As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2015
No. 333-191019
No. 811-22883
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
x | |
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ¨ | |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 | x | |
| and/or | ||
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
x |
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| Amendment No. 10 | x | |
| (Check appropriate box or boxes) |
ARK ETF Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o ARK Investment Management LLC
155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor
New York, NY 10011
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 426-7040
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Corporation Service Company 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 Wilmington, DE 19808 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
With a copy to: Jane A. Kanter, Esq. General Counsel ARK Investment Management LLC 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor New York, NY 10011 |
With a copy to: Amy D. Eisenbeis ARK Investment Management LLC 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor New York, NY 10011 |
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
| Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | ||
| X | On December 31, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b) | |
| 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | ||
| On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | ||
| 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) | ||
| On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485 | ||
IF APPROPRIATE, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX:
| This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment |
Prospectus
December 31, 2015
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| ETF |
NYSE Arca, Inc.
Ticker Symbol |
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| ARK Innovation ETF | ARKK | |||
| ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF | ARKG | |||
| ARK Industrial Innovation ETF | ARKQ | |||
| ARK Web x.0 ETF | ARKW |
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The ARK Innovation ETFs (Fund) investment objective is long-term growth of capital.
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (Shares). Investors may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Shares.
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| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | None | |||
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
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| Management Fee | 0.95 | % | ||
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00 | % | ||
| Other Expenses (a) | 0.00 | % | ||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.95 | % | ||
| (a) | Pursuant to a Supervision Agreement, ARK Investment Management LLC (ARK or Adviser) pays all other expenses of the Fund (other than taxes and governmental fees, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, certain foreign custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses)). |
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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| Year | Expenses | |||
| 1 | $ | 97 | ||
| 3 | $ | 303 | ||
| 5 | $ | 525 | ||
| 10 | $ | 1,166 | ||
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Funds performance. The Funds portfolio turnover rate for the period from commencement of operation on October 31, 2014 through August 31, 2015 was 108%.
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The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will invest under normal circumstances primarily (at least 65% of its assets) in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies that are relevant to the Funds investment theme of disruptive innovation. Companies relevant to this theme are those that rely on or benefit from the development of new products or services, technological improvements and advancements in scientific research relating to the areas of genomics (Genomic Revolution Companies), industrial innovation (Industrial Innovation Companies) or the increased use of shared technology, infrastructure and services (Web x.0 Companies).
In selecting companies that the Adviser believes are relevant to a particular investment theme, it seeks to identify, using its own internal research and analysis, companies capitalizing on disruptive innovation or that are enabling the further development of a theme in the markets in which they operate. The Advisers internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The types of companies that the Adviser believes are Genomic Revolution Companies, Industrial Innovation Companies or Web x.0 Companies are described below.
| | Genomic Revolution Companies . Companies that the Adviser believes are substantially focused on and are expected to substantially benefit from extending and enhancing the quality of human and other life by incorporating technological and scientific developments, improvements and advancements in genomics into their business, such as by offering new products or services that rely on genomic sequencing, analysis, synthesis or instrumentation. These companies may include ones across multiple sectors, such as healthcare, information technology, materials, energy and consumer discretionary, that develop, produce, manufacture or significantly rely on or enable bionic devices, bio-inspired computing, bioinformatics, molecular medicine and agricultural biotechnology. |
| | Industrial Innovation Companies: Companies that are focused on and expected to benefit from the development of new products or services, technological improvements and advancements in scientific research related to, among other things, disruptive innovation in energy (energy transformation companies), automation and manufacturing (automation transformation companies ) , materials, and transportation. |
| º | The Adviser considers a company to be an energy transformation company if it seeks to capitalize on innovations or evolutions in: (i) ways that energy is stored or used; (ii) the discovery, collection and/or implementation of new sources of energy, including unconventional sources of oil or natural gas; and/or (iii) the production or development of new materials for use in commercial applications of energy production, use or storage. |
| º | The Adviser considers a company to be an automation transformation company if it is focused on man capitalizing on the productivity of machines, such as through the automation of functions, processes or activities previously performed by human labor or the use of robotics to perform other functions, activities or processes. |
| | Web x.0 Companies . Companies that are focused on and expected to benefit from shifting the bases of technology infrastructure from hardware and software to the cloud, enabling mobile and local services, such as companies that rely on or benefit from the increased use of shared technology, infrastructure and services. These companies may also include ones that develop, use or rely on innovative payment methodologies, big data, the internet of things, and social distribution and media. |
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The Adviser will select investments for the Fund that represent its highest-conviction investment ideas within the theme of disruptive innovation, as described above, in constructing the Funds portfolio. The Advisers process for identifying genomic companies, industrial innovation companies and Web x.0 companies uses both top down (macro-economic and business cycle analysis) and bottom up (valuation, fundamental and quantitative measures) approaches. The Advisers highest-conviction investment ideas are those that it believes present the best risk-reward opportunities.
Under normal circumstances, substantially all of the Funds assets will be invested in equity securities, including common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity investments or ownership interests in business enterprises. The Funds investments will include issuers of micro-, small-, medium- and large-capitalizations. The Funds investments in foreign equity securities will be in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund currently intends to use only American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) when purchasing foreign securities.
The Fund will not be concentrated in any industry.
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.
Disruptive Innovation Risk . Companies that the Adviser believes are capitalizing on disruptive innovation and developing technologies to displace older technologies or create new markets may not in fact do so. Companies that initially develop a novel technology may not be able to capitalize on the technology. Companies that develop disruptive technologies may face political or legal attacks from competitors, industry groups or local and national governments. These companies may also be exposed to risks applicable to sectors other than the disruptive innovation theme for which they are chosen, and the securities issued by these companies may underperform the securities of other companies that are primarily focused on a particular theme. The Fund may invest in a company that does not currently derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies, and there is no assurance that a company will derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies in the future. A disruptive innovation or technology may constitute a small portion of a companys overall business. As a result, the success of a disruptive innovation or technology may not affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company.
Emerging Market Securities Risk . Investment in securities of emerging market companies may present risks that are greater than or different from those associated with foreign securities due to less developed and liquid markets and such factors as increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of the equity securities the Fund holds may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities the Fund holds participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. Equity securities may also be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a decline in the broader market may affect the value of the Funds equity investments.
Foreign Securities Risk . Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional costs, potentially higher custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political and economic instability. Because the Fund investments in foreign securities currently are
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made through the purchase of ADRs, the Fund normally will not be hedging any foreign currency exposure (since ADRs are denominated and pay dividends in US dollars).
Health Care Sector Risk . The health care sector may be affected by government regulations and government health care programs, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Many health care companies are (i) heavily dependent on patent protection and intellectual property rights and the expiration of a patent may adversely affect their profitability, (ii) subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims, and (iii) subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many health care products and services may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and delays or failure to receive such approvals may negatively impact the business of such companies. Additional or more stringent laws and regulations enacted in the future could have a material adverse effect on such companies in the health care sector. In addition, issuers in the health care sector include issuers having their principal activities in the biotechnology industry, medical laboratories and research, drug laboratories and research and drug manufacturers, which have the additional risks described below.
| | Biotechnology Company Risk . A biotechnology companys valuation can often be based largely on the potential or actual performance of a limited number of products and can accordingly be greatly affected if one of its products proves unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. Biotechnology companies are subject to regulation by, and the restrictions of, the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, and foreign regulatory authorities. |
| | Pharmaceutical Company Risk . Companies in the pharmaceutical industry can be significantly affected by government approval of products and services, government regulation and reimbursement rates, product liability claims, patent expirations and protection and intense competition. |
Industrials Sector Risk . The industrials sector includes companies engaged in the aerospace and defense industry, electrical engineering, machinery, and professional services. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In addition, companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates.
| | Aerospace and Defense Company Risk . Companies in the aerospace and defense industry rely to a large extent on U.S. (and other) Government demand for their products and services and may be significantly affected by changes in government regulations and spending, as well as economic conditions and industry consolidation. |
| | Professional Services Company Risk . Professional services companies may be materially impacted by economic conditions and related fluctuations in client demand for marketing, business, technology and other consulting services. Professional services companies success depends in large part upon attracting and retaining key employees and a failure to do so could adversely affect a companys business. There are relatively few barriers to entry into the professional services market, and new competitors could readily seek to compete in one or more market segments, which could adversely affect companys operating results through pricing pressure and loss of market share. |
Information Technology Sector Risk . The information technology sector includes companies engaged in internet software and services, technology hardware and storage peripherals, electronic equipment instruments and components, and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products
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of information technology companies may face rapid product obsolescence due to technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Failure to introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products could have a material adverse effect on a companys business. Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on intellectual property and the loss of patent, copyright and trademark protections may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.
| | Internet Company Risk . Many Internet-related companies have incurred large losses since their inception and may continue to incur large losses in the hope of capturing market share and generating future revenues. Accordingly, many such companies expect to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future, and may never be profitable. The markets in which many Internet companies compete face rapidly evolving industry standards, frequent new service and product announcements, introductions and enhancements and changing customer demands. The failure of an Internet company to adapt to such changes could have a material adverse effect on the companys business. In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet, networking, telecommunications technologies, or other technological changes could require substantial expenditures by an Internet company to modify or adapt its services or infrastructure, which could have a material adverse effect on an Internet companys business. |
| | Semiconductor Company Risk . Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semi-conductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile. |
Issuer Risk . Because a Fund may invest in approximately 40 to 50 issuers, it is subject to the risk that the value of the Funds portfolio may decline due to a decline in value of the equity securities of particular issuers. The value of an issuers equity securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk . Large-capitalization companies are generally less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the value of large-capitalization companies may not rise as much as that of companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Management Risk . As an actively-managed ETF, the Fund is subject to management risk. Although the portfolio manager has significant investment management experience, the Adviser is newly-formed and has no prior experience managing actively-managed ETFs. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Funds investment strategies will significantly influence the Funds performance.
Market Risk . The value of the Funds assets will fluctuate as the markets in which the Fund invests fluctuate. The value of the Funds investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that affect large portions of the market.
Market Trading Risk . The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares, which may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to their net asset value
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(NAV). If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk . Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses). Their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
New Fund Risk . There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size. The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Non-Diversified Risk . The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively higher percentage of its assets in a relatively smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds.
Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk . Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of large-capitalization companies.
Web x.0 Companies Risk. The risks described below apply, in particular, to the Funds investment in Web x.0 Companies.
| | Internet Information Provider Company Risk . Internet information provider companies provide Internet navigation services and reference guide information and publish, provide or present proprietary, advertising and/or third party content. Such companies often derive a large portion of their revenues from advertising, and a reduction in spending by or loss of advertisers could seriously harm their business. This business is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive, and is subject to changing technologies, shifting user needs, and frequent introductions of new products and services. The research and development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and investment, as well as the accurate anticipation of technology, market trends and consumer needs. The number of people who access the Internet is increasing dramatically and a failure to attract and retain a substantial number of such users to a companys products and services or to develop products and technologies that are more compatible with alternative devices could adversely affect operating results. Concerns regarding a companys products, services or processes that may compromise the privacy of users or other privacy related matters, even if unfounded, could damage a companys reputation and adversely affect operating results. |
| | Catalog and Mail Order House Company Risk . Catalog and mail order house companies may be exposed to significant inventory risks that may adversely affect operating results due to seasonality, new product launches, rapid changes in product cycles and pricing, defective merchandise, changes in consumer demand and consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to products, and other factors. Demand for products can change significantly between the time inventory or components are ordered and the date of sale. The acquisition of certain types of inventory or components may require significant lead-time and prepayment and they may not be returnable. Failure to adequately predict customer demand or otherwise optimize and operate distribution |
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| centers could result in excess or insufficient inventory or distribution capacity, result in increased costs, impairment charges, or both. The business of catalog and mail order house companies can be highly seasonal and failure to stock or restock popular products in sufficient amounts during high demand periods could significantly affect revenue and future growth. Increased website traffic during peak periods could cause system interruptions which may reduce the volume of goods sold and the attractiveness of a companys products and services. |
Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Once available, the Funds performance information will be accessible on the Funds website at http://ark-funds.com.
Investment Adviser . ARK Investment Management LLC.
Portfolio Manager . The following individual has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio since the inception of the Fund: Catherine D. Wood.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Tax Information and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries in this prospectus.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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The ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETFs (Fund) investment objective is long-term growth of capital.
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (Shares). Investors may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Shares.
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| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | None | |||
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
||||
| Management Fee | 0.95 | % | ||
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00 | % | ||
| Other Expenses (a) | 0.00 | % | ||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.95 | % | ||
| (a) | Pursuant to a Supervision Agreement, ARK Investment Management LLC (Adviser) pays all other expenses of the Fund (other than taxes and governmental fees, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, certain foreign custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses)). |
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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| Year | Expenses | |||
| 1 | $ | 97 | ||
| 3 | $ | 303 | ||
| 5 | $ | 525 | ||
| 10 | $ | 1,166 | ||
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Funds performance. The Funds portfolio turnover rate for the period from commencement of operation on October 31, 2014 through August 31, 2015 was 65%.
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The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will invest under normal circumstances primarily (at least 80% of its assets) in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies across multiple sectors, including healthcare, information technology, materials, energy and consumer discretionary, that are relevant to the Funds investment theme of the genomics revolution (Genomics Revolution Companies).
Companies relevant to this theme are those that the Adviser believes are substantially focused on and are expected to substantially benefit from extending and enhancing the quality of human and other life by incorporating technological and scientific developments, improvements and advancements in genomics into their business, such as by offering new products or services that rely on genomic sequencing, analysis, synthesis or instrumentation. These companies may include ones that develop, produce, manufacture or significantly rely on or enable bionic devices, bio-inspired computing, bioinformatics, molecular medicine and agricultural biotechnology.
In selecting companies that the Adviser believes are relevant to a particular investment theme, it seeks to identify, using its own internal research and analysis, companies capitalizing on disruptive innovation or that are enabling the further development of a theme in the markets in which they operate. The Advisers internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The Adviser will use both top down (macro-economic and business cycle analysis) and bottom up (valuation, fundamental and quantitative measures) approaches to select investments for the Fund. The Fund may invest in certain companies that the Adviser believes are well-positioned to capitalize on and expected to devote substantial efforts to business lines enabled by disruptive genomic innovation, even if such companies do not currently derive a substantial portion of their revenues from genomics related activities.
Under normal circumstances, substantially all of the Funds assets will be invested in equity securities, including common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity investments or ownership interests in business enterprises. The Funds investments will include issuers of micro-, small-, medium- and large-capitalizations. The Funds investments in foreign equity securities will be in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund currently intends to use only ADRs when purchasing foreign securities.
The Fund will be concentrated in issuers in any industry or group of industries in the health care sector, including, in particular, issuers having their principal business activities in the biotechnology industry. Other industries in the health care sector include medical laboratories and research and drug manufacturers.
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.
Disruptive Innovation Risk . Companies that the Adviser believes are capitalizing on disruptive innovation and developing technologies to displace older technologies or create new markets may not in fact do so. Companies that initially develop a novel technology may not be able to capitalize on the technology. Companies that develop disruptive technologies may face political or legal attacks from competitors, industry groups or local and national governments. These companies may also be exposed to risks applicable to sectors other than the disruptive innovation theme for which they are chosen, and the securities issued by these companies may underperform the
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securities of other companies that are primarily focused on a particular theme. The Fund may invest in a company that does not currently derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies, and there is no assurance that a company will derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies in the future. A disruptive innovation or technology may constitute a small portion of a companys overall business. As a result, the success of a disruptive innovation or technology may not affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company.
Emerging Market Securities Risk . Investment in securities of emerging market issuers may present risks that are greater than or different from those associated with foreign securities due to less developed and liquid markets and such factors as increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Equity Securities Risk . The value of the equity securities the Fund holds may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities the Fund holds participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. Equity securities may also be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a decline in the broader market may affect the value of the Funds equity investments.
Foreign Securities Risk . Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional costs, potentially higher custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political and economic instability. Because the Fund investments in foreign securities currently are made through the purchase of ADRs, the Fund normally will not be hedging any foreign currency exposure (since ADRs are denominated and pay dividends in US dollars).
Future Expected Genomic Business Risk. The Adviser expects to invest at least 80% of the Funds assets in Genomics Revolution Companies. However, certain of these companies do not currently derive a substantial portion of their current revenues from genomic-focused businesses and there is no assurance that any company will do so in the future, which may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Health Care Sector Risk . The health care sector may be affected by government regulations and government health care programs, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Many health care companies are (i) heavily dependent on patent protection and intellectual property rights and the expiration of a patent may adversely affect their profitability, (ii) subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims, and (iii) subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many health care products and services may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and delays or failure to receive such approvals may negatively impact the business of such companies. Additional or more stringent laws and regulations enacted in the future could have a material adverse effect on such companies in the health care sector. In addition, issuers in the health care sector include issuers having their principal activities in the biotechnology industry, medical laboratories and research, drug laboratories and research and drug manufacturers, which have the additional risks described below.
| | Biotechnology Company Risk . A biotechnology companys valuation can often be based largely on the potential or actual performance of a limited number of products and can accordingly be greatly affected if one of its products proves unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. Biotechnology companies are subject to regulation by, and the restrictions of, the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, and foreign regulatory authorities. |
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| | Pharmaceutical Company Risk . Companies in the pharmaceutical industry can be significantly affected by government approval of products and services, government regulation and reimbursement rates, product liability claims, patent expirations and protection and intense competition. |
Issuer Risk . Because a Fund may invest in approximately 40 to 50 issuers, it is subject to the risk that the value of the Funds portfolio may decline due to a decline in value of the equity securities of particular issuers. The value of an issuers equity securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk . Large-capitalization companies are generally less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the value of large-capitalization companies may not rise as much as that of companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Management Risk . As an actively-managed ETF, the Fund is subject to management risk. Although the portfolio manager has significant investment management experience, the Adviser is newly-formed and has no prior experience managing actively-managed ETFs. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Funds investment strategies will significantly influence the Funds performance.
Market Risk . The value of the Funds assets will fluctuate as the markets in which the Fund invests fluctuate. The value of the Funds investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that affect large portions of the market.
Market Trading Risk . The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares, which may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to their NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk . Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses). Their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
New Fund Risk . There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size. The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Non-Diversified Risk . The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively higher percentage of its assets in a relatively smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds.
Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk . Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of large-capitalization companies.
11
Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Once available, the Funds performance information will be accessible on the Funds website at http://ark-funds.com.
Investment Adviser . ARK Investment Management LLC.
Portfolio Manager. The following individual has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio since the Funds inception: Catherine D. Wood.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Tax Information and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries in this prospectus.
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The ARK Industrial Innovation ETFs (Fund) investment objective is long-term growth of capital.
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (Shares). Investors may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Shares.
|
|
|
|||
| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | None | |||
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
||||
| Management Fee | 0.95 | % | ||
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00 | % | ||
| Other Expenses (a) | 0.00 | % | ||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.95 | % | ||
| (a) | Pursuant to a Supervision Agreement, ARK Investment Management LLC (Adviser) pays all other expenses of the Fund (other than taxes and governmental fees, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, certain foreign custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses)). |
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|||
| Year | Expenses | |||
| 1 | $ | 97 | ||
| 3 | $ | 303 | ||
| 5 | $ | 525 | ||
| 10 | $ | 1,166 | ||
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Funds performance. The Funds portfolio turnover rate for the period from commencement of operation on September 30, 2014 through August 31, 2015 was 86%.
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The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will invest under normal circumstances primarily (at least 80% of its assets) in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies that are relevant to the Funds investment theme of industrial innovation.
Companies that are expected to focus on and benefit from the development of new products or services, technological improvements and advancements in scientific research related to, among other things, disruptive innovation in energy (energy transformation companies), automation and manufacturing (automation transformation companies ) , materials, and transportation.
| | The Adviser considers a company to be an energy transformation company if it seeks to capitalize on innovations or evolutions in: (i) ways that energy is stored or used; (ii) the discovery, collection and/or implementation of new sources of energy, including unconventional sources of oil or natural gas and/or (iii) the production or development of new materials for use in commercial applications of energy production, use or storage. |
| | The Adviser considers a company to be an automation transformation company if it is focused on man capitalizing on the productivity of machines, such as through the automation of functions, processes or activities previously performed by human labor or the use of robotics to perform other functions, activities or processes. |
In selecting companies that the Adviser believes are relevant to a particular investment theme, it seeks to identify, using its own internal research and analysis, companies capitalizing on disruptive innovation or that are enabling the further development of a theme in the markets in which they operate. The Advisers internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The Adviser will use both top down (macro-economic and business cycle analysis) and bottom up (valuation, fundamental and quantitative measures) approaches to select investments for the Fund.
Under normal circumstances, substantially all of the Funds assets will be invested in equity securities, including common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity investments or ownership interests in business enterprises. The Funds investments will include issuers of micro-, small-, medium- and large-capitalizations. The Funds investments in foreign equity securities will be in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund currently intends to use only ADRs when purchasing foreign securities.
The Fund will be concentrated in issuers in groups of industries in the industrials and information technology sectors, although it will not concentrate in any specific industry.
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.
Disruptive Innovation Risk . Companies that the Adviser believes are capitalizing on disruptive innovation and developing technologies to displace older technologies or create new markets may not in fact do so. Companies that initially develop a novel technology may not be able to capitalize on the technology. Companies that develop disruptive technologies may face political or legal attacks from competitors, industry groups or local and national governments. These companies may also be exposed to risks applicable to sectors other than the disruptive innovation theme for which they are chosen, and the securities issued by these companies may underperform the
14
securities of other companies that are primarily focused on a particular theme. The Fund may invest in a company that does not currently derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies, and there is no assurance that a company will derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies in the future. A disruptive innovation or technology may constitute a small portion of a companys overall business. As a result, the success of a disruptive innovation or technology may not affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company.
Emerging Market Securities Risk . Investment in securities of emerging market issuers may present risks that are greater than or different from those associated with foreign securities due to less developed and liquid markets and such factors as increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Equity Securities Risk . The value of the equity securities the Fund holds may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities the Fund holds participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. Equity securities may also be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a decline in the broader market may affect the value of the Funds equity investments.
Foreign Securities Risk . Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional costs, potentially higher custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political and economic instability. Because the Fund investments in foreign securities currently are made through the purchase of ADRs, the Fund normally will not be hedging any foreign currency exposure (since ADRs are denominated and pay dividends in US dollars).
