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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2023
 
Securities Act Registration No. 333-234544
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-23439

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 

FORM N-1A
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
   
Pre-Effective Amendment No.   ____  
Post-Effective Amendment No. 65
   
and/or  
   
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
 
Amendment No.  67 ☒ 
 
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Karen Shupe
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 267-7400

___________________________________________________

(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)

 
 The Corporation Trust Co.
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
 
With Copy to:
 
John H. Lively
 Practus, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  On (date), 2023 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)
  __________ 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formidable ETF

Formidable Dividend and Income ETF*

Formidable Fortress ETF

 

PROSPECTUS

July 31, 2023

 

This prospectus describes Formidable ETF, Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and Formidable Fortress ETF. Formidable ETF, Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and Formidable Fortress ETF are each authorized to offer one class of shares by this prospectus.

 

Fund Ticker Principal U.S. Listing Exchange
Formidable ETF FORH NYSE Arca
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF FODI NYSE Arca
Formidable Fortress ETF KONG NYSE Arca

 

*Has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

 

 

  

Table of Contents

 

FUND SUMMARY – Formidable ETF 1
FUND SUMMARY – Formidable Dividend and Income ETF 11
FUND SUMMARY – Formidable Fortress ETF 20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENTS 29
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 33
MANAGEMENT 41
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES 44
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 45
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 45
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 49
FOR MORE INFORMATION 52

 

 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY – Formidable ETF

 

Investment Objective

 

Formidable ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association, or over-the-counter trading system where shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table and example set forth below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

   
Management Fee(1) 1.19%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses None
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.19%
   
(1)Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, pays all of the expenses of the Fund, excluding the advisory fees, distribution fees or expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

Example

 

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Name of Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Formidable ETF $121 $378 $654 $1,443

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 59.95% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

 

 

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks. The Fund’s investments are the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that combines top-down and bottom-up research and analysis. The top-down portion of the investment process seeks to identify attractive investment themes and market inefficiencies. The bottom-up portion of the process is used to make buy and sell decisions for equity securities. Both quantitative and fundamental analysis are used by the Adviser, along with valuation and technical considerations.

 

The Adviser’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its general investment theme and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The Adviser also evaluates market segments, products, services and business models positioned to benefit significantly from innovations in commerce relative to broad securities markets, and seeks to identify the primary beneficiaries of new trends or developments in commerce to select investments for the Fund.

 

In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector or of any market capitalization and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

The Adviser may at times use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments . The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and FLexible EXchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”).

 

The Fund may write covered call options to generate income, particularly in cases in which a holding has elevated implied volatility or is nearing a target price set by the portfolio managers as a potential exit point. In writing covered call options, the Fund sells an option on a security that the Fund owns in exchange for a premium (i.e., income). This strategy generates income and helps to offset the cost of the Fund’s hedging strategy. The hedging component of the options overlay attempts to limit drawdowns during market declines, typically by owning either puts or put spreads on other exchange-traded fund(s) that tend to be inversely correlated with the Fund; the Fund typically uses puts on HYG (iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond Index) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF).

 

 2

 

 

The Fund will “cover” the position by continuing to own the security on which the option was written until the option expires, is exercised, or is repurchased. As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time.

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

Principal Risks

 

As with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Market Risk. The market value of securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably.

 

Active Management Risk. The Adviser’s investment decisions about individual securities impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

Risk of Other Equity Securities. Other equity securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred securities, rights and warrants.

 

●        Preferred Securities. The fixed dividend rate of preferred stocks may cause their prices to behave more like those of debt securities. If interest rates rise, the value of preferred stock having a fixed dividend rate tends to fall. Preferred stock generally ranks behind debt securities in claims for dividends and assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy.

 

 3

 

 

●        Rights and Warrants. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

 

ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

 

●        Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”), trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Fund shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.

 

●        Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.

 

●        Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

 

 4

 

 

●        Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

Investment Company Risk. An investment in other investment companies (including other exchange-traded products) is subject to the risks associated with those investment companies, which include, but are not limited to, the risk that such fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results; the risk that securities in such fund may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes; and the risk that the fund will be concentrated in a particular issuer, market, industry or sector, and therefore will be especially susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, market, industry or sector. Moreover, the Fund will incur duplicative expenses from such investments, bearing its share of that fund’s expenses while also paying its own advisory fees and trading costs.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and certain volatility-linked exchange-traded products. There is no guarantee that the use of these instruments by the Fund will work. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid. The Fund’s use of derivatives may magnify losses for the Fund.

 

If the Fund is not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, its performance will be worse than if it did not invest in such instruments. Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may indirectly increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the Fund. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

Options Risk. The prices of options may change rapidly over time and do not necessarily move in tandem with the price of their underlying securities. Writing call options may reduce the Fund’s ability to profit from increases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. When writing call options on a portfolio security, the Fund receives a premium; however, the premium may not be enough to offset a loss incurred by the Fund if the price of the portfolio security is above the strike price by an amount equal to or greater than the premium. The Fund’s option strategy is designed to provide the Fund with income by taking in options premiums, but it is not designed to mitigate losses to the Fund in the event of a market decline.

 

 5

 

 

FLEX Options Risk. The Fund may invest in FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. Additionally, FLEX Options may be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out certain FLEX Options positions at desired times and prices.

 

Large Capitalization Securities Risk. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.

 

Mid and Small Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid and small capitalization company stocks or ETFs that invest in stocks of mid and small capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.

 

Leverage Risk. The Fund does not seek leveraged returns but as a result of the Fund’s use of certain derivatives it may create investment leverage. This means that the derivative position may provide the Fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the Fund’s investment in the derivative. As a result, these derivatives may magnify losses to the Fund, and even a small market movement may result in significant losses to the Fund.

 

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

 

Investment Strategy Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities that the Adviser believes will perform well in a certain macroeconomic environment may not perform as expected. In addition, the Fund’s investment approach may be out of favor at times, causing it to underperform other portfolios that have a similar investment objective.

 

Investment Risk. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, as with any investment, you may lose some or all of your investment by investing in the Fund.

 

REITs. Investing in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) involves unique risks. When the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate. A REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns, how well it manages those properties and cash flow. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In addition to its own expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests. U.S. REITs are subject to a number of highly technical tax-related rules and requirements; and a U.S. REIT’s failure to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to U.S. REITs could result in corporate-level taxation, significantly reducing the return on an investment to the Fund.

 

 6

 

 

ETN Risk. ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities of an issuer that are designed to provide returns that are linked to a particular benchmark. ETNs do not provide principal protection and may not make periodic coupon payments. ETNs have a maturity date and generally are backed only by the creditworthiness of the issuer. As a result, ETNs are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer cannot pay interest or repay principal when it is due.

 

Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks that the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted are, and they may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

 

Risk of Highly Volatile Markets. The prices of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options and volatility-linked exchange-traded products, can be highly volatile. Price movements of the derivative instruments in which the Fund is invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Fund is also subject to the risk of failure of any of the exchanges on which its derivative instrument positions trade or failure of their clearinghouses.

 

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in illiquid assets involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell such assets or sell them at a reasonable price. Derivatives, especially when traded in large amounts, may not always be liquid. In such cases, in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivatives may prevent profitable liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to potentially greater losses.

 

Performance History

 

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the Fund’s performance for its first full calendar year, and the table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

 7

 

 

Updated performance information for the Fund, including its current net asset value per share, is available by calling toll-free (833) 600-5704.

 

Annual Total Returns (calendar years ended 12/31) 

 

 8

 

 

During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 5.74% (quarter ended 3/31/2022) and the lowest quarterly return was -9.37% (quarter ended 6/30/2022).

 

Average Annual Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022

 

  One Year Since Inception(1)
Return Before Taxes -2.24% -1.79%

Return After-Taxes on Distributions

 

-3.67% -2.75%

Return After-Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-1.32% -1.71%

S&P MidCap 400 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 

-13.06% -5.92%

 

(1)The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2021.

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Will Brown, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Adam Eagleston, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Michael Venuto, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Charles A. Ragauss, CFA, Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund will issue (or redeem) Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of at least 10,000 Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. You can purchase and sell individual Shares of the Fund throughout the trading day like any publicly traded security. The Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange. The price of the Fund’s Shares is based on market price, and because exchange-traded fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount). Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s Shares are not redeemable securities.

 

 9

 

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account in which case withdrawals will be taxed.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

 10

 

 

FUND SUMMARY – Formidable Dividend and Income ETF

 

Investment Objective

 

Formidable Dividend and Income ETF (the “Fund”) seeks income and long-term capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund*

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association, or over-the-counter trading system where shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table and example set forth below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

   
Management Fee(1) 0.89%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 

None

Other Expenses 

None

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2) 0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.90%
   
(1)Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, pays all of the expenses of the Fund, excluding the advisory fees, distribution fees or expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

(2)Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s initial fiscal year.

 

*Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

 

 11

 

 

Example

 

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Name of Fund 1 Year 3 Years
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF $92 $287

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have any portfolio turnover information available.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in large- and mid-cap equity securities, including common stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks of large- and mid-cap companies. The Fund’s investments will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). As of March 31, 2023, the Fund considers large- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with a market capitalization in excess of $10 billion. The exact size of the companies included will change with market conditions and the Fund will not automatically sell or cease to purchase a stock that it already owns due to changes in market conditions.

 

The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that is based on a combination of fundamental analysis, valuation, and technical considerations.

 

The Adviser’s investment process is designed to: 

Observe

Portfolio positioning.

Economic and market conditions.

Investor sentiment.

Trends.

Orient

How should we interact with the environment?

Determine what is changing and at what rate.

How does this relate to previous experiences?

Decide

Discuss stocks where our sell discipline leans toward a sell.

Review potential portfolio additions.

 

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Evaluate relative risk/reward.

Act

Choose optimal approach.

Enter/exit position.

 

The investment process seeks to identify stocks of large- and mid-cap companies with an attractive combination of yield, growth, and valuation, although the primary emphasis is on yield.

 

In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

The Adviser may at times use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments. The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and FLexible EXchange® Options (“FLEX Options”), which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”).

 

The Fund may use derivatives to create income by writing covered call options on a meaningful percentage of the total portfolio. In writing covered call options, the Fund sells an option on a security that the Fund owns in exchange for a premium (i.e., income). The hedging component of the options overlay attempts to limit drawdowns during market declines, typically by owning either puts or put spreads on other exchange-traded fund(s) that tend to be inversely correlated with the Fund; the Fund typically uses puts on SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust).

 

The Fund will “cover” the position by continuing to own the security on which the option was written until the option expires, is exercised, or is repurchased. As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time.

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

Principal Risks

 

As with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

 

 13

 

 

Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Market Risk. The market value of securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably.

 

Active Management Risk. The Adviser’s investment decisions about individual securities impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

Rights and Warrants Risk. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

 

ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

 

●        Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”), trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Fund shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.

 

●        Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.

 

 14

 

 

●        Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

 

●        Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

Investment Company Risk. An investment in other investment companies (including other exchange-traded products) is subject to the risks associated with those investment companies, which include, but are not limited to, the risk that such fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results; the risk that securities in such fund may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes; and the risk that the fund will be concentrated in a particular issuer, market, industry or sector, and therefore will be especially susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, market, industry or sector. Moreover, the Fund will incur duplicative expenses from such investments, bearing its share of that fund’s expenses while also paying its own advisory fees and trading costs.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and certain volatility-linked exchange-traded products. There is no guarantee that the use of these instruments by the Fund will work. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid. The Fund’s use of derivatives may magnify losses for the Fund.

 

If the Fund is not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, its performance will be worse than if it did not invest in such instruments. Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may indirectly increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the Fund. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

 15

 

 

Options Risk. The prices of options may change rapidly over time and do not necessarily move in tandem with the price of their underlying securities. Writing call options may reduce the Fund’s ability to profit from increases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. When writing call options on a portfolio security, the Fund receives a premium; however, the premium may not be enough to offset a loss incurred by the Fund if the price of the portfolio security is above the strike price by an amount equal to or greater than the premium. The Fund’s option strategy is designed to provide the Fund with income by taking in options premiums, but it is not designed to mitigate losses to the Fund in the event of a market decline.

 

FLEX Options Risk. The Fund may invest in FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. Additionally, FLEX Options may be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out certain FLEX Options positions at desired times and prices.

 

Large Capitalization Securities Risk. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.

 

Mid Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid capitalization company stocks or ETFs that invest in stocks of mid capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.

 

Leverage Risk. The Fund does not seek leveraged returns but as a result of the Fund’s use of certain derivatives it may create investment leverage. This means that the derivative position may provide the Fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the Fund’s investment in the derivative. As a result, these derivatives may magnify losses to the Fund, and even a small market movement may result in significant losses to the Fund.

 

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

 

 16

 

 

Investment Strategy Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities that the Adviser believes will perform well in a certain macroeconomic environment may not perform as expected. In addition, the Fund’s investment approach may be out of favor at times, causing it to underperform other portfolios that have a similar investment objective.

 

Investment Risk. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, as with any investment, you may lose some or all of your investment by investing in the Fund.

 

REITs. Investing in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) involves unique risks. When the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate. A REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns, how well it manages those properties and cash flow. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In addition to its own expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests. U.S. REITs are subject to a number of highly technical tax-related rules and requirements; and a U.S. REIT’s failure to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to U.S. REITs could result in corporate-level taxation, significantly reducing the return on an investment to the Fund.

 

ETN Risk. ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities of an issuer that are designed to provide returns that are linked to a particular benchmark. ETNs do not provide principal protection and may not make periodic coupon payments. ETNs have a maturity date and generally are backed only by the creditworthiness of the issuer. As a result, ETNs are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer cannot pay interest or repay principal when it is due.

 

Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks that the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted are, and they may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

 

Risk of Highly Volatile Markets. The prices of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options and volatility-linked exchange-traded products, can be highly volatile. Price movements of the derivative instruments in which the Fund is invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Fund is also subject to the risk of failure of any of the exchanges on which its derivative instrument positions trade or failure of their clearinghouses.

 

 17

 

 

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in illiquid assets involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell such assets or sell them at a reasonable price. Derivatives, especially when traded in large amounts, may not always be liquid. In such cases, in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivatives may prevent profitable liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to potentially greater losses.

 

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a new ETF and has not yet commenced operations. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate. The Fund’s distributor does not maintain a secondary market in the Fund’s shares.

 

Performance History

 

The Fund does not have a full calendar year of performance history. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of the Prospectus. Performance information will contain a bar chart and table that provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing the Fund’s average annual returns for certain time periods as compared to a broad measure of market performance. Investors should be aware that past performance before and after taxes is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information for the Fund, including its current net asset value per share, is available by calling toll-free (833) 600-5704.

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Will Brown, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Adam Eagleston, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Michael Venuto, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

 18

 

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Charles A. Ragauss, CFA, Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund will issue (or redeem) Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of at least 10,000 Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. You can purchase and sell individual Shares of the Fund throughout the trading day like any publicly traded security. The Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange. The price of the Fund’s Shares is based on market price, and because exchange-traded fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount). Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s Shares are not redeemable securities.

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account in which case withdrawals will be taxed.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

 19

 

 

FUND SUMMARY – Formidable Fortress ETF

 

Investment Objective

 

Formidable Fortress ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association, or over-the-counter trading system where shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table and example set forth below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

   
Management Fee(1) 0.89%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

None

Other Expenses

None

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(1) 0.89%
   
(1)Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, pays all of the expenses of the Fund, excluding the advisory fees, distribution fees or expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

Example

 

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Name of Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Formidable Fortress ETF $91 $284 $493 $1,096

 

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Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41.20% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing in large- and mid-cap equity securities, including common stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks of large- and mid-cap companies (the “Investable Universe”). The Fund’s investments will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). As of March 31, 2023, the Fund considers large- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with a market capitalization over $10 billion. The exact size of the companies included will change with market conditions and the Fund will not automatically sell or cease to purchase a stock that it already owns due to changes in market conditions.

