metals ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 25, 2011 |
Global X SuperDividend ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | June 8, 2011 |
Global X Canada Preferred ETF | 0.25% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 23, 2011 |
Global X MLP ETF | 0.25% | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | April 18, 2012 |
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF | 0.25% | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | December 7, 2011 |
Global X Hungary ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Luxembourg ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Czech Republic ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Slovakia ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Qatar ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kuwait ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Nigeria ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kazakhstan ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central America ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Southern Europe ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Eastern Europe ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central Asia ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Sub-Saharan Africa ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Land ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Cement ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Advanced Materials ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Social Media Index ETF | 0.25% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | November 14, 2011 |
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF | 0.25% | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Permanent ETF | 0.25% | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | February 7, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome & MLP Index ETF | 0.25% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 0.25% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | July 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund |
Annual Advisory Fee
(as a % of average daily net assets) |
Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF | 0.25% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Risk Parity ETF | 0.25% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF | 0.25% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | June 4, 2012 |
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF | 0.25% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF | 0.25% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | 0.25% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Latin America Consumer ETF | 0.25% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Asia Consumer ETF | 0.25% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Africa Consumer ETF | 0.25% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF | 0.25% | November 16, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
[SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW]
GLOBAL X FUNDS | |
/s/ Bruno del Ama | |
|
|
Bruno del Ama | |
Title: President and CEO | |
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC | |
/s/ Bruno del Ama | |
|
|
Bruno del Ama Title: CEO |
TO
THE CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
and
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
Dated as of 11/26/2012
The following is a list of Funds/Portfolios for which the Custodian shall serve under a Custodian Agreement dated as of 10/20/2008 "the Agreement":
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF
Global X Advanced Materials ETF
Global X Africa Consumer ETF
Global X Asia Consumer ETF
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF
Global X Brazil Financials ETF
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF
Global X Brazil Materials ETF
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF
Global X Canada Preferred ETF
Global X Cement ETF
Global X Central America ETF
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF
Global X Central Asia ETF
Global X China Consumer ETF
Global X China Energy ETF
Global X China Financials ETF
Global X China Industrials ETF
Global X China Materials ETF
Global X China Mid Cap ETF
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF
Global X Copper Miners ETF
Global X Czech Republic ETF
Global X Eastern Europe ETF
Global X Emerging Africa ETF
Global X Land ETF
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF
Global X Gold Explorers ETF
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF
Global X Hungary ETF
Global X Junior Miners ETF
Global X Junior MLP ETF
Global X Kazakhstan ETF
Global X Kuwait ETF
Global X Latin America ETF
Global X Lithium ETF
Global X Luxembourg ETF
Global X MLP ETF
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF
Global X Next 11 ETF
Global X Nigeria ETF
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF
Global X Permanent ETF
Global X Platinum Miners ETF
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF
Global X Qatar ETF
Global X Rare Earths ETF
Global X Risk Parity ETF
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF
Global X Silver Miners ETF
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF
Global X Slovakia ETF
Global X Social Media Index ETF
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF
Global X Southern Europe ETF
Global X Strategic Metals ETF
Global X Sub-Saharan Africa ETF
Global X SuperDividend ETF
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF
Global X SuperIncome & MLP Index ETF
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF
Global X Uranium ETF
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such Fund/Portfolio.
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
BY:_________________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
TO
THE TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
and
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
Dated as of 11/26/2012
The following is a list of Funds/Portfolios for which BBH shall serve under a Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of 11/07/2008 "the Agreement":
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF
Global X Advanced Materials ETF
Global X Africa Consumer ETF
Global X Asia Consumer ETF
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF
Global X Brazil Financials ETF
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF
Global X Brazil Materials ETF
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF
Global X Canada Preferred ETF
Global X Cement ETF
Global X Central America ETF
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF
Global X Central Asia ETF
Global X China Consumer ETF
Global X China Energy ETF
Global X China Financials ETF
Global X China Industrials ETF
Global X China Materials ETF
Global X China Mid Cap ETF
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF
Global X Copper Miners ETF
Global X Czech Republic ETF
Global X Eastern Europe ETF
Global X Emerging Africa ETF
Global X Land ETF
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF
Global X Gold Explorers ETF
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF
Global X Hungary ETF
Global X Junior Miners ETF
Global X Junior MLP ETF
Global X Kazakhstan ETF
Global X Kuwait ETF
Global X Latin America Consumer ETF
Global X Lithium ETF
Global X Luxembourg ETF
Global X MLP ETF
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF
Global X Next 11 ETF
Global X Nigeria ETF
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF
Global X Permanent ETF
Global X Platinum Miners ETF
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF
Global X Qatar ETF
Global X Rare Earths ETF
Global X Risk Parity ETF
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF
Global X Silver Miners ETF
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF
Global X Slovakia ETF
Global X Social Media Index ETF
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF
Global X Southern Europe ETF
Global X Strategic Metals ETF
Global X Sub-Saharan Africa ETF
Global X SuperDividend ETF
Global X SuperDividend US ETF
Global X SuperIncome & MLP Index ETF
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF
Global X Uranium ETF
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such Fund/Portfolio.