Industrials Sector Risk . The industrials sector includes companies engaged in the aerospace and defense industry, electrical engineering, machinery, and professional services. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In addition, companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates.
| | Aerospace and Defense Company Risk . Companies in the aerospace and defense industry rely to a large extent on U.S. (and other) Government demand for their products and services and may be significantly affected by changes in government regulations and spending, as well as economic conditions and industry consolidation. |
| | Professional Services Company Risk . Professional services companies may be materially impacted by economic conditions and related fluctuations in client demand for marketing, business, technology and other consulting services. Professional services companies success depends in large part upon attracting and retaining key employees and a failure to do so could adversely affect a companys business. There are relatively few barriers to entry into the professional services market, and new competitors could readily seek to compete in one or more market segments, which could adversely affect companys operating results through pricing pressure and loss of market share. |
Information Technology Sector Risk . The information technology sector includes companies engaged in internet software and services, technology hardware and storage peripherals, electronic equipment instruments and components, and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face rapid product obsolescence due to technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Failure to introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products could have a material adverse effect on a companys business. Companies in the information technology
15
sector are heavily dependent on intellectual property and the loss of patent, copyright and trademark protections may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.
| | Internet Company Risk . Many Internet-related companies have incurred large losses since their inception and may continue to incur large losses in the hope of capturing market share and generating future revenues. Accordingly, many such companies expect to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future, and may never be profitable. The markets in which many Internet companies compete face rapidly evolving industry standards, frequent new service and product announcements, introductions and enhancements and changing customer demands. The failure of an Internet company to adapt to such changes could have a material adverse effect on the companys business. In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet, networking, telecommunications technologies, or other technological changes could require substantial expenditures by an Internet company to modify or adapt its services or infrastructure, which could have a material adverse effect on an Internet companys business. |
| | Semiconductor Company Risk . Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semi-conductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile. |
Issuer Risk . Because a Fund may invest in approximately 40 to 50 issuers, it is subject to the risk that the value of the Funds portfolio may decline due to a decline in value of the equity securities of particular issuers. The value of an issuers equity securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk . Large-capitalization companies are generally less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the value of large-capitalization companies may not rise as much as that of companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Management Risk . As an actively-managed ETF, the Fund is subject to management risk. Although the portfolio manager has significant investment management experience, the Adviser is newly-formed and has no prior experience managing actively-managed ETFs. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Funds investment strategies will significantly influence the Funds performance.
Market Risk . The value of the Funds assets will fluctuate as the markets in which the Fund invests fluctuate. The value of the Funds investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because of economic changes or other events that affect the securities markets.
Market Trading Risk . The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares, which may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to their NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
16
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk . Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses). Their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
New Fund Risk . There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size. The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Non-Diversified Risk . The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively higher percentage of its assets in a relatively smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds.
Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk . Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of large-capitalization companies.
Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Once available, the Funds performance information will be accessible on the Funds website at http://ark-funds.com.
Investment Adviser . ARK Investment Management LLC.
Portfolio Manager . The following individual has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio since the inception of the Fund: Catherine D. Wood.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Tax Information and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries in this prospectus.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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The ARK Web x.0 ETFs (Fund) investment objective is long-term growth of capital.
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (Shares). Investors may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Shares.
|
|
|
|||
| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | None | |||
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
||||
| Management Fee | 0.95 | % | ||
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00 | % | ||
| Other Expenses (a) | 0.00 | % | ||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.95 | % | ||
| (a) | Pursuant to a Supervision Agreement, ARK Investment Management LLC (Adviser) pays all other expenses of the Fund (other than taxes and governmental fees, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, certain foreign custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses)). |
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|||
| Year | Expenses | |||
| 1 | $ | 97 | ||
| 3 | $ | 303 | ||
| 5 | $ | 525 | ||
| 10 | $ | 1,166 | ||
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Funds performance. The Funds portfolio turnover rate for the period from commencement of operation on September 30, 2014 through August 31, 2015 was 103%.
18
The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will invest under normal circumstances primarily (at least 80% of its assets) in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies that are relevant to the Funds investment theme of Web x.0.
Companies relevant to this theme are focused on and expected to benefit from shifting the bases of technology infrastructure from hardware and software to the cloud, enabling mobile and local services, such as companies that rely on or benefit from the increased use of shared technology, infrastructure and services. These companies may include mail order houses which generate the entirety of their business through websites and which offer internet-based products and services, such as streaming media or cloud storage in addition to traditional physical goods. These companies may also include ones that develop, use or rely on innovative payment methodologies, big data, the internet of things, and social distribution and media.
In selecting companies that the Adviser believes are relevant to a particular investment theme, it seeks to identify, using its own internal research and analysis, companies capitalizing on disruptive innovation or that are enabling the further development of a theme in the markets in which they operate. The Advisers internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including internal and external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The types of companies that the Adviser believes are relevant to this theme are those that are focused on shifting the bases of technology infrastructure from hardware and software to the cloud, enabling mobile and local services, among others. The Adviser will use both top down (macro-economic and business cycle analysis) and bottom up (valuation, fundamental and quantitative measures) approaches to select investments for the Fund.
Under normal circumstances, substantially all of the Funds assets will be invested in equity securities, including common stocks, partnership interests, business trust shares and other equity investments or ownership interests in business enterprises. The Funds investments will include issuers of micro-, small-, medium- and large-capitalizations. The Funds investments in foreign equity securities will be in both developed and emerging markets.
The Fund will be concentrated in issuers in issuers having their principal business activities in the internet information provider and catalog and mail order house industry.
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.
Disruptive Innovation Risk . Companies that the Adviser believes are capitalizing on disruptive innovation and developing technologies to displace older technologies or create new markets may not in fact do so. Companies that initially develop a novel technology may not be able to capitalize on the technology. Companies that develop disruptive technologies may face political or legal attacks from competitors, industry groups or local and national governments. These companies may also be exposed to risks applicable to sectors other than the disruptive innovation theme for which they are chosen, and the securities issued by these companies may underperform the securities of other companies that are primarily focused on a particular theme. The Fund may invest in a company that does not currently derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies, and there is no assurance that a company will derive any revenue from disruptive innovations or technologies in the future. A disruptive innovation or technology may constitute a
19
small portion of a companys overall business. As a result, the success of a disruptive innovation or technology may not affect the value of the equity securities issued by the company.
Emerging Market Securities Risk . Investment in securities of emerging market issuers may present risks that are greater than or different from those associated with foreign securities due to less developed and liquid markets and such factors as increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of the equity securities the Fund holds may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities the Fund holds participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. Equity securities may also be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a decline in the broader market may affect the value of the Funds equity investments.
Issuer Risk. Because a Fund may invest in between 40 and 50 issuers, it is subject to the risk that the value of the Funds portfolio may decline due to a decline in value of the equity securities of particular issuers. The value of an issuers equity securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk. Large-capitalization companies are generally less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the value of large-capitalization companies may not rise as much as that of companies with smaller market capitalizations.
Management Risk. As an actively-managed ETF, the Fund is subject to management risk. Although the portfolio manager has significant investment management experience, the Adviser is newly-formed and has no prior experience managing actively-managed ETFs. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement the Funds investment strategies will significantly influence the Funds performance.
Market Risk . The value of the Funds assets will fluctuate as the markets in which the Fund invests fluctuate. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that affect large portions of the market.
Market Trading Risk. The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares, which may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to their NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk. Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses). Their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
New Fund Risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size. The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively higher percentage of its assets in a relatively smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds.
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Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk . Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of large-capitalization companies.
Web x.0 Companies Risk. The risks described below apply, in particular, to the Funds investment in Web x.0 Companies.
| | Internet Information Provider Company Risk. Internet information provider companies provide Internet navigation services and reference guide information and publish, provide or present proprietary, advertising and/or third party content. Such companies often derive a large portion of their revenues from advertising, and a reduction in spending by or loss of advertisers could seriously harm their business. This business is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive, and is subject to changing technologies, shifting user needs, and frequent introductions of new products and services. The research and development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and investment, as well as the accurate anticipation of technology, market trends and consumer needs. The number of people who access the Internet is increasing dramatically and a failure to attract and retain a substantial number of such users to a companys products and services or to develop products and technologies that are more compatible with alternative devices could adversely affect operating results. Concerns regarding a companys products, services or processes that may compromise the privacy of users or other privacy related matters, even if unfounded, could damage a companys reputation and adversely affect operating results. |
| | Catalog and Mail Order House Company Risk. Catalog and mail order house companies may be exposed to significant inventory risks that may adversely affect operating results due to seasonality, new product launches, rapid changes in product cycles and pricing, defective merchandise, changes in consumer demand and consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to products, and other factors. Demand for products can change significantly between the time inventory or components are ordered and the date of sale. The acquisition of certain types of inventory or components may require significant lead-time and prepayment and they may not be returnable. Failure to adequately predict customer demand or otherwise optimize and operate distribution centers could result in excess or insufficient inventory or distribution capacity, result in increased costs, impairment charges, or both. The business of catalog and mail order house companies can be highly seasonal and failure to stock or restock popular products in sufficient amounts during high demand periods could significantly affect revenue and future growth. Increased website traffic during peak periods could cause system interruptions which may reduce the volume of goods sold and the attractiveness of a companys products and services. |
Performance history will be available for the Fund after it has been in operation for a full calendar year. Once available, the Funds performance information will be accessible on the Funds website at http://ark-funds.com.
Investment Adviser. ARK Investment Management LLC.
Portfolio Manager. The following individual has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio since the Funds inception: Catherine D. Wood.
21
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Tax Information and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries in this prospectus.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
22
Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at their NAV only in a large specified number of Shares each called a Creation Unit, or multiples thereof, and only with authorized participants who have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds distributor (Distributor). A Creation Unit consists of 50,000 Shares.
Individual Shares (rather than Creation Units) of a Fund may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through brokers. The prices at which individual Shares may be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through brokers are based on market prices and, because Shares will trade at market prices rather than at NAV, individual Shares of a Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV. Shares of each Fund are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (Exchange).
Each Funds distributions are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
The Adviser and its related companies may pay broker/dealers or other financial intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of the Fund Shares and related services. These payments create a conflict of interest by influencing your broker/dealer, sales persons or other intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial adviser or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
23
Each Funds investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees (Board) of ARK ETF Trust (Trust) without shareholder approval. There is no assurance that a Fund will meet its investment objective.
The Adviser may cause a Fund to sell a security when the Adviser believes the issuer is no longer relevant to the applicable investment theme, or the security is overvalued or ceases to be an attractive investment due to, among other reasons, unfavorable sector-, industry- or issuer-specific developments.
The value of your investment in a Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in a Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in a Fund.
Currency Risk . Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of the Funds investments in securities traded in foreign markets and held in foreign currencies. Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly. They are determined by supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, and other complex factors. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments.
Equity Risk. The value of the equity securities that a Fund holds will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of such securities participate or factors relating to specific companies in which a Fund invests. An unfavorable earnings report or a failure to make anticipated dividend payments by an issuer whose securities are held by the Fund may affect the value of the Funds investment. Equity securities may also be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a decline in the broader market may affect the value of the Funds equity investments.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investment in the securities of foreign issuers involves risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political instability. Because many foreign securities markets may be limited in size, the prices of securities that trade in such markets may be influenced by large traders. Certain foreign markets that have historically been considered relatively stable may become volatile in response to changed conditions or new developments. Increased interconnectivity of world economies and financial markets increases the possibility that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. Foreign issuers are often subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are U.S. issuers, and therefore, not all material information may be available or reliable. Securities exchanges or foreign governments may adopt rules or regulations that may negatively impact the Funds ability to invest in foreign securities or may prevent the Fund from repatriating its investments. In addition, the Fund may not receive shareholder communications or be permitted to vote the securities that it holds, as the issuers may be under no legal obligation to distribute shareholder communications.
24
Certain issuers located in foreign countries in which a Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer which operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. A Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks.
Issuer Risk . Because a Fund may invest in a limited number of issuers, it is subject to the risk that the value of the Funds portfolio may decline due to a decline in value of the equity securities of particular issuers. The value of an issuers equity securities may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. A change in the financial condition, market perception or credit rating of an issuer of securities included in a Funds portfolio may cause the value of its securities to decline.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk. Large-capitalization companies tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. Large-capitalization companies generally are less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the value of large capitalization companies may not rise as much as that of smaller-capitalization companies.
Management Risk. As actively-managed ETFs, the Funds are subject to management risk. In managing the Funds, the Adviser applies investment strategies, techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but there can be no guarantee that these actions will produce the intended results. The ability of the Adviser to successfully implement a Funds investment strategies will significantly influence the Funds performance.
Market Risk. The value of a Funds assets will fluctuate as the markets in which the Fund invests fluctuate. Market fluctuations may result from economic, political, regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. The value of a Funds investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because of economic changes or other events that affect the securities markets.
Market Trading Risk. Each Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. The NAV of Shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Funds securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in their NAV and supply and demand on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities in a Funds portfolio trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses. Any of these factors, discussed above and further below, may lead to Shares trading at a premium or discount to a Funds NAV.
Absence of Prior Active Market. Each Fund is a newly organized series of an investment company and thus has no operating history. While the Funds Shares are expected to be listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Shares will develop or be maintained. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
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Trading Issues . Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchanges circuit breaker rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk. Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses). Their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities. In addition, because these companies are not well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning their securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, regardless of whether the perceptions are based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by a Fund.
New Fund Risk. There can be no assurance that a Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Board of Trustees may determine to liquidate the Fund if it determines that liquidation is in the best interest of shareholders. Liquidation of a Fund can be initiated without shareholder approval. As a result, the timing of a Funds liquidation may not be favorable.
Non-Diversified Risk. Investment companies are classified as either diversified or non-diversified under the 1940 Act. Each Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act, although each is diversified for Internal Revenue Code purposes. An investment company classified as diversified under the 1940 Act is subject to certain limitations with respect to the value of the companys assets invested in particular issuers. As a non-diversified investment company, each Fund is subject to the risk that it will be more volatile than a diversified fund because the Fund may invest a relatively higher proportion of its assets in a relatively smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on a Funds NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds.
Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk . A Fund may invest in small- and medium-capitalization companies and, therefore, will be subject to certain risks associated with small- and medium-capitalization companies. These companies are often subject to less analyst coverage and may be in early and less predictable periods of their corporate existences, with little or no record of profitability. In addition, these companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than larger more established companies. Small- and medium-capitalization companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strength than large-capitalization companies. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of larger capitalization companies.
Health Care Sector Risk. The profitability of companies in the health care sector may be affected by extensive government regulations, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, product obsolescence due to industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. A major source of revenue for certain companies in the health care sector are payments from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As a result, such companies are sensitive to legislative changes and
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reductions in governmental spending for such programs. Failure of health care companies to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in the imposition of civil and/or criminal fines, penalties and, in some instances, exclusion of participation in government sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. State or local health care reform measures may also adversely affect health care companies. Health care companies will continue to be affected by the efforts of governments and third-party payors to contain or reduce health care costs. Many health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Many health care companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Health care companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the health care sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and delays or failure to receive such approvals may negatively impact the business of such companies. Companies in the health care sector may be thinly capitalized.
As non-principal investment strategies, each Fund may invest no more than 35% of its assets in depositary receipts (including sponsored ADRs and sponsored ADRs and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs)), rights, warrants, preferred securities and convertible securities. A Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in unsponsored ADRs traded over-the-counter (OTC). In addition, a Fund may use derivative instruments for hedging or risk management purposes or as part of its investment practices. Derivative instruments are contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These underlying assets, reference rates or indices may include stocks, interest rates, currency exchange rates and stock indices.
Each Fund may take a temporary defensive position (investments in cash or cash equivalents) in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Cash equivalents include short-term high quality debt securities and money market instruments such as commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements and bonds that are rated BBB or higher and shares of short-term fixed income or money market funds.
Each Fund is permitted to lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions, in pursuing arbitrage opportunities or hedging strategies or for other similar purposes. In connection with such loans, each Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its assets.
Each Fund may borrow money from a bank to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act to meet redemptions or for temporary or emergency purposes.
Convertible Securities Risk. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which generally provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the convertible security less volatile than the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the potential to benefit from increases in the market prices of the underlying common stock.
Depositary Receipts Risk. ADRs and GDRs are securities typically issued by a bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation and entitle the
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holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign securities. The issuers of certain depositary receipts are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Investment in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the stock underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. These include credit risk, liquidity risk, management risk and leverage risk. Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that require an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions. In particular, the use and complexity of derivatives require the maintenance of adequate controls to monitor the transactions entered into, the ability to assess the risk that a derivative adds to a Funds investment portfolio, and the ability to forecast price, interest rate or currency exchange rate movements correctly. The failure of another party to a derivative to comply with the terms may cause a Fund to incur a loss. The credit risk for exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives is generally less than for privately negotiated derivatives through the interposition of a clearinghouse to the exchange-traded or centrally-cleared derivative trade, which provides a guarantee of performance. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous price. Adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself.
Recent legislation and regulatory developments will eventually require the clearing and exchange trading of most over-the-counter derivatives investments. It is possible that new regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swaps, may affect a Funds ability to use such instruments as a part of its investment strategy.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Investment in securities of emerging market issuers may present risks that are greater than or different from those associated with foreign securities due to less developed and liquid markets and such factors as increased economic, political, regulatory, or other uncertainties. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of and less liquidity in securities markets, significant price volatility, restrictions on foreign investment and repatriation, greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability, more substantial governmental involvement in the economy, less governmental supervision and regulation, unavailability of currency hedging techniques, differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging markets may be particularly sensitive to future economic or political crises could lead to or exacerbate existing price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies. Emerging market currencies may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.
Leverage Risk . To the extent that a Fund borrows money in the limited circumstances described above under Additional Investment Strategies, it may be leveraged. Additionally, certain transactions in which a Fund is permitted to engage may present leverage risk. A Fund may
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segregate or earmark liquid assets or otherwise cover such transactions in an effort to mitigate the leverage risk such transactions present. Leveraging generally exaggerates the effect on NAV of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Funds portfolio securities. Leveraging may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so. Leveraging, including borrowing, may cause a Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged.
Rights and Warrants Risk. Rights and warrants are option securities permitting their holders to subscribe for other securities. Rights and warrants do not represent an ownership interest in an issuer or carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities. Investment in rights and warrants may thus be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to expiration.
Preferred Securities Risk. Preferred securities are contractual obligations that entail rights to distributions declared by the issuers board of directors but may permit the issuer to defer or suspend distributions for a certain period of time. Preferred securities may be subject to more fluctuations in market value due to changes in market perceptions of the issuers ability to continue to pay dividends. If a Fund owns a preferred security whose issuer has deferred or suspended distributions, the Fund may be required to account for the distribution that has been deferred or suspended for tax purposes, even though it may not have received this income. Preferred securities are subordinated to any debt the issuer has outstanding. Accordingly, preferred stock dividends are not paid until all debt obligations are first met. Preferred securities may lose substantial value if distributions are deferred, suspended or not declared. Preferred securities may also permit the issuer to convert preferred securities into the issuers common stock. Preferred Securities that are convertible into common stock may decline in value if the common stock to which preferred securities may be converted declines in value. Preferred securities may be less liquid than equity securities.
Securities Lending Risk. Although a 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 Funds will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that they invest.
Temporary Defensive Strategy Risk. When a Fund pursues a temporary defensive strategy inconsistent with its principal investment strategies, it may not achieve its investment objective.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds portfolio securities is available in the Funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
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Investment Adviser . ARK Investment Management LLC, located at 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, 10011, serves as the Funds investment adviser. The Adviser was formed in June 2013 and registered with the SEC in January 2014. Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Adviser with respect to each Fund (Advisory Agreement), the Adviser serves as the adviser to each Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board. The Advisers duties as adviser to each Fund include furnishing a continuous investment program for the Fund and determining what investments or securities will be purchased, held or sold.
Pursuant to a supervision agreement between the Trust and the Adviser with respect to each Fund (Supervision Agreement), and subject to the general supervision of the Board, the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished, all supervisory and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of each Fund and also bears the costs of various third-party services required by the Funds, including administration, certain custody, audit, legal, transfer agency, and printing costs. The Supervision Agreement also requires the Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.
Each Fund pays the Adviser a fee (Management Fee) in return for providing investment advisory and supervisory services under a comprehensive structure. Each Fund will pay a monthly Management Fee to the Adviser at an annual rate (stated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund) of 0.95%. In addition, each Fund bears other fees and expenses that are not covered by the Supervision Agreement, which may vary and will affect the total expense ratio of the Fund, such as taxes and governmental fees, brokerage fees, commissions and other transaction expenses, certain foreign custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses).
A discussion regarding the Boards approval of the Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund will be available in the Trusts semi-annual or annual shareholder report for each Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent . The Bank of New York Mellon is the administrator for the Funds (Administrator), is the custodian of the Funds assets and provides transfer agency, fund accounting and various administrative services to the Funds. The Administrator is responsible for providing certain operational, clerical, recordkeeping and/or bookkeeping services for the Funds.
Distributor . Foreside Fund Services, LLC is the distributor of the Shares of the Funds. The Distributor will not distribute Shares in less than Creation Units, and does not maintain a secondary market in Shares. The Shares are expected to be traded in the secondary market.
Portfolio Manager . Catherine Wood serves as chief investment officer of the Funds. Having completed 12 years at AllianceBernstein LP, Ms. Wood founded ARK Investment Management LLC and registered the firm with the SEC in January 2014. At AllianceBernstein LP, Ms. Wood was Chief Investment Officer of Global Thematic Strategies, with $5 billion in assets under management. Ms. Wood joined Alliance Capital in 2001 from Tupelo Capital Management. Prior to that, Ms. Wood worked for 18 years with Jennison Associates as Chief Economist, Equity Research Analyst, Portfolio Manager and Director. Ms. Wood received her B.S., summa cum laude, in Finance and Economics from the University of Southern California in 1981.
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The NAV per Share for a Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund ( i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the Management Fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined each business day as of the close of trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
The values of each Funds portfolio securities will be based on market prices. Price information on listed securities and assets will be taken from the exchange where the security or asset is primarily traded. In the absence of a last reported sales price, or if no sales were reported, and for other assets for which market quotes are not readily available, values may be based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or by an outside independent pricing service. Prices obtained by an outside independent pricing service will use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from data related to investments or securities with similar characteristics and may use a computerized grid matrix of securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities.
If a market quotation for a security is not readily available or the Adviser believes it does not otherwise accurately reflect the market value of the security at the time a Fund calculates its NAV, the security will be fair valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trusts valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. Each Fund may also use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations where the value of a security in the Funds portfolio has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which the security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of a security) or when trading in a security has been suspended or halted. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security.
The Shares of each Fund have been approved for listing on the Exchange. If you buy or sell Shares in the secondary market, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. In times of severe market disruption or low trading volume in a Funds Shares, this spread can increase significantly. It is anticipated that Shares will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to varying degrees from the NAV of Shares. During periods of disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme market volatility, the market prices of Shares are more likely to differ significantly from Shares NAV.