 

The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that is based on a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis. The investment process seeks to identify stocks of large- and mid-cap companies which exhibit one or more of the following primary factors:

 

Capital structure discipline – lower debt levels relative to the Investable Universe;

Beta – lower historical price volatility relative to the Investable Universe;

Dividends – history of returning capital to shareholders, ideally at an increasing level; and

Quality – relative to the Investable Universe, companies with higher returns on equity (ROE), operating margins, and earnings growth.

 

In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Notwithstanding, the Fund would generally expect to own the securities of approximately 30 companies although the Fund may at times own a much lesser number and at other times it could own a larger number.

 

The Fund may use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments. The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and Flexible Exchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”).

 

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The Fund may write covered call options to generate income, particularly in cases in which a holding has elevated implied volatility or is nearing a target price set by the portfolio managers as a potential exit point. In writing covered call options, the Fund sells an option on a security that the Fund owns in exchange for a premium (i.e., income). This strategy generates income and helps to offset the cost of the Fund’s hedging strategy. The hedging component of the options overlay attempts to limit drawdowns during market declines, typically by owning either puts or put spreads on other exchange-traded fund(s) that tend to be inversely correlated with the Fund; the Fund typically uses puts on SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust).

 

The Fund will “cover” the position by continuing to own the security on which the option was written until the option expires, is exercised, or is repurchased. As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time.

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

Principal Risks

 

As with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Market Risk. The market value of securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably.

 

Active Management Risk. The Adviser’s investment decisions about individual securities impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

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Risk of Other Equity Securities. Other equity securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred securities, rights and warrants.

 

●        Preferred Securities. The fixed dividend rate of preferred stocks may cause their prices to behave more like those of debt securities. If interest rates rise, the value of preferred stock having a fixed dividend rate tends to fall. Preferred stock generally ranks behind debt securities in claims for dividends and assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy.

 

●        Rights and Warrants. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

 

ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

 

●        Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”), trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Fund shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.

 

●        Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.

 

●        Authorized Participants (“Aps”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Aps. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) Aps exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other Aps step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

 

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●        Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

Investment Company Risk. An investment in other investment companies (including other exchange-traded products) is subject to the risks associated with those investment companies, which include, but are not limited to, the risk that such fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results; the risk that securities in such fund may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes; and the risk that the fund will be concentrated in a particular issuer, market, industry or sector, and therefore will be especially susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, market, industry or sector. Moreover, the Fund will incur duplicative expenses from such investments, bearing its share of that fund’s expenses while also paying its own advisory fees and trading costs.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and certain volatility-linked exchange-traded products. There is no guarantee that the use of these instruments by the Fund will work. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid. The Fund’s use of derivatives may magnify losses for the Fund.

 

If the Fund is not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, its performance will be worse than if it did not invest in such instruments. Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may indirectly increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the Fund. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Options Risk. The prices of options may change rapidly over time and do not necessarily move in tandem with the price of their underlying securities. Writing call options may reduce the Fund’s ability to profit from increases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. When writing call options on a portfolio security, the Fund receives a premium; however, the premium may not be enough to offset a loss incurred by the Fund if the price of the portfolio security is above the strike price by an amount equal to or greater than the premium. The Fund’s option strategy is designed to provide the Fund with income by taking in options premiums, but it is not designed to mitigate losses to the Fund in the event of a market decline.

 

 24

 

 

FLEX Options Risk. The Fund may invest in FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. Additionally, FLEX Options may be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out certain FLEX Options positions at desired times and prices.

 

Large Capitalization Securities Risk. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.

 

Mid Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid capitalization company stocks or ETFs that invest in stocks of mid capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.

 

Leverage Risk. The Fund does not seek leveraged returns but as a result of the Fund’s use of certain derivatives it may create investment leverage. This means that the derivative position may provide the Fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the Fund’s investment in the derivative. As a result, these derivatives may magnify losses to the Fund, and even a small market movement may result in significant losses to the Fund.

 

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

 

Investment Strategy Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities that the Adviser believes will perform well in a certain macroeconomic environment may not perform as expected. In addition, the Fund’s investment approach may be out of favor at times, causing it to underperform other portfolios that have a similar investment objective.

 

 25

 

Investment Risk. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, as with any investment, you may lose some or all of your investment by investing in the Fund.

 

REITs. Investing in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) involves unique risks. When the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate. A REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns, how well it manages those properties and cash flow. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In addition to its own expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests. U.S. REITs are subject to a number of highly technical tax-related rules and requirements; and a U.S. REIT’s failure to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to U.S. REITs could result in corporate-level taxation, significantly reducing the return on an investment to the Fund.

 

ETN Risk. ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities of an issuer that are designed to provide returns that are linked to a particular benchmark. ETNs do not provide principal protection and may not make periodic coupon payments. ETNs have a maturity date and generally are backed only by the creditworthiness of the issuer. As a result, ETNs are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer cannot pay interest or repay principal when it is due.

 

Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks that the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted are, and they may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

 

Risk of Highly Volatile Markets. The prices of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options and volatility-linked exchange-traded products, can be highly volatile. Price movements of the derivative instruments in which the Fund is invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Fund is also subject to the risk of failure of any of the exchanges on which its derivative instrument positions trade or failure of their clearinghouses.

 

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in illiquid assets involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell such assets or sell them at a reasonable price. Derivatives, especially when traded in large amounts, may not always be liquid. In such cases, in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivatives may prevent profitable liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to potentially greater losses.

 

26

 

 

Performance History

 

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the Fund’s performance for its first full calendar year, and the table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information for the Fund, including its current net asset value per share, is available by calling toll-free (833) 600-5704.

 

Annual Total Returns (calendar years ended 12/31)

 

 

 

During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 8.46% (quarter ended 12/31/2022) and the lowest quarterly return was -7.91% (quarter ended 6/30/2022).

 

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Average Annual Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022

 

  One Year Since Inception(1)
Return Before Taxes -9.48% -3.45%

Return After-Taxes on Distributions

 

-9.66% -3.60%

Return After-Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-5.61% -2.68%

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

 

-18.11% -6.41%
(1)The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 2021.

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Will Brown, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Adam Eagleston, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Michael Venuto, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Manager: Charles A. Ragauss, CFA, Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund will issue (or redeem) Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of at least 10,000 Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. You can purchase and sell individual Shares of the Fund throughout the trading day like any publicly traded security. The Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange. The price of the Fund’s Shares is based on market price, and because exchange-traded fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount). Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s Shares are not redeemable securities.

 

28

 

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account in which case withdrawals will be taxed.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENTS

 

The investment objective for each of Formidable ETF and Formidable Fortress ETF is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The investment objective of Formidable Dividend and Income ETF is to seek income and long-term capital appreciation. Each Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

Each Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate an index. Each Fund is also classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means each Fund generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers as compared to a diversified fund.

 

In the remaining portion of this prospectus, each of the above-mentioned ETFs may be referred to generally as a “Fund” or collectively, as the “Funds”.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

Formidable ETF

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”), and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks. The Fund’s investments are the responsibility of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.

 

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The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that combines top-down and bottom-up research and analysis. The top-down portion of the investment process seeks to identify attractive investment themes and market inefficiencies. The bottom-up portion of the process is used to make buy and sell decisions for equity securities. Both quantitative and fundamental analysis are used by the Adviser, along with valuation and technical considerations.

 

The Adviser’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its general investment theme and identify and take advantage of trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. The Adviser also evaluates market segments, products, services and business models positioned to benefit significantly from innovations in commerce relative to broad securities markets, and seeks to identify the primary beneficiaries of new trends or developments in commerce to select investments for the Fund.

 

The Adviser’s investment process begins with an analysis of portfolio positions, economic and market conditions, investor sentiment, and trends or developments in commerce. The Adviser next conducts an examination of the current market environment by (i) determining what is changing and how this relates to previous experiences, (ii) determining what general themes are emerging, and (iii) attempting to discern what scenario the market’s price for a security reflects. The Adviser then decides what it believes are likely outcomes and looks for opportunities where it believes the reward-to-risk ratio is favorable. Finally, the Adviser’s investment process concludes by narrowing in on an optimal approach and decision on whether to buy, hold or sell a particular position for the Fund.

 

In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector or of any market capitalization and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

The Adviser may at times use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments. The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and Flexible Exchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

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The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

Formidable Dividend and Income ETF

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in large- and mid-cap equity securities, including common stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks of large- and mid-cap companies. The Fund’s investments will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). As of March 31, 2023, the Fund considers large- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with a market capitalization in excess of $10 billion. The exact size of the companies included will change with market conditions and the Fund will not automatically sell or cease to purchase a stock that it already owns due to changes in market conditions.

 

The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that is based on a combination of fundamental analysis, valuation, and technical considerations.

 

The Adviser’s investment process is designed to:

 

Observe

Portfolio positioning.

Economic and market conditions.

Investor sentiment.

Trends.

Orient

How should we interact with the environment?

Determine what is changing and at what rate.

How does this relate to previous experiences?

Decide

Discuss stocks where our sell discipline leans toward a sell.

Review potential portfolio additions.

Evaluate relative risk/reward.

Act

Choose optimal approach.

Enter/exit position.

 

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The investment process seeks to identify stocks of large- and mid-cap companies with an attractive combination of yield, growth, and valuation, although the primary emphasis is on yield.

 

In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

The Adviser may at times use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments. The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; and (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and Flexible Exchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). . As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

Formidable Fortress ETF

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing in large- and mid-cap equity securities, including common stocks, related depository receipts (i.e., American Depository Receipts or “ADRs,” European Depository Receipts or “EDRs,” and Global Depository Receipts or “GDRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks of large- and mid-cap companies. The Fund’s investments will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Investments. LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). As of March 31, 2023, the Fund considers large- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with a market capitalization over $10 billion. The exact size of the companies included will change with market conditions and the Fund will not automatically sell or cease to purchase a stock that it already owns due to changes in market conditions.

 

The Adviser, working together with the Sub-Adviser, makes buy, hold and sell decisions with respect to Fund portfolio securities using an investment process that is based on a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis. The investment process seeks to identify stocks of large- and mid-cap companies which exhibit one or more of the following primary factors: (i) Capital structure discipline – relatively lower debt level; (ii) Beta – relatively lower historical price volatility; (iii) Dividends – history of returning capital to shareholders, ideally at an increasing level; and (iv) Quality – relatively higher returns on equity (ROE), operating margins, and earnings growth.

 

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In pursuing the Fund’s investment goal, the Adviser may invest in companies in any economic sector and may invest in companies both inside and outside of the United States, including those in developing or emerging markets. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

 

The Adviser may at times use derivatives to enhance Fund returns, produce income, and/ or hedge risks associated with the Fund’s other portfolio investments. The Fund’s derivative investments may include, among other instruments: (i) options; (ii) volatility-linked ETFs; and (iii) volatility-linked exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”); and (iv) and Flexible Exchange® Options (“FLEX Options”) which are customizable exchange-traded option contracts guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). . As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in each of the Funds. References herein to “the Fund” are to any one of the Funds generally. The Fund’s NAV and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Below are some of the specific risks of investing in the Fund.

 

Principal Risks

 

Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

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Market Risk. The market value of securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, your investment in the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund may invest.

 

Active Management Risk. The Adviser’s investment decisions about individual securities impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

Risk of Other Equity Securities. Other equity securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred securities, rights and warrants.

 

●         Preferred Securities. The fixed dividend rate of preferred stocks may cause their prices to behave more like those of debt securities. If interest rates rise, the value of preferred stock having a fixed dividend rate tends to fall. Preferred stock generally ranks behind debt securities in claims for dividends and assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy.

 

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●         Rights and Warrants. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

 

ETF Structure Risks. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

 

●         Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on the Exchange, trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares of the Fund will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.

 

●         Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that shares of the Fund may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Fund shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.

 

●         Authorized Participants (“Aps”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Aps. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) Aps exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other Aps step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

 

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●         Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

Investment Company Risk. An investment in other investment companies (including other ETFs) is subject to the risks associated with those investment companies, which include, but are not limited to, the risk that such fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results; the risk that securities in such fund may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes; and the risk that the fund will be concentrated in a particular issuer, market, industry or sector, and therefore will be especially susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, market, industry or sector. Moreover, the Fund will incur duplicative expenses from such investments, bearing its share of that fund’s expenses while also paying its own advisory and trading costs. The Fund’s investments in ETFs entail certain risks. For example, investments in ETFs designed to track an index involve the risk that the ETF’s performance may not track the performance of the index the ETF is designed to track. This deviation may occur due to cash inflows and outflows from and to investors buying and redeeming shares or due to occasional differences between the composition of the index and the securities held by the ETF. In addition, investments in ETFs involve the risk that the market prices of ETF shares will fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and materially, in response to changes in the ETF’s NAV, the value of ETF holdings and supply and demand for ETF shares. Although ETFs will generally trade close to NAV, market volatility, lack of an active trading market for ETF shares, disruptions at market participants (such as market makers) and any disruptions in the ordinary functioning of the creation/redemption process may result in ETF shares trading significantly above (at a “premium”) or below (at a “discount”) NAV. Significant losses may result when transacting in ETF shares in these and other circumstances.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivative instruments such as put and call options on stocks and certain volatility-linked exchange-traded products. There is no guarantee that the use of these instruments by the Fund will work. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid. The Fund’s use of derivatives may magnify losses for the Fund.

 

If the Fund is not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, its performance will be worse than if it did not invest in such instruments. Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, the Fund will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may indirectly increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the Fund. The Funds have adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the use of derivatives.

 

Options Risk. The prices of options may change rapidly over time and do not necessarily move in tandem with the price of their underlying securities. Writing call options may reduce the Fund’s ability to profit from increases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. When writing call options on a portfolio security, the Fund receives a premium; however, the premium may not be enough to offset a loss incurred by the Fund if the price of the portfolio security is above the strike price by an amount equal to or greater than the premium. The Fund’s option strategy is designed to provide the Fund with income by taking in options premiums, but it is not designed to mitigate losses to the Fund in the event of a market decline. 

 

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FLEX Options Risk. The FLEX Options held by the Fund will be exercisable at the strike price only on their expiration date. Prior to the expiration date, the value of the FLEX Options will be determined based upon market quotations or using other recognized pricing methods. The value of the FLEX Options prior to the expiration date may vary because of related factors other than the value of the reference asset. Factors that may influence the value of the FLEX Options, other than gains or losses in the reference asset, may include interest rate changes, changing supply and demand, decreased liquidity of the FLEX Options and changing volatility levels of the reference asset.

 

FLEX Options are listed on an exchange; however, it is not guaranteed that a liquid secondary trading market will exist. In the event that trading in the FLEX Options is limited or absent, the value of the FLEX Options may decrease.

 

Large Capitalization Securities Risk. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.

 

Mid and Small Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid and small capitalization company stocks or ETFs that invest in stocks of mid and small capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility. To the extent the Fund invests in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.

 

Leverage Risk. The Fund does not seek leveraged returns but the Fund’s use of certain derivatives may create investment leverage. This means that the derivative position may provide the Fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the Fund’s investment in the derivative. As a result, these derivatives may magnify losses to the Fund, and even a small market movement may result in significant losses to the Fund. The NAV of the Fund while employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements.

 

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Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

 

Investment Strategy Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes will perform well in a certain macroeconomic environment may not perform as expected. In addition, the Fund’s investment approach may be out of favor at times, causing it to underperform other portfolios that have a similar investment objective.