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
BY:_________________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
AMENDED AND RESTATED SCHEDULE A
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
GLOBAL X FUNDS AND GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
DATED DECEMBER 19, 2011
Intending to be legally bound, the undersigned hereby amend and restate Schedule A to the aforesaid Agreement to include the following investment portfolios as of November 16, 2012:
Name of Fund |
Annual Supervision
and Admin Fee |
Date Fund Approved by Board |
Date Board Approved
Continuance of I/A/A |
Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF | 0.50% | September 26, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | August 17, 2009 |
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF | 0.50% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF | 0.50% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF | 0.50% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 9, 2010 |
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF | 0.74%* | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | March 2, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF | 0.68%* | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | February 5, 2009 |
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF | 0.68%* | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Emerging Africa ETF | 0.63%* | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF | 0.98% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X China Consumer ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Energy ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 15, 2009 |
Global X China Financials ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 10, 2009 |
Global X China Industrials ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Materials ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | January 12, 2010 |
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF | 0.65% | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 8, 2009 |
Global X Copper Miners ETF | 0.65% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF | 0.59% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 14, 2011 |
Global X Platinum Miners ETF | 0.65% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Silver Miners ETF | 0.65% | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF | 0.77% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 7, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Financials ETF | 0.77% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 28, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF | 0.77% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Materials ETF | 0.77% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF | 0.77% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF | 0.69% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | June 21, 2010 |
Global X China Mid Cap ETF | 0.65% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Lithium ETF | 0.75% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 22, 2010 |
Global X Uranium ETF | 0.69% | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 4, 2010 |
Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 0.65% | August 27, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 3, 2010 |
Global X Next 11 ETF | 0.75% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF | 0.65% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 16, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF | 0.72% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 2, 2011 |
Global X Junior Miners ETF | 0.75% | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 16, 2011 |
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF | 0.59% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF | 0.69% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF | 0.59% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF | 0.69% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund |
Annual Supervision
and Admin Fee |
Date Fund Approved by Board |
Date Board Approved
Continuance of I/A/A |
Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF | 0.69% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF | 0.69% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Rare Earths ETF | 0.65% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Strategic Metals ETF | 0.65% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF | 0.69% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 25, 2011 |
Global X SuperDividend ETF | 0.58% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | June 8, 2011 |
Global X Canada Preferred ETF | 0.58% | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 23, 2011 |
Global X MLP ETF | 0.45% | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | April 18, 2012 |
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF | 0.58% | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF | 0.55%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF | 0.55%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | December 7, 2011 |
Global X Hungary ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Luxembourg ETF | 0.55%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Czech Republic ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Slovakia ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Qatar ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kuwait ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Nigeria ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kazakhstan ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central America ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF | 0.55%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Southern Europe ETF | 0.55%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Eastern Europe ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central Asia ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Sub-Saharan Africa ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF | 0.68%* | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF | 0.65% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF | 0.65% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Land ETF | 0.65% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Cement ETF | 0.69% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Advanced Materials ETF | 0.69% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Social Media Index ETF | 0.65% | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | November 14, 2011 |
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF | 0.48% | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Permanent ETF | 0.48% | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | February 7, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome & MLP Index ETF | 0.58% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 0.58% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | July 16, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF | 0.58% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Risk Parity ETF | 0.58% | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF | 0.75% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | June 4, 2012 |
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF | 0.65% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF | 0.75% | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | 0.75% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund |
Annual Supervision
and Admin Fee |
Date Fund Approved by Board |
Date Board Approved
Continuance of I/A/A |
Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X Latin America Consumer ETF | 0.75% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Asia Consumer ETF | 0.75% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Africa Consumer ETF | 0.85% | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF | 0.45% | November 16, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
* | Asset-based custody fees are not included in the annual Supervision and Administration fee. Asset-based custody fees will be borne by the respective fund. |
GLOBAL X FUNDS | |
/s/ Bruno del Ama | |
By: Bruno del Ama | |
Title: President and CEO | |
GLOBAL X MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC | |
/s/ Bruno del Ama | |
By: Bruno del Ama | |
Title: CEO |
Law Offices of DT Chisolm, P.C.