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) serves as securities depository for Shares. The Shares may be held only in book-entry form; stock certificates will not be issued. DTC, or its nominee, is the record or registered owner of all outstanding Shares. Beneficial ownership of Shares will be shown on the records of DTC or its participants. Beneficial owners of Shares are not considered the registered holder thereof and are subject to the same restrictions and procedures as any beneficial owner of stocks held in book-entry or street name form. For more information, see the section entitled Book Entry Only System in the Funds SAI.
The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Because
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non-U.S. exchanges may be open on days when a Fund does not price its Shares, the value of the securities in a Funds portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Funds Shares.
The Board has adopted a distribution and service 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.
No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by any Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. In addition, no such fees may be paid in the future without further approval by the Board. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because these fees are paid out of a Funds assets on an ongoing basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund. By purchasing shares subject to distribution 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 the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The net income attributable to the shares of a Fund will be reduced by the amount of distribution and service fees and other expenses of the Fund.
Each shareholder of a Fund is entitled to its share of the Funds distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. Each Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as distributions.
A Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are typically passed along to Fund shareholders as dividends from net investment income. A Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net realized capital gains are distributed to shareholders as capital gain distributions. Distributions from a Funds net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gains distributions a shareholder receives from the Fund are taxable as long-term capital gain.
Net investment income, if any, and net capital gains, if any, are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, a 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, which, for tax purposes, is treated as a return of a shareholders investment in Shares.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Shares of the Fund only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available.
General. As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment will be taxed. The tax information in this prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund, including the possible application of foreign, state and local taxes. Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when: (i) a Fund makes distributions, (ii) you sell Shares in the secondary market or (iii) you create or redeem Creation Units.
Taxes on Distributions . As noted above, each Fund expects to distribute net investment income, if any, at least annually, and any net realized long-term or short-term capital gains, if any, annually. A Fund may also pay a special distribution at any time to comply with U.S. federal tax requirements.
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Distributions from a Funds net investment income, including any net short-term gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. In general, your distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund. Distributions of net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Whether distributions of capital gains represent long-term or short-term capital gains is determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Shares. Distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, are generally taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, if any, that are properly reported as capital gain dividends are generally taxable as long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate shareholders are generally taxable at a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on whether the shareholders income exceeds certain threshold amounts.
A Fund may receive dividends, the distribution of which the Fund may designate as qualified dividends. In the event that a Fund receives such a dividend and designates the distribution of such dividend as a qualified dividend, the dividend may be taxed at the maximum capital gains rates, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and the Fund level. It is not expected that any significant portion of the Funds distributions will be eligible for qualified dividend treatment.
Distributions in excess of a Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of your investment to the extent of your basis in Shares, and generally as capital gain thereafter. A return of capital, which for tax purposes is treated as a return of your investment, reduces your basis in Shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition of Shares. A distribution will reduce a Funds NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an economic standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
Dividends, interest and gains from non-U.S. investments of a Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may, in some cases, reduce or eliminate such taxes.
If more than 50% of a Funds total assets at the end of its taxable year consist of foreign securities, the Fund may elect to pass through to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investors pro rata share of the Funds foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income), subject to certain holding period and other limitations, the investors pro rata share of the Funds foreign income taxes. It is expected that more than 50% of each Funds assets will consist of foreign securities.
Non-U.S. Shareholders. If you are not a citizen or resident alien of the United States or if you are a non-U.S. entity, a Funds ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.
Each Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to a Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds, including the possible applicability of the U.S. estate tax.
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Backup Withholding . Each Fund may be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or otherwise established a basis for exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for individuals is currently 28%. This is not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided certain required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Taxes on the Sale or Cash Redemption of Exchange Listed Shares. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long term capital gain or loss if Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less. However, any capital loss on a sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such Shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. To the extent that a Fund shareholders Shares are redeemed for cash, this is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes.
Taxes on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units. A person who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of exchange and the sum of the exchangers aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the amount of any cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchangers basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of primarily securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing wash sales, or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities for Creation Units or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax adviser with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible and the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.
Under current U.S. federal income tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption (or creation) of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for one year or less.
If you create or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares you created or sold and at what price.
Medicare Tax . For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons modified adjusted gross income (in the case of an individual) or adjusted gross income (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current U.S. federal income tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your own tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in a Fund under all applicable tax laws.
The Board has evaluated the risks of frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares (market timing) activities by a Funds shareholders. The Board noted that Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from a Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants (APs) and that the vast majority of trading in Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not involve a Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Funds trading costs and the realization of capital gains.
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With respect to trades directly with a Fund, to the extent effected in-kind, those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects (as previously noted) that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent that the Trust allows or requires trades to be effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that Shares trade at or close to NAV. Each Fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. Each Fund imposes transaction fees on in-kind purchases and redemptions of Shares 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 Funds trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of Shares.
Unlike many conventional mutual funds which are only bought and sold at closing NAVs, Shares of each Fund have been designed to be tradable in a secondary market on an intra-day basis and to be created and redeemed principally or partially in-kind in Creation Units at each days market close. These in-kind arrangements are designed to mitigate adverse effects on a Funds portfolio that could arise from frequent cash purchase and redemption transactions that affect the NAV of the Fund. Moreover, in contrast to conventional mutual funds, where frequent redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the need to sell portfolio securities which, in turn, may generate taxable gain, the in-kind redemption mechanism of a Fund, to the extent used, generally is not expected to lead to a tax event for shareholders.
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The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand a Funds financial performance for the life of the Funds operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a particular Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report along with the Funds financial statements, are included in the annual report of the Funds, and are incorporated by reference into SAI. Our website, http://ark-funds.com, contains the Funds most recent annual and semi-annual reports. You may also obtain the annual and semi-annual reports and SAI without charge by calling (212) 426-7040 collect.
For a share outstanding throughout the period presented.
|
|
|
|||
|
For the Period
October 31, 2014 (1) Through August 31, 2015 |
||||
|
Per Share Data:
|
||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 20.00 | ||
| Net investment loss (2) | (0.12 | ) | ||
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | 0.18 | |||
| Total gain from investment operations | 0.06 | |||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 20.06 | ||
| Market value, end of period | $ | 20.10 | ||
| Total Return at Net Asset Value (3) | 0.30 | % | ||
| Total Return at Market Value (3) | 0.50 | % | ||
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
||||
| Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | $ | 7,020 | ||
|
Ratio to average net assets of:
|
||||
| Expenses | 0.95 | % (4) | ||
| Net investment loss (5) | (0.69 | )% (4) | ||
| Portfolio turnover rate (6) | 108 | % | ||
| (1) | Commencement of operations. |
| (2) | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| (3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends, and distributions at market value during the period, and sale at the market value on the last day of the period. Market value is determined by trading that occurs on the NYSE Arca, and may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the 4 p.m. mean of the bid and offer prices for a share of the Fund. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (4) | Annualized. |
| (5) | Net investment loss represents dividends received by the Fund from its underlying investments less expenses paid by the Fund during the period. |
| (6) | Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Funds capital shares. |
36
For a share outstanding throughout the period presented.
|
|
|
|||
|
For the Period
October 31, 2014 (1) Through August 31, 2015 |
||||
|
Per Share Data:
|
||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 20.00 | ||
| Net investment loss (2) | (0.09 | ) | ||
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | 0.94 | |||
| Total gain from investment operations | 0.85 | |||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 20.85 | ||
| Market value, end of period | $ | 21.13 | ||
| Total Return at Net Asset Value (3) | 4.25 | % | ||
| Total Return at Market Value (3) | 5.65 | % | ||
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
||||
| Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | $ | 8,444 | ||
|
Ratio to average net assets of:
|
||||
| Expenses | 0.95 | % (4) | ||
| Net investment loss (5) | (0.47 | )% (4) | ||
| Portfolio turnover rate (6) | 65 | % | ||
| (1) | Commencement of operations. |
| (2) | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| (3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends, and distributions at market value during the period, and sale at the market value on the last day of the period. Market value is determined by trading that occurs on the NYSE Arca, and may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the 4 p.m. mean of the bid and offer prices for a share of the Fund. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (4) | Annualized. |
| (5) | Net investment loss represents dividends received by the Fund from its underlying investments less expenses paid by the Fund during the period. |
| (6) | Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Funds capital shares. |
37
For a share outstanding throughout the period presented.
|
|
|
|||
|
For the Period
September 30, 2014 (1) Through August 31, 2015 |
||||
|
Per Share Data:
|
||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 20.00 | ||
| Net investment loss (2) | (0.07 | ) | ||
| Net realized and unrealized loss on investments | (1.60 | ) | ||
| Total loss from investment operations | (1.67 | ) | ||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 18.33 | ||
| Market value, end of period | $ | 18.43 | ||
| Total Return at Net Asset Value (3) | (8.35 | )% | ||
| Total Return at Market Value (3) | (7.85 | )% | ||
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
||||
| Net assets, end of period (000s) omitted | $ | 12,829 | ||
|
Ratio to average net assets of:
|
||||
| Expenses | 0.95 | % (4) | ||
| Net investment loss (5) | (0.40 | )% (4) | ||
| Portfolio turnover rate (6) | 86 | % | ||
| (1) | Commencement of operations. |
| (2) | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| (3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends, and distributions at market value during the period, and sale at the market value on the last day of the period. Market value is determined by trading that occurs on the NYSE Arca, and may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the 4 p.m. mean of the bid and offer prices for a share of the Fund. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (4) | Annualized |
| (5) | Net investment loss represents dividends received by the Fund from its underlying investments less expenses paid by the Fund during the period. |
| (6) | Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Funds capital shares. |
38
For a share outstanding throughout the period presented.
|
|
|
|||
|
For the Period
September 30, 2014 (1) Through August 31, 2015 |
||||
|
Per Share Data:
|
||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 20.00 | ||
| Net investment loss (2) | (0.13 | ) | ||
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | 2.15 | |||
| Total gain from investment operations | 2.02 | |||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 22.02 | ||
| Market value, end of period | $ | 21.92 | ||
| Total Return at Net Asset Value (3) | 10.10 | % | ||
| Total Return at Market Value (3) | 9.60 | % | ||
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
||||
| Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | $ | 12,111 | ||
|
Ratio to average net assets of:
|
||||
| Expenses | 0.95 | % (4) | ||
| Net investment loss (5) | (0.65 | )% (4) | ||
| Portfolio turnover rate (6) | 103 | % | ||
| (1) | Commencement of operations. |
| (2) | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| (3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends, and distributions at market value during the period, and sale at the market value on the last day of the period. Market value is determined by trading that occurs on the NYSE Arca, and may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the 4 p.m. mean of the bid and offer prices for a share of the Fund. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (4) | Annualized. |
| (5) | Net investment loss represents dividends received by the Fund from its underlying investments less expenses paid by the Fund during the period. |
| (6) | Portfolio turnover rate is not annualized and excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Funds capital shares. |
39
Information regarding how often Shares of the Funds traded on the Exchange at a price above ( i.e. , at a premium) or below ( i.e ., at a discount) the NAV of the applicable Fund during the past four calendar quarters (or, if shorter, the period during which the Fund has been in operation), can be found at http://ark-funds.com.
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), may occur. Broker dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether a broker-dealer 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 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.
The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 7, 2013. Its Declaration of Trust currently permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest. If shareholders are required to vote on any matters, each Share outstanding would be entitled to one vote. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable law. See the Funds SAI for more information concerning the Trusts form of organization.
Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of the Funds. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in a Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms
40
and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Fund.
An AP that is not a qualified institutional buyer, as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act will not be able to receive, as part of a redemption, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Trust, including each Fund.
Sullivan & Worcester LLP serves as independent counsel to the independent trustees.
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP serves as the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm and will audit the Funds financial statements annually.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
41
This prospectus does not contain all the information included in the registration statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Funds. Information about the Funds can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. The Funds registration statement, including this prospectus, the Funds SAI and the exhibits may be examined at the offices of the SEC (100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549) or on the EDGAR database at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520. These documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices of Foreside Fund Services, LLC at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 or by calling 855-406-1506.
The SAI for the Funds, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Funds. The Funds SAI is incorporated herein by reference and is legally part of this prospectus. Additional information about the Funds investments will be available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds annual report, when available, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and the Funds annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by visiting the Funds website at http://ark-funds.com/fund-literature, writing to the Fund at c/o ARK Investment Management LLC, 155 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011 or by calling (212) 426-7040.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22883
42
ARK ETF TRUST
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of ARK ETF Trust (“Trust”) dated December 31, 2015 (“Prospectus”) for the following series of the Trust, as it may be supplemented from time to time:
| ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. Ticker Symbol | |
| ARK Innovation ETF | ARKK | |
| ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF | ARKG | |
| ARK Industrial Innovation ETF | ARKQ | |
| ARK Web x.0 ETF | ARKW |
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 at http://ark-funds.com/fund-literature, by writing to the Trust or the Trust’s Distributor, Foreside Fund Services, LLC, or by calling 855-406-1506.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), the Trust consists of four investment portfolios: This SAI relates to ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF, ARK Industrial Innovation ETF, ARK Innovation ETF and ARK Web x.0 ETF, each a series of the Trust (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund is classified as a non-diversified management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and, as a result, is not required to meet certain diversification requirements under the 1940 Act. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 7, 2013. The shares of each Fund are referred to herein as “Shares.”
Each Fund will offer and issue Shares at their net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). Similarly, Shares are redeemable by a Fund only in Creation Units. A Creation Unit consists of 50,000 Shares. Only Authorized Participants (defined below) may enter into Creation Unit transactions with a Fund on behalf of themselves or their customers. Creation Units of a Fund are issued and redeemed generally in exchange for specified securities held by the Fund and, if necessary, a specified cash payment. The Shares of each Fund are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“Arca” or “Exchange”). The individual Shares of each Fund will trade in the secondary market at market prices that may differ from the Shares’ NAV.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Shares (subject to applicable legal requirements). In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, the Trust may impose transaction fees based on transaction expenses related to the particular exchange, which fees will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind purchases or redemptions.
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Funds is contained in the Prospectus under the headings “Summary Information,” “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks,” “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Shares,” “Premium/Discount Information” and “General Information—Continuous Offering.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The Shares of each Funds are listed on Arca, and the individual Shares of each Fund will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to some degree from their NAV. The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve (12) month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (2) the intra-day NAV of a Fund is based is no longer calculated or available, or (3) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met.
As in the case of other securities traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions in Shares will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
In order to provide investors with a basis to gauge whether the market price (and related bid/ask spread) of individual Shares traded on the Exchange is approximately consistent with the current NAV on a per Share basis, every 15 seconds throughout the Exchange’s regular trading hours, an estimated intra-day NAV (“INAV”) is calculated and disseminated in accordance with the relevant listing standards of the Exchange. The Funds are not involved in or responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the INAV, and the Funds make no warranty as to its accuracy. The Funds believe that, when purchasing Shares traded on an Exchange, putting “limit orders” rather than “market orders” may help investors avoid excessive bid/ask spreads.
| 1 |
A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Funds is contained in the Prospectus (with respect to each applicable Fund) under the headings “Summary Information—Principal Investment Strategies”; “Summary Information—Principal Risks” and “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
General
An investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.
An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.
Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
In the event that the securities in which a Fund invests are not listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for some may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
Because each Fund reserves the right to issue and redeem Creation Units principally for cash, the Fund may incur higher costs in buying and selling securities than if the Fund issued and redeemed Creation Units principally in-kind.
Borrowing
A Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time. This means that, in general, a Fund may borrow money from banks for any purpose in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets.
Specifically, provisions of the 1940 Act require each Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, a Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
| 2 |
A Fund also may enter into certain transactions that can be viewed as constituting a form of borrowing or financing transaction by the Fund. To the extent a Fund “covers” its obligations or liabilities by the segregation or “earmarking” of assets determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trust with respect to such a transaction, it will not be considered a “senior security” by a Fund and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on NAV of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. A Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Currency Forwards
A currency forward transaction is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of currency at a specified date in the future at a specified price which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Currency forward contracts may be used to increase or reduce exposure to currency price movements.
The use of currency forward transactions involves certain risks. For example, if the counterparty under the contract defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, a Fund may lose such payments altogether or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays.
A Fund will cover its exposure to foreign currency transactions with liquid assets in compliance with applicable requirements. A Fund will designate on its records cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund’s assets that could be required to consummate a forward currency contract at the settlement date except to the extent the contracts are otherwise “covered.” A forward currency contract to sell a foreign currency is “covered” if a Fund owns the currency (or securities denominated in the currency) underlying the contract, or holds a forward currency contract (or call option) permitting a Fund to buy the same currency at a price no higher than a Fund’s price to sell the currency. A forward contract to buy a foreign currency is “covered” if a Fund holds a forward contract (or put option) permitting a Fund to sell the same currency at a price as high as or higher than the Fund’s price to buy the currency. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the securities designated in connection with forward currency contracts, the value of the designated securities will be marked to market daily. If the market value of such securities declines or the designated securities become illiquid, additional cash or liquid assets will be designated daily so that the value of the designated securities will equal the amount of such commitments by the Fund.
Future Developments
The Funds may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, warrants, swaps and any other investments which are not presently contemplated for use or which are not currently available, but which may be developed, to the extent such investments are considered suitable for the Funds by the Adviser.
Futures Contracts and Options
The Funds may enter into futures contracts, options and options on futures contracts. Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified instrument, index or commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.
An option is a contract that provides the holder the right to buy or sell shares at a fixed price, within a specified period of time. A call option gives the option holder the right to purchase the underlying security from the option writer at the option exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A put option gives the option holder the right to sell the underlying security to the option writer at the option exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option.
| 3 |
Although futures contracts (other than cash settled futures contracts including most stock index futures contracts) by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of the underlying instrument or commodity, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the maturity date without the making or taking of delivery. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold” or “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.
Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying instrument or commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin will be required.
Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. Each Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Positions in futures contracts and options may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market therefor. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position. Because futures contracts project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation, market circumstances may result in a discrepancy between the price of the future and the movement in the specified instrument, index or commodity. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies ( e.g. , selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit.
There is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option. The purchase of put or call options could be based upon predictions as to anticipated trends, which could prove to be incorrect and a part or all of the premium paid therefore could be lost.
Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of future positions and subjecting a Fund to substantial losses. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund may be required to make additional margin payments.
With respect to futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund must cover its open positions by designating or segregating on its records cash or liquid assets equal to the contract’s notional value. For futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” however, a Fund is permitted to designate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s next daily marked-to-market (net) obligation, if any ( i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) rather than the notional value. By designating assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled forwards or futures the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.
| 4 |
When a Fund has a long futures position, it will maintain with its custodian bank, cash or liquid securities having a value equal to the notional value of the contract (less any margin deposited in connection with the position). When a Fund has a short futures position the Fund will maintain with its custodian bank assets substantially identical to those underlying the contract in the case of non-cash settled futures contracts or cash and liquid securities (or a combination of the foregoing) having a value equal to the net obligation of the Fund under the contract (less the value of any margin deposits in connection with the position) in the case of cash settled futures contracts.
In the case of writing a call option on a security, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration, such as conversion or exchange of other securities held by it, or, if additional cash consideration is required, the Fund has designated or “segregated” on its records cash or liquid assets equal in value to such amount. A call option is covered if a Fund holds a call on the same security or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (1) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (2) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the Fund designates on its records cash or liquid assets equal to the difference. A Fund will limit its investment in uncovered put or call options purchased or written, measured by the exercise price in the case of a put or market value in the case of a call, by the Fund to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets. A Fund will write put options only if they are covered by (1) designating on its records cash or liquid assets in an amount not less than the exercise price of the option at all times during the option period or (2) selling short the underlying security at a price at least equal to the strike price or purchasing a put option with a strike price at least equal to the strike price of the put option sold.
Lending Portfolio Securities
A Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers. The aggregate market value of securities loaned by a Fund will not exceed 33 1/3% of the total assets of the Fund, including collateral received with respect to such loans. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. The following conditions must be met whenever a Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must require the borrower to increase the collateral so that it remains equal to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities loaned whenever the market value of the securities loaned rises above the current level of such collateral; (ii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (iii) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions payable on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (iv) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (v) the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) must be able to recall a Fund’s loan to vote the securities if such vote involves a material event that may adversely affect the investment. Each Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. Each Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, a Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of a Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds; such reinvestments are subject to investment risk. Each Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees a Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. If a securities lending counterparty were to default, a Fund would be subject to the risk of a possible delay in receiving collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or to a possible loss of rights in the collateral. In the event a borrower does not return a Fund’s securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities. This event could trigger adverse tax consequences for a Fund. Substitute payments for dividends received by a Fund for securities lent out by the Fund will not be qualified dividend income. The Funds take the tax effects of this difference into account in their securities lending program.
| 5 |
Each Fund pays a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a money market instrument (generally a security issued by the U.S. Government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by a Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by a Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value at least equal to the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Trust’s custodian bank until repurchased. In addition, the Board has established guidelines and standards for review of the creditworthiness of any bank, broker or dealer counterparty to a repurchase agreement with a Fund. A Fund’s repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized at all times with high-quality, liquid assets maintained by a designated third-party in a segregated account.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security, as a result of bankruptcy or otherwise, a Fund will seek to dispose of such security, which could involve costs, delays or loss upon disposition. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral not within the control of a Fund and, therefore, the Fund may incur delays in disposing of the security and/or may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest. The collateral is marked-to-market daily.
Securities of Other Investment Companies
Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds) to the extent allowed by law or regulation and to the extent permitted by exemptive relief obtained from the SEC applicable to the Funds. Other investment companies in which a Fund may invest can be expected to incur fees and expenses for operations, such as investment advisory and administration fees, which would be in addition to those incurred by the Fund.
Temporary Defensive Position
Each Fund may take a temporary defensive position (investments in cash or cash equivalents) in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Cash equivalents include short-term high quality debt securities and money market instruments such as commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements and bonds that are rated BBB or higher and shares of short-term fixed income or money market funds.
| 6 |
Cyber Security
The Funds, their service providers, the Exchange and Authorized Participants (defined below) are susceptible to cyber security risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that a Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund’s operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support a Fund and its service providers. Cyber attacks against and/or security breakdowns of a Fund, its service providers, the Exchange or Authorized Participants may adversely impact a Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses; the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate a Fund’s NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. A Fund may incur additional costs for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, which may cause the Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that a Fund, its service providers, the Exchange or Authorized Participants will not suffer losses relating to cyber attacks and/or other information security breaches in the future.