 

Investment Risk. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, as with any investment, you may lose some or all of your investment by investing in the Fund.

 

REITs. Investing in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) involves unique risks. When the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate. A REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns, how well it manages those properties and cash flow. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In addition to its own expenses, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests. U.S. REITs are subject to a number of highly technical tax-related rules and requirements; and a U.S. REIT’s failure to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to U.S. REITs could result in corporate-level taxation, significantly reducing the return on an investment to the Fund.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETN”) Risks. ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy minus applicable fees and traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange). Investments in ETNs are subject to market risk, tracking error risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and tax risk. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Funds characterize and treat ETNs for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs. An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.

 

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Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks that the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted are, and they may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

 

Risk of Highly Volatile Markets. The prices of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options and volatility-linked exchange-traded products, can be highly volatile. Price movements of the derivative instruments in which the Fund is invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Fund is also subject to the risk of failure of any of the exchanges on which its derivative instrument positions trade or failure of their clearinghouses.

 

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in illiquid assets involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell such assets or sell them at a reasonable price. Derivatives, especially when traded in large amounts, may not always be liquid. In such cases, in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivatives may prevent profitable liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to potentially greater losses. During periods of reduced market liquidity, the spread between the price at which a security can be bought and the price at which it can be sold can widen, and the Fund may not be able to sell a holding readily at a price that reflects what the Fund believes it should be worth. Securities with lower overall liquidity can also become more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional broker-dealers to make a market in the securities or the lack of an active market. The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where selling activity from certain investors may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market.

 

Other Risks for the Funds

 

Cyber Security Risk. Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and/or the Fund’s other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and their shareholders. While the Fund have established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or issuers of securities in which the Fund invest.

 

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Health Crisis Risk. A widespread health crisis, such as a global pandemic, could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions or restrictions and closures of securities exchanges and businesses, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and adversely impact Fund performance. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread globally, resulting in a global pandemic and major disruption to economies and markets around the world. During this time, financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted or suspended. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. The rapid COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the United States and certain other developed countries, coupled with the passage of stimulus programs in the U.S. and abroad, have resulted in the re-opening of businesses, a reduction in quarantine and masking requirements, increased consumer demand, and the resumption of in-person schooling, travel and events. As a result, many global economies, including the U.S. economy, have either re-opened or decreased certain public safety measures in place that are designed to mitigate virus transmission. Despite these positive trends, the prevalence of new COVID-19 variants, a failure to achieve herd immunity, or other unforeseen circumstances may result in the continued spread of the virus throughout unvaccinated populations or a resurgence in infections among vaccinated individuals. As a result, it remains unclear if recent positive trends will continue in developed markets and whether such trends will spread world-wide to countries with limited access to effective vaccines that are still experiencing rising COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. The impact of this outbreak has adversely affected the economies of many nations and the entire global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any certainty.

 

In the past, governmental and quasigovernmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools, and changes in interest rates. An unexpected or sudden reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of such policies, is likely to increase market volatility, which could adversely affect each Fund’s investments.

 

The outbreak could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers rely and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen effects. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.

 

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Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). The Fund may invest in stocks of, warrants to purchase stock of, and other interests in SPACs or similar special purposes entities. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital for the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company. Because SPACs and similar entities are so-called “blank check companies” and do not have any operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s management to identify a merger target and complete an acquisition. An investment in a SPAC or similar entity is subject to a variety of risks, including that (i) a significant portion of the monies raised by the SPAC for the purpose of identifying and effecting an acquisition or merger may be expended during the search for a target transaction; (ii) an attractive acquisition or merger target may not be identified at all and the SPAC will be required to return any remaining monies to shareholders; (iii) any proposed merger or acquisition may be unable to obtain the requisite approval, if any, of SPAC shareholders; (iv) an acquisition or merger once effected may prove unsuccessful and an investment in the SPAC may lose value; (v) the warrants or other rights with respect to the SPAC held by the Fund may expire worthless or may be repurchased or retired by the SPAC at an unfavorable price; (vi) the Fund may be delayed in receiving any redemption or liquidation proceeds from a SPAC to which it is entitled; (vii) an investment in an SPAC may be diluted by additional later offerings of interests in the SPAC or by other investors exercising existing rights to purchase shares of the SPAC; (viii) no or only a thinly traded market for shares of or interests in an SPAC may develop, leaving the Fund unable to sell its interest in an SPAC or to sell its interest only at a price below what the Fund believes is the SPAC interest’s intrinsic value; and (ix) the values of investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate significantly over time. Until an acquisition or merger is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets, less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. As a result, it is possible that an investment in a SPAC may lose value.

 

Temporary Investments

 

To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities. These short-term debt securities include: money market mutual funds, treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies. When the Fund takes such a position, it may not achieve its investment objective. It is expected that such a defensive change will be rare.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

The Investment Adviser. Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), 221 East Fourth Street, Suite 2700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is the investment adviser for the Funds. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized in Ohio.

 

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Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of each of the Fund’s investments. The Adviser also: (i) furnishes the Funds with office space and certain administrative services; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of each Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Board; and (iii) is responsible for oversight of the Sub-Adviser. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets, at the following rates:

 

Fund Management Fee
Formidable ETF 1.19%
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF 0.89%
Formidable Fortress ETF 0.89%

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Funds, to pay all expenses of each Fund, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, distribution fees or expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Funds. The Sub-Adviser, working together with the Adviser, is responsible for the day-to-day management of each of the Fund’s investments. The Sub-Adviser, which has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758, was formed in 2012 and provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a sub-advisory fee by the Adviser. Please see the statement of additional information for a description of the sub-advisory fee.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Funds is available in the Funds’ annual report for the period ending March 31, 2023.

 

The Portfolio Managers

 

Adviser Portfolio Manager – Will Brown is a portfolio manager of the Funds. He has nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Mr. Brown has operated Formidable Asset Management, LLC as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner since 2013. He has a B.S. from the University of Cincinnati.

 

Adviser Portfolio Manager – Adam Eagleston, CFA is a portfolio manager of the Funds. Mr. Eagleston has 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser. In his role at the Adviser, he is responsible for maintaining the investment models used by the Adviser that determine the asset allocations for the Funds. Prior to joining Formidable Asset Management, LLC, Mr. Eagleston was a Principal and Portfolio manager for Opus Capital and served as a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Huntington National Bank. Additionally, he previously served as the Chief Investment Officer of First Mercantile Trust Company overseeing due diligence and research on over $4 billion in assets across asset classes. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Cincinnati. He graduated summa cum laude from Clemson University with a B.S. in Financial Management.

 

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Sub-Adviser Portfolio Manager – Michael Venuto is a portfolio manager of the Funds. Mr. Venuto is Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser. He is an ETF industry veteran with over two decades of experience in the design and implementation of ETF-based investment strategies. Mr. Venuto is the lead portfolio manager for the first actively managed ETF focused on Blockchain (BLOK) companies filed in the US. Previously, he was Head of Investments at Global X Funds where he provided portfolio optimization services to institutional clients. Before that, he was Senior Vice President at Horizon Kinetics where his responsibilities included new business development, investment strategy, Fintech private equity and strategic initiatives. In 2014, Mr. Venuto was chosen as one the ETF.COM All Stars for his research and is often quoted as an ETF expert in publications such as Reuters and Barron’s.

 

Sub-Adviser Portfolio Manager – Charles A. Ragauss, CFA is a portfolio manager of the Funds. Mr. Ragauss is Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser. He is responsible for leading the portfolio management trading team, trading the securities held in the ETFs advised by the Sub-Adviser, as well as the SMAs managed by the Sub-Adviser. Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser, he was Chief Operating Officer and Head of Portfolio Management at CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (“Exponential ETFs”) since April 2016. He was responsible for expanding and improving that firm’s product offerings as well as managing the day-to- day operations of client portfolios. Prior to Exponential ETFs, Mr. Ragauss was Assistant Vice President at Huntington National Bank, where he was Product Manager for the Huntington Funds and Huntington Strategy Share ETFs, a combined fund complex of almost $4 billion in asset under management. At Huntington, he led ETF development, bringing to market some of the first actively managed ETFs. Mr. Ragauss attended Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and International Business, as well as a minor in French. He holds the CFA designation.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership in the Funds.

 

The Trust

 

The Funds are each a series of the ETF Opportunities Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 18, 2019. The Board supervises the operations of the Funds according to applicable state and federal law, and the Board is responsible for the overall management of the Funds’ business affairs.

 

Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information. Complete holdings (as of the dates of such reports) are available in reports on Form N-PORT and Form N-CSR filed with the SEC.

 

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HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

 

Shares of the Funds are listed for trading on the Exchange. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares and shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment required. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading.

 

When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

 

Authorized Participants may acquire shares directly from the Funds, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to the Funds, at NAV per share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of at least 10,000 shares. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Funds must follow the Funds’ procedures, which are described in the SAI.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Funds will pay out redemption proceeds to a redeeming AP within two days after the AP’s redemption request is received, in accordance with the process set forth in the Funds’ SAI and in the agreement between the AP and the Funds’ distributor. However, each Fund reserves the right, including under stressed market conditions, to take up to seven days after the receipt of a redemption request to pay an AP, all as permitted by the 1940 Act. The Funds anticipates regularly meeting redemption requests primarily through cash redemptions. Cash used for redemptions will be raised from the sale of portfolio assets or may come from existing holdings of cash or cash equivalents. However, the Funds reserve the right to pay all or portion of the redemption proceeds to an AP in kind.

 

The Funds may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.

 

Book Entry  

Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.

 

Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.

 

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FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Funds in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and the vast majority of trading in shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Funds’ trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with the Funds, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to the Funds and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact a Funds’ ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that shares trade at or close to NAV. The Funds also employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Funds imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Funds in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Shares.

 

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

Shares are traded throughout the day in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis and are created and redeemed in-kind and/or for cash in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. In-kind arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from the adverse effects on a Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions. However, similar to a conventional mutual fund, the Fund expects to typically satisfy redemptions in cash. This may result in the Fund selling portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net fund redemptions which can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the fund, whereas the shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Funds or its ongoing shareholders.

 

Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly by the Formidable ETF and the Formidable Fortress ETF. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly by the Formidable Dividend and Income ETF. The Funds will distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually. The Funds may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements.

 

45 

 

 

No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Funds. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the Funds for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.

 

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.

 

Taxes  

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares 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 shares.

 

Unless your investment in shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

-A Fund makes distributions,

-You sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and

-You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions  

Distributions from each Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that each Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax for U.S. non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their shares at the rate for net capital gain. A part of each Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations (the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to U.S. federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations) subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a U.S. corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.

 

A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses affect the Fund’s performance.

 

In general, distributions received from a Fund are subject to U.S. federal income tax when they are paid, whether taken in cash or reinvested in the Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.

 

46 

 

 

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

 

By law, the Funds are required to backup withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.

 

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales  

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of shares may be limited.

 

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units  

An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any cash it pays. An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

 

Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.

 

If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Taxes” in the SAI for a description of the requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to share redemptions and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.

 

At the time that this prospectus is being prepared, various administrative and legislative changes to the U.S. federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

47 

 

 

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current U.S. federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Taxes” in the SAI for more information.

 

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (the “Administrator”) is the Funds’ administrator. The firm is primarily in the business of providing administrative services to retail and institutional mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

 

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”) serves as the Funds’ fund accountant and it provides certain other services to the Funds not provided by the Administrator. Citi is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting services to retail and institutional exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.

 

Citibank, N.A., serves as the Funds’ custodian and transfer agent.

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a Secondary Market in shares.

 

Practus, LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Funds.

 

Cohen & Company, Ltd. serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Funds.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Continuous Offering  

The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery 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 the shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.

 

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Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available 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 engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.

 

Dealers effecting transactions in the shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

 

Premium/Discount Information 

When available, information regarding how often the Shares of the Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e. at a premium) or below (i.e. at a discount) the NAV of the Fund will be available at www.FormidableFunds.com.

 

Householding 

To reduce expenses, the Funds will mail only one copy of the shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports or notices of internet availability thereof, and proxy statements or notices of internet availability thereof, to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Funds at (833) 600-5704 on days the Funds are open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty (30) days after receiving your request.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following tables are intended to help you better understand the financial performance of each Fund since its inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders. The annual report is available from the Funds upon request without charge.

 

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FORMIDABLE ETF

 

Financial HighlightsSelected Per Share Data Throughout Each Period

 

 

       April 29,2021(2) 
   Year Ended   through 
   March 31, 2023   March 31, 2022 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $26.06   $25.00 
Investment activities          
Net investment income (loss)(1)   0.34    0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (1.76)   1.00 
Total from investment activities   (1.42)   1.23 
Distributions          
Net investment income   (0.87)   (0.17)
Total distributions   (0.87)   (0.17)
Net asset value, end of period  $23.77   $26.06 
Total Return(3)   (5.39%)   4.93%
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Ratios to average net assets(4)          
Expenses   1.19%   1.19%
Net investment income (loss)   1.42%   1.02%
Portfolio turnover rate(5)   59.95%   172.44%
Net assets, end of period (000’s)  $31,491   $26,055 

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(2)Commencement of operations.

 

(3)Total return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4)Ratios to average net assets have been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5)Portfolio turnover rate is for the period indicated, excludes effect of securities received or delivered from processing in-kind creations or redemptions and has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

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FORMIDABLE FORTRESS ETF

 

Financial HighlightsSelected Per Share Data Throughout Each Period

 

 

       July 21, 2021(2) 
   Year Ended   through 
   March 31, 2023   March 31, 2022 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $24.44   $25.00 
Investment activities          
Net investment income (loss)(1)   0.12    0.04 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.52    (0.57)
Total from investment activities   0.64    (0.53)
Distributions          
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.03)
Return of capital   (6)     
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.03)
Net asset value, end of period  $24.96   $24.44 
Total Return(3)   2.64%   (2.15%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Ratios to average net assets(4)          
Expenses   0.89%   0.89%
Net investment income (loss)   0.51%   0.22%
Portfolio turnover rate(5)   41.20%   35.71%
Net assets, end of period (000’s)  $24,334   $19,548 

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(2)Commencement of operations.

 

(3)Total return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(4)Ratios to average net assets have been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(5)Portfolio turnover rate is for the period indicated and excludes effect of securities received or delivered from processing in-kind creations or redemptions and has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(6)Less than 0.005 per share.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

You will find more information about the Fund in the following documents:

 

The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Funds. The Funds’ annual report will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.

 

For more information about the Funds, you may wish to refer to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) dated July 31, 2023, which is on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports, and SAI by writing to the Formidable Funds, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Funds toll free at (833) 600-5704, or by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.FormidableFunds.com. General inquiries regarding the Funds may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Copies of these documents and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of these documents may also be obtained, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

(Investment Company Act File No. 811-23439)

 

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Formidable ETF

Formidable Dividend and Income ETF

Formidable Fortress ETF

(the “Funds”)

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

(833) 600-5704

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Dated July 31, 2023

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus for the Funds dated July 31, 2023 as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds’ prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports (once available), prospectus and SAI by writing to the Formidable Funds, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Funds toll free at (833) 600-5704, or by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports (once available), prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.FormidableFunds.com. General inquiries regarding the Funds may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Investment Adviser:

Formidable Asset Management, LLC

221 East Fourth Street, Suite 2700

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 1
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS 2
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 10
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 12
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST 17
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS 22
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 22
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES 24
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 33
TAXES 33
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES 44
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS 46
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 48
PROXY VOTING 49
CODES OF ETHICS 49
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 49
EXHIBIT A – TRUST’S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 51
EXHIBIT B – ADVISER’S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 53
EXHIBIT C TRUST’S NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMM. CHARTER 55

 

 

 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. This SAI relates to Formidable ETF, Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and Formidable Fortress ETF (the “Funds”) and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Funds. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds’ prospectus. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectus. The Funds are each a non-diversified series of ETF Opportunities Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The investment adviser to the Funds is Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the sub-adviser to the Funds is Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

The Funds may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”). All Shares have equal rights and privileges. Each Share is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which Shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each Share is entitled to participate equally with other Shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Funds and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional Shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full Share.