11524 C Providence Road, Suite 236
Charlotte, NC 28277
November 26, 2012
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Office of Filings, Information & Consumer Services
RE: | Global X Funds (“Trust”) File Nos. 333-151713, 811-22209 |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is given in connection with the filing by Global X Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (“Trust”), of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 (“PEA 93”) to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and Amendment No. 96 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) covering an indefinite amount of securities in the form of shares in each series of the Trust (the “Shares”).
I have examined the following Trust documents: (1) the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, as amended; (2) the Trust’s By-Laws; (3) each of the Registration Statement filings made on behalf of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); (4) pertinent provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware; and (5) such other Trust records, certificates, documents and statutes that I have deemed relevant in order to render the opinions expressed herein.
Based on such examination, I am of the opinion that:
1. | The Trust is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and |
2. | The shares to be offered for sale by the Trust, when issued in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
This letter expresses my opinion as to the Delaware statutory trust law governing matters such as the due organization of the Trust and the authorization and issuance of the Shares, but does not extend to the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the State of Delaware or to federal securities or other laws.
November 26, 2012 Page 2 |
The opinions expressed herein are solely for your benefit and may not be relied on in any manner or for any purpose by any other person. I express no opinion as to any other matter other than as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred here from. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and I undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein.
I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to PEA 93 to the Registration Statement, until such time as I revoke such consent. In giving such consent, however, I do not admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Daphne Tippens Chisolm
Daphne Tippens Chisolm
Law Offices of DT Chisolm, PC
AMENDED AND RESTATED
SCHEDULE A TO
GLOBAL X FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
As of November 16, 2012
Name of Fund | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF | September 26, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | August 17, 2009 |
Global X FTSE Denmark 20 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Finland 25 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Norway 30 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 9, 2010 |
Global X FTSE Argentina 20 ETF | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | March 2, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF | December 5, 2008 | November 16, 2012 | February 5, 2009 |
Global X Pakistan KSE-30 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Emerging Africa ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE United Arab Emirates 20 ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X China Consumer ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Energy ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 15, 2009 |
Global X China Financials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 10, 2009 |
Global X China Industrials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | November 30, 2009 |
Global X China Materials ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | January 12, 2010 |
Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF | October 2, 2009 | November 16, 2012 | December 8, 2009 |
Global X Copper Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Pure Gold Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 14, 2011 |
Global X Platinum Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Silver Miners ETF | March 26, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | April 19, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Consumer ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 7, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Financials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 28, 2010 |
Global X Brazil Industrials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Materials ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Utilities ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Brazil Mid Cap ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | June 21, 2010 |
Global X China Mid Cap ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Lithium ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | July 22, 2010 |
Global X Uranium ETF | June 4, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 4, 2010 |
Global X Gold Explorers ETF | August 27, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | November 3, 2010 |
Global X Next 11 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 16, 2011 |
Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | February 3, 2011 |
Global X Junior Miners ETF | November 17, 2010 | November 16, 2012 | March 16, 2011 |
Global X UK Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Hong Kong Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Germany Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Singapore Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X South Korea Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Taiwan Small-Cap ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Rare Earths ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X Strategic Metals ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 25, 2011 |
Global X SuperDividend ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | June 8, 2011 |
Global X Canada Preferred ETF | February 25, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | May 23, 2011 |
Global X Farming ETF | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | June 1, 2011 |
Global X MLP ETF | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X MLP Natural Gas ETF | May 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Portugal 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Ukraine ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | December 7, 2011 |
Global X Hungary ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Luxembourg ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Morocco 20 ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Czech Republic ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Slovakia ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Qatar ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kuwait ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Nigeria ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Bangladesh ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Sri Lanka ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Kazakhstan ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Frontier Markets ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central America ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central and Northern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Southern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Eastern Europe ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Central Asia ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Sub-Saharan Africa ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X S&P Pan Arab ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Toll Roads & Ports ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X FTSE Railroads ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Land ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Cement ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Advanced Materials ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Social Media Index ETF | August 19, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | November 14, 2011 |
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Permanent ETF | November 11, 2011 | November 16, 2012 | February 7, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome & MLP Index ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | July 16, 2012 |
Global X SuperIncome REIT ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Risk Parity ETF | February 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Top Guru Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | June 4, 2012 |
Global X Value Guru Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Activist Investor Holdings Index ETF | May 25, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Junior MLP ETF | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X Latin America Consumer ETF | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |
Name of Fund | Date Fund Approved by Board | Date Board Approved Continuance of I/A/A | Date Fund Commenced Operations |
Global X Asia Consumer ETF | August 24, 2012 | November 16, 2012 | |
Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF | November 16, 2012 | November 16, 2012 |