The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Funds. These restrictions cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Under these restrictions, except as noted below, each Fund may not:
| 1. | Make loans, except that the Fund may: (i) lend portfolio securities; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of debt securities, bank loan or participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities; and (iv) participate in an interfund lending program with other registered investment companies; |
| 2. | Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
| 3. | Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
| 4. | Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may: (i) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (ii) invest in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; and (iii) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities; |
| 5. | Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with its investments in other investment companies; |
| 6. | Purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of owning securities or other instruments, but it may purchase, sell or enter into financial options and futures, forward and spot currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts or derivative instruments and may invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; and |
| 7 |
| 7. | Purchase any security if, as a result of that purchase, the Fund would be concentrated in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries, except: (a) ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF will concentrate in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in any industry or group of industries in the health care sector, including issuers having their principal business activities in the biotechnology industry; (b) ARK Industrial Innovation ETF will concentrate in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in groups of industries in the (i) industrials sector or (ii) information technology sector, although it will not concentrate in any specific industry; and (c) ARK Web x.0 ETF will concentrate in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the internet information provider and catalog and mail order house industry. This concentration limit does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. |
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, each Fund observes the following restrictions as non-fundamental policies ( i.e. , those which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote). Each Fund may not:
| 1. | Purchase securities that at the time of investment are “illiquid” securities if the result is that more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in such securities; |
| 2. | Purchase any security on margin, except for such short-term loans as are necessary for clearance of securities transactions. The deposit or payment by the Fund or initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or related options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin; and |
| 3. | Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act, although the Fund may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. |
With respect to fundamental policy (7), above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction. For purposes of fundamental policy (7), above, each Fund considers an issuer to have its “principal business activities” in an industry or group of industries if the issuer derives more than 50% of its revenues from a business considered to be a part of such industry or group of industries according to a third party’s industry classification system or that of the Adviser.
Trustees and Officers of the Trust
The Board of the Trust consists of four Trustees, three of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act), of the Trust (“Independent Trustees”). Darlene T. DeRemer, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chair of the Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Trust, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser and other service providers to the Trust. The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day administration and business affairs of the Trust.
The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes to carry out its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review, critically evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. The Board also has considered the following experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others, of its members in reaching its conclusion: such person’s character and integrity; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; and as to each Trustee other than Catherine D. Wood, his or her status as not being an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust.
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References to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
The Trustees of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages, term of office and length of time served, principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Trustee and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustees, are set forth below.
Independent Trustees
|
Name,
Address
1
and Age |
Position(s)
Held with the Trust |
Term
of Office
2
and
Length of Time Served |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Other
Directorships Held By Trustee During Past Five Years |
| Scott R. Chichester, 45 | Trustee | Since June 30, 2014 | Chief Financial Officer, AdeptPros Inc. (app development, training and consulting) (since 2012); Founder, Madison Park Advisors LLC (advisory services) (since 2011); Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Seal & Supply Inc. (since 2011); President and Treasurer, Bayview Acquisition Corp (2010-2012); CPA, Penda Aiken Inc. (consulting) (2009-2011); Founder and President, DirectPay USA LLC (payroll company) (since 2006); Proprietor, Scott R. Chichester CPA (certified public accounting) (since 2001). | Director of AdeptPros Inc. (since 2015); Director of Sterling Seal & Supply Inc. (since 2011); Director of Bayview Acquisition Corp (2010-2012); Trustee of Global X Funds (since 2008). |
| Darlene T. DeRemer, 60 | Trustee | Since June 30, 2014 | Managing Partner, Grail Partners LLC (investing) (since 2005). | Trustee, Member of Executive Committee and Chair of Investment and Endowment Committee of Syracuse University (since 2010). |
| Robert G. Zack, 67 | Trustee | Since June 30, 2014 | Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law (since 2012); Counsel, Dechert LLP (2012-2014); Executive Vice President, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (investment company) (2004-2011); President and Secretary, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (2002-2011); Secretary and General Counsel, Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. (holding company) (2001-2011). | Trustee of University of Virginia Law School Foundation (since 2011). |
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Interested Trustee
|
Name,
Address
1
and Age |
Position(s)
Held with the Trust |
Term
of Office
2
and
Length of Time Served |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Other
Directorships Held By Trustee During Past Five Years |
| Catherine D. Wood, 60 | Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Trustee | Since June 7, 2013 | Managing Member, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, ARK Investment Management LLC (since 2013); President, ARK ETF Trust (2014-2015); Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Global Thematic Portfolios, AllianceBernstein L.P. (2001-2013). | None. |
1. The address for each Trustee is 155 West 19 th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011.
2. Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or removal.
Officer Information
The Officers of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.
1. The address for each officer is 155 West 19 th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011.
2. Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
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As of November 30, 2015, the officers and Trustees of the Trust, in the aggregate, owned 9.46% of the Shares of the ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF, 14.74% of the Shares of the ARK Industrial Innovation ETF, 11.66% of the Shares of the ARK Innovation ETF and 18.07% of the Shares of the ARK Web x.0 ETF.
The Board has an Audit Committee, consisting of three Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Scott R. Chichester currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee and has been designated as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Scott R. Chichester is the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to: (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board’s oversight of the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audit; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board.
The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the business and nature of the Trust. In connection with its determination, the Board considered that the Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Chair of the Board can play an important role in setting the agenda of the Board and also serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the other Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees believe that the Chair’s independence facilitates meaningful dialogue between the Adviser and the Independent Trustees. The Board also considered that the Chair of the Audit Committee is an Independent Trustee, which yields similar benefits with respect to the functions and activities of the various Board committees. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the Trust has effective and independent governance and oversight. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from management of the Trust, including the Adviser. The Board reviews its structure on an annual basis.
As an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Trust in the interests of shareholders, the Board, as a general matter, oversees risk management of the Trust’s investment programs and business affairs. The function of the Board with respect to risk management is one of oversight and not active involvement in, or coordination of, day-to-day risk management activities for the Trust. The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Trust can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Trust’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees that may relate to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information.
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The Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself. The Trust faces a number of risks, such as investment-related and compliance risks. The Adviser’s personnel seek to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust. Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable committee of the Board, the Trust and the Adviser employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify such possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), as well as various personnel of the Adviser and other service providers such as the Trust’s independent accountants, may report to the Audit Committee and/or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto.
As of December 31, 2014, for each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Trust and in all registered investment companies advised by the Adviser (“Family of Investment Companies”) that are overseen by the Trustee is shown below.
|
Name
of
|
Dollar
Range of
|
Dollar
Range of
|
Dollar
Range of
|
Dollar
Range of
|
Aggregate
|
|||||
| Scott R. Chichester | None | None | None | None | None | |||||
| Darlene T. DeRemer | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | Over $100,000 | |||||
| Catherine D. Wood | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||||
| Robert G. Zack | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | $10,001-$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
As to each Independent Trustee and his or her immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities in the Adviser or Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Distributor”), or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor of the Funds.
Remuneration of Trustees
The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual retainer of $20,000 and an additional annual fee of $5,000 to each of the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Trust also reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending such meetings. No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Trustee compensation.
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The table below shows the compensation paid to the Trustees by the Trust for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. Annual Trustee fees may be reviewed periodically and changed by the Trust’s Board.
|
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate
|
Pension
or Retirement
|
Total
Compensation
|
|||
| Scott R. Chichester | $27,500 | None | $27,500 | |||
| Darlene T. DeRemer | $27,500 | None | $27,500 | |||
| Catherine D. Wood | None | None | None | |||
| Robert G. Zack | $25,000 | None | $25,000 |
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management of the Funds.”
Investment Adviser and Manager
ARK acts as investment adviser to each Fund and, subject to the general supervision of the Board, is responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Adviser (“Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company with headquarters in 155 West 19 th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011.
The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days’ notice, by the Board or with respect to a Fund by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify and hold the Adviser harmless for certain losses and liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or is the result of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations.
Pursuant to a supervision agreement between the Trust and ARK (“Supervision Agreement”) and subject to the general supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages the Funds and provides or causes to be furnished to the Trust (and each of the Funds) all supervisory and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds, including audit, legal, transfer agency, printing costs, certain administrative services (provided pursuant to a separate administration agreement), certain distribution services (provided pursuant to a separate distribution agreement), certain shareholder and distribution-related services (provided pursuant to a separate Rule 12b-1 Plan and related agreements), certain custodial services (provided pursuant to a separate custodian agreement), and investment advisory services (provided pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement), under what is essentially an all-in fee structure. Each Fund bears other expenses that are not covered under the Supervision Agreement that may vary and will affect the total level of expenses paid by the Fund, such as taxes and governmental fees, certain transaction expenses, certain custodial fees and expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses). The Adviser may earn a profit on the fee paid pursuant to the Supervision Agreement and would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services covered by the Supervision Agreement, including decreases resulting from an increase in net assets.
Pursuant to the Supervision Agreement, each Fund pays a monthly fee to ARK at an annual rate (stated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund) of 0.95% (“Management Fee”).
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The amount of Management Fees paid by each Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, were as follows:
| Fund | Management Fees Paid |
| ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF | $ 54,904 |
| ARK Industrial Innovation ETF | $ 91,504 |
| ARK Innovation ETF | $ 50,407 |
| ARK Web x.0 ETF | $ 86,384 |
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
The Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 (“Administrator”), have entered into an administrative services agreement (“Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative services, including providing certain operational, clerical, recordkeeping and/or bookkeeping services.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.
The Adviser pays the Administrator for its services under the Administration Agreement.
The Bank of New York Mellon, (“Custodian”), located at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a custody agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Custodian. As the Fund’s custodian, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets. The Custodian also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”) pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement. The Custodian may be reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Custodian provides various accounting services to the Fund pursuant to a fund accounting agreement.
The Distributor
Foreside Fund Services, LLC is the principal underwriter and distributor of Shares. Its principal address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. The Distributor has entered into an agreement with the Trust which will continue from its effective date, subject to annual renewal, unless terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party by the Trust and the Adviser, or by the Distributor, or until termination of the Trust or a Fund offering its Shares (“Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which it distributes Shares. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described below under “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.
The Distributor may also enter into sales and investor services agreements with broker-dealers or other persons that are Participating Parties and DTC Participants (as defined below) to provide distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services but must pay such broker-dealers or other persons, out of its own assets.
The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) with respect to each Fund by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least 60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
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Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager
As of the date of this SAI, the Funds’ portfolio manager did not manage any other accounts.
Portfolio Manager Compensation
The Adviser believes that its compensation program is competitively positioned to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Catherine D. Wood, Chief Investment Officer and principal owner of the Adviser, does not receive a salary, but as the significant equity holder of ARK, may receive earnings from ARK. Ms. Wood may also receive a discretionary bonus based on the quality of the advisory services and the overall financial performance of ARK. As Chief Investment Officer and principal owner of the Adviser and portfolio manager of the Funds, Catherine D. Wood may benefit economically from any profits generated by the Adviser.
Portfolio Manager Share Ownership
As of August 31, 2015, the dollar range of equity securities of each Fund beneficially owned by the Funds’ portfolio manager was as follows:
| Fund |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned |
| ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF | $500,001-$1,000,000 |
| ARK Industrial Innovation ETF | Over $1,000,000 |
| ARK Innovation ETF | $500,001-$1,000,000 |
| ARK Web x.0 ETF | Over $1,000,000 |
Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Creation Units, together with estimates and actual Cash Amounts is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC. The basket represents one Creation Unit of a Fund.
The Adviser, Administrator, Custodian, Distributor and other service providers to the Funds or the Adviser may receive non-public portfolio holdings information in the course of performing services to the Funds or the Adviser but are subject to legal obligations to not disseminate or trade on non-public information concerning the Trust.
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. Form N-Q for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov . Each Fund’s Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090. Each Fund’s Form N-Q will be available through the Fund’s website, at http://ark-funds.com or by writing to 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011. Information on Form N-Q for each Fund will be available on or about the sixtieth day after the close of the first and third quarters of the Fund’s fiscal year.
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The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, designed to monitor personal securities transactions by their personnel (“Personnel”). The Code of Ethics for the Adviser and the Trust requires that all trading in securities that are being purchased or sold, or are being considered for purchase or sale, by a Fund must be approved in advance by the Adviser’s CCO. Approval will be granted if the security has not been purchased or sold or recommended for purchase or sale for a Fund on the day that the Personnel of the Adviser or the Adviser requests pre-clearance, or otherwise if it is determined that the personal trading activity will not have a negative or appreciable impact on the price or market of the security, or is of such a nature that it does not present the dangers or potential for abuses that are likely to result in harm or detriment to a Fund. At the end of each calendar quarter, all Personnel must file a report of all transactions entered into during the quarter. These reports are reviewed by a senior officer of the Adviser.
Generally, all Personnel must obtain approval prior to conducting any transaction in securities. Independent Trustees, however, are not required to obtain prior approval of personal securities transactions. Personnel may purchase securities in an initial public offering or private placement, provided that he or she obtains preclearance of the purchase and makes certain representations.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Proxies for each Fund’s portfolio securities are voted in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, which are set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.
The Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for each Fund is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, each Fund’s proxy voting record is available, without charge, upon request by writing to the Adviser at 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011 or by calling (212) 426-7040 collect.
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. Generally, the Adviser works with recognized dealers in these securities, except when a better price and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. Each Fund will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The Adviser owes a duty to its clients to seek best execution on trades effected. The Adviser does not currently participate in soft dollar transactions.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Trust. The primary consideration is best execution.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses and taxable distributions. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions is evaluated by the Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Shares.”
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Shares. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Certificates will not be issued for Shares.
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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 owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust 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.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall 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 the Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
Each Fund will issue and sell Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without an initial sales load, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined herein), of an order in proper form. An Authorized Participant (defined below) that is not “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, will not be able to receive, as part of a redemption, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
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A “Business Day” with respect to each Fund is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of the Prospectus, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday), Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Continuous Offering
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 Funds 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 that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement 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 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 Listing Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.
Creation Deposit
The consideration for a purchase of Creation Units generally consists of the in-kind deposit of specified securities (“Deposit Instruments”) and an amount of cash computed as described below (“Cash Amount”) or, as permitted or required by a Fund, of cash. The Cash Amount together with the Deposit Instruments, as applicable, are referred to as the “Creation Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for Creation Units. The Cash Amount represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of Deposit Instruments.
The Administrator, through the NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of each Deposit Instrument to be included in the current Creation Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) as well as the Cash Amount for each Fund. Such Creation Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Units of each Fund until such time as the next-announced Creation Deposit composition is made available.
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The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Instruments required for the Creation Deposit for a Fund changes pursuant to the changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The Trust reserves the right to accept a basket of securities or cash that differs from Deposit Instruments or to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash ( i.e. , a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Amount to replace any Deposit Instrument which may, among other reasons, not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Trust as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention or which may not be eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (described below), or which may not be eligible for trading by a Participating Party (defined below). In light of the foregoing, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase the Deposit Instruments represented by the cash in lieu amount in the secondary market (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases because a Deposit Instrument may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Trust as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees and taxes. Brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the Trust’s acquisition of Deposit Instruments will be at the expense of the applicable Fund and will affect the value of all Shares of the Fund, but the Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the Deposit Instruments changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Amount to protect ongoing shareholders.
In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Instruments of the Creation Deposit, the Administrator, through the NSCC, also makes available (i) on each Business Day, the Dividend Equivalent Payment, if any, and the estimated Cash Amount effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Shares of the applicable Fund, and (ii) on a continuous basis throughout the day, the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units
To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create Creation Units of a Fund, an entity or person either must be (1) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC; or (2) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”); and, in either case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor and the Transfer Agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms) (“Participant Agreement”). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” All Creation Units of each Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of the Depository in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
All orders to create Creation Units must be placed in multiples of 50,000 Shares (i.e., a Creation Unit). All orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process or outside the Clearing Process, must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of a Fund as determined on such date. A “custom order” may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Amount to replace any Deposit Instrument which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting, or other relevant reason. The Business Day on which a creation order (or order to redeem as discussed below) is placed is herein referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below (see “Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process”). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, a Participating Party or a DTC Participant.
Creation Units may be created in advance of the receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the Creation Deposit. In such cases, the Participating Party will remain liable for the full deposit of the missing portion(s) of the Creation Deposit and will be required to post collateral with the Trust consisting of cash at least equal to a percentage of the marked to market value of such missing portion(s) that is specified in the Participant Agreement. The Trust may use such collateral to buy the missing portion(s) of the Creation Deposit at any time and will subject such Participating Party to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the value of such collateral. The Trust will have no liability for any such shortfall. The Trust will return any unused portion of the collateral to the Participating Party once the entire Creation Deposit has been properly received by the Distributor and deposited into the Trust.
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Orders to create Creation Units of a Fund shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Fund may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant. At any given time there may be only a limited number of Authorized Participants. Those placing orders to create Creation Units of a Fund through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the Authorized Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Instruments and Cash Amount.
Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process
Creation Deposits created through the Clearing Process, if available, must be delivered through an Authorized Participant.
The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit to NSCC on behalf of the Authorized Participant such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Authorized Participant’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions from the Distributor to NSCC, the Authorized Participant agrees to transfer the requisite Deposit Instruments (or contracts to purchase such Deposit Instruments that are expected to be delivered in a “regular way” manner by the third (3rd) Business Day) and the Cash Amount to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units of a Fund through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process
An Authorized Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units of a Fund to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash. The Creation Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Instruments through DTC to the account of the Trust by no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Instruments to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The cash equal to the Cash Amount must be transferred directly to the Distributor through the Federal Reserve wire system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Distributor no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units of a Fund outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Distributor does not receive both the requisite Deposit Instruments and the Cash Amount in a timely fashion on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Creation Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the current NAV of a Fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the day on which the creation order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC participant) and in circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Instruments to create Creation Units. (See “Creation Transaction Fee” section below.)
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Acceptance of Creation Orders
The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if, for any reason, (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Authorized Participant, upon obtaining the Shares, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of a Fund; (c) the Deposit Instruments delivered are not as specified by the Administrator, as described above; (d) the acceptance of the Deposit Instruments would have certain adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Creation Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Creation 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 creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include, without limitation, acts of God or public service or utility problems such as earthquakes, fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; wars; civil or military disturbances, including acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; terrorism; sabotage; epidemics; riots; labor disputes; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, the NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Trust shall notify a prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification to Authorized Participants of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Creation Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Instruments and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee
A fixed creation transaction fee of $500 payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. In addition, a variable charge for cash creations or for creations outside the Clearing Process currently of up to four times the basic creation transaction fee will be imposed. In the case of cash creations or where the Trust permits or requires a creator to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Instruments, the creator may be assessed an additional variable charge to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities. (See “Creation Deposit” section above.) As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons. In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the creation securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Amount to protect ongoing shareholders. Creators of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Instruments to the account of the Trust.
Redemption of Creation Units
Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor, only on a Business Day and only through an Authorized Participant. 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.
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The Administrator, through NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each day that the Exchange is open for business, the in-kind securities and instruments (“Redemption Instruments”) that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day. Unless cash redemptions are permitted or required for a Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Redemption Instruments as announced by the Administrator 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 Redemption Instruments, less the redemption transaction fee and variable fees described below. Should the Redemption Instruments have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to the Trust equal to the differential plus the applicable redemption transaction fee will be required to be arranged for by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder. Each Fund reserves the right to honor a redemption request by delivering a basket of securities or cash that differs from the Redemption Instruments.
Redemption Transaction Fee
The basic redemption transaction fee of $500 is the same no matter how many Creation Units are being redeemed pursuant to any one redemption request. An additional charge up to four times the redemption transaction fee will be charged with respect to cash redemptions or redemptions outside of the Clearing Process. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are permitted or required for a Fund) may also be imposed to compensate the Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an in-kind redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes (“Transaction Costs”). The Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the redemption securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Amount to protect ongoing shareholders. In no event will fees charged by a Fund in connection with a redemption exceed 2% of the value of each Creation Unit. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. To the extent a Fund cannot recoup the amount of Transaction Costs incurred in connection with a redemption from the redeeming shareholder because of the 2% cap or otherwise, those Transaction Costs will be borne by the Fund’s remaining shareholders and negatively affect the Fund’s performance.
Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units of a Fund through the Clearing Process, if available, must be delivered through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Units of a Fund using the Clearing Process is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of a Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units of a Fund using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Fund after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. The requisite Redemption Instruments (or contracts to purchase such Redemption Instruments which are expected to be delivered in a “regular way” manner) and the applicable cash payment will be transferred by the third (3rd) Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units of a Fund outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units of a Fund to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units of the Fund will instead be effected through transfer of Creation Units of the Fund directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units of a Fund outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Administrator on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Administrator not later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is preceded or accompanied by the requisite number of Shares of Creation Units specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Administrator no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, on such Transmittal Date; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
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After the Administrator has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Administrator will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Redemption Instruments (or contracts to purchase such Redemption Instruments) which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the cash redemption payment to the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Administrator. An additional variable redemption transaction fee of up to four times the basic transaction fee is applicable to redemptions outside the Clearing Process.
Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within three business days. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (1) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Fund or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Determination of NAV.”
The NAV per Share for a Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund ( i.e. , the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the Management Fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined each business day as of the close of trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the NYSE. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.
The values of each Fund’s portfolio securities will be based on market prices. Price information on listed securities and assets will be taken from the exchange where the security or asset is primarily traded. In the absence of a last reported sales price, or if no sales were reported, and for other securities and assets for which market quotes are not readily available, values may be based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or by an outside independent pricing service. Prices obtained by an outside independent pricing service will use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from data related to investments or securities with similar characteristics and may use a computerized grid matrix of securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities.
For assets such as options, futures, and swaps, the Funds will utilize pricing services.
Non-exchange-traded derivatives, including forwards, swaps and certain options, will normally be valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or pricing services using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those assets. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics. Exchange-traded options will be valued at market closing price.
Futures and options on futures will be valued at the settlement price determined by the applicable exchange.
Fixed income securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. A Fund will generally value these portfolio securities by relying on independent pricing services. A Fund’s pricing services will use valuation models or matrix pricing to determine current value. In general, pricing services use information with respect to comparable bond and note transactions, quotations from bond dealers or by reference to other securities that are considered comparable in such characteristics as rating, interest rate, maturity date, option adjusted spread models, prepayment projections, interest rate spreads and yield curves. Matrix price is an estimated price or value for a fixed-income security. Matrix pricing is considered a form of fair value pricing.
| 23 |
If a market quotation for a security is not readily available or the Adviser believes it does not otherwise accurately reflect the market value of the security at the time a Fund calculates its NAV, the security will be fair valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. A Fund may also use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, trading in a security has been suspended or halted. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Distributions.”
General Policies
Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by each Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for a Fund to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust may distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of a Fund, net of expenses of the Fund, as if the Fund owned such underlying portfolio securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital for tax purposes for certain shareholders.
Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust. The Trust makes additional distributions to the minimum extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of a Fund as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.
No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of a Fund through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of a Fund. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, quotations of a Fund’s performance may be included in advertisements, sales literature, or reports to shareholders or prospective investors. These performance figures are calculated in the following manner:
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Average Annual Total Return. “Average annual total return” figures are computed according to a formula prescribed by the SEC. The formula can be expressed as follows:
P(1+T) n =ERV
Where:
| P | = | a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000. |
| T | = | average annual total return. |
| n | = | number of years. |
| ERV | = | ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of such periods, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. |
Average Annual Total Return After Taxes on Distributions. “Average annual total return after taxes on distributions” figures are computed according to a formula prescribed by the SEC. The formula can be expressed as follows:
P(1+T) n =ATV D
Where:
| P | = | a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000. |
| T | = | average annual total return (after taxes on distributions). |
| n | = | number of years. |
| ATV D | = | ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of such periods after taxes on fund distributions but not after taxes on redemption. |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Average Annual Total Return After Taxes on Distributions and Redemptions. “Average annual total return after taxes on distributions and redemptions” figures are computed according to a formula prescribed by the SEC. The formula can be expressed as follows:
P(1+T) n =ATV DR
Where:
| P | = | a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000. |
| T | = | average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemptions). |
| n | = | number of years. |
| ATV DR | = | ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of such periods, after taxes on fund distributions and redemption. |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Non-Standardized Performance - Aggregate Total Return. Each Fund that advertises its “aggregate total return” computes such return by determining the aggregate compounded rates of return during specified periods that likewise equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value of such investment. The formula for calculating aggregate total return is as follows:
ERV-1
Aggregate Total Return = P
The calculations are made assuming that (1) all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested on the reinvestment dates at the price per share existing on the reinvestment date, (2) all recurring fees charged to all shareholder accounts are included, and (3) for any account fees that vary with the size of the account, a mean (or median) account size in the Fund during the periods is reflected. The ending redeemable value (variable “ERV” in the formula) is determined by assuming complete redemption of the hypothetical investment after deduction of all non-recurring charges at the end of the measuring period.
Comparisons Against Market Indices. From time to time the performance of the Funds may be compared against one or more broad-based market indices and/or other indices designed to measure a particular segment of the market in which a Fund invests. The following is a description of the indices against which each of the Funds is currently generally compared.
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| Fund | Index Description(s) | |
|
ARK Genomic Revolution Multi-Sector ETF ARK Industrial Innovation ETF ARK Innovation ETF ARK Web x.0 ETF |
S&P 500 ® Index : a widely recognized capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. stock market. MSCI World Index : represents large and mid-cap equity performance across 23 developed markets countries. Returns shown for the MSCI World Index are net of foreign withholding taxes applicable to U.S. investors. Russell 3000 Index : measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. Russell 3000 Growth Index : measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 3000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. |
General. The performance of a Fund is not fixed or guaranteed. Performance quotations should not be considered to be representations of performance of a Fund for any period in the future. The performance of any investment is generally a function of portfolio quality and maturity, type of investment and operating expenses.
From time to time, in advertisements or in reports to shareholders, a Fund’s total returns may be quoted and compared to those of other mutual funds or ETFs with similar investment objectives or compared to stock or other relevant indices.
The following information also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Tax Information.” The following summary of certain relevant tax provisions is subject to change, and does not constitute legal or tax advice.
Each Fund intends to qualify for and to elect treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. As a RIC, each Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, a company must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements relating to the nature of its income and the diversification of its assets, among others. If a Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year and 100% of any undistributed amounts from the prior years. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.
As a result of U.S. federal income tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of each Fund, has the right to reject an order for a creation of Shares if the creator (or group of creators) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Instruments different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units.”
Dividends, interest and gains received by a Fund from a non-U.S. investment may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consist of foreign stock or securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income), subject to certain holding period and other limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes.
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Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends, if any, which may qualify for the dividends received deduction. Certain ordinary dividends paid to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at a lower tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels.
In general, a sale of Shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the Shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder’s Fund Shares is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Fund Shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale or redemption will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses, and those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains available to non-corporate shareholders generally is 15% or 20%, depending on whether the shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from each Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Special tax rules may change the normal treatment of gains and losses recognized by a Fund if the Fund makes certain investments such as investments in structured notes, swaps, options, futures transactions, and non-U.S. corporations classified as “passive foreign investment companies.” Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term and may result in ordinary income or loss rather than capital gain or loss and may accelerate when a Fund has to take these items into account for tax purposes.
Investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) are subject to special tax rules which may result in adverse tax consequences to a Fund and its shareholders. To the extent a Fund invests in PFICs, it generally intends to elect to “mark to market” these investments at the end of each taxable year. By making this election, a Fund will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares as of the close of the taxable year over their adjusted basis and as ordinary loss any decrease in such investment (but only to the extent of prior income from such investment under the mark to market rules). Gains realized with respect to a disposition of a PFIC that a Fund has elected to mark to market will be ordinary income. By making the mark to market election, a Fund may recognize income in excess of the distributions that it receives from its investments. Accordingly, a Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments in order to meet its distribution requirements. If a Fund does not make the mark to market election with respect to an investment in a PFIC, the Fund could become subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to certain distributions from, and gain on the dispositions of, the PFIC which cannot be avoided by distributing such amounts to the Fund’s shareholders.
Gain or loss on the sale or redemption of Fund Shares is measured by the difference between the amount of cash received (or the fair market value of any property received) and the adjusted tax basis of the Shares. Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the tax basis of their Fund Shares. Legislation passed by Congress requires reporting of adjusted cost basis information for covered securities, which generally include shares of a regulated investment company acquired after January 1, 2012, to the Internal Revenue Service and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.
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A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of a Fund may be disallowed if other Fund Shares or 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 that the Shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders. Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes.
A Fund may make investments in which it recognizes income or gain prior to receiving cash with respect to such investment. For example, under certain tax rules, a Fund may be required to accrue a portion of any discount at which certain securities are purchased as income each year even though the Fund receives no payments in cash on the security during the year. To the extent that a Fund makes such investments, it generally would be required to pay out such income or gain as a distribution in each year to avoid taxation at the Fund level.
Distributions reinvested in additional Fund Shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service (see “Dividend Reinvestment Service”) will nevertheless be taxable dividends to Beneficial Owners acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.
Distributions of ordinary income paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding such withholding.
Some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on distributions of ordinary income, capital gains and any cash received on redemption of Creation Units (“backup withholding”). The backup withholding rate for individuals is currently 28%. Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with a Fund or who, to the Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld will be allowed as a credit against shareholders’ U.S. federal income tax liabilities, and may entitle them to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014 (unless further extended by Congress), properly designated dividends received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (i) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (ii) are paid in connection with a Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on the circumstances, a Fund may designate all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains, and a portion of the Fund’s distributions (e.g. interest from non-U.S. sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. There can be no assurance as to whether or not legislation will be enacted to extend this exemption.
Effective January 1, 2014, each Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to each Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the possible applicability of the U.S. estate tax.
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares of the Trust should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
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Reportable Transactions
Under promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s Shares of $2 million or more in any one taxable year (or $4 million or more over a period of six taxable years) for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more in any taxable year (or $20 million or more over a period of six taxable years) for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC that engaged in a reportable transaction are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. In addition, significant penalties may be imposed for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements. 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.
CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
The Trust currently is comprised of six investment funds. The Trust issues Shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Board may designate additional funds of the Trust.
Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of a Fund. Shares have no pre-emptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to each Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation. A Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time and for any reason without shareholder approval.
Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and each fractional Share has a proportional fractional vote. Shares of all Funds vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular Fund it will be voted on only by that Fund, and if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust have noncumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust may have similar limitations on liability as shareholders of a corporation.
The Trust will issue through DTC Participants to its shareholders semi-annual reports containing unaudited financial statements and annual reports containing financial statements audited by an independent auditor approved by the Trust’s Trustees and by the shareholders when meetings are held and such other information as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Beneficial Owners also annually receive notification as to the tax status of the Trust’s distributions.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o ARK Investment Management LLC, 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, is counsel to the Trust and has passed upon the validity of the Funds’ Shares.
Sullivan & Worchester, LLP, 1666 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 is counsel to the Independent Trustees.
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Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, 1818 Market Street, Suite 2400, Philadelphia, PA 19103, is the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and audits the Funds’ financial statements and performs other related audit services.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
As of December 1, 2015, the following person(s) owned of record or were known by the Funds to own beneficially 5% or more of the Funds. The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the name of Authorized Participants.
ARK GENOMIC REVOLUTION MULTI-SECTOR ETF
| NAME AND ADDRESS | % OWNERSHIP |
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. 2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
|
35.62% |
|
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC 7033 LOUIS STEPHENS DRIVE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK MORRISVILLE, NC 27560
|
25.00% |
|
CATHERINE D. WOOD C/O ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC 155 W. 19 th ST., 5 th FL. NEW YORK, NY 10011
|
8.52% |
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC 499 WASHINGTON BLVD. JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
|
8.20% |
|
TD AMERITRADE TRUST COMPANY 717 17TH STREET SUITE 1700 DENVER CO 80202 |
6.21% |
ARK INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION ETF
| NAME AND ADDRESS | % OWNERSHIP |
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. 2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
|
45.79% |
|
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC 7033 LOUIS STEPHENS DRIVE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK MORRISVILLE, NC 27560
|
35.71% |
|
CATHERINE D. WOOD C/O ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC 155 W. 19th ST., 5th FL. NEW YORK, NY 10011 |
13.46% |
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ARK INNOVATION ETF
| NAME AND ADDRESS | % OWNERSHIP |
|
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC 7033 LOUIS STEPHENS DRIVE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK MORRISVILLE, NC 27560
|
37.50% |
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC 499 WASHINGTON BLVD. JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
|
22.00% |
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. 2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
|
15.15% |
|
CATHERINE D. WOOD C/O ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC 155 W. 19 th ST., 5 th FL. NEW YORK, NY 10011
|
10.87% |
|
J.P. MORGAN CLEARING CORP. / LENDING ONE METROTECH CENTER NORTH BROOKLYN NY 11201 |
8.80% |
ARK WEB x.0 ETF
| NAME AND ADDRESS | % OWNERSHIP |
|
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC 7033 LOUIS STEPHENS DRIVE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK MORRISVILLE, NC 27560
|
45.45% |
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. 2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
|
25.91% |
|
CATHERINE D. WOOD C/O ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC 155 W. 19 th ST., 5 th FL. NEW YORK, NY 10011
|
16.45% |
|
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC 499 WASHINGTON BLVD. JERSEY CITY NJ 07310 |
7.92% |
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APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
Proxy Voting Policy
| I. | Introduction |
ARK Investment Management LLC (“Adviser”) has adopted this Proxy Voting Policy (“Policy”) pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and other fiduciary obligations. The Policy is designed to provide guidance to portfolio managers and others in discharging the Adviser’s proxy voting duty and to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of the Adviser’s clients.
| II. | Statement of Policy |
It is the Adviser’s policy to vote shares owned by clients that have delegated discretionary proxy voting authority to the Adviser in the best interest of the clients without regard to the interests of the Adviser or other related parties. For purposes of the Policy, the “best interests of clients” shall mean (unless with respect to a particular client, such client has otherwise specified) the clients’ best economic interests over the long term – that is, the common interest that all clients share in seeing the value of a common investment (held by various clients or accounts) increase over time. The Adviser will accept directions from a client to vote the client’s proxies in a manner that may result in such client’s proxies being voted differently than the Adviser might vote proxies of other clients over which the Adviser has full discretionary proxy voting authority. The Adviser believes such client directions should be treated as customized proxy voting guidelines and this Policy does not generally apply to customized proxy voting guidelines.
It is the policy of the Adviser that complete and accurate disclosure concerning its proxy voting policies and procedures and proxy voting records, as required by the Advisers Act, be made available to those clients that have delegated discretionary proxy voting authority to the Adviser. Specific disclosure requirements as to investment company clients, such as the series of ARK ETF Trust, are described in section IV hereof and in compliance policies and procedures for the relevant funds. 1
| III. | Procedures |
Subject to the procedures set forth below, the Adviser’s portfolio managers maintain responsibility for reviewing all proxies individually and making final decisions based on the merits of each case.
| A. | Use of Third Party Proxy Service |
In connection with its responsibilities expressed herein, the Adviser has retained Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. (“Proxy Agent”), a third-party service provider, to assist the Adviser in researching and voting proxies for its clients. The Adviser will utilize the research and analytical services, operational implementation and recordkeeping and reporting services provided by Proxy Agent. Proxy Agent will provide research for each proxy and a recommendation as to how to vote on each issue based on the research of a third party research provider (e.g., Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC) (“Research Provider”) with regard to the individual facts and circumstances of the proxy issue and the Research Provider’s application of its research findings to the Research Provider’s guidelines (“Guidelines”). Proxy Agent will cast votes in accordance with the Research Provider’s recommendations (“Recommendation”) unless otherwise instructed by the Adviser as set forth below.
1 See, e.g., the Compliance Manual for ARK ETF Trust, section VI.C.
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| B. | Review of Recommendations |
The Adviser’s portfolio managers (or other designated personnel) have the ultimate responsibility to accept or reject any Recommendation. Consequently, the portfolio managers or other appointed personnel are responsible for understanding and reviewing how proxies are voted for their clients, taking into account this Policy, the Guidelines and the best interest of the clients. A portfolio manager shall override the Recommendation if he/she does not believe that such Recommendation, based on all facts and circumstances, is in the best interests of the clients.
The Adviser may choose not to vote proxies under the following circumstances:
| 1. | if the effect on the clients’ economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant; |
| 2. | if the cost of voting the proxy outweighs the possible benefit; or |
| 3. | if a jurisdiction whose laws or regulations govern the voting of proxies with respect to the portfolio holding impose share blocking restrictions which prevent the Adviser from exercising its voting authority. |
The Adviser will memorialize the basis for any decision to override a Recommendation or to abstain from voting, including the resolution of any conflicts, as further discussed below.
| C. | Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
Prior to overriding a Recommendation, the portfolio manager (or other designated personnel) must memorialize the determination by filling out a Proxy Vote Override Form, attached as Exhibit A (or other document containing substantially the same information) and submit it to the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for determination as to whether a potential material conflict of interest exists between the Adviser and the clients on whose behalf the proxy is to be voted (“Material Conflict”). Portfolio managers have an affirmative duty to disclose any potential Material Conflicts known to them related to a proxy vote. Material Conflicts may exist in situations where the Adviser is called to vote on a proxy involving an issuer or proponent of a proxy proposal regarding the issuer where the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser also:
| 1. | manages the issuer’s or proponent’s pension plan; |
| 2. | administers the issuer’s or proponent’s employee benefit plan; |
| 3. | provides brokerage, underwriting, insurance or banking services to the issuer or proponent; or |
| 4. | manages money for an employee group. |
Additional Material Conflicts may exist if an executive of the Adviser or its control affiliates is a close relative of, or has a personal or business relationship with:
| 1. | an executive of the issuer or proponent; |
| 2. | a director of the issuer or proponent; |
| 3. | a person who is a candidate to be a director of the issuer; |
| 4. | a participant in the proxy contest; or |
| 5. | a proponent of a proxy proposal. |
| 33 |
Material Conflicts based on business relationships or dealings of affiliates of the Adviser will only be considered to the extent that the portfolio management area of the Adviser has actual knowledge of such business relationships. Whether a relationship creates a Material Conflict will depend on the facts and circumstances. Even if these parties do not attempt to influence the Adviser with respect to voting, the value of the relationship to the Adviser can create a Material Conflict.
Material Conflicts may exist when the Adviser manages a separate account, a fund or other collective investment vehicle that invests in affiliated funds. When the Adviser receives proxies in its capacity as a shareholder of an underlying fund, the Adviser will vote in accordance with the Recommendation. If the independent Proxy Agent does not provide a Recommendation, the Adviser then may address the conflict by “echoing” or “mirroring” the vote of the other shareholders in those underlying funds.
If the CCO determines that there is no potential Material Conflict, the portfolio manager may override the Recommendation and vote the proxy issue as he/she determines is in the best interest of clients. If the CCO determines that there exists or may exist a Material Conflict, the CCO will consider the facts and circumstances of the pending proxy vote and the potential or actual Material Conflict and make a determination as to how to vote the proxy – i.e., whether to permit or deny the override of the Recommendation, or whether to take other action, such as delegating the proxy vote to an independent third party or obtaining voting instructions from clients. In considering the proxy vote and potential Material Conflict, the CCO may consider the following factors:
| 1. | the percentage of outstanding securities of the issuer held on behalf of clients by the Adviser; |
| 2. | the nature of the relationship of the issuer with the Adviser, its affiliates or its executive officers; |
| 3. | whether there has been any attempt to directly or indirectly influence the portfolio manager’s decision; |
| 4. | whether the direction (for or against) of the proposed vote would appear to benefit the Adviser or a related party; and |
| 5. | whether an objective decision to vote in a certain way will still create a strong appearance of a conflict. |
The Adviser may not abstain from voting any such proxy for the purpose of avoiding a potential conflict.
In the event the Research Provider has a conflict and thus, is unable to provide a Recommendation, the portfolio manager will make a voting recommendation and complete a Proxy Vote Override Form. The CCO will review the form and if the CCO determines that there is no potential Material Conflict, the portfolio manager may instruct the Proxy Agent to vote the proxy issue as he/she determines is in the best interest of clients. If the CCO determines that there exists or may exist a Material Conflict, the CCO will make a determination based on a consideration of the factors noted above.
| D. | Lending |
The Adviser will monitor upcoming meetings and call stock loans, if applicable, in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. In determining whether to call stock loans, the relevant portfolio manager(s) shall consider whether the benefit to the client in voting the matter outweighs the benefit to the client in keeping the stock on loan.
| IV. | Compliance Monitoring |
The CCO will periodically review Proxy Agent reports of portfolio manager overrides to confirm that proper override and conflict checking procedures were followed.
| 34 |
| V. | Client Reporting |
| A. | General |
The Adviser will provide a copy of this Policy and the Guidelines upon request from a client.
Each quarter, the Adviser will report to each client any proxy votes involving the client with respect to which the Adviser overrode the Recommendation, and will include a description of the reason for the override and whether such override involved a potential Material Conflict and the participation of the CCO.
The Adviser will provide any client who makes a written or verbal request with a copy of a report disclosing how the Adviser voted securities held in that client’s portfolio.
| B. | Investment Company Clients |
The Adviser will provide a copy of this Policy and the Guidelines, and any material amendments thereto, to the board of directors/trustees of a client that is a registered investment company, including the Board of Trustees of ARK ETF Trust.
With respect to proxies voted on behalf of a client that is a registered investment company, the Adviser will make available a report of all proxies voted for such client for each twelve month period from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The report will generally contain the following information:
| 1. | the name of the issuer of the security; |
| 2. | the security’s exchange ticker symbol; |
| 3. | the security’s CUSIP number; |
| 4. | the shareholder meeting date; |
| 5. | a brief identification of the matter voted on; |
| 6. | whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; |
| 7. | whether the Adviser cast a vote on the matter; |
| 8. | how the Adviser voted; and |
| 9. | whether the Adviser voted for or against management. |
The Adviser will ensure that proper disclosure is made in each registered investment company client’s Statement of Additional Information describing the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to such client’s portfolio securities.
| C. | Disclosure to Third Parties |
Since the manner in which the Adviser votes proxies on behalf of its clients may be considered material non-public information, employees may not disclose the Adviser’s actual vote (until voting results are made public) or the Adviser’s voting intentions to any third party (except electronically to regulatory agencies) including, but not limited to, proxy solicitors, non-clients, and the media. The Adviser may communicate with other investors regarding a specific proposal but will not disclose its vote until such time as the subject issuer has publicly disclosed the voting results.
| 35 |
| VI. | Recordkeeping |
Either the Adviser or the Proxy Agent, or both, as indicated below, will maintain the following records:
| 1. | a copy of this Policy (Adviser); |
| 2. | a copy of the Guidelines (both); |
| 3. | a copy of each proxy statement received by the Adviser regarding client securities (Proxy Agent); |
| 4. | a record of each vote cast by the Adviser on behalf of a client (Proxy Agent); |
| 5. | a copy of all documents created by the Adviser that were material to making a decision on the proxy voting (or abstaining from voting) of client securities or that memorialize the basis for that decision including the resolution of any conflict, a copy of all Proxy Vote Override Forms and all supporting documents (Adviser); and |
| 6. | a copy of each written request by a client for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the client, as well as a copy of any written response by the Adviser to any request by a client for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the client. Records of oral requests for information or oral responses will not be kept. (Adviser) |
Such records must be maintained for at least six years.
Adopted: June 30, 2014
Amended: March 5, 2015
| 36 |
Exhibit A
ARK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
Proxy Vote Override Form
Portfolio Manager Requesting Override: ________________________________________________________________
Security Issuer: ___________________________________________________________________________________
CUSIP #: ________________ Security’s exchange ticker symbol: ________________________________
Total Number of Shares held: _______________ Percentage of outstanding shares held: ___________________
Type of accounts holding security:
ETFs/Mutual Funds (name each fund): ______________________________________________________________
Separate Accounts (specify number): ______________________________________________________________
Other (describe): ______________________________________________________________________________
Shareholder Meeting Date: _____________________ Response Deadline: _________________________
Brief Description of the Matter to be Voted On:
Proposal Type (check one):
€ Management Proposal
€ Shareholder Proposal (identify proponent: __________________________________________)
| Recommended vote by issuer’s management (check one): | ¨ For | ¨ Against | |
| Recommended vote by Proxy Agent (check one): | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain |
| Portfolio manager recommended vote (check one): | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain |
Describe in detail why you believe this override is in the client’s best interest (attach supporting documentation):
Are you aware of any relationship between the issuer, or its officers or directors, and ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”) or any of its affiliates?
¨ No ¨ Yes (describe below)
Are you aware of any relationship between the issuer, including its officers or directors, and any executive officers of ARK or any of its affiliates?
¨ No ¨ Yes (describe below)
| 37 |
Are you aware of any relationship between the proponents of the proxy proposal (if not the issuer) and any executive officers of ARK or any of its affiliates?
¨ No ¨ Yes (describe below)
Has anyone (outside of your portfolio management area) contacted you in an attempt to influence your decision to vote this proxy matter?
¨ No ¨ Yes
If yes, please describe below who contacted you and on whose behalf, the manner in which you were contacted (such as by phone, by mail, as part of group, individually etc.), the subject matter of the communication and any other relevant information, and attach copies of any written communications.
Are you aware of any facts related to this proxy vote that may present a potential conflict of interest with the interests of the client(s) on whose behalf the proxies are to be voted?