 

The Funds will issue and redeem Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in aggregations of at least 10,000 Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). The Funds will issue and redeem Creation Units principally for cash. The Funds reserve the right to offer creations and redemptions of Shares in exchange for a basket of securities (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”), plus a transaction fee. The Funds are each listed on a national securities exchange (the “Exchange”) as set forth below.

 

Fund Ticker Symbol Principal U.S. Listing Exchange
Formidable ETF FORH NYSE Arca
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF FODI NYSE Arca*
Formidable Fortress ETF KONG NYSE Arca

 

*Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

 

Shares will trade on the applicable Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

 

Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions as described herein – see the section titled “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process” of this SAI. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. See “Additional Information About Purchase and Redemptions” below.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

The Funds’ investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Funds are “non-diversified” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As non-diversified funds, each Fund is permitted to invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see “Description of Permitted Investments” in this SAI.

 

1

 

 

Portfolio Turnover. Average annual portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the year, excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. A higher portfolio turnover rate involves greater transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. The Funds’ portfolio turnover rates for the periods indicated are:

 

Fiscal Period Ended

Formidable ETF

Formidable Fortress ETF
March 31, 2023 59.95% 41.20%
Commencement of Operations(*) through March 31, 2022 172.44% 35.71%

(*) Commencement of Operations for Formidable ETF is April 29, 2021 and July 21, 2021 for Formidable Fortress ETF.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

 

The following discussion of investment techniques and instruments supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the investment information in the Funds’ prospectus. In seeking to meet its investment objective, each Fund may invest in any type of security whose characteristics are consistent with its investment programs. To the extent particular investment techniques or instruments that are not described in the Principal Investment Strategies disclosure of the Funds’ prospectus, such investment techniques and instruments are not a part of the principal strategies and the corresponding risks are not principal risks of the Funds.

 

Equity Securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations.

 

Common Stocks. Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the company’s board of directors.

 

Large Capitalization Stocks. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.

 

Small and Mid Capitalization Stocks. The value of mid and small capitalization company stocks or ETFs that invest in stocks of small and mid capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

2

 

 

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). The Funds may invest in stock of, warrants to purchase stock of, and other interests in SPACs or similar special purposes entities. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital for the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company. Investments in SPACs and similar entities are subject to a variety of risks beyond those associated with other equity securities. Because SPACs and similar entities do not have any operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s management to identify a merger target and complete an acquisition. Until an acquisition or merger is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets, less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. As a result, it is possible that an investment in a SPAC may lose value.

 

Preferred Stock. The Funds may invest in preferred stock, which is a class of capital stock that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights. Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common dividends. A passed dividend on non-cumulative preferred stock is generally extinguished. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from non-participating preferred, which is limited to the stipulated dividend. Adjustable rate preferred stock pays a dividend that is adjustable, usually quarterly, based on changes in the Treasury bill rate or other money market rates.

 

Warrants. The Funds may invest in warrants. A warrant gives the right to buy a stock and specifies the amount of the underlying stock, the purchase (or “exercise”) price, and the date the warrant expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

 

Foreign Securities. The Funds may invest in foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund has exposure to foreign equity or fixed income securities, it will be subject to certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing solely in domestic securities. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

 

Securities trading on overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market, but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders.

 

3

 

 

Securities of Investment Companies. Investments in registered investment companies, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in such funds.

 

ETFs are a type of registered investment company. Many ETFs are passively managed and track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and typically provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, and liquidity, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (“UITs”). ETFs and mutual funds may employ leverage, which magnifies the changes in the underlying stock or other index upon which they are based.

 

ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the NAV is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

With respect to funds in which the Fund may invest, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act requires that, as determined immediately after a purchase is made, (i) not more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities of investment companies as a group, and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. The Fund will limit its investments in funds in accordance with the Section 12(d)(1)(A) limitations set forth above, except to the extent that any rules, regulations or no-action or exemptive relief under the 1940 Act permits the Fund’s investments to exceed such limits. For example, Rule 12d1-4 permits a Fund to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. Among other conditions, the Rule prohibits a fund from acquiring control of another investment company (other than an investment company in the same group of investment companies), including by acquiring more than 25% of its voting securities. In addition, the Rule imposes certain voting requirements when a fund’s ownership of another investment company exceeds particular thresholds. If shares of a fund are acquired by another investment company, the “acquired” fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire the securities of an investment company or private fund if immediately after such purchase or acquisition, the securities of investment companies and private funds owned by that acquired fund have an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the fund, subject to certain exceptions. These restrictions may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies to the extent desired. In addition, other unaffiliated investment companies may impose other investment limitations or redemption restrictions which may also limit the Fund’s flexibility with respect to making investments in those unaffiliated investment companies.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the NYSE) during normal trading hours; however, investors also can hold ETNs until they mature. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day’s market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN also may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Funds’ invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision by the Fund to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

 

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Derivatives. Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governs a Fund’s use of derivative instruments and certain other transactions that create future payment and/or delivery obligations by the Fund. Rule 18f-4 permits a Fund to enter into Derivatives Transactions (as defined below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other things, prohibits open-end funds, including the Fund, from issuing or selling any “senior security,” other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a requirement to maintain 300% “asset coverage”). In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC eliminated the asset segregation framework arising from prior SEC guidance for covering Derivatives Transactions and certain financial instruments.

 

Under Rule 18f-4, “Derivatives Transactions” include the following: (i) any swap, security-based swap (including a contract for differences), futures contract, forward contract, option (excluding purchased options), any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which the Fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise; (ii) any short sale borrowing; (iii) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, if a Fund elects to treat these transactions as Derivatives Transactions under Rule 18f-4; and (iv) when-issued or forward-settling securities (e.g., firm and standby commitments, including to-be-announced (“TBA”) commitments, and dollar rolls) and non-standard settlement cycle securities, unless the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date.

 

Unless a Fund is relying on the Limited Derivatives User Exception (as defined below), the Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to its Derivatives Transactions. Rule 18f-4, among other things, requires the Fund to (i) appoint a Derivatives Risk Manager, (ii) maintain a Derivatives Risk Management Program designed to identify, assess, and reasonably manage the risks associated with Derivatives Transactions; (iii) comply with certain value-at-risk (VaR)-based leverage limits (VaR is an estimate of an instrument’s or portfolio’s potential losses over a given time horizon and at a specified confidence level); and (iv) comply with certain Board reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

 

Rule 18f-4 provides an exception from the requirements to appoint a Derivatives Risk Manager, adopt a Derivatives Risk Management Program, comply with certain VaR-based leverage limits, and comply with certain Board oversight and reporting requirements if a Fund’s “derivatives exposure” (as defined in Rule 18f-4) is limited to 10% of its net assets (as calculated in accordance with Rule 18f-4) and the Fund adopts and implements written policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks (the “Limited Derivatives User Exception”).

 

Pursuant to Rule 18f-4, if a Fund enters into reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, the Fund will (i) aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with all of its reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the amount of any other “senior securities” representing indebtedness (e.g., bank borrowings, if applicable) when calculating the Fund’s asset coverage ratio or (ii) treat all such transactions as Derivatives Transactions.

 

The requirements of Rule 18f-4 may limit a Fund’s ability to engage in Derivatives Transactions as part of its investment strategies. These requirements may also increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments and/or the performance of the Fund.

 

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Options. The Funds may enter into option transactions. An option involves either (a) the right or the obligation to buy or sell a specific instrument at a specific price until the expiration date of the option, or (b) the right to receive payments or the obligation to make payments representing the difference between the closing price of a market index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple until the expiration date of the option. Options are sold (written) on securities and market indices. The purchaser of an option on a security pays the seller (the writer) a premium for the right granted but is not obligated to buy or sell the underlying security. The purchaser of an option on a market index pays the seller a premium for the right granted, and in return the seller of such an option is obligated to make the payment. Options are traded on organized exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. The use of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

Options on securities indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.

 

Risks Regarding Options. There are risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

Successful use by the Funds’ of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Funds’ ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Funds. Inasmuch as the Funds’ securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Funds bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Funds’ securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by each Fund.

 

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The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Funds in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

 

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Funds may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

Futures Contracts. When each Fund purchases futures contracts, it will be subject to initial and variation margin requirements. When futures and options on futures are used as hedging devices, there is a risk that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the Funds’ portfolio. This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, an investment adviser could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of market factors such as stock price movements. In these events, the Funds may lose money on the futures contract or option. It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or for options will exist at all times.

 

Options on Futures Contracts. The Funds may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

 

Debt Securities. The Funds may invest in debt securities. The Funds will generally invest in debt securities rated Baa or higher by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”) or foreign securities not subject to standard credit ratings, which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believe are of comparable quality. Debt securities consist of bonds, notes, government and government agency securities, zero coupon securities, convertible bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, and other debt securities whose purchase is consistent with the Funds’ investment objective. The Funds’ investments may include debt securities issued or guaranteed by supranational organizations, corporate debt securities, and bank or holding company debt securities.

 

U.S. Government Securities. The Funds may invest in U.S. Government securities, defined to be U.S. Government obligations such as U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), as well as obligations of U.S. Government authorities, agencies, and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), and The Tennessee Valley Authority. While obligations of some U.S. Government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (e.g. GNMA), others are not. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities in the future since it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. Government does not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.

 

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Illiquid Securities. In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), the Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in “illiquid investments.” For this purpose, the term “illiquid investments” are investments that the Fund cannot reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund may, however, hold an illiquid investment if it becomes illiquid after purchase. The Fund monitors the portion of its total assets that are invested in illiquid securities on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that the value of illiquid securities held by the Fund does not exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets.

 

The Fund must classify each portfolio investment at least monthly into one of four liquidity categories (highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid and illiquid), which are defined pursuant to the Liquidity Rule. Such classification is to be made using information obtained after reasonable inquiry and taking into account relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations. Moreover, in making such classification determinations, the Fund determines whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class, in sizes that the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, is reasonably expected to significantly affect its liquidity, and if so, the Fund takes this determination into account when classifying the liquidity of that investment. The Fund may be assisted in classification determinations by one or more third-party service providers. Investments classified according to this process as “illiquid investments” are those subject to the 15% limit on illiquid investments.

 

The Fund has a liquidity risk management program designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. The program has been approved by the Board, which has also approved the appointment of a liquidity program administrator (the “LPA”). The LPA is responsible for oversight of the Fund’s liquidity risk management efforts, including classifying the liquidity of each Fund investment, ensuring the Fund holds no more than 15% of net asset value in illiquid investments, and reporting to the Board regarding the effectiveness and operation of the liquidity risk management program.

 

Restricted Securities. The Funds may invest in securities that are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These securities are sometimes referred to as private placements. Although securities which may be resold only to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144A under the Securities Act are technically considered “restricted securities,” the Funds may purchase Rule 144A securities without regard to the limitation on investments in illiquid securities described above in the “Illiquid Securities” section, if those securities have been determined to be liquid by the Fund under its policies and procedures. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Funds might be unable to dispose of restricted securities promptly or at reasonable prices. The Funds might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

Borrowing. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable law, each Fund may borrow money. In the event that the Funds ever borrows money under these conditions, such borrowings could increase the Funds’ costs and thus reduce the value of the Funds’ assets and returns to shareholders.

 

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Cash Equivalents. The Funds may invest in cash and high-quality short-term fixed-income securities. All money market instruments can change in value when interest rates or an issuer’s creditworthiness change dramatically. These short-term fixed-income securities are described below:

 

1.       Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements by which the Funds purchases a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized and can be entered into only with well-established banks and broker-dealers that have been deemed creditworthy by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Repurchase transactions are intended to be short-term transactions, usually with the seller repurchasing the securities within seven days. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days are subject to a fund’s limit on illiquid securities. When the Funds enters into a repurchase agreement it may lose money if the other party defaults on its obligation and the fund is delayed or prevented from disposing of the collateral. A loss may be incurred if the value of the collateral declines, and it might incur costs in selling the collateral or asserting its legal rights under the agreement. If a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition of collateral might be delayed pending court action.

 

2.       Bank Obligations. Bank obligations include banker’s acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit and non-negotiable time deposits, including U.S. dollar-denominated instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions. All investments in bank obligations are limited to the obligations of financial institutions having more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase, and investments by the Funds in the obligations of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks will not exceed 10% of a Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase.

 

3.       Commercial Paper. The Funds may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper will consist of issues rated at the time of investment as A-1 and/or P-1 by S&P, Moody’s or similar rating by another nationally recognized rating agency. In addition, the Funds may acquire unrated commercial paper and corporate bonds.

 

4.       Investment Company Securities. The Funds may invest in funds such as money market funds and short-term bond funds.

 

ETF Structure Risks. The Funds are structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including: 

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, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for Shares of the Funds. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Funds may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Funds’ underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Funds.

 

Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV.

 

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Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Funds has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares of the Funds may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

 

Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Funds. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares of the Funds, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares of the Funds may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Funds may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Funds and are fundamental (“Fundamental”), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds. As used in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, the term “majority” of the outstanding shares of the Funds means the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental (“Non-Fundamental”).

 

Each of the Funds:

 

1.May not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

 

2.May not issue any senior securities to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

 

3.May not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.

 

4.May not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries. The limitation against industry concentration does not apply to investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or to shares of investment companies; however, the Fund will not invest more than 25% of its net assets in any investment company that so concentrates. In complying with this restriction, the Fund will not consider a bank-issued guaranty or financial guaranty insurance as a separate security.

 

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5.May not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

 

6.May not make loans to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

 

7.May invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.

 

If a percentage or rating restriction on an investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in such percentages or restrictions resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Currently, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified, each Fund is permitted, consistent with the 1940 Act, to borrow, and pledge its shares to secure such borrowing, provided, that immediately thereafter there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by a Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of a Fund, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 300% asset coverage requirement. The 1940 Act also permits the Funds to borrow for temporary purposes only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. To the extent outstanding borrowings of the Fund exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, the Fund will not make additional purchases of securities – the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent the Fund from settling portfolio transactions or satisfying shareholder redemptions orders.

 

Currently, with respect to senior securities, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations of relevant provisions of the 1940 Act establish the following general limits, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified: Open-end registered investment companies such as the Funds are not permitted to issue any class of senior security or to sell any senior security of which they are the issuers. The Trust is, however, permitted to issue separate series of shares and to divide those series into separate classes. Each Fund currently offers one class of shares. The Funds have no intention of issuing senior securities, except that the Trust has issued its shares in separate series and may divide those series into classes of shares. Collateral arrangements with respect to forward contracts, futures contracts or options, including deposits of initial and variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction.

 

With respect to the Funds’ Fundamental Policy #4 as described above, each Fund will consider, to the extent practicable and consistent with applicable rules, regulations of the SEC and applicable guidance from the staff of the SEC, investments of its underlying investment companies when determining its compliance with the policy.

 

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.

 

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MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Investment Adviser. Formidable Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), 221 East Fourth Street, Suite 2700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is the investment adviser to each Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized in Ohio and is controlled by Will Brown.

 

The Adviser currently provides investment advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of each Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. In addition, the Adviser: (i) furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of each Fund; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of each Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees; and (iii) is responsible for oversight of the Sub-Adviser. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, all ordinary expenses of the Funds, except the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, distribution fees or expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

For its services with respect to the Funds, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at the following rates for each the Funds:

 

Fund Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets
Formidable ETF

1.19% of the first $250 million

1.14% over $250 million up to $500 million

1.09% in excess of $500 million

Formidable Dividend and Income ETF

0.89% of the first $250 million

0.84% over $250 million up to $500 million

0.79% in excess of $500 million

Formidable Fortress ETF

0.89% of the first $250 million

0.84% over $250 million up to $500 million

0.79% in excess of $500 million

 

The table below shows the management fees earned by the Adviser for the periods indicated.

 

Fund For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Commencement of Fund Operations Through March 31, 2022
Formidable ETF(1) $331,835 $244,038
Formidable Fortress ETF(2) $206,163 $103,633
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF(3) $-- $--
(1)The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2021.

(2)The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 2021.

(3)The Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

The Adviser retains the right to use the name “Formidable” or any derivative thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust’s right to use the name “Formidable” or any derivative thereof automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Advisory Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice. The services furnished by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to perform similar services for others.

 

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The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees (including all the Independent Trustees) in compliance with the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement will continue in force for an initial period of up to two years. Thereafter, the Advisory Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the Funds, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or by a majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.

 

The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Funds believes that there would be no material impact on the Funds or its shareholders. Financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the financial institution’s services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Funds may purchase securities issued by financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Funds, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 

The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Toroso Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Funds. The Sub-Adviser has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758. The Sub-Adviser was established in 2012 and provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. No outside companies or individuals currently own more than 25% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights. Over 50% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights are with employee-members.

 

Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Adviser assists the Adviser in providing day-to-day management of each of the Fund’s portfolios. For the services it provides for the Funds, the Sub-Adviser is compensated by the Adviser from the management fees paid by the Funds to the Adviser.

 

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The Sub-Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees (including all the Independent Trustees) in compliance with the 1940 Act. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in force for an initial period of up to two years. Thereafter, the Sub-Advisory Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the Funds, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or by a majority of each of the Fund’s outstanding shares or by the Adviser on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, or by the Sub-Adviser on 90 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Trust. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a fee by the Adviser, which is calculated daily and payable monthly as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at the following rates for each of the Funds:

 

Fund Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets
Formidable ETF 0.05% (subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee)
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF 0.05% (subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee)
Formidable Fortress ETF 0.035% (subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee)

 

Portfolio Managers. As described in the prospectus, Will Brown, Adam Eagleston, CFA, Michael Venuto and Charles A. Ragauss, CFA serve as the Funds’ Portfolio Managers and they are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds. In addition to the Funds, the Portfolio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The information below is provided as of March 31, 2023:

 

Portfolio Manager

Other

Registered

Investment

Company

Accounts

Assets

Managed

($ millions)

Other Pooled

Investment

Vehicle

Accounts

Assets

Managed

($ millions)

Other

Accounts

Assets

Managed

($ millions)

Total

Assets

Managed

($ millions)

Will Brown

0

$0

1

$16

1,100

$600

$657

Adam Eagleston, CFA

0

$0

1

$16

10

12

$75

Michael Venuto

52 $4,283 0 $0 564 $320

$4,603

Charles A. Ragauss, CFA

57

$4,304

0

$0

0

$0

$4,304

 

Conflicts of Interests. The Portfolio Managers’ management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Funds. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include a Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Funds. However, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

Compensation. Messrs. Brown and Eagleston do not receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of the Funds; however, Messrs. Brown and Eagleston, on behalf of the Adviser, may receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of certain private funds. Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss do not receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of the Funds; however, Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss, on behalf of the Sub-Adviser, may enter into incentive fee arrangements with its other non-Fund related client accounts. The Portfolio Managers do not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, respectively, for their services as Portfolio Managers. The Portfolio Managers compensation is based solely on the overall financial operating results of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, respectively. Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss may receive compensation from the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser for their respective services to each firm.

 

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Portfolio Manager Share Ownership. The table below shows the amount of the Fund’s equity securities beneficially owned by each Portfolio Manager as of March 31, 2023 and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001 - $50,000; D = $50,001 - $100,000; E = $100,001-$500,000; F = $500,001-$1,000,000; and G = over $1,000,000.

 

Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Fund Shares
Will Brown A
Adam Eagleston, CFA A
Michael Venuto A
Charles A. Ragauss, CFA A

 

Administrator. Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 (the “Administrator”) serves as each Fund’s administrator. In its capacity as administrator, the Administrator supervises all aspects of the operations of the Funds except those performed by the Adviser. The Administrator provides certain administrative services and facilities to the Funds, including, among other responsibilities, assisting in the preparation and filing of documents required for compliance by the Funds with applicable laws and regulations and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Funds. The Administrator receives an asset-based fee computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of each Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The table below shows the administrative fees paid to the Administrator for the periods indicated. The Adviser pays these fees.

 

Fund For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Commencement of Fund Operations Through March 31, 2022
Formidable ETF(1) $25,000 $20,833
Formidable Fortress ETF(2) $25,000 $16,667
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF(3) $-- $--
(1)The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2021.

(2)The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 2021.

(3)The Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Fund Accountant, Transfer Agency and Other Services. Pursuant to a Services Agreement with Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”), located at 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219, Citi provides certain financial administration services (other than those provided by the Administrator), and fund accounting services to the Funds. Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) provides transfer agency services pursuant to the same Service Agreement. As financial administrator, Citi performs services including but not limited to: (1) calculating Fund expenses; (2) calculating each Funds’ performance data; and (3) providing certain compliance support services. As fund accountant, Citi maintains certain financial records of the Trust and provides accounting services to each Fund that include the daily calculation of each Fund’s NAV. Citi also performs certain other services on behalf of the Trust including providing financial information for the Trust’s federal and state tax returns and financial reports required to be filed with the SEC. As transfer agent, Citibank issues shares of the Funds in Creation Units to fill purchase orders for the Fund’s shares, maintains records of the issuance and redemption of the Funds’ shares, and acts as the Funds’ dividend disbursing agent.

 

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For the financial administration and fund accounting services provided to the Trust, the Trust has agreed to pay to Citi an annual asset based fee as a percentage of the aggregate net assets of the Funds, subject to certain breakpoints and minimum fee requirements. Citi is also entitled to fees for services that it renders with respect to the filing of Form N-PORT, its services related to liquidity risk management and out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The table below shows the fees paid to Citi for services pursuant to the Services Agreement for the periods indicated. The adviser pays these fees.

 

Fund For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Commencement of Fund Operations Through March 31, 2022
Formidable ETF(1) $32,551 $10,640
Formidable Fortress ETF(2) $23,342 $6,311
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF(3) $-- $--
(1)The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2021.

(2)The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 2021.

(3)The Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Custodian. Pursuant to a Custodial and Agency Services Agreement with the Trust, Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”), located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10048, serves as Custodian for the Funds and safeguards and holds each Fund’s cash and securities, settles each Fund’s securities transactions and collects income on each Fund’s investments. Under the agreement, the Custodian also: (1) provides data required by the Adviser to determine each Fund’s Creation Basket and estimated All Cash Amount for each Business Day (this service is paid for by the Adviser directly pursuant to the Services Agreement between Citi and the Adviser (see “Services Agreement,” above)); (2) monitors the settlement of securities comprising the Creation Basket and any cash in connection with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units and requests the issuance of related Creation Units; (3) deposits securities comprising the Creation Basket and/or cash received from Authorized Participants in connection with purchases of Creation Units into the Fund’s custody and cash accounts; (4) disburses securities comprising the Creation Basket and/or cash from the Fund’s custody and cash accounts to Authorized Participants in connection with the redemptions of Creation Units; and (5) performs certain other related services, (See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units,” below).

 

Distributor and Principal Underwriter. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (doing business as ACA Group), (the “Distributor”) the Funds’ distributor, is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in whole Creation Units, as described in the section of this SAI entitled “Additional Information About Purchases and Sales.” The Distributor also acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Funds or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds.

 

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The Board has not adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Rule 12b-1 Plan”) under the 1940 Act with respect to the Funds. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund and there are no plans to impose these fees.

 

The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Funds. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.

 

Legal Counsel. Practus, LLP, 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, Kansas 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Funds.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd., audits the Funds’ annual financial statements, assists in the preparation of certain reports to the SEC, and prepares the Trust’s tax returns. Cohen & Company, Ltd. is located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

Trustees and Officers. The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trust’s activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Funds and review performance. The names, addresses and ages of the trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal occupations during the past five years, are listed below.

 

Each Trustee was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees based on their particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience; (ii) qualifications; (iii) attributes; and (iv) skills. Mr. David J. Urban has been a Professor of Education since 1989. His strategic planning, organizational and leadership skills help the Board set long-term goals. Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey has over 25 years of business experience as a practicing tax accountant and, as such, brings tax, budgeting and financial reporting skills to the Board. Mr. Theo H. Pitt has experience as an investor, including his role as trustee of several other investment companies and business experience as Senior Partner of a financial consulting company, as a partner of a real estate partnership and as an Account Administrator for a money management firm. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Ms. Ivey, who is not an “interested person” of the Trust, within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust also has an independent Audit Committee that allows the Board to access the expertise necessary of oversee the Trust, identify risks, recognize shareholder concerns and needs and highlight opportunities. The Audit Committee is able to focus Board time and attention to matters of interest to shareholders and, through its private sessions with the Trust’s auditor, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, stay fully informed regarding management decisions.

 

ETFs face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk and valuation risk. The Board oversees management of the Fund’s risks directly and through its officers. While day-to-day risk management responsibilities rest with each Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, investment advisers and other service providers, the Board monitors and tracks risk by: (1) receiving and reviewing quarterly reports related to the performance and operations of the Funds; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust, including the Trust’s valuation policies and transaction procedures; (3) periodically meeting with the portfolio manager to review investment strategies, techniques and related risks; (4) meeting with representatives of key service providers, including the Fund’s investment advisers, administrator, distributor, transfer agent and the independent registered public accounting firm, to discuss the activities of the Funds; (5) engaging the services of the Chief Compliance Officer of each Fund to monitor and test the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers; (6) receiving and reviewing reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Fund’s financial condition and the Trust’s internal controls; and (7) receiving and reviewing an annual written report prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer reviewing the adequacy of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board has concluded that its general oversight of the investment adviser and other service providers as implemented through the reporting and monitoring process outlined above allows the Board to effectively administer its risk oversight function.

 

17

 

 

Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. The mailing address of each Trustee and officer is 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia, 23235, unless otherwise indicated.

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

 

NAME, AGE AND POSITION WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE

YEARS

NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

HELD BY TRUSTEE

David J. Urban

(68)

Trustee

Indefinite, Since December, 2019

Dean, Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University since July 2013.

11 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the 20 series of that trust.

Mary Lou H. Ivey

(65)

Trustee

Indefinite, Since December, 2019 Senior Vice President, Episcopal Church Building Fund (national nonprofit organization), since January 2022. Accountant, Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C., (accounting firm), 2008 -2021. 11 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the 20 series of that trust.

Theo H. Pitt, Jr.

(87)

Trustee

Indefinite, Since December, 2019 Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) since 1997. 11

Independent Trustee of Chesapeake Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Chairman of Hillman Capital Management Investment Trust for one series of that trust; World Funds Trust for the 20 series of that trust; and Starboard Investment Trust for fourteen series of that trust; (all registered investment companies).

 

18

 

 

OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES

 

NAME, AGE AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE

YEARS

David Bogaert

(59)

President

Indefinite, Since December 2019

Managing Director of Business Development, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (fund administration), October 2013 – present.

Karen M. Shupe

(59)

Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer

Indefinite, Since December 2019 Managing Director of Fund Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present.

Ann T. MacDonald

(68)

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Indefinite, Since December 2019 Managing Director, Fund Administration and Fund Accounting, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present.

John H. Lively

(54)

Secretary

Indefinite, Since December 2019

Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm), May 2018 to present; Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm), March 2010 to May 2018.

Holly B. Giangiulio

(61)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since December 2019

Managing Director, Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 to present, Corporate Accounting and HR Manager from 2010 to 2015.

Soth Chin

(56)

Chief Compliance Officer

Indefinite, Since March 2023 Managing Member of FIT Compliance, LLC (financial services compliance and consulting firm) since October 2016.

Julian G. Winters

(54)

Assistant Chief Compliance Officer

Indefinite, Since March 2023

Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting) since March 2007.

Thomas A. Carter (56)

Vice President

Indefinite, Since December 2019

President Ridgeline Research September 2019 through present; President ALPS Advisors and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors 2007 – November 2018. Garden leave November 2018 – September 2019.

Laura B. Wright

(51)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since July 2022 Fund Administrator, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2016 to present.

J. Stephen King

(60)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since September 2022 Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm), 2020 to present; The TCW Group, Inc. (investment management firm), 2017 to 2020.

 

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NAME, AGE AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE

YEARS

Gino E. Malaspina

(55)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since September 2022 Counsel, Practus, LLP (law firm), since August 2022; Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Corporation, October 2019 to July 2022; Senior Counsel, Apex Fund Services (formerly, Atlantic Fund Services), June 2014 to October 2019.

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust and certain aspects of the services provided by the Adviser and the Funds’ other service providers. Each Trustee will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Each officer of the Trust serves at the pleasure of the Board and for a term of one year or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

 

The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey, and Mr. Pitt. The functions of the Audit Committee are to meet with the Trust’s independent auditors to review the scope and findings of the annual audit, discuss the Trust’s accounting policies, discuss any recommendations of the independent auditors with respect to the Trust’s management practices, review the impact of changes in accounting standards on the Trust’s financial statements, recommend to the Board the selection of independent registered public accounting firm, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Audit Committee by the Board. The Audit Committee met six times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter, which is described in Exhibit C – the charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee receives, investigates, and makes recommendations as to the appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees, or agents. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

Trustee Compensation. Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust may receive compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Effective January 1, 2022, each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $12,000. Additionally, each Trustee may receive a fee of $2,500 per special meeting. Compensation received by each Trustee from the Trust for the Funds’ fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

Name of Person / Position

Aggregate Compensation

From Fund

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Trustees (*)(1)
         
David J. Urban, Trustee

Formidable ETF: $1,333

Fortress ETF: $1,333

$0 $0 $2,666

 

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Name of Person / Position

Aggregate Compensation

From Fund

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Trustees (*)(1)
         
Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee

Formidable ETF: $1,333

 

Fortress ETF: $1,333

 

$0 $0 $2,666
Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee

Formidable ETF: $1,333

 

Fortress ETF: $1,333

 

$0 $0 $2,666
Kevin Farragher(2), Trustee

Formidable ETF: $1,333

 

Fortress ETF: $1,333

$0 $0 $2,666

 

*The Trust does not pay deferred compensation.
(1)The “Fund Complex” consists of the 3 Formidable Funds. As of the date of this SAI, the Formidable Dividend and Income ETF has not commenced operations.
(2)Mr. Kevin Farragher resigned as Trustee of the Trust on March 6, 2023.

 

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares. The table below shows for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Funds of the Trust, as of December 31, 2022, and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Trustees in Family of Investment Companies
Non-Interested Trustees    
David J. Urban A A
Mary Lou H. Ivey A A
Theo H. Pitt, Jr. A A
Kevin Farragher A A

 

Sales Loads. No front-end or deferred sales charges are applied to purchase of Fund shares by current or former trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter and by the members of their immediate families. No front-end or deferred sales charges are applied to the purchase of Shares.

 

Policies Concerning Personal Investment Activities. The Funds, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have each adopted a Code of Ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that permit investment personnel, subject to their particular code of ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, for their own account.