¨ No ¨ Yes (describe below)
Certification :
The undersigned hereby certifies to the best of his or her knowledge that the above statements are complete and accurate, and that such override is in the client’s best interests without regard to the interests of ARK or any related parties.
| Name: | Date: | |||
| Title: | ||||
| Supervisor Concurrence with Override Request : | ||||
| Name: | Date: | |||
| Title: | ||||
Compliance Action :
¨ Override Approved
¨ Override Not Approved
| Name: | Date: | |||
| Title: |
21846904.1.BUSINESS
| 38 |
ARK ETF TRUST
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
| (a) | (1) | Certificate of Trust of Registrant dated June 7, 2013 1 |
| (2) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant 2 |
| (b) | By-laws of the Registrant 2 |
| (c) | Not applicable |
| (d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ARK Investment Management LLC 2 |
| (2) | Form of Amendment #1 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ARK Investment Management LLC 4 |
| (e) | (1) | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC 2 |
| (2) | Distribution Services Agreement between ARK Investment Management LLC and Foreside Fund Services, LLC 2 |
| (3) | Form of Amendment #1 to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC 4 |
| (4) | Form of Amendment #1 to Distribution Services Agreement between ARK Investment Management LLC and Foreside Fund Services, LLC 4 |
| (f) | Not applicable |
| (g) | (1) | Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 5 |
| (2) | Form of Amendment #1 to Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 4 |
| (h) | (1) | Supervision Agreement between Registrant and ARK Investment Management LLC 2 |
| (2) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 5 |
| (3) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 3 |
| (4) | Form of Amendment #1 to Supervision Agreement between Registrant and ARK Investment Management LLC 4 |
| (5) | Form of Amendment #1 to Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 4 |
| (6) | Form Amendment #1 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon 4 |
| (i) | Opinion of Counsel 3 |
| (j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5 |
| (k) | Not applicable. |
| (l) | Not applicable. |
| (m) | Distribution and Service Plan 4 |
| (n) | Not applicable. |
| (o) | Not applicable. |
| (p) | (1) | Code of Ethics of Registrant and ARK Investment Management LLC 4 |
| (2) | Code of Ethics of Foreside Fund Services, LLC 4 |
Other:
| (1) | Powers of Attorney 2 |
| 1 | Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit of the Registrant’s initial Registration Statement, SEC File No. 333-191019, filed on September 6, 2013. |
| 2 | Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibits of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3, SEC File No. 333-191019, filed on September 2, 2014. |
| 3 | Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibits of the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4, SEC File No. 333-191019, filed on September 11, 2014. |
| 4 | Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibits of the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, SEC File No. 333-191019, filed on October 16, 2015. |
| 5 | Filed herewith. |
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
Not applicable.
Item 30. Indemnification
Reference is made to Section 9.5 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form N-1A.
In addition, the Registrant has obtained from a major insurance carrier a trustees’ and officers’ liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
See “Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Information as to the directors and officers of ARK Investment Management LLC, the Registrant’s investment adviser, is included in its Form ADV filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
| (a) | Foreside Fund Services, LLC also serves as the principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: |
Absolute Shares Trust
AdvisorShares Trust
ALTMFX Trust
American Beacon Funds
American Beacon Select Funds
Archstone Alternative Solutions Fund
Avenue Mutual Funds Trust
BP Capital TwinLine Energy Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios
BP Capital TwinLine MLP Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios
Bridgeway Funds, Inc.
Calamos ETF Trust
Capital Innovations Global Agri, Timber, Infrastructure Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
Center Coast MLP Focus Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
Context Capital Funds
CornerCap Group of Funds
Corsair Opportunity Fund
Direxion Shares ETF Trust
Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
Exchange Listed Funds Trust
FlexShares Trust
Forum Funds
Forum Funds II
FQF Trust
FSI Low Beta Absolute Return Fund
Gottex Trust
Henderson Global Funds
Horizon Spin-off and Corporate Restructuring Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Liberty Street Horizon Fund)
Horizons ETF Trust
Infinity Core Alternative Fund
Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
Little Harbor Multistrategy Composite Fund
Manor Investment Funds
Montage Managers Trust
Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
PENN Capital Funds Trust
Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
Pine Grove Alternative Fund
Pine Grove Alternative Institutional Fund
Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
Precidian ETFs Trust
Quaker Investment Trust
Recon Capital Series Trust
Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
Salient MF Trust
SharesPost 100 Fund
Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
Steben Alternative Investment Funds
Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund
The 504 Fund
The Roxbury Funds
TIFF Investment Program
Toroso Newfound Tactical Allocation Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
TrimTabs ETF Trust
Turner Funds
West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)
Wintergreen Fund, Inc.
WisdomTree Trust
| (b) | The following is a list of the officers, directors and partners of Foreside Fund Services, LLC: |
| Name and Principal Business Address * | Positions and Offices with Underwriter | Positions and Offices with Trust |
| Mark A. Fairbanks | President | None |
| Richard J. Berthy | Vice President, Treasurer and Manager | None |
| Jennifer E. Hoopes | Secretary | None |
| Nanette K. Chern | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None |
| Paula R. Watson | Assistant Secretary | None |
| * | The principal business address for all listed persons is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. |
| (c) | Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books, accounts and other documents required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained in the physical possession of The Bank of New York Mellon, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286, Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 and ARK Investment Management LLC, 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York, on the 29 th day of December, 2015.
|
ARK ETF Trust
|
||
| By: | /s/ Jane A. Kanter | |
| Name: | Jane A. Kanter | |
| Title: | President and Chief Legal Officer | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | |
| /s/ Scott R. Chichester* | ||
| Scott R. Chichester | Trustee | |
| /s/ Darlene T. DeRemer* | ||
| Darlene T. DeRemer | Trustee | |
| /s/ Robert G. Zack* | ||
| Robert G. Zack | Trustee | |
| /s/ Catherine D. Wood | ||
| Catherine D. Wood | Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer | |
| /s/ Jane A. Kanter | ||
| Jane A. Kanter | President and Chief Legal Officer | |
| /s/ William C. Cox | ||
| William C. Cox | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | |
| * By: | /s/ Jane A. Kanter_____________________ |
Jane A. Kanter
Attorney-in-Fact
EXHIBIT LIST
| (g) | (1) | Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
| (h) | (2) | Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
| (j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Exhibit (g)(1)
Execution Copy
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 24 , 2014 by and between ARK ETF Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, having its principal office and place of business at c/o ARK Investment Management LLC, 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011 (the “Trust”), on behalf of each series listed on Schedule II hereto (as such Schedule may be amended from time to time) (each a “Series” and collectively, the “Series”, as applicable), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal office and place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (“Custodian”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Trust and Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
1. “Authorized Person” shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Trust’s board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.
2. “Book-Entry System” shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.
3. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.
4. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
5. “Composite Currency Unit” shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.
6. “Custodian Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
7. “Depository” shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
8. “Foreign Depository” shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Trust from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
9. “Instructions” shall mean communications actually received by Custodian by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.
10. “Oral Instructions” shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
11. “Series” shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Trust listed on Schedule II hereto, and if none are listed references to Series shall be references to the Trust.
12. “Securities” shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or by a Subcustodian).
13. “Subcustodian” shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Trust from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.
14. “Transfer Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon or an affiliate, subject to a separate Transfer Agency and Service Agreement entered into between the parties, or any successor transfer agent identified to Custodian in a Certificate.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS
1. (a) The Trust hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for each Series in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of each Series from the assets of any other Series. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the Trust.
| - 2 - |
(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Trust and Custodian may agree upon (each a “Special Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Trust and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
2. The Trust hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Trust, that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(c) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;
(d) It will not use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust;
(e) Its board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “‘40 Act”), has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian) which Custodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof satisfies the applicable requirements of the ‘40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder;
(f) The Trust or its investment adviser has determined that the custody arrangements of each Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the ‘40 Act;
(g) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall, and shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by it, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;
| - 3 - |
(h) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Series does not exceed the amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the ‘40 Act;
(i) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the ‘40 Act;
(j) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose; and
(k) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority.
3. The Trust hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian’s request a Form FR U-1 (or successor form) whenever the Trust borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Trust hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Trust’s account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Trust, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the “Replacement Subcustodian”). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Trust’s board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the ‘40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
| - 4 - |
(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Trust by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(c) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Trust, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.
(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Trust with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Trust of any material change in such risks. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term “Country Risks” shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country’s prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country’s regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
2. Custodian shall furnish the Trust with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.
3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:
(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
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(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Securities which may mature and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(c) Forward to the Trust copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;
(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;
(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and
(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.
4. (a) Custodian shall notify the Trust of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Trust.
(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Trust or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Trust’s Certificate or Instructions at Custodian’s offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Trust). Absent Custodian’s timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.
5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Trust or its designee. Custodian will make available to the Trust proxy voting services upon the request of, and for the jurisdictions selected by, the Trust in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Trust.
6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Trust upon Custodian’s actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Trust has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.
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7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.
8. The Trust shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (“Taxes”), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the Trust or any transaction related thereto. The Trust shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Trust (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold, except to the extent that any such failure to withhold or such penalty or interest is the direct result of the bad faith, negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard on the part of the Custodian or Subcustodian, respectively). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of the Trust, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Trust shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Trust is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Trust under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Trust all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for the Trust, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Trust to Custodian hereunder. The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
9. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, the Trust shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Trust with immediately available Trusts each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Trust may specify to Custodian.
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(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Trust may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Trust. The Trust shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.
(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Trust understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments ( e.g. , derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.
(d) Upon Trust’s written request, Custodian shall provide to the Trust all reports that Custodian receives from a Depository on its system of internal accounting control. Custodian further agrees to make available to the Trust Custodian’s annual SSAE 16 Report of its independent auditors or any successor or replacement report covering the same subject matter.
10. Until such time as Custodian receives a certificate to the contrary with respect to a particular Security, upon written notice to the Trust, Custodian may release the identity of the Trust to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and shareholder.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;
CREDITS TO ACCOUNT
1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.
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2. The Trust understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. The Trust assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities.
3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Trust, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be “final” until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.
ARTICLE V
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of a Series for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Trust is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Series, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York Mellon (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of such Series at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of such Series or in which such Series may have an interest which is then in Custodian’s possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodian’s behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Series’ credit on Custodian’s books.
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2. If the Trust borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the ‘40 Act and the Trust’s prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE VI
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Trust shall sell any shares issued by the Trust (“Shares”) it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions, specifying the amount of money, if any, and the particular Securities and the amount of each Security to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an Account for such Series. Upon receipt of such money, if any, and such Securities, Custodian shall credit the same to an Account in the name of the Series for which such money, if any, and such Securities are received.
2. Whenever the Trust desires Custodian to make a payment, if any, and a delivery of Securities out of the money and Securities held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions specifying the total amount of money, if any, to be paid, and the particular Securities and amount of each Security to be delivered, for the redemption of such Shares. Custodian shall make any such payment and such delivery of Shares, as directed by a Certificate or Instructions or instructions of the Trust’s transfer agent, out of the money and Securities held in an Account of the appropriate Series.
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ARTICLE VII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. Whenever the Trust shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of such Series the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Trust specified therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING CUSTODIAN
1. (a) Custodian shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees (collectively, “Losses”), incurred by or asserted against the Trust, except those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories or of any Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Trust as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a Custodian Affiliate), Custodian shall take reasonable and appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian; and Custodian’s sole responsibility and liability to the Trust shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall Custodian be liable to the Trust or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, nor shall Custodian or any Subcustodian be liable: ( i ) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; ( ii ) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the same; ( iii ) for conclusively presuming that all Instructions are given only by person(s) duly authorized; ( iv ) for conclusively presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Trust, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 2(i) of Article II hereof; ( v ) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; ( vi ) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; (vii) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a Custodian Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository (“Force Majeure Event”); or ( viii ) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the Trust, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies.
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(b) Custodian will maintain throughout the term of this Agreement, such disaster recovery and contingency plans and systems as it reasonably believes to be necessary and appropriate to recover its operations from the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event and which are consistent with the requirements of any statute, regulation or rule to which it is subject that imposes business resumption and contingency planning standards. Custodian shall employ commercially reasonable efforts for similarly situated service providers to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances following the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event.
(c) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Custodian Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder and will provide written notice of such to the Trust. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder.
(d) The Trust agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian’s performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Trust; provided however, that the Trust shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Custodian agrees to indemnify the Trust and hold the Trust harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against the Trust and determined by an arbiter of appropriate jurisdiction to be a direct result of Custodian’s negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Trust in a successful defense of claims by Custodian; provided however, that Custodian shall not indemnify the Trust for those Losses arising out of the Trust’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
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2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) Any Losses incurred by the Trust or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;
(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Trust, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust;
(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust;
(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Trust against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Trust. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Trust are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Trust during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;
(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Trust; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Trust of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Trust may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or
(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Trust and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be held by the Trust or such Series under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Trust, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Trust.
3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel at its own expense and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice, provided that, any such action or omission by Custodian is consistent with Custodian’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement and/or the laws, rules and regulations applicable to Custodian.
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4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment. Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust of any such defaults or refused payments.
5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.
6. The Trust shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodian’s standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Trust shall reimburse Custodian for all reasonable costs associated with the conversion of the Trust’s Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Trust shall also reimburse Custodian for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.
Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount payable by the Trust in connection with any and all obligations of the Trust to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Trust shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right with notice to the Trust to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Trust, any Securities or cash Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Trust, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate may have to the Trust in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Custodian will promptly notify the Trust of any such setoffs, with such notice to include an explanation of such setoffs and any remaining applicable obligations of the Trust to Custodian. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Trust may be transferred to Custodian and any Custodian Affiliate in order to effect the above rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any amount payable or other obligation of the Trust to the Custodian is only in respect of a particular Series, the Custodian and/or a Custodian Affiliate may only exercise the rights set forth in this paragraph with respect to the cash account, Securities or other assets held for the account of such Series.
7. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Trust elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Trust’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Instructions which appear on their face to have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, the Trust understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Trust shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Trust elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Trust agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service.
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8. The books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the ‘40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Trust, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records during Custodian’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided within a reasonable amount of time by Custodian to the Trust or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained.
9. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time.
10. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and money then owned by the Trust and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Trust shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and money then owned by the Trust be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Trust to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
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ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
1. The Trust agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.
2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Trust and received by it at its offices at c/o ARK Investment Management LLC, 155 West 19th Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10011, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.
4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Trust and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
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7. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in its Charter. The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Charter.
8. The Trust hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Trust. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Trust to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Trust’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Trust’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Trust agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Trust’s identity in accordance with its CIP.
9. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the “BNY Mellon Group”). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the “Centralized Functions”) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes Custodian to disclose information regarding the Trust (“Customer-Related Data”) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) Custodian may store the names and business contact information of the Trust’s employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing.
10. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Trust and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the latest date set forth below.
ARK ETF TRUST
By: /s/ Jane A. Kanter
Title: Secretary
Tax Identification No: [XX-XXXXXXX]
Date September 24, 2014
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: /s/ Stephen Cook
Title: Managing Director
Date: 10/3/2014
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SCHEDULE I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS
(The Trust - Oral and Written Instructions)
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting ________________________ of ARK ETF Trust (the “Trust”), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Trust have been duly authorized in conformity with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon (“Custodian”) pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Trust and Custodian dated _______________, 2014 and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct:
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SCHEDULE II
SERIES
APPENDIX I
ELECTRONIC SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS
These Electronic Access Terms and Conditions (the “ Terms and Conditions ”) set forth the terms and conditions under which The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or joint ventures (collectively, “ BNY Mellon ”) will provide the entities and its (their) affiliates listed on Schedule A (“ You ” and “ Your ”) with access to and use of BNY Mellon’s electronic information delivery site known as “BNY Mellon Connect” and/or other BNY Mellon-designated access portals (“ Electronic Access ”). Access to and use of Electronic Access by You is contingent upon and is in consideration for Your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below. Electronic Access includes access to BNY Mellon web sites accessible via BNY Mellon Connect and/or other BNY Mellon-designated access portals (“ Sites ”), pursuant to which You are able to access products and services provided by BNY Mellon as well as data regarding Your accounts. You may amend Schedule A by delivering a revised version to BNY Mellon.
Any particular product or service accessed by You through Electronic Access may be subject to a separate written agreement between You and BNY Mellon with respect to such products and services (each a “ Services Agreement ”). In addition, terms and conditions and restrictions with respect to any particular product or service accessed through Electronic Access (such as privacy and internet security matters), together with any disclaimers related to the specific products or services, may be set forth on the Sites (hereinafter referred to as “ Terms of Use ”) and are applicable to such products and services. You agree to the Terms and Conditions. By any of Your Users accessing the Sites, and the products and services available through Electronic Access, You agree to any Terms of Use and acknowledge and accept any disclaimers and disclosures included on the Sites and the restrictions concerning the use of proprietary data provided by Information Providers (as defined below) that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, the execution of these Terms and Conditions will not alter or amend or otherwise affect any Services Agreement whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions.