 

21

 

 

The Codes of Ethics are on file with, and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D. C. In addition, the Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Proxy Voting Policies. The Trust is required to disclose information concerning the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures to shareholders. The Board has delegated to Adviser the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which have been reviewed by the Board. The proxy voting policy for the Trust can be found in Exhibit A and the proxy voting policy of the Adviser can be found in Exhibit B. Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, will be available (1) without charge, upon request by calling (833) 600-5704; and (2) on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to a Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser.

 

Since the economic benefit of investing in an ETF is passed through to the underlying investors of the record owners of 25% or more of the Funds’ shares, these record owners are not considered the beneficial owners of the Funds’ shares or control persons of the Funds.

 

Name of Shareholder Percentage of Ownership of Fund
Formidable ETF:  
Depository Trust Company FBO Client Accounts 100%
Formidable Fortress ETF:  
Depository Trust Company FBO Client Accounts 100%

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

The NAV of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.

 

Generally, the Funds’ domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee (as defined below). Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the-counter market.

 

22

 

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued pursuant to methodologies established by the Board. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) approved by the Board based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost when it approximates fair value.

 

Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange, or, if no settlement price is available, at the last sale price as of the close of business prior to when the Funds calculates NAV. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee (as defined below). Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, at the mean between bid and asked price quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or by the Valuation Designee (as defined below) in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service approved by the Board to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Funds can change on days when Shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before the Funds’ calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee (as defined below). Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Funds’ portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of the Funds’ NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Funds may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Shares.

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board. As a result, the NAV of the Shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange Shares.

 

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Shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “Exchange Close”) on each day that the Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the Exchange Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the Exchange Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Funds or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.

 

Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. As a general principle, the fair value of a security or other asset is the price that would be received upon the sale of the security or asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and time. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation designee (“Valuation Designee”) for the Fund to perform fair value determinations relating to all Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through a fair valuation committee, and may apply fair valuation methodologies approved by the Board, or utilize prices or inputs from pricing services, quotation reporting systems, valuation agents and other third-party sources that have been approved by the Board.

 

Fair valuation may require subjective determinations about the value of a security. While the Fund’s and Valuation Designee’s policies and procedures are intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Fund cannot ensure that fair values accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by the Fund may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

Creation Units

 

The Trust issues and sells Shares of each Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis on any business day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Distributor processes purchase orders only on a day that the Exchange is open for trading (a “Business Day”).

 

Generally, the Trust will issue and sell Creation Units at NAV for cash (an “All Cash Amount”). At the discretion of the Adviser, the Funds may elect at any time, and from time to time, that the consideration for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units will be made for “in kind” consideration for all or portion of the Creation Unit, meaning the initiator of a creation or redemption order will deposit or receive as consideration a portfolio of all or some of the securities held in each Fund’s portfolio (“Deposit Securities”), plus a cash amount (an “In Kind Creation” and “In Kind Redemption”).

 

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Creation Orders

 

The consideration for an In Kind Creation generally consists of the Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio as selected by the Adviser (“Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The Cash Component serves to compensate the Trust or the Authorized Participant, as applicable, for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component.

 

In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (that is a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below) or for other similar reasons. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where delivery of Deposit Securities to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, and in certain other situations.

 

The Custodian, through the NSCC (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time), the list of the name and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security (if any) to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for each Fund. This Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to orders to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available, or unless the Adviser elects to receive an All Cash Amount in connection with the creation of Creation Units.

 

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by the Adviser, with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit the substitution of an amount of cash – i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount – to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. In addition to the list of names and number of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.

 

The process for a creation order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In Kind Creation, except that the Cash Component will be the entirety of the amount deposited as consideration for the Creation Unit(s).

 

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Procedures for Creation of Creation Units

 

All orders to create Creation Units must be placed with the Distributor either (1) through Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, by a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process; or (2) outside the Clearing Process by a DTC Participant. In each case, the Participating Party or the DTC Participant must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”); such parties are collectively referred to as “APs” or “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. All Fund Shares, whether created through or outside the Clearing Process, will be entered on the records of DTC for the account of a DTC Participant.

 

The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”) (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time), as long as they are in proper form. If an order to purchase Creation Units is received in proper form by Closing Time, then it will be processed that day. Purchase orders received in proper form after Closing Time will be processed on the following Business Day and will be priced at the NAV determined on that day. Custom orders must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date. In the case of an In Kind Creation, a custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below in the sections entitled “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”

 

All orders to create Creation Units from investors who are not Authorized Participants shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement.

 

Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Units that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of the Fund Deposit. For more information about Clearing Process and DTC, see the sections below entitled “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”

 

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Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor or transfer agent to transmit through the Custodian to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor or transfer agent on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

 

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process

 

All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of cash and securities directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date (“DTC Cut-Off-Time”).

 

All questions as to the amount of an All Cash Amount, the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, or the amount of a Cash Component, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component (including All Cash Amounts) must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component or the All Cash Amount, as applicable, by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposits and/or Cash Components as newly constituted to reflect the then-current Deposit Securities and Cash Component, or the All Cash Amount, as applicable. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected through a DTC participant outside the Clearing Process and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee.”

 

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Creation Units of an In-Kind Creation may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Cash Component plus (2) 125% of the then-current market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (“Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to Closing Time and funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by Closing Time or funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending receipt of the undelivered Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 125% of the daily marked-to-market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities. To the extent that undelivered Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the undelivered Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and the Fund for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the undelivered Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust’s custodial account. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. See the section below entitled “Creation Transaction Fee.” The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units

 

The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if: (1) the order is not in proper form; (2) if the Cash Component paid is incorrect; (3) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (4) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (5) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (6) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (7) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (8) there exist circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, transfer agent, the Distributor and the Adviser that make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor or transfer agent, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian, the transfer agent and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

 

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Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+2 basis” (that is, two Business Days after trade date).

 

To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, the Trust will issue Creation Units of an In Kind Creation to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value equal to 110%, which the Adviser may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Trust is cash in U.S. Dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant.

 

Information concerning the Trust’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor or transfer agent. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.

 

In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units (whether by In Kind Creation/Redemption or for an All Cash Amount) on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. All questions as to the amount of cash required to be delivered, the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered, as applicable, shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

 

Creation Transaction Fee

 

Authorized Participants will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Creation Transaction Fee”) in connection with creation orders that is intended to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Creation Transaction Fee charged by each Fund’s custodian for each creation order is $250.

 

An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the purchase of the Deposit Securities (expressed as a percentage of the value of such Deposit Securities) may be imposed for (1) creations effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) creations made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

 

In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Creation order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an In Kind Creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Creation Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Creation Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.

 

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The Creation Transaction Fee may be waived for a Fund when the Adviser believes that waiver of the Creation Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Creation Transaction Fee, the Adviser considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Creation Transaction Fee will: facilitate the initial launch of a Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancings in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for a Fund’s shares; and not result in a Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

Redemption Orders

 

The process to redeem Creation Units is essentially the reverse of the process by which Creation Units are created, as described above. To redeem Shares directly from the Funds, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or must redeem through an Authorized Participant. The Trust redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. A Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Authorized Participants must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit.

 

Generally, Creation Units of the Funds will also be redeemed at NAV principally in cash, although the Funds reserve the right to redeem all or a portion in kind, in each case less a transaction fee as described below. With respect to In Kind Redemptions, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units. The redemption proceeds for an In Kind Redemption of a Creation Unit consists of Fund Securities – as announced on the Business Day the request for redemption is received in proper form – plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (“Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee (see the section below entitled “Redemption Transaction Fee”).

 

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.

 

Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within two Business Days (that is “T+2”). The Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (that is the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.

 

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The process for a redemption order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In-Kind Redemption, except that the proceeds of the redemption will be paid entirely in cash. Proceeds of redemptions of Creation Units payable in an All Cash Amount will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption (within seven calendar days thereafter).

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements with an Authorized Participant for an order to redeem. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Distributor after Closing Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process

 

Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (2) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Fund Shares, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than the DTC Cut-Off-Time, and the Cash Redemption Amount, if owed to the Fund, which delivery must be made by 2:00 p.m. New York Time; and (3) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Distributor receives an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process, the Distributor will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date.

 

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received upon redemption (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth the section of this SAI entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Distributor. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Distributor by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

 

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The Trust may in its discretion at any time, or from time to time, exercise its option to redeem Fund Shares solely for consideration in the form of an All Cash Amount, and the redeeming Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Trust may permit, in its sole discretion. In either case, the investor will receive an All Cash Amount payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a transaction fee which will include an additional charge for cash redemptions to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

 

An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting that is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

 

Redemption Transaction Fee

 

Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Redemption Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Redemption Transaction Fee charged by each Fund’s custodian for each redemption order is $250.

 

An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Fund Securities (expressed as a percentage value of such Fund Securities) may be imposed for (1) redemptions effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) redemptions made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the sale of Fund Securities). Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.

 

In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Redemption order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an In Kind Redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.

 

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Regardless of form, the Redemption Transaction Fee (including any reimbursements related to in cash redemptions or additional variable fees for In Kind Redemptions) will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities (currently, no more than 2% of the value of the shares redeemed).

 

The Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for a Fund when the Adviser believes that waiver of the Redemption Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Redemption Transaction Fee, the Adviser considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Redemption Transaction Fee will: facilitate portfolio rebalancings in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for a Fund’s shares; and not result in a Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Funds or its shareholders, pay a solicitation fee to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries (collectively, a “Financial Intermediary.”)

 

TAXES

 

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Funds). The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust (“REIT”), insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, or dealer in securities. Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund are held by U.S. shareholders (defined below) and that such shares are held as capital assets.

 

A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of a Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);

a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or a trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

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A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of a Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of a Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership that will hold shares of the Fund should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

 

Taxation as a RIC. The Funds intend to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). Each Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, each Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (the “Income Test”). A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code Section 7704. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.

 

If a RIC fails as the Income Test and such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it will not be subject to the 21% U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to corporations. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.

 

With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, each Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets are represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets are invested in securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Asset Test”).

 

If a RIC fails the Asset Test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is “de minimis,” meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RIC’s assets, or $10 million.

 

Similarly, if a RIC fails the Asset Test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure the failure if: (i) the RIC files with the U.S. Treasury Department a description of each asset that caused the RIC to fail the Asset Test; (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (iii) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the U.S. Treasury Department). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (i) $50,000 or (ii) an amount determined by multiplying the highest corporate rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of the Asset Test by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the Asset Test.

 

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If a Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed the “Distribution Test”), the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%). Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of their investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

Each Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax in preceding years. Each Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.

 

Each Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if a Fund hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules as having original issue discount (“OID”),such as debt instruments with payment of in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any accrued OID will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the accrued income.

 

A RIC is permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of a Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

Except as set forth below in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Funds will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If a Fund is unable to satisfy the Distribution Test or otherwise fail to qualify as a RIC in any year, they will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to a Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate U.S. shareholders, and non-corporate U.S. shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, if holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

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Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their shares of the Fund, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy the Income Test, Asset Test, and Distribution Test for that year and distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which a Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.

 

Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by a Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate U.S. shareholders under Internal Revenue Code Section 243 to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or REITs or (ii) in the case of individual U.S. shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Internal Revenue Code Section 1(h)(11) (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (which generally include foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such U.S. shareholder owned the shares of each Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder. Each Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 sent to the U.S. shareholders will instead serve this notice purpose.

 

As a RIC, each Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the U.S. shareholders’ AMT liabilities. Each Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction).

 

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For purpose of determining (i) whether the Distribution Test is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of Capital Gain Dividends paid for that year, each Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the prior taxable year. If a Fund makes such an election, a U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by a U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

Each Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, a Fund is to retain any net capital gain, a Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.

 

Sales of shares or redemption of creation units and other dispositions of the shares, such as exchanges, of a Fund generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale of shares or redemption of creation units or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to a U.S. shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and the adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed Capital Gain Dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.

 

An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize gain or loss from the exchange. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units and the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that an Authorized Participant which does not mark-to-market its holdings may not be permitted to currently deduct losses realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

 

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Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Any loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gains with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).

 

The Trust on behalf of the Funds has the right to reject an order for a purchase of Shares of a Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) 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 securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If a Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund, the purchaser (or group of purchasers) may not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

 

Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction and whether the wash sales rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

 

Federal law requires that ETFs companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on a Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.

 

Each Fund has chosen average cost as the standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way each Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. Each Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. Each Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on a U.S. shareholder’s Consolidated Form 1099 if the U.S. shareholder does not select a specific tax lot identification method. U.S. shareholders may choose a method different than a Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of the U.S. shareholder’s purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Treasury regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as “covered” under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. Each Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” Each Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. U.S. shareholders should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions they may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

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Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from a Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of a Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in a Fund.

 

Straddles. When a Fund enters into an offsetting position to limit the risk on another position, the “straddle” rules usually come into play. An option or other position entered into or held by a Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the Fund may constitute a “straddle” for Federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the character and timing of the Fund’s gains and losses with respect to straddle positions. The key features of the straddle rules are as follows:

 

A Fund may have to wait to deduct any losses. If a Fund has a capital gain in one position of a straddle and a capital loss in the other, a Fund may not recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes until the Fund disposes of both positions. This might occur, for example, if a Fund had a highly appreciated stock position and the Fund purchased protective put options (which gives the Fund the right to sell the stock to someone else for a period of time at a predetermined price) to offset the risk. If the stock continued to increase in value and the put options expired worthless, a Fund must defer recognition of the loss on its put options until the Fund sells and recognizes the gain on the original, appreciated position.

 

Each Fund’s capital gain holding period may get clipped. The moment a Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If a Fund held the original position for one year or less (thus not qualifying for the long-term capital gains rate), not only is the holding period frozen, it starts all over again when the Fund disposes of the offsetting position.

 

Losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses may be treated as long-term capital losses. This generally has the effect of reducing the tax benefit of such losses.

 

A Fund may not be able to deduct any interest expenses or carrying charges. During the offsetting period, any interest or carrying charges associated with the straddle are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).

 

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the OID is treated as interest income and is included in a Fund’s taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security.

 

Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligations issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt obligation. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case a Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in a Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects. In the case of higher-risk securities, the amount of market discount may be unclear. See below under “Higher-Risk Securities.”

 

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Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as having “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. Each Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income (as ordinary income) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. Each Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

In addition, payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

If a Fund hold the foregoing kinds of securities, they may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). Each Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, their shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Higher-Risk Securities. To the extent such investments are permissible for a Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by the Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer. If a portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations is not deductible, that portion will be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

 

Interest paid on debt obligations owned by a Fund, if any, that are considered for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be payable in the equity of the issuer or a related party will not be deductible to the issuer, possibly affecting the cash flow of the issuer.

 

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Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt U.S. shareholder could recognize unrelated taxable business income (“UBTI”) by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt U.S. shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt U.S. shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognize “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”) if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

 

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. A CRT (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 664) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognize “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognize “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

Foreign Taxation. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

 

A “qualified fund of funds” is a RIC that has at least 50% of the value of its total interests invested in other RICs at the end of each quarter of the taxable year. If a Fund satisfies this requirement or if they meet certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations.

 

Non-U.S. Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a Non-U.S. shareholder are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

 

A RIC is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a Non-U.S. shareholder (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the Non-U.S. shareholdern is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the Non-U.S. shareholder and the Non-U.S. shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual Non-U.S. shareholder, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual Non-U.S. shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (“USRPIs”) as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the RIC (“Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends”). If the Fund invests in an underlying fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to Non-U.S. shareholders.

 

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Each Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to Non-U.S. shareholders that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends.

 

In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or Short-Term Capital Gain Dividend to shareholders. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Under U.S. federal income tax law, a beneficial holder of shares of the Fund who is a Non-U.S. shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of USRPIs apply to the Non-U.S. shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend received by the non-U.S. shareholder (as described below).

 

Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a U.S. corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.

 

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If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for certain exceptions, any distributions by the Fund to a Non-U.S. shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. federal income withholding tax. In addition, such distributions could result in a Non-U.S. shareholder being required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a Non-U.S. shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the Non-U.S. shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. This “look-through” USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions, to Non-U.S. shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.

 

In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% Non-U.S. shareholder, in which case such shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. federal income tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

 

Whether or not the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.

 

If a Non-U.S. shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends from the Fund are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

 

If a Non-U.S. shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that Non-U.S. shareholder in the United States.

 

To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a Non-U.S. shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an applicable IRS Form W-8). Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors in this regard.

 

A Non-U.S. shareholder may be subject to U.S. state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax referred to above.

 

Backup Withholding. Each Fund generally is required to backup withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to properly certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 24%.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

 

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FATCA. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (i) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (ii) in the future, certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of shares of the Fund paid by the Fund. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (i) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (ii) by an NFFE, if it: (a) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (b) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA, generally on an applicable IRS Form W-8.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of a Fund of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder generally 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 are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these Treasury regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

 

Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this SAI is being prepared, various administrative and legislative changes to the U.S. federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Funds execute transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

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The table below shows the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the periods indicated.

 

Fund For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 Commencement of Fund Operations Through March 31, 2022
Formidable ETF(1) $274,739 $107,464
Formidable Fortress ETF(2) $33,497 $9,928
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF(3) $-- $--
(1)The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2021.

(2)The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 2021.

(3)The Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates. The Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the Funds as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers, but may place portfolio transactions with brokers and dealers that promote or sell a Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of execution and not on sales efforts. When placing portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Funds with those to be sold or purchased for other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the Funds and such other advisory accounts. An aggregated order will generally be allocated on a pro rata basis among all participating accounts, based on the relative dollar values of the participating accounts, or using any other method deemed to be fair to the participating accounts, with any exceptions to such methods involving the Trust being reported to the Trustees.

 

Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) permits the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Funds to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Funds.

 

To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser under their respective advisory agreements. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

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In some cases the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

From time to time, the Funds may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. The Funds may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Funds, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Funds for exchange transactions not exceed “usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Trustees, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.

 

Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers”. Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which the Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. As of March 31, 2023, the Funds did not hold any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers.”

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS

 

On each Business Day (as defined in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Units section of this SAI), prior to the opening of regular trading on the Funds’ primary listing exchange, the Funds disclose on their website (www.FormidableFunds.com) certain information relating to the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of each Fund’s next net asset value per share calculation.

 

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In addition, certain information may also be made available to certain parties:

 

Communications of Data Files: The Funds may make available through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or through posting on the Funds’ website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a list of the Funds’ holdings (generally pro-rata) that Authorized Participants could deliver to the Funds to settle purchases of the Funds (i.e. Deposit Securities) or that Authorized Participants would receive from the Funds to settle redemptions of the Funds (i.e. Fund Securities). These files are known as the Portfolio Composition Files and the Fund Data Files (collectively, “Files”). The Files are applicable for the next trading day and are provided to the NSCC and/or posted on the Funds’ website after the close of markets in the U.S.

 

Communications with Authorized Participants and Liquidity Providers: Certain employees of the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Distributor and Custodian are responsible for interacting with Authorized Participants and liquidity providers with respect to discussing custom basket proposals as described in the Custom Baskets section of this SAI. As part of these discussions, these employees may discuss with an Authorized Participant or liquidity provider the securities the Funds are willing to accept for a creation, and securities that the Funds will provide on a redemption.

 

The Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser may also discuss portfolio holdings-related information with broker/dealers, in connection with settling the Funds’ transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with the disclosure in the Funds’ current registration statement.

 

Communications with Listing Exchanges: From time to time, employees of the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Distributor and/or Custodian may discuss portfolio holdings information with the applicable primary listing exchange for the Funds as needed to meet the exchange listing standards.

 

Communication of Other Information: Certain explanatory information regarding the Files is released to Authorized Participants and liquidity providers on a daily basis, but is only done so after the Files are posted to the Funds’ website.

 

Third-Party Service Providers: Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to the Trustees and their counsel, outside counsel for the Funds, auditors and to certain third-party service providers (i.e., fund administrator, custodian, proxy voting service, and printers), as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Funds, the terms of the current registration statement and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.

 

Each Fund files its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and on Form N-PORT for the first and third fiscal quarters. Certain portfolio information is also included on Form N-PORT that is filed for the second and fourth fiscal quarters. The portfolio holdings information provided in these reports is as of the end of the respective quarter. Form N-CSR must be filed with the SEC no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Trust transmits its annual or semi-annual report to its shareholders. Form N-PORT must be filed with the SEC and will be made publicly available no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the end of the applicable quarter.

 

No consideration may be received by the Funds, the Adviser, or any other person in connection with the disclosure of portfolio information. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or his delegate may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy and procedures, subject to restrictions on selective disclosure imposed by applicable law. The Board reviews the policy and procedures for disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares into one or more series of shares. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further authorizes the trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes. The Trust’s shares of beneficial interest have no par value.

 

The Funds are authorized to issue one class of shares imposing no front-end or deferred sales charges, no 12b-1 fee and no service fee.

 

Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the applicable prospectus, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual fund, shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the particular fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective fund, of any general assets of the Trust not belonging to any particular fund which are available for distribution.

 

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share held and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except as otherwise expressly required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular class. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate of the Trust’s outstanding shares may elect all of the trustees, irrespective of the votes of other shareholders.

 

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each fund in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the fund. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment management agreement or any change in an investment objective, if fundamental, or in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such fund. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series or class.

 

The Trust does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 25% of the Trust’s shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trust’s shares as the Board may deem desirable. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust to merge or to consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust or to sell or exchange all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, in dissolution of the Trust, or any series or class thereof. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust by the Trustees without shareholder approval. However, the exercise of such authority by the Board without shareholder approval may be subject to certain restrictions or limitations under the 1940 Act.

 

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PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, which are included in Exhibit B to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Fund’s proxy voting record. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Trust are included as Exhibit A to this SAI.

 

The Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, will be available (1) without charge, upon request by calling (833) 600-5704 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235; and (2) on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Administrator have each adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The Annual Report for the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 has been filed with the SEC. The financial statements contained in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this SAI. The financial statements and financial highlights for the Funds included in the Annual Report have been audited by the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd., whose report thereon also appears in such Annual Report and is also incorporated herein by reference. No other parts of the Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements in such Annual Report have been incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. You may request free copies of reports, request other information and discuss your questions about the Funds by contacting the Funds directly at:

 

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Formidable ETFs

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

The ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisers

 

The Board believes that the investment adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of each Fund (each an “Adviser”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Adviser of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

 

The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Adviser shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Adviser shall perform these duties in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Adviser shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.

 

Conflict of Interest Transactions

 

In some instances, an Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and those of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such case, the Adviser is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Adviser has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders’ best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Adviser of its final decision on the matter and the Adviser shall vote in accordance with the Board’s decision.

 

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Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders

 

If a Fund has a website, the Fund may post a copy of its Adviser’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

Each Adviser shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as adviser, to the Trust’s administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trust’s administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31st of each year.

 

Adopted: December 4, 2019

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

FORMIDABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC (“FORMIDABLE”)

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, addresses an investment adviser’s fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. The rule also requires these advisers to maintain certain records relating to proxy voting. The rule is designed to ensure that advisers vote proxies in the best interests of their clients and provide clients with information about how their proxies are voted. The rule requires an investment adviser that exercises voting authority over client proxies to: adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of clients; disclose to clients information about the adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures; and disclose to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser has voted their proxies.

 

A. Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

Formidable assumes proxy voting responsibility only for the securities held in the Fund. For all other types of client accounts the Firm does not accept proxy voting responsibility.

 

The COO is responsible for managing the proxy voting processes, policies and procedures. The COO ensures that Formidable votes all proxies in accordance with these policies and procedures and retains all required documentation associated with proxy voting, unless the client has retained proxy voting responsibility. The COO will ensure that Formidable complies with all recordkeeping requirements associated with proxy voting.

 

Formidable has adopted the following proxy voting procedures to ensure that proxies are properly identified and voted, and that any conflicts of interest are addressed properly:

 

As mentioned above, Formidable only assumes proxy voting responsibility for the Fund.

The COO is responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process and ensuring that all proxies are voted in a timely manner.

It is Formidable’s policy to vote all proxies in accordance with management. While unlikely, if in any instance a proxy vote deviates from the recommendation of management, Formidable will have generally considered factors such as: shareholders’ proposals; cost effects of such proposals; effect on employees; and executive and director compensation. In any instance where Formidable votes a proxy differently from the recommendation of management the COO is required to prepare and maintain a written explanation of the reason for the deviation, as well as a representation that Formidable and its staff are not conflicted in making the chosen voting decision.

Formidable will not neglect its proxy voting responsibilities, but Formidable may abstain from voting if it deems that abstaining is in the best interests of clients. For example, Formidable may be unable to vote securities that have been lent by the custodian, voting on international securities where personal appearance is required and not having sufficient information to vote the proxy. The COO will prepare and maintain documentation describing the rationale for any instance in which Formidable does not vote a client’s proxy.

 

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The COO will ensure that the following information in connection with each proxy vote is retained:

○ The issuer’s name;

○ The security’s ticker symbol or CUSIP, as applicable;

○ The shareholder’s meeting date;

○ The number of shares that Formidable voted;

○ A brief identification of the matter voted on;

○ Whether Formidable cast a vote;

○ How Formidable cast its vote (for the proposal, against the proposal, or abstain); and 

○ Whether Formidable cast its vote with or against management.

 

Any attempt to influence the proxy voting process by issuers or others not identified in these policies and procedures will be promptly reported to the CCO.

 

B. Disclosures to Clients

 

Formidable includes a description of its policies and procedures regarding proxy voting in all of its Brochures. In addition, the Brochure for the Traditional Accounts (which includes the Fund) contains the statement that clients can contact CCO to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and information about how Formidable voted with respect to the client’s securities. Any requests for information about proxy voting should be promptly forwarded to the CCO who will respond to any such requests. As a matter of policy, Formidable does not disclose how it expects to vote on upcoming proxies. Additionally, Formidable does not disclose the way it voted proxies to unaffiliated third parties without a legitimate need to know such information.

 

C. Report of Proxies Received/Voted

 

The COO will provide to the Compliance Committee, on a quarterly basis, a report containing the information listed above for all proxies received and voted during the quarter. In addition, the report will include any proxies received and not voted.

 

D. Class Actions

 

At no time and under no circumstances is Formidable responsible for legal proceedings, class action suits or other events pertaining to account assets. The client maintains exclusive sole responsibility for all legal proceedings, class action suits or such other events.

 

Adopted: May 15, 2019

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership

 

1.The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

 

Board Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustee have and affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule 12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers. See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board.

2.The Committee shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board of Trustees.

3.The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board.

4.The Committee shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the Independent Trustees as a group.

 

Committee Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee assignments at least annually.

2.The Committee shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board.

 

Other Powers and Responsibilities

 

1.The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust.

2.The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees.

 

Adopted: December 4, 2019

 

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APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

I.Identification of Candidates. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated, and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation.

 

II.Shareholder Candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations.

 

III.Evaluation of Candidates. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

(a)(1)   Certificate of Trust of ETF Opportunities Trust (“Registrant”) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020. 
     
(a)(2)   Agreement and Declaration of Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(b)   By-Laws of the Registrant is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(c)   Articles IV, VII and VIII of the Declaration of Trust, Exhibit 28(a)(2) above, define the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)
     
(d)(1)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Ridgeline Research LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(d)(2)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Investment Advisory, LLC and Ridgeline Research LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(d)(3)   Amended Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETF, the Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and the Formidable Fortress ETF (“Formidable ETFs”) - Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(4)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETFs – Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(5)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(d)(6)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(9)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Gea Sphere, LLC on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(d)(10)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Gea Sphere, LLC on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(11)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(d)(12)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Investment Advisory LLC and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(d)(13)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.

 

 

 

     
(d)(14)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Investment Advisory LLC and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(d)(15)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(d)(16)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(17)   Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(d)(18)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(d)(19)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management LLC on behalf of Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(20)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management LLC on behalf of Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF and Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(21)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(22)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(d)(23)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc. and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(d)(24)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of REX  IncomeMax AMD Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax AMZN Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax TSLA Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax BIIB Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax DIS Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax EEM Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax GDXJ Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax GOOG Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax META Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax MSFT Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax MSTR Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax PYPL Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SLV Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SMH Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SNOW Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax TLRY Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax UNG Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax USO Strategy ETF and REX  IncomeMax V Strategy ETF (“REX ETFs”) (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(25)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(26)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF (To Be Filed by Amendment).
     

 

 

 

(d)(27)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(28)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(1)   Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of  the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(e)(2)   First Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF, the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF and the Real Asset Strategies ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(e)(3)   Third Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Funds in the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(e)(4)   ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Funds in the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No 30 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2022.
     
(e)(5)   Fourth Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 44 on Form N-1A filed on March 17, 2023.
     
(e)(6)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(e)(7)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     

 

 

 

(e)(8)   Form of Authorized Participant Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(f)   Not applicable.
     
(g)(1)   Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(g)(2)  

Amendment No. 1 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.

 

(g)(3)   Amendment No. 4 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
 (g)(4)   Amendment No. 5 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(g)(5)   Amendment No. 6 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF and Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(g)(6)   Amendment No. 7 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF and the UBC Algorithmic Fundamentals ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(g)(7)   Amendment No. 8 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(g)(8)  

Amendment to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.

 

     

 

 

 

(g)(9)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(g)(10)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(1)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(2)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(h)(3)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(h)(4)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(5)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(6)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(h)(7)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(8)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(h)(9)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(10)   Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF and Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     

 

 

 

(h)(11)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(12)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(h)(13)  

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

(h)(14)

 

 

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

(h)(15)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(16)   Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(17)   Amendment No. 4 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Funds of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(18)   Amendment No. 6 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Funds of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(h)(19)   Amendment No. 7 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF and Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(h)(20)   Amendment No. 8 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(21)   Amendment No. 9 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(h)(22)   Amendment No. 10 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 33 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(h)(23)   Amendment No. 12 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
     

 

 

 

     
(h)(24)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(h)(25)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(26)   Fee Waiver Letter dated March 6, 2023, between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(i)(1)   Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(i)(2)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 on Form N-1A filed on November 29, 2021.
     
(i)(3)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 on Form N-1A filed on March 12, 2021.
     
(i)(4)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the Formidable ETFs - Filed Herewith.
     
(i)(5)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Applied Finance Valuation  Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(i)(6)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 on Form N-1A filed on May 1, 2023.
     
(i)(7)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Alpha Dog ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     

 

 

 

(i)(8)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 on Form N-1A filed on November 9, 2021.
     
(i)(9)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference form the Registration’s Post-Effective Amendment No 28 on Form N-1A filed on June 7, 2022.  
     
(i)(10)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(i)(11)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(i)(12)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of securities registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(13)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of securities registered with respect to Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF and Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(14)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(15)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to  LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(i)(16)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(17)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     

(i)(18)

 

  Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(j)(1)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No 33 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(j)(2)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Formidable ETFs  - Filed Herewith.
(j)(3)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 on Form N-1A filed on May 1, 2023.

 

(j)(4)

 

  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 34 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     

 

 

 

(j)(5)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 36 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(j)(6)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 40 on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2023.
     
(j)(7)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(l)   Initial Capital Agreement is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(m)(1)   Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. Not Applicable.
     