| 1. | Access Administration : |
| a. | To facilitate access to Electronic Access, You will furnish BNY Mellon with a written list of the names, and the extent of authority or level of access, of persons You are authorizing to access the Sites, products and services and to use the Electronic Access (“ Authorized Users ”) on a read-only basis. In addition, You may also designate Authorized Users who will have authority to enter transactions and provide instructions to BNY Mellon that cause a change in or have an impact on assets held by BNY Mellon for Your accounts (“ Authorized Transactional Users ”). Where appropriate, Authorized Users and Authorized Transactional Users are collectively referred to herein as “ Users .” If You wish to allow any third party (such as an investment manager, consultant or third party service provider) or any employee of a third party to have access to Your account information through Electronic Access and be included as a “User” under these Terms and Conditions, You may designate a third party or employee of a third party as an Authorized User or Authorized Transactional User under these Terms and Conditions and any such third party or employee of a third party so designated by You (and, if a third party is so designated, any employee of such third party designated by such third party) will be included within the definition of Authorized User, Authorized Transactional User, and User as appropriate. |
| b. | Upon BNY Mellon’s approval of Users (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld), BNY Mellon will send You a user-id, temporary password and, where applicable, a security identification device for each User. You will be responsible for providing to Users the user-ids, temporary passwords and, where applicable, secure identification devices. You will ensure that any User receiving a secure identification device returns such device immediately following the termination of the User’s authorization to access the products and services for which the secure identification device was provided to such User. You are solely responsible for Users’ access to Electronic Access, and You and Users are solely responsible for the confidentiality of the user-ids and passwords and secure identification devices that are provided to them and will remain responsible for each secure identification device until it is returned to BNY Mellon. You, on behalf of You and Your affiliates, acknowledge and agree that, BNY Mellon will have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm the actual identity of the person who accessed Electronic Access using a validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) or that the person who accessed Electronic Access using such validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) is, in fact, a User (whether an Authorized User or an Authorized Transactional User). |
| c. | You shall not, and shall not permit any User or third party to, breach or attempt to breach any security measures used in connection with Electronic Access or Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate any application, network or other security measures used by BNY Mellon or its suppliers in connection with Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. |
| d. | You are also solely responsible for ensuring that all Users comply with these Terms and Conditions and any Terms of Use included on the Sites, the Service Agreement for each product or services accessed through the Sites and their associated services and all applicable terms and conditions, restrictions on the use of such products and services and data obtained through the use of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon reserves the right to prohibit access or revoke the access of any User to Electronic Access whom BNY Mellon determines has violated or breached these terms and conditions or any Terms of Use on a Site accessed by the User, including the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below), or whose conduct BNY Mellon reasonably determines may constitute a criminal offense, violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or constitute a security risk for BNY Mellon, a BNY Mellon’s third party supplier (“ BNY Mellon’s Supplier ”), BNY Mellon’s clients or any Users of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon may also terminate access to all Users following termination of all Services Agreements between You and BNY Mellon. |
| 2. | Proprietary Software : Depending upon the products and services You elect to access through Electronic Access, You may be provided software owned by BNY Mellon or licensed to BNY Mellon by a BNY Mellon Supplier (“ Proprietary Software ”). You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install the Proprietary Software on Your authorized computer system (including mobile devices registered with BNY Mellon) and to use the Proprietary Software solely for Your own internal purposes in connection with Electronic Access and solely for the purposes for which it is provided to You. You and Your Users may make copies of the Proprietary Software for backup purposes only, provided all copyright and other proprietary information included in the original copy of the Proprietary Software are reproduced in or on such backup copies. You shall not reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile or attempt to determine the source code for, any Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate security of Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. |
| 3. | Use of Data : |
| a. | Electronic Access may include information and data that is proprietary to the providers of such information or data (“ Information Providers ”) or may be used to access Sites that include such information or data from Information Providers. This information and data may be subject to restrictions and requirements which are imposed on BNY Mellon by the Information Providers and which are posted on http://www.bnymellon.com/products/assetservicing/vendoragreement.pdf or any successor web site of which You are provided notice from time to time (the “ Data Terms Web Site ”). You will be solely responsible for ensuring that Users comply with the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site. |
| b. | You consent to BNY Mellon, its affiliates and BNY Mellon’s Suppliers disclosing to each other and using data received from You and Users and, where applicable, Your third parties in connection with these Terms and Conditions (including, without limitation, client data and personal data of Users) (1) to the extent necessary for the provision of Electronic Access; (2) in order for BNY Mellon and its affiliates to meet any of their obligations under these Terms and Conditions to provide Electronic Access; or (3) to the extent necessary for Users to access Electronic Access. |
| c. | In addition, You permit BNY Mellon to aggregate data concerning Your accounts with other data collected and/or calculated by BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will own such aggregated data, but will not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies You or Your data. |
| 4. | Ownership and Rights : |
| a. | Electronic Access, including any database, any software (including for the avoidance of doubt, Proprietary Software) and any proprietary data, processes, scripts, information, training materials, manuals or documentation made available as part of the Electronic Access (collectively, the " Information "), are the exclusive and confidential property of BNY Mellon and/or BNY Mellon’s suppliers. You may not use or disclose the Information except as expressly authorized by these Terms and Conditions. You will, and will cause Users and Your third parties and their users, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that You use with respect to Your own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care. |
| b. | The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the copyright status of any of the Information which may be copyrighted and will apply to all Information whether or not copyrighted. |
| c. | Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will be construed as giving You or Users any license or right to use the trade marks, logos and/or service marks of BNY Mellon, its affiliates, its Information Providers or BNY Mellon’s Suppliers. |
| d. | Any Intellectual Property Rights and any other rights or title not expressly granted to You or Users under these Terms and Conditions are reserved to BNY Mellon, its Information Providers and BNY Mellon’s Suppliers. "Intellectual Property Rights" includes all copyright, patents, trademarks and service marks, rights in designs, moral rights, rights in computer software, rights in databases and other protectable lists of information, rights in confidential information, trade secrets, inventions and know-how, trade and business names, domain names (including all extensions, revivals and renewals, where relevant) in each case whether registered or unregistered and applications for any of them and the goodwill attaching to any of them and any rights or forms of protection of a similar nature and having equivalent or similar effect to any of them which may subsist anywhere in the world. |
| 5. | Reliance : |
| a. | BNY Mellon will be entitled to rely on, and will be fully protected in acting upon, any actions or instructions associated with a user-id or a secure identification device issued to a User until such time BNY Mellon receives actual notice in writing from You of the change in status of the User and receipt of the secure identification device issued to such User. You acknowledge that all commands, directions and instructions, including commands, directions and instructions for transactions issued by a User are issued at Your sole risk. You agree to accept full and sole responsibility for all such commands, directions and instructions and that BNY Mellon, will have no liability for, and you hereby release BNY Mellon from, any losses, liabilities, damages, costs, expenses, claims, causes of action or judgments (including attorneys fees and expenses) (collectively “ Losses ”) incurred or sustained by you or any other party in connection with or as a result of BNY Mellon’s reliance upon or compliance with such commands, directions and instructions. |
| b. | All commands, directions and instructions involving a transaction entered by Authorized Transactional User will be treated as an authorized instruction under the applicable Services Agreement(s) between You and BNY Mellon covering accounts, products and services and products provided by BNY Mellon with respect to which Electronic Access is being used whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions. |
| 6. | Disclaimers : |
| a. | Although BNY Mellon uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information through Electronic Access, BNY Mellon, its Content Providers and Information Providers make no warranties or representations under these Terms and Conditions as to accuracy, reliability or comprehensiveness of the content, information or data accessed through Electronic Access. Without limiting the foregoing, some of the content on Electronic Access may be provided by sources unaffiliated with BNY Mellon (“ Content Providers ”) and by Information Providers. For that content BNY Mellon is a distributor and not a publisher of such content and has no control over it. Information provided by Information Providers has not been independently verified by BNY Mellon and BNY Mellon makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the content or information provided. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information given or provided by Content Providers and Information Providers (including merchants and licensors) are those of the respective authors of such content and not that of BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will not be liable to You or Users for such content or information in any way nor for any action taken in reliance on such information nor for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of such information. For purposes of these Terms and Conditions, all information and data, including all proprietary information and materials and all client data, provided to You through Electronic Access are provided on an “AS-IS”, “AS AVAILABLE” basis. |
| b. | BNY Mellon makes no guarantee and does not warrant that Electronic Access or the information and data provided through the Electronic Access are or will be virus-free or will be free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code with contaminating or destructive properties. BNY Mellon will employ commercially reasonable anti-virus software to its systems to protect its systems against viruses. |
| c. | Some Sites accessed through the use of Electronic Access may include links to websites provided by parties that are not affiliated with BNY Mellon (“ Third Party Websites ”). BNY Mellon will not be liable to any person for the content found on such Third Party Websites. BNY Mellon will not be responsible for Third Party Websites that collect information from parties who visit their web sites through links on the Sites. BNY Mellon will not be liable or responsible for any loss suffered by any person as a result of their use of any Third Party Websites that are linked to the BNY Mellon Sites. |
| d. | BNY Mellon retains complete discretion and authority to add, delete or revise in whole or in part Electronic Access, including its Sites, and to modify from time to time any Proprietary Software provided in conjunction with the use of Electronic Access and/or any of the Sites. To the extent reasonably possible, BNY Mellon will provide notice of such modifications. BNY Mellon may terminate, immediately and without advance notice, and without right of cure, any portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites. |
| e. | TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY OF QUALITY AND NO WARRANTY OF TITLE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. THERE IS NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THE SITES, ANY PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE, INFORMATION, MATERIALS OR CLIENT DATA. |
| f. | Notwithstanding the prior paragraph, The Bank of New York Mellon or an Affiliate designated by it will defend You and pay any amounts agreed to by BNY Mellon in a settlement and damages finally awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction, in an action or proceeding commenced against You based on a claim that Electronic Access or the Proprietary Software infringe plaintiff(s)’s patent, copyright, or trade secret, provided that You (i) notify BNY Mellon promptly of any such action or claim (except that the failure to so notify BNY Mellon will not limit BNY Mellon’s obligations hereunder except to the extent that such failure prejudices BNY Mellon); (ii) grant BNY Mellon or its designated Affiliate full and exclusive authority to defend, compromise or settle such claim or action; and (iii) provide BNY Mellon or its designated Affiliate all assistance reasonably necessary to so defend, compromise or settle. The foregoing obligations will not apply, however, to any claim or action arising from (i) use of the Proprietary Software Information or Electronic Access in a manner not authorized under these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use, or the Data Terms Web Site; or (ii) use of the Proprietary Software or Electronic Access in combination with other software or services not supplied by BNY Mellon. |
| 7. | Limitation of Liability : |
| a. | IN NO EVENT WILL BNY MELLON, BNY MELLON’S SUPPLIERS OR ITS CONTENT PROVIDERS OR INFORMATION PROVIDERS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RELIANCE DAMAGES, EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SPECIAL DAMAGES, PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INDIRECT DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOOD WILL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, USE, DATA, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES) THAT RESULT FROM (1) THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ELECTRONIC ACCESS (2) THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION OR NON-ACTION TAKEN BY YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OR FOR ANY ERRORS BY YOU IN COMMUNICATING SUCH INFORMATION; (3) THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE ACCESS SERVICES; OR (4) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE CONTENT OR ACCESS THROUGH ELECTRONIC ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, PROCEDURE, OR SERVICE OBTAINED THROUGH ELECTRONIC ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY RESULTING FROM VOLUNTARY SHUTDOWN OF THE SERVER, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR ANY OF THE SITES TO ADDRESS TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, COMPUTER VIRUSES, DENIAL-OF-SERVICE MESSAGES OR OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS. |
| b. | BNY MELLON’S ENTIRE LIABILITY AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM RELATED TO THESE TERMS OF USE, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR SITES, IS AS FOLLOWS: IF YOU REPORT A MATERIAL MALFUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC ACCESS THAT BNY MELLON IS ABLE TO REPRODUCE, BNY MELLON WILL USE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION. IF BNY MELLON IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION, YOU MAY CEASE ALL USE OF ELECTRONIC ACCESS AND RECEIVE A REFUND OF ANY FEES PAID IN ADVANCE, SPECIFICALLY FOR ELECTRONIC ACCESS, APPLICABLE TO PERIODS AFTER CESSATION OF SUCH USE. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. |
| c. | The limitation of liability set forth in this Limitation of Liability section and in other provisions in these Terms and Conditions is in addition to any limitation of liability provisions contained in any Services Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by limitation of liability provisions contained in such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set forth in such other Services Agreements containing a reference to these Terms and Conditions. |
| 8. | Indemnification : |
| a. | You agree to indemnify, protect and hold BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon’s Suppliers, Content Providers and Information Providers harmless from and against all liability, claims damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, resulting from a claim that arises out of (i) any breach by You or Users of these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use or the Data Terms Web Site and (ii) any person obtaining access to Electronic Access through You or Users or through use of any password, user-id or secure identification device issued to a User, whether or not You or a User authorized such access. For the avoidance of doubt, and by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the forgoing indemnity is applicable to disputes between the parties, including the enforcement of these Terms and Conditions. The rights and remedies conferred hereunder will be cumulative and the exercise or waiver of any such right or remedy will not preclude or inhibit the exercise of additional rights or remedies or the subsequent exercise of such right or remedy. |
| b. | The indemnity provided in herein is in addition to any indemnity and other remedies contained in any Services Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set forth in such other Services Agreements and expressly stating an intent to modify this Terms and Conditions. Nothing contained herein will, or be deemed to, alter or modify the rights and remedies of BNY Mellon as set forth in the Services Agreements. |
| 9. | Choice of Law and Forum : Unless otherwise agreed and specified herein, these Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law; You expressly and irrevocably agree that exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any claim or dispute with bny m ellon, its employees, contractors, officers or directors or relating in any way to Your use of Electronic Access resides in the state or federal courts in New York City, New York; and You further irrevocably agree and expressly and irrevocably consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction in those courts over any action brought with respect to these Terms and Conditions. BNY Mellon and You hereby waive the right of trial by jury in any action arising out of or related to the BNY Mellon or these Terms and Conditions. |
| 10. | Term and Termination : |
| a. | Either BNY Mellon or You may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party. |
| b. | In the event of any breach of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions or a breach by any Authorized User of the Terms of Use or the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of Information Providers’ proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site, the non-breaching party may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access immediately upon written notice to the breaching party if any breach remains uncured after ten (10) days’ written notice of the breach is sent to the breaching party. |
| c. | BNY Mellon may immediately terminate access through an Authorized User’s user-id and password and may, at its discretion, also terminate access by an Authorized User, without right of cure, in the event of an unauthorized use of an Authorized User’s user-id or password, or where BNY Mellon believes there is a security risk created by such access. |
| d. | BNY Mellon may terminate, without advance notice, Your access or the access of Users to any portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites in the event a BNY Mellon Supplier, Content Provider or Information Provider prohibits BNY Mellon from permitting You or Users to have access to their information or services. |
| e. | Promptly upon receiving or giving notice of termination, You will notify all Users of the effective date of the termination. |
| f. | Upon termination of Your access to Electronic Access, You shall return of manuals, documentation, workflow descriptions and the like that are in Your possession or under Your control and all security identification devices. |
| g. | The Reliance, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability Indemnification and confidentiality provisions of the Terms and Conditions (and other provision of these Terms and Conditions containing disclaimers, limitation of liability and indemnification) shall survive the termination of these Terms and Conditions. |
You represent and warrant to BNY Mellon that these Terms and Conditions and the indemnity contained herein have been duly authorized and accepted, that You have full authority to enter into these Terms and Conditions, both for the entities at Schedule A and for any affiliate with Electronic Access, and that these Terms and Conditions constitute a binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.
SCHEDULE A to APPENDIX I
Affiliates of Client
Exhibit (h)(2)
FUND ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 24 , 2014 by and between ARK ETF Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business (“BNY Mellon”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain BNY Mellon to provide for the portfolios identified on Exhibit A hereto, as may be amended from time to time (each, a “Series” or “Fund”) the services described herein, and BNY Mellon is willing to provide such services, all as more fully set forth below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“ 1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“ Authorized Person ” shall mean each person, whether or not an officer or an employee of the Trust, duly authorized by the Board to execute this Agreement and to give Instructions on behalf of the Trust as set forth in Exhibit B hereto and each Authorized Person’s scope of authority may be limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by both parties hereto. From time to time the Trust may deliver a new Exhibit B to add or delete any person and BNY Mellon shall be entitled to rely on the last Exhibit B actually received by BNY Mellon.
“ BNY Mellon Affiliate ” shall mean any office, branch, or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
“ Board ” shall mean the Trust’s board of directors, board of trustees, general partner or manager, as applicable.
“ Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning given in Section 21 of this Agreement.
“ Documents ” shall mean such other documents, including but not limited to, Board resolutions, including resolutions of the Trust’s Board authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, and opinions of outside counsel, as BNY Mellon may reasonably request from time to time, in connection with its provision of services under this Agreement.
" Instructions " shall mean Oral Instructions or written communications actually received by BNY Mellon by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by BNY Mellon as available for use in connection with the services hereunder, from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith to be an Authorized Person.
“ Investment Advisor ” shall mean the entity identified by the Funds to BNY Mellon as the entity having investment responsibility with respect to the Funds.
“ Net Asset Value ” shall mean the per share value of a Fund, calculated in the manner described in the Funds’ Offering Materials.
“ Offering Materials ” shall mean the Funds’ currently effective prospectus and most recently filed registration statement with the SEC relating to shares of the Fund.
“ Organizational Documents ” shall mean certified copies of the Trust’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation or organization, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws, limited partnership agreement, memorandum of association, limited liability company agreement, operating agreement, confidential offering memorandum, material contracts, Offering Materials, all SEC exemptive orders issued to the Trust, required filings or similar documents of formation or organization, as applicable, delivered to and received by BNY Mellon.
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“ Oral Instructions ” shall mean oral instructions received by BNY Mellon under permissible circumstances specified by BNY Mellon, in its sole discretion, as being from an Authorized Person or person believed in good faith by BNY Mellon to be an Authorized Person.
“ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“ Securities Laws ” means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
“ Shares ” means the shares of beneficial interest of any series or class of the Fund.
2. Appointment.
The Trust hereby appoints BNY Mellon as its agent for the term of this Agreement to perform the services described herein. BNY Mellon hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth.
3. Representations and Warranties.
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to BNY Mellon that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action of the Board and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(c) The Trust is in good standing and qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where such qualification does not have a material adverse effect on the Trust.
(d) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, has made and will continue to make all necessary material filings including tax filings and has obtained all material regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no material statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its Organizational Documents, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other material contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
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(e) The terms of this Agreement, including the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement and any benefits accruing to BNY Mellon or to the Investment Advisor to or sponsor of the Funds in connection with this Agreement, have been fully disclosed to the Board of the Trust and that, if required by applicable law, such Board has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement;
(f) Each person named on Exhibit B hereto is duly authorized by the Trust to be an Authorized Person hereunder;
(g) It has implemented, and is acting in accordance with, procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it will make publically available each calculation of net asset value provided by BNY hereunder to Authorized Participants at the time BNY Mellon provides such calculation to Authorized Participants; and
(h) The Trust shall promptly notify BNY Mellon in writing of any and all material legal proceedings filed or commenced against any Fund, the Investment Advisor or the Board, to the extent such notification is not prohibited by law or regulatory authority.
The BNY Mellon hereby represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BNY Mellon, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(c) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, has made and will continue to make all necessary material filings including tax filings and has obtained all material regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no material statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it and no mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other material contract binding on it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
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(d) BNY Mellon has, and shall continue to have, access to the facilities, personnel and equipment required to fully perform its duties and obligations hereunder.
4. Delivery of Documents.
The Trust shall promptly provide, deliver, or cause to be delivered from time to time, to BNY Mellon the Fund’s Organizational Documents, a copy of any and all SEC exemptive orders issued to the Trust, and, at BNY Mellon’s reasonable request, Documents and other materials used in the distribution of Shares and all amendments thereto as may be necessary for BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. BNY Mellon shall not be deemed to have notice of any information (other than information supplied by BNY Mellon) contained in such Organizational Documents, Documents or other materials until they are actually received by BNY Mellon.
5. Duties and Obligations of BNY Mellon.
(a) Subject to the direction and control of the Trust’s Board and the provisions of this Agreement, BNY Mellon shall provide to the Funds the administrative services and the valuation and computation services listed on Schedule I attached hereto.
(b) In performing hereunder, BNY Mellon shall provide, at its expense, office space, facilities, equipment and personnel.
(c) BNY Mellon shall not provide any services relating to the management, investment advisory or sub-advisory functions of the Funds, distribution of shares of the Funds or other services normally performed by the Funds’ counsel or independent auditors and the services provided by BNY Mellon do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of the Funds or any other person, and the Funds acknowledge that BNY Mellon does not provide public accounting or auditing services or advice and will not be making any tax filings, or doing any tax reporting on its behalf, other than those specifically agreed to hereunder. The scope of services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement shall not be increased as a result of new or revised regulatory or other requirements that may become applicable with respect to the Funds if such an increase in the scope of services would require more than 50 hours of additional work per year, unless the parties hereto expressly agree in writing to any such increase in the scope of services.
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(d) The Trust shall cause its officers, advisors, sponsor, distributor, legal counsel, independent accountants, current administrator (if any), transfer agent, and any other service provider to cooperate with BNY Mellon and to provide BNY Mellon, upon reasonable request, with such information, documents and advice relating to the Funds as is within the possession or knowledge of such persons, and is necessary in order to enable BNY Mellon to perform its duties hereunder. In connection with its duties hereunder, BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or be deemed to make any assurances with respect to the accuracy, validity or propriety of any information, documents or advice provided to BNY Mellon by any of the aforementioned persons unless such persons are relying on information provided by BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from or arising out of the failure of the Trust to cause any information, documents or advice to be provided to BNY Mellon as provided herein and shall be held harmless by the Trust when acting in reasonable reliance upon such information, documents or advice relating to such Fund. All fees or costs charged by such persons shall be borne by the appropriate Fund. In the event that any services performed by BNY Mellon hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information obtained from a third party service utilized or subscribed to by BNY Mellon which BNY Mellon in its reasonable judgment deems reliable, BNY Mellon shall not have any responsibility or liability for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information.
(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict BNY Mellon, any BNY Mellon Affiliate or any officer or employee thereof from acting for or with any third parties, and providing services similar or identical to same or all of the services provided hereunder.
(f) The Trust shall furnish BNY Mellon with any and all instructions, explanations, information, specifications and documentation deemed necessary by BNY Mellon in the performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the amounts or written formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Fund liabilities and expenses, and the value of any securities lending related collateral investment account(s). BNY Mellon shall not be required to include as Fund liabilities and expenses, nor as a reduction of net asset value, any accrual for any federal, state, or foreign income taxes unless the Fund shall have specified to BNY Mellon in Instructions the precise amount of the same to be included in liabilities and expenses or used to reduce net asset value. The Funds shall also furnish BNY Mellon with bid, offer, or market values of securities if BNY Mellon notifies such Fund that same are not available to BNY Mellon from a security pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY Mellon which the Fund directs BNY Mellon to utilize, and which BNY Mellon in its judgment deems reliable at the time such information is required for calculations hereunder. At any time and from time to time, the Funds also may furnish BNY Mellon with bid, offer, or market values of securities and instruct BNY Mellon in Instructions to use such information in its calculations hereunder. BNY Mellon shall at no time be required or obligated to commence or maintain any utilization of, or subscriptions to, any securities pricing or similar service. In no event shall BNY Mellon be required to determine, or have any obligations with respect to, whether a market price represents any fair or true value, nor to adjust any price to reflect any events or announcements, including, without limitation, those with respect to the issuer thereof, it being agreed that all such determinations and considerations shall be solely for the Fund.
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(g) BNY Mellon may apply to an Authorized Person of any Fund for Instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with BNY Mellon’s performance hereunder for such Fund, and BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith without negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with such Instructions. Such application for Instructions may, at the option of BNY Mellon, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken. BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, BNY Mellon has received Instructions from an Authorized Person in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
(h) BNY Mellon may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Instruction or Oral Instruction, obtain the advice of counsel at its own expense and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice, provided that, any such action or omission by BNY Mellon is consistent with BNY Mellon’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement and/or the laws, rules and regulations applicable to BNY Mellon.
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(i) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement or Schedule I attached hereto, BNY Mellon shall have no duty or obligation to determine, or advise or notify the Funds of the effect under any federal, state, or foreign income tax laws of the Funds making or not making any distribution or dividend payment, or any election with respect thereto. Further, BNY Mellon is not responsible for the identification of securities requiring U.S. tax treatment that differs from treatment under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. BNY Mellon is solely responsible for processing such securities, as identified by the Funds or their Authorized Persons, in accordance with U.S. tax laws and regulations.
(j) BNY Mellon shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and Schedule I attached hereto, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BNY Mellon in connection with this Agreement.
(k) BNY Mellon, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall be entitled to reasonably rely fully on the accuracy and validity of any and all Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Documents and documentation furnished to it by the Trust and shall have no duty or obligation to review the accuracy, validity or propriety of such Instructions, explanations, information, specifications, Documents or documentation, including, without limitation, evaluations of securities; the amounts or formula for calculating the amounts and times of accrual of Funds’ liabilities and expenses; the amounts receivable and the amounts payable on the sale or purchase of securities; and amounts receivable or amounts payable for the sale or redemption of Fund Shares effected by or on behalf of the Fund. In the event BNY Mellon’s computations hereunder rely, in whole or in part, upon information, including, without limitation, bid, offer or market values of securities or other assets, or accruals of interest or earnings thereon, from a pricing or similar service utilized, or subscribed to, by BNY Mellon which a Fund directs BNY Mellon to utilize, and which BNY Mellon in its reasonable judgment deems reliable, BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for, under any duty to inquire into, or deemed to make any assurances with respect to, the accuracy or completeness of such information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BNY Mellon shall not be required to inquire into any valuation of securities or other assets by the Funds or any third party described in this sub-section (k) even though BNY Mellon in performing services similar to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement for others may receive different valuations of the same or different securities of the same issuers.
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(l) BNY Mellon, in performing the services required of it under the terms of this Agreement, shall not be responsible for determining whether any interest accruable to the Funds is or will be actually paid, but will accrue such interest until otherwise instructed by such Fund.
(m) BNY Mellon shall not be responsible for damages (including without limitation damages caused by delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data) which occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, labor difficulties within or without BNY Mellon, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, failures of transportation, interruptions, loss, or malfunctions of utilities, action or inaction of civil or military authority, national emergencies, public enemy, war, terrorism, riot, sabotage, non-performance by a third party, failure of the mails, communications, computer (hardware or software) services, or functions or malfunctions of the internet, firewalls, encryption systems or security devices caused by any of the above. Nor shall BNY Mellon be responsible for delays or failures to supply the information or services specified in this Agreement where such delays or failures are caused by the failure of any person(s) other than BNY Mellon to supply any instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation deemed necessary by BNY Mellon in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
6. Allocation of Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate Fund, including but not limited to, organizational costs and costs of maintaining corporate existence, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, insurance premiums, compensation and expenses of such Fund’s trustees, directors, officers or employees, legal, accounting and audit expenses, management, advisory, sub-advisory, administration and shareholder servicing fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents, expenses (including clerical expenses) incident to the issuance, redemption or repurchase of Fund shares or membership interests, as applicable, fees and expenses incident to the registration or qualification under the Securities Laws, state or other applicable securities laws of the Fund or its shares or membership interests, as applicable, costs (including printing and mailing costs) of preparing and distributing Offering Materials, reports, notices and proxy material to the Fund’s shareholders or members, as applicable, all expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s trustees, directors and shareholders, and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the Fund and legal obligations relating thereto for which the Fund may have to indemnify its trustees, directors, officers, managers, and/or members, as may be applicable.
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7. Portfolio Compliance Services.
(a) If Schedule I contains a requirement for BNY Mellon to provide the Funds with portfolio compliance services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 7 (the “Portfolio Compliance Services”). The precise compliance review and testing services to be provided shall be as directed by the Funds and as mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and the Funds, and the results of BNY Mellon’s Portfolio Compliance Services shall be detailed in a portfolio compliance summary report (the “Compliance Summary Report”) prepared on a periodic basis as mutually agreed. Each Compliance Summary Report shall be subject to review and approval by the Funds. BNY Mellon shall have no responsibility or obligation to provide Portfolio Compliance Services other that those services specifically listed in Schedule I.