(n)(1)   Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan. Not applicable.
     
(o)   Reserved.
     
(p)(1)   Code of Ethics for the Registrant is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(p)(2)   Code of Ethics for Ridgeline Research, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(p)(3)   Code of Ethics for Vident Investment Advisory, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2023. 
     
(p)(4)   Code of Ethics for Formidable Asset Management, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 on Form N-1A filed on March 12, 2021.
     
(p)(5)   Code of Ethics for Toroso Asset Management is herein incorporated by reference filed from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2022.
     
(p)(6)   Code of Ethics for Applied Finance Advisors, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(p)(7)   Code of Ethics for Gea Sphere, LLC - Filed Herewith.
     
(p)(8)   Code of Ethics for Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC is herein incorporated by reference filed from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2022.
     
(p)(9)   Code of Ethics for WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC - Filed Herewith.
     
(p)(10)   Code of Ethics for Cultivar Capital, Inc. - Filed Herewith.
     
(p)(11)   Code of Ethics for Tuttle Capital Management LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(p)(12)   Code of Ethics for Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(p)(13)   Code of Ethics for REX Advisers, LLC (To be Filed by Amendment).
     

 

 

 

(q)   Power of Attorney for Mary Lou H. Ivey, David J. Urban and Theo H. Pitt, Jr. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 44 on Form N-1A filed on March 17, 2023.
     

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant

    Not Applicable.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

See Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the section titled “Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Other Agents” in the Registrant’s By-Laws.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.

Item 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Adviser

 

The description of the Investment Adviser is found under the caption “Management,” “The Investment Adviser” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Investment Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Investment Adviser may provide investment advisory services to persons or entities other than the Registrant.

 

Item 32.Foreside Fund Services, LLC

 

Item 32(a)Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1.AB Active ETFs, Inc.
2.ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund
3.Absolute Shares Trust
4.ActivePassive Core Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
5.ActivePassive Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
6.ActivePassive International Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
7.ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
8.Adaptive Core ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
9.AdvisorShares Trust
10.AFA Multi-Manager Credit Fund
11.AGF Investments Trust
12.AIM ETF Products Trust
13.Alexis Practical Tactical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
14.AlphaCentric Prime Meridian Income Fund
15.American Century ETF Trust
16.Amplify ETF Trust
17.Applied Finance Core Fund, Series of World Funds Trust

 

 

18.Applied Finance Explorer Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
19.Applied Finance Select Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
20.ARK ETF Trust
21.ARK Venture Fund
22.ASYMmetric ETFs Trust
23.B.A.D. ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
24.Bitwise Funds Trust
25.Bluestone Community Development Fund
26.BondBloxx ETF Trust
27.Bramshill Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
28.Bridgeway Funds, Inc.
29.Brinker Capital Destinations Trust
30.Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc.
31.Build Funds Trust
32.Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund
33.Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund
34.Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund
35.Calamos ETF Trust
36.Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund
37.Calamos Global Total Return Fund
38.Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
39.Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund
40.Cboe Vest Bitcoin Strategy Managed Volatility Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
41.Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
42.Cboe Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
43.Cboe Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
44.Cboe Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
45.Cboe Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
46.Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund
47.Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
48.Clifford Capital International Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
49.Clifford Capital Partners Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
50.Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund
51.Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund
52.Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
53.Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
54.CornerCap Small-Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
55.CrossingBridge Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
56.Curasset Capital Management Core Bond Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
57.Curasset Capital Management Limited Term Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
58.Davis Fundamental ETF Trust
59.Defiance Daily Short Digitizing the Economy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
60.Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
61.Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
62.Defiance Next Gen H2 ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
63.Defiance Pure Electric Vehicle ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
64.Defiance Quantum ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
65.Direxion Funds
66.Direxion Shares ETF Trust
67.Dividend Performers ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
68.Dodge & Cox Funds
69.DoubleLine ETF Trust
70.DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund
71.DoubleLine Yield Opportunities Fund
72.DriveWealth ETF Trust
73.EIP Investment Trust
74.Ellington Income Opportunities Fund
75.ETF Opportunities Trust
76.Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
77.Exchange Listed Funds Trust
78.Fiera Capital Series Trust

 

 

79.FlexShares Trust
80.Forum Funds
81.Forum Funds II
82.Forum Real Estate Income Fund
83.Goose Hollow Tactical Allocation ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
84.Grayscale Future of Finance ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
85.Grizzle Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
86.Guinness Atkinson Funds
87.Harbor ETF Trust
88.Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
89.Horizon Kinetics Energy and Remediation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
90.Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
91.Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
92.Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
93.IDX Funds
94.Innovator ETFs Trust
95.Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
96.Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
97.John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
98.LDR Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
99.Mairs & Power Balanced Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
100.Mairs & Power Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
101.Mairs & Power Minnesota Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
102.Mairs & Power Small Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
103.Manor Investment Funds
104.Merk Stagflation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
105.Milliman Variable Insurance Trust
106.Mindful Conservative ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
107.Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
108.Mohr Growth ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
109.Mohr Sector Navigator ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
110.Morgan Stanley ETF Trust
111.Morningstar Funds Trust
112.Mutual of America Investment Corporation
113.OTG Latin American Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
114.Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
115.Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
116.Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
117.Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
118.Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
119.Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
120.Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
121.Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
122.Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
123.Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
124.Perkins Discovery Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
125.Philotimo Focused Growth and Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
126.Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
127.PMC Core Fixed Income Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
128.PMC Diversified Equity Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
129.Point Bridge America First ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
130.Preferred-Plus ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
131.Putnam ETF Trust
132.Quaker Investment Trust
133.Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
134.Rareview Inflation/Deflation ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
135.Rareview Systematic Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
136.Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
137.Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
138.Revere Sector Opportunity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
139.Reynolds Funds, Inc.

 

 

140.RiverNorth Enhanced Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
141.RiverNorth Patriot ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
142.RMB Investors Trust
143.Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
144.Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
145.Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
146.Roundhill BIG Bank ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
147.Roundhill BIG Tech ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
148.Roundhill Cannabis ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
149.Roundhill IO Digital Infrastructure ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
150.Roundhill MEME ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
151.Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
152.Roundhill Video Games ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
153.Rule One Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
154.Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
155.SHP ETF Trust
156.Six Circles Trust
157.Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
158.Sparrow Funds
159.Spear Alpha ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
160.STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
161.STF Tactical Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
162.Strategic Trust
163.Strategy Shares
164.Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
165.Syntax ETF Trust
166.Tekla World Healthcare Fund
167.Tema ETF Trust
168.Teucrium Agricultural Strategy No K-1 ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
169.Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Agriculture Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
170.Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Base Metals Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
171.The Community Development Fund
172.The Finite Solar Finance Fund
173.The Private Shares Fund
174.The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
175.Third Avenue Trust
176.Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
177.Tidal ETF Trust
178.Tidal Trust II
179.TIFF Investment Program
180.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
181.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
182.Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
183.Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
184.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
185.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Core Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
186.Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
187.Total Fund Solution
188.Touchstone ETF Trust
189.TrueShares Eagle Global Renewable Energy Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
190.TrueShares ESG Active Opportunities ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
191.TrueShares Low Volatility Equity Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
192.TrueShares Structured Outcome (April) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
193.TrueShares Structured Outcome (August) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
194.TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
195.TrueShares Structured Outcome (February) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
196.TrueShares Structured Outcome (January) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
197.TrueShares Structured Outcome (July) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
198.TrueShares Structured Outcome (June) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
199.TrueShares Structured Outcome (March) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
200.TrueShares Structured Outcome (May) ETF, Listed Funds Trust

 

 

201.TrueShares Structured Outcome (November) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
202.TrueShares Structured Outcome (October) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
203.TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
204.TrueShares Technology, AI & Deep Learning ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
205.U.S. Global Investors Funds
206.Union Street Partners Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
207.Variant Alternative Income Fund
208.Variant Impact Fund
209.VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
210.VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
211.VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
212.VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
213.VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
214.VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
215.VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
216.VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
217.VictoryShares International Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
218.VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
219.VictoryShares NASDAQ Next 50 ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
220.VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
221.VictoryShares THB Mid Cap ESG ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
222.VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
223.VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
224.VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
225.VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
226.VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
227.VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
228.VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
229.VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
230.VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
231.VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
232.VictoryShares WestEnd US Sector ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
233.Volatility Shares Trust
234.West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
235.Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc.
236.Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust
237.WisdomTree Digital Trust
238.WisdomTree Trust
239.WST Investment Trust
240.XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust

 

Item 32(b)The following are the Officers and Manager of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.

 

Name

Address

Position with Underwriter

Position with Registrant

Teresa Cowan 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 President/Manager None

Chris Lanza

 

Kate Macchia

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101

Vice President

 

Vice President

None

 

None

Nanette K. Chern Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None

Kelly B. Whetstone

 

Susan L. LaFond

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101

111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Secretary

 

Treasurer

None

 

None

 

 

 

Name

Address

Position with Underwriter

Position with Registrant

Weston Sommers Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer None

 

 

Item 32(c)Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:

a)            Adviser

Ridgeline Research LLC, 14961 Finegan Farm Drive, Darnestown, Maryland 20874 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF).

 

b)            Sub-Adviser

Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management), 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the American Conservative Values ETF, the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF, the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF, the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF), the REX ETFs and the REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF).

 

c)            Adviser

Formidable Asset Management, LLC, 221 East fourth Street, Suite 2700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Formidable ETFs).

 

d)            Sub-Adviser

Toroso Investments, LLC, 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Formidable ETFs, the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF, Alpha Dog ETF, WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF and the Cultivar ETF).

 

e)            Adviser

Applied Finance Advisors, LLC, 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78257 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF).

 

f)             Adviser

Gea Sphere, LLC, 55 Mystery Farm Road, Cranston, Rhode Island, 02921 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Alpha Dog ETF).

 

g)            Adviser

Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC, 1645 Village Center Circle, Suite 200, Las Vegas, Nevada 89134 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF and Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF)).

 

h)            Adviser

WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC, 4458 Legendary Drive, Suite 140, Destin, Florida 32541 (records relating to its function as adviser to the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF).

 

i)             Adviser

Cultivar Capital, Inc., 421 E. Hickory Street, Suite 103, Denton, Texas 76201 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Cultivar ETF).

 

 

 

 

j)             Adviser

Tuttle Capital Management LLC, 155 Lockwood Rd., Riverside CT 06878 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF and Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF).

 

k)            Sub-Adviser

Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc., 103 Murphy Court, Nashville, TN 37203 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF).

 

l)             Adviser

REX Advisers, LLC, 1241 Post Road, Second Floor, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 (records relating to its function as adviser to the REX ETFs and REX FANG Equity Premium Income ETF).

 

m)          

Custodian, Transfer Agency

 

Citibank, N.A., 390 Greenwich Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10013.
n)            Administrator Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235.
     
o)            Distributor

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.

 

p)            Fund Accountant

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., located at 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio, 43219.

 

Item 34. Management Services

   

 

Not applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

    Not applicable.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia on the 31st day of July, 2023.

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe
  Karen M. Shupe
  Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date
     
*David J. Urban Trustee July 31, 2023
     
*Mary Lou H. Ivey Trustee July 31, 2023
     
*Theo H. Pitt, Jr. Trustee July 31, 2023
     
/s/ Karen M. Shupe Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer July 31, 2023
 Karen M. Shupe    
     
/s/ Ann T. MacDonald Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer July 31, 2023
 Ann T. MacDonald    
     
*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe    
Karen M. Shupe    
     

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

(d)(3)Amended Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETF, the Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and the Formidable Fortress ETF (“Formidable ETFs”)

 

(d)(4)Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETFs

 

(d)(6)Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF

 

(d)(10)Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Gea Sphere, LLC on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF

 

(d)(17)Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF

 

(d)(18)Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF

 

(i)(4)Consent of Legal Counsel for the Formidable ETFs

 

(j)(2)Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Formidable ETFs

 

(p)(7)Code of Ethics for Gea Sphere, LLC

 

(p)(9)Code of Ethics for WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC

 

(p)(10)Code of Ethics for Cultivar Capital, Inc.

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(3)

 

AMENDED INVESTMENT

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT by and between ETF Opportunities Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (hereinafter referred to as the “Trust”), and Formidable Asset Management, LLC an Ohio limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Advisor”) first made on the 9th day of March, 2021 and amended on this 20th day of June 2023.

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and Advisor is an investment adviser registered as such with the Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, each fund listed in Schedule A hereof (each, a “Fund”) is a series of the Trust having a separate portfolio, investment policies and investment restrictions;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as follows:

 

1.General Provision.

 

a.           The Trust hereby employs Advisor and Advisor hereby undertakes to act as the investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund such other duties and functions as are hereinafter set forth. Advisor shall, in all matters, give to the Fund and the Trust’s Board of Trustees the benefit of its best judgment, effort, advice and recommendations and shall at all times use its best efforts to conform to and enable the Fund to conform to: (i) the provisions of the Investment Company Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) any order or no-action relief of the Commission applicable to the operation of the Fund; (iii) any other applicable provisions of state or federal law; (iv) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, as amended from time to time; (v) any other policies, procedures and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust; (vi) the fundamental policies and investment restrictions of the Fund as reflected in the Trust’s registration statement under the Investment Company Act; and (vii) the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust in effect from time to time. The appropriate officers, contractors and employees of Advisor shall be available upon reasonable notice for consultation with any of the trustees and officers of the Trust with respect to any matters dealing with the business and affairs of the Trust as they pertain to the Fund, including the valuation of any of the Fund’s portfolio securities which do not have readily available market quotations per Section 3 hereof.

 

2.Investment Management.

 

a.           Advisor shall, subject to the direction and control by the Trust’s Board of Trustees: (i) regularly provide investment advice and recommendations to the Fund with respect to its investments, investment policies and the purchase and sale of securities; (ii) designate the identity, quantity and weighting of the securities (and amount of cash, if any) to be accepted in exchange for “creation units” of the Fund or that will be applicable that day to redemption requests received by the Fund; (iii) supervise continuously the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio and determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund; and ( iv) arrange, subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, for the purchase of securities and other investments for the Fund and the sale of securities and other investments held in the portfolio of the Fund.

 

b.           Provided that the Trust shall not be required to pay any compensation other than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, Advisor may obtain investment information, research or assistance from any other person, firm or corporation to supplement, update or otherwise improve its investment management services.

 

1 

 

 

c.           To the extent permitted by applicable law, Advisor may, from time to time in its sole discretion, appoint one or more sub-advisers, including, without limitation, affiliates of Advisor, to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Fund or any portion thereof and may, in its sole discretion, terminate any or all such sub-advisers at any time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

d.           Provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect Advisor from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement, Advisor shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of good faith errors or omissions in connection with any matters to which this Agreement relates.

 

e.           Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Advisor or any officer or contractor or other related party thereof from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict Advisor or any of its directors, officers, stockholders, contractors, other related parties or employees from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own account or for the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such activities will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by Advisor of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and under the Advisers Act.

 

f.           To carry out the duties and responsibilities provided hereunder, Advisor is hereby authorized, as agent and attorney-in-fact for the Trust, for the account of, at the risk of and in the name of the Fund, to place orders and issue instructions for the Fund. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in securities for the Fund, Advisor is authorized to exercise full discretion and act for the Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Fund might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.

 

3.Other Duties of Advisor.

 

Advisor shall, at its own expense, provide and supervise the activities of all administrative and clerical personnel as shall be required to provide effective corporate management and administration for the Fund, including (i) the compilation and maintenance of such records with respect to its operations as may reasonably be required; (ii) the preparation and filing of such reports with respect thereto as shall be required by the Commission; (iii) the composition of periodic reports with respect to its operations for shareholders of the Fund; (iv) the composition of proxy materials for meetings of the Fund’s shareholders; (v) the composition of such registration statements as may be required by Federal securities laws for continuous public sale of shares of the Fund and (vi) at Advisor’s discretion, the development and implementation, if appropriate, of management