(b) The Funds will examine each Compliance Summary Report delivered to it by BNY Mellon and notify BNY Mellon of any error, omission or discrepancy within ten (10) days of its receipt. The Funds agree to notify BNY Mellon promptly in writing if it fails to receive any such Compliance Summary Report. The Funds further acknowledge that unless it notifies BNY Mellon of any error, omission or discrepancy within 10 days, such Compliance Summary Report shall be deemed final and shall not be reissued. In addition, if the Funds learn of any out-of-compliance condition before receiving a Compliance Summary Report reflecting such condition, the Funds will notify BNY Mellon of such condition within one (1) business day after discovery thereof.
(c) While BNY Mellon will endeavor to identify out-of-compliance conditions, BNY Mellon does not and could not for the fees charged, make any guarantees, representations or warranties with respect to its ability to identify all such conditions. In the event of any errors or omissions in the performance of Portfolio Compliance Services, the Funds’ sole and exclusive remedy and BNY Mellon’s sole liability shall be limited to re-performance by BNY Mellon of the Portfolio Compliance Services affected and in connection therewith the correction of any error or omission, if practicable and the preparation of a corrected report, at no cost to the Fund.
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8. Rule 38a-1 and Regulatory Administration Services.
(a) If Schedule I contains a requirement for BNY Mellon to provide the Funds with compliance support services related to Rule 38a-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act and/or Regulatory Administration services, such services shall be provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 7 (such services, collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Regulatory Support Services”).
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Regulatory Support Services provided by BNY Mellon under this Agreement are administrative in nature and do not constitute, nor shall they be construed as constituting, legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of the Funds or any other person.
(c) All work product produced by BNY Mellon in connection with its provision of Regulatory Support Services under this Agreement is subject to review and approval by the Funds and by the Funds’ legal counsel. The Regulatory Support Services performed by BNY Mellon under this Agreement will be at the request and direction of the Funds and/or their chief compliance officer (the “Fund’s CCO”), as applicable. BNY Mellon disclaims liability to the Funds, and the Funds are solely responsible, for the selection, qualifications and performance of the Funds’ CCO and the adequacy and effectiveness of the Funds’ compliance program.
9. Standard of Care; Indemnification.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees related thereto) (“Losses”) incurred by or asserted against the Funds, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BNY Mellon’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. In no event shall BNY Mellon or any BNY Mellon Affiliate be liable to any Fund or any third party for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action. BNY Mellon and any BNY Mellon Affiliate shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense, including counsel fees and other costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with its performance hereunder, including its actions or omissions, the incompleteness or inaccuracy of any specifications or other information furnished by the Funds, unless such loss, damage or expense arises out of BNY Mellon’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
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(b) The Funds shall indemnify and hold harmless BNY Mellon from and against any and all Losses (including those arising from claims asserted by the Funds) which are sustained or incurred or which may be asserted against BNY Mellon, by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon without negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement or in breach of its representations and warranties at Section 3 above, or in reliance upon (i) the Funds’ Offering Materials or Documents (excluding information provided by BNY Mellon) or (ii) any Instructions by and Authorized Person; provided , that the Funds shall not indemnify BNY Mellon nor any BNY Mellon Affiliate for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims for which BNY Mellon is liable under the preceding sub-section 9(a). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Funds shall indemnify BNY Mellon against and hold BNY Mellon harmless from any loss, damage or expense, including reasonable counsel fees and other reasonable costs and expenses of a defense against any claim or liability, arising from any one or more of the following:
I. Errors in records or instructions, explanations, information, specifications or documentation of any kind, as the case may be, supplied to BNY Mellon by any third party described above or by or on behalf of the Funds;
II. Action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken by BNY Mellon pursuant to Instructions of the Funds or otherwise without negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement;
III. Any improper use by the Funds or their agents, distributor or investment advisor of any valuations or computations supplied by BNY Mellon pursuant to this Agreement;
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IV. The method of valuation of the securities and the method of computing each Series’ net asset value; or
V. Any valuations of securities, other assets, or the net asset value provided by the Funds.
(c) Actions taken or omitted in reasonable reliance on Instructions or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, membership certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument believed by BNY Mellon in good faith to be from an Authorized Person.
(d) BNY Mellon agrees to indemnify the Funds and hold the Funds harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against the Funds and determined by an arbiter of appropriate jurisdiction to be a direct result of BNY Mellon’s negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Funds in a successful defense of claims by BNY Mellon; provided however, that BNY Mellon shall not indemnify the Funds for those Losses arising out of the Funds’ own negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of BNY Mellon, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
10. Compensation.
For the services provided hereunder, the Funds agree to pay BNY Mellon such compensation as is mutually agreed to in writing by the Funds and BNY Mellon from time to time and such out-of-pocket expenses ( e.g. , telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, costs of independent compliance reviews, record retention costs, reproduction charges and transportation and lodging costs) as are incurred by BNY Mellon in performing its duties hereunder. Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly. The Funds authorize BNY Mellon to debit such Fund’s custody account for all amounts due and payable hereunder. BNY Mellon shall deliver to the applicable Fund invoices for services rendered after debiting such Fund’s custody account with an indication that payment has been made. Upon termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the compensation for such part of a month shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining compensation payable to BNY Mellon, a Fund’s net asset value shall be computed at the times and in the manner specified in the Fund’s Offering Materials.
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11. Records; Visits.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Funds which are in the possession or under the control of BNY Mellon shall be the property of the Funds. The Funds and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times during BNY Mellon’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of a Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by BNY Mellon to the Fund or to an Authorized Person, at the Fund’s expense.
(b) BNY Mellon shall keep all books and records with respect to each Series’ books of account, records of each Series’ securities transactions and all other books and records as BNY Mellon is required to maintain pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the services provided hereunder.
12. Term of Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and, unless terminated pursuant to its terms, shall continue until 11:59 PM on the date which is the third anniversary of such date (the “Initial Term”), at which time this Agreement shall terminate, unless renewed in accordance with the terms hereof.
(b) This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive terms of one (1) year each (each, a “Renewal Term”), unless the Funds or BNY Mellon gives written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew and such notice is received by the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term (a "Non-Renewal Notice"). In the event a party provides a Non-Renewal Notice, this Agreement shall terminate at 11:59 PM on the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.
(c) If a party materially breaches this Agreement (a “Defaulting Party”) the other party (the “Non-Defaulting Party”) may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party ("Breach Notice"), and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after the Breach Notice is given, then the Non-Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of termination to the Defaulting Party ("Breach Termination Notice"), in which case this Agreement shall terminate as of 11:59 PM on the 30th day following the date the Breach Termination Notice is given, or such later date as may be specified in the Breach Termination Notice (but not later than the last day of the Initial Term or then-current Renewal Term, as appropriate). In all cases, termination by the Non-Defaulting Party shall not constitute a waiver by the Non-Defaulting Party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the Defaulting Party.
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, BNY Mellon may in its sole discretion terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the Funds upon the happening of any of the following: (i) a Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against the Fund any such case or proceeding; (ii) a Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for the Fund or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against a Fund any such case or proceeding; (iii) a Fund makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) a Fund admits in any recorded medium, written, electronic or otherwise, its inability to pay its debts as they come due. BNY Mellon may exercise its termination right under this Section 11(d) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right. Any exercise by BNY Mellon of its termination right under this Section 11(d) shall be without any prejudice to any other remedies or rights available to BNY Mellon and shall not be subject to any fee or penalty, whether monetary or equitable. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 18, notice of termination under this Section 11(d) shall be considered given and effective when given, not when received.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Trust may in its sole discretion terminate this Agreement with respect to a Series if such Series liquidates, merges or reorganizes into another entity or if the Series is liquidated and terminated.
13. Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended, changed or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by BNY Mellon and the Trust to be bound thereby.
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14. Assignment; Subcontracting.
(a) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable by any Fund without the written consent of BNY Mellon, or by BNY Mellon without the written consent of the affected Fund.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) BNY Mellon may assign or transfer this Agreement to any BNY Mellon Affiliate or transfer this Agreement in connection with a sale of a majority or more of its assets, equity interests or voting control upon written consent of the Trust, and the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement in place of BNY Mellon; (ii) BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to any BNY Mellon Affiliate with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall not relieve BNY Mellon of any of its liabilities hereunder; (iii) BNY Mellon may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to an unaffiliated third party with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNY Mellon under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall require the prior written consent of the Trust; and (iv) BNY Mellon, in the course of providing certain additional services requested by the Fund, including but not limited to, Typesetting services (“Vendor Eligible Services”) as further described in Schedule I, may in its sole discretion, enter into an agreement or agreements with a financial printer, or electronic services provider (“Vendor”) to provide BNY Mellon with the ability to generate certain reports or provide certain functionality. BNY Mellon shall not be obligated to perform any of the Vendor Eligible Services unless an agreement between BNY Mellon and the Vendor for the provision of such services is then-currently in effect, and shall not relieve BNY Mellon of any of its liabilities hereunder. Upon request, BNY Mellon will disclose the identity of the Vendor and the status of the contractual relationship, and the Trust is free to attempt to contract directly with the Vendor for the provision of the Vendor Eligible Services.
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(c) As compensation for the Vendor Eligible Services rendered by BNY Mellon pursuant to this Agreement, the Funds will pay to BNY Mellon such fees as may be agreed to in writing by the Funds and BNY Mellon. In turn, BNY Mellon will be responsible for paying the Vendor’s fees. For the avoidance of doubt, BNY Mellon anticipates that the fees it charges hereunder will be more than the fees charged to it by the Vendor, and BNY Mellon will retain the difference between the amount paid to BNY Mellon hereunder and the fees BNY Mellon pays to the Vendor as compensation for the additional services provided by BNY Mellon in the course of making the Vendor Eligible Services available to the Funds.
15. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Funds hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction any Fund may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, such Fund irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.
16. Severability.
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
17. No Waiver.
Each and every right granted to BNY Mellon hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of BNY Mellon to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by BNY Mellon of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
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18. Notices.
All notices, requests, consents and other communications pursuant to this Agreement in writing shall be sent as follows:
if to the Fund, at
c/o ARK Investment Management LLC
155 West 19 th Street, Fifth Floor
New York, NY 10011
if to BNY Mellon, at
BNY Mellon
2 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Attention: ETF Operations
with a copy to:
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Legal Dept. – Asset Servicing
or at such other place as may from time to time be designated in writing. Notices hereunder shall be effective upon receipt.
19. Counterparts .
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts together shall constitute only one instrument.
20. Several Obligations.
The parties acknowledge that the obligations of the Funds hereunder are several and not joint, that no Fund shall be liable for any amount owing by another Fund and that the Funds have executed one instrument for convenience only.
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21. Confidentiality .
(a) Each party shall keep confidential any information relating to the other party’s business (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust or BNY Mellon and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust or BNY Mellon a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be Confidential Information and shall not be subject to such confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) is rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (e) is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law; (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; (g) is Fund information provided by BNY Mellon in connection with an independent third party compliance or other review; (h) is released in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; or (i) has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party. The provisions of this Section 21 shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year after such termination.
(b) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the “BNY Mellon Group”). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the “Centralized Functions”) in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Funds consent to the disclosure of and authorizes BNY Mellon to disclose information regarding the Funds (“Customer-Related Data”) to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) BNY Mellon may store the names and business contact information of the Fund’s employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Funds confirm that they are authorized to consent to the foregoing.
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22. Non-Solicitation .
During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year thereafter, the Funds shall not (with the exceptions noted in the immediately succeeding sentence) knowingly solicit or recruit for employment or hire any of BNY Mellon’s employees, and the Funds shall cause the Funds’ sponsor and any affiliates of the Funds to not (with the exceptions noted in the immediately succeeding sentence) knowingly solicit or recruit for employment or hire any of BNY Mellon’s employees. To “knowingly” solicit, recruit or hire within the meaning of this provision does not include, and therefore does not prohibit, solicitation, recruitment or hiring of a BNY Mellon employee by the Funds, the Funds’ sponsor or an affiliate of the Fund if the BNY Mellon employee was identified by such entity solely as a result of the BNY Mellon employee’s response to a general advertisement by such entity in a publication of trade or industry interest or other similar general solicitation by such entity.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the latest date set forth below.
ARK ETF TRUST
By: /s/ Jane A. Kanter
on behalf of each Series
identified on Exhibit A
attached hereto
Name: Jane A. Kanter
Title: Secretary
Date: September 24, 2014
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: /s/ Stephen Cook
Name: Stephen Cook
Title: Managing Director
Date: 10/3/14
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EXHIBIT A
Series
EXHIBIT B
I, [Name] , of [Fund Name] , a [State] [corporation/trust] (the “Fund”), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals serve in the following positions with the Fund, and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of the Fund to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund’s Organizational Documents, and the signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct signatures. Each such person is designated as an Authorized Person under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated as of ___________________, 201__, between the Fund and The Bank of New York Mellon.
| Name | Position | Signature |
SCHEDULE I
Schedule of Services
All services provided in this Schedule of Services are subject to the review and approval of the appropriate Fund officers, Fund counsel and accountants of the Fund, as may be applicable. The services included on this Schedule of Services may be provided by BNY Mellon or a BNY Mellon Affiliate, collectively referred to herein as “BNY Mellon”.
VALUATION AND COMPUTATION ACCOUNTING SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following valuation and computation accounting services for the Fund:
| § | Journalize investment, capital share and income and expense activities; |
| § | Maintain individual ledgers for investment securities; |
| § | Maintain historical tax lots for each security; |
| § | Reconcile cash and investment balances of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian and provide the Fund’s investment adviser, as applicable, with the beginning cash balance available for investment purposes upon request; |
| § | Calculate various contractual expenses; |
| § | Calculate capital gains and losses; |
| § | Calculate daily distribution rate per share; |
| § | Determine net income; |
| § | Obtain security market quotes and currency exchange rates from pricing services approved by the Fund’s investment adviser, or if such quotes are unavailable, then obtain such prices from the Fund’s investment adviser, and in either case, calculate the market value of the Fund’s investments in accordance with the Fund's valuation policies or guidelines; provided, however, that BNY Mellon shall not under any circumstances be under a duty to independently price or value any of the Fund's investments itself or to confirm or validate any information or valuation provided by the investment adviser or any other pricing source, nor shall BNY Mellon have any liability relating to inaccuracies or otherwise with respect to such information or valuations; |
| § | Compute net asset value; |
| · | Such net asset value reports and statements shall be provided to the Fund at _____ p.m. New York time and to Authorized Participants at _____ p.m. New York time, in each case by such means as BNY Mellon and the Fund may agree upon from time to time. |
| § | Transmit or make available a copy of the daily portfolio valuation to the Fund’s investment adviser; |
| § | Publish basket to NSCC on for each day on which trading occurs on the NYSE; |
| § | Compute yields and portfolio average dollar-weighted maturity as applicable; and |
| § | Compute portfolio turnover rate for inclusion in the annual and semi-annual shareholder reports. |
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FINANCIAL REPORTING
BNY Mellon shall provide the following financial reporting services for the Fund:
| § | Financial Statement Preparation & Review |
| · | Prepare the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports 1 for shareholder delivery and for inclusion in Form N-CSR; |
| · | Prepare the Fund’s quarterly schedule of portfolio holdings 1 for inclusion in Form N-Q; |
| · | Prepare, circulate and maintain the Fund’s financial reporting production calendar; |
| · | Prepare and file (or coordinate the filing of) the Fund’s Form N-SAR; and |
| · | Prepare and file (or coordinate the filing of) the Fund’s Form 24f-2. |
| § | Typesetting Services 2 |
| · | Create financial compositions for the applicable financial report and related EDGAR files; |
| · | Maintain country codes, industry class codes, security class codes and state codes; |
| · | Map individual general ledger accounts into master accounts to be displayed in the applicable financial reports; |
| · | Create components that will specify the proper grouping and sorting for display of portfolio information; |
| · | Create components that will specify the proper calculation and display of financial data required for each applicable financial report (except for identified manual entries, which BNY Mellon will enter); |
| · | Process, convert and load security and general ledger data; |
| · | Include data in financial reports provided from external parties to BNY Mellon which, includes, but is not limited to: shareholder letters, “Management Discussion and Analysis” commentary, notes on performance, notes to financials, report of independent auditors, Fund management listing, service providers listing and Fund spectrums; |
| · | Document publishing, including the output of print-ready PDF files and EDGAR html files (such EDGAR html files will be limited to one per the applicable financial report and unless mutually agreed to in writing between BNY Mellon and the Fund, BNY Mellon will use the same layout for production data for every successive reporting period); |
| · | Generate financial reports using the Vendor’s capabilities which include the following: |
| o | front/back cover; |
| o | table of contents; |
| o | shareholder letter; |
| o | Management Discussion and Analysis commentary; |
| o | sector weighting graphs/tables; |
| o | disclosure of Fund expenses; |
| o | schedules of investments; |
| o | statement of net assets; |
| o | statements of assets and liabilities; |
| o | statements of operation; |
| o | statements of changes; |
| o | statements of cash flows; |
1 Requires “Typesetting Services” as described herein.
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| o | financial highlights; |
| o | notes to financial statements; |
| o | report of independent registered public accounting firm; |
| o | tax information; and |
| o | additional Fund information as mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and the Fund. |
| · | Unless mutually agreed in writing between BNY Mellon and the Fund, BNY Mellon will use the same layout and format for every successive reporting period for the typeset reports. At the request of the Fund and upon the mutual written agreement of BNY Mellon and the Fund as to the scope of any changes and additional compensation of BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon will, or will cause the Vendor to change format or layout of reports from time to time. |
TAX SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following tax services for the Fund:
| § | Tax Provision Preparation |
| · | Prepare fiscal year-end tax provision analysis; |
| · | Process tax adjustments on securities identified by the Fund that require such treatment; |
| · | Prepare ROCSOP adjusting entries; and |
| · | Prepare financial statement footnote disclosures. |
| § | Excise Tax Distributions Calculations |
| · | Prepare calendar year tax distribution analysis; |
| · | Process tax adjustments on securities identified by the Fund that require such treatment; and |
| · | Prepare annual tax-based distribution estimate for the Fund. |
| § | Other Tax Services |
| · | Prepare for execution and filing, the federal and state income and excise tax returns; |
| · | Prepare year-end Investment Company Institute broker/dealer reporting and prepare fund distribution calculations disseminated to broker/dealers; and |
| · | Coordinate U.S.C. Title 26 Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) §855 and excise tax distribution requirements. |
| § | Uncertain Tax Provisions |
| · | Documentation of all material tax positions taken by the Fund with respect to specified fiscal years and identified to BNY Mellon (“Tax Positions”); |
| · | Review of the Fund’s: (i) tax provision work papers, (ii) excise tax distribution work papers, (iii) income and excise tax returns, (iv) tax policies and procedures, and (v) Subchapter M compliance work papers; |
| · | Determine as to whether or not Tax Positions have been consistently applied, and documentation of any inconsistencies; |
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| · | Review relevant statutory authorities; |
| · | Review tax opinions and legal memoranda prepared by tax counsel or tax auditors to the Fund; |
| · | Review standard mutual fund industry practices, to the extent such practices are known to, or may reasonably be determined by, BNY Mellon; and |
| · | Delivery of a written report to the applicable Fund detailing such items. |
FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following fund administration services for the Fund:
| § | In accordance with Instructions received from the Fund, and subject to portfolio limitations as provided by such Fund to BNY Mellon in writing from time to time, monitor such Fund’s compliance, on a post-trade basis, with such portfolio limitations, provided that BNY Mellon maintains in the normal course of its business all data necessary to measure the Fund’s compliance; |
| § | Monitor the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the IRC and Subchapter L of the IRC (if required). |
| § | Establish appropriate expense accruals and compute expense ratios, maintain expense files and coordinate the payment of Fund approved invoices; |
| § | Calculate Fund approved income and per share amounts required for periodic distributions to be made by the applicable Fund; |
| § | Calculate total return information; |
| § | Coordinate the Fund’s annual audit; |
| § | Supply various normal and customary portfolio and Fund statistical data as requested on an ongoing basis; and |
| § | If the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Fund is required to provide a certification as part of the Fund’s Form N-Q or Form N-CSR filing pursuant to regulations promulgated by the SEC under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, provide a sub-certification in support of certain matters set forth in the aforementioned certification. Such sub-certification is to be in such form and relating to such matters as agreed to by BNY Mellon in advance. BNY Mellon shall be required to provide the sub-certification only during the term of the Agreement and only if it receives such cooperation as it may request to perform its investigations with respect to the sub-certification. For clarity, the sub-certification is not itself a certification under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or under any other law, rule or regulation. |
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REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
BNY Mellon shall provide the following regulatory administration services for the Fund:
| § | Maintain a regulatory calendar for the Fund listing various SEC filing and Board approval deadlines; |
| § | Assemble and distribute board materials for quarterly meetings of the Board, including the drafting of agendas and resolutions for such quarterly meetings of the Board (with final selection of agenda items made by Fund counsel); |
| § | Attend (in-person or telephonically) quarterly Board meetings and draft minutes thereof; |
| § | Prepare and coordinate the filing of annual post-effective amendments to the Fund’s registration statement (not including the initial registration statement or related to the addition of one or more classes of shares or series); |
| § | Prepare and coordinate the filing of Forms N-CSR, N-Q, and N-PX, as applicable (with the Fund supplying the voting records in the format required by BNY Mellon); |
| § | Assist the Fund in the handling of SEC examinations by providing requested documents in the possession of BNY Mellon that are on the SEC examination request list; and |
| § | Assist in the preparation of notices of annual or special meetings of shareholders and proxy materials relating to such meetings 2 . |
| § | 38a-1 Compliance Support Services |
| · | Provide compliance policies and procedures related to services provided by BNY Mellon and, if mutually agreed, certain of the BNY Mellon Affiliates; summary procedures thereof; and periodic certification letters. |
| § | eBoard Book Services: Permit persons or entities entering a valid password to have electronic access, via an Internet-based secure website, to current quarterly board meeting materials and such other board meeting materials as may be agreed between BNY Mellon and a Fund. |
2 Separate fees will apply for the noted services.
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Exhibit (j)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the references to our firm in the Post-Effective Amendment No.5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of ARK ETF Trust and to the use of our report dated October 23, 2015 on the financial statements and financial highlights of the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF Fund, ARK Industrial Innovation ETF Fund, ARK Innovation ETF Fund, and ARK Web xO ETF Fund, each a series of ARK ETF Trust. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 29, 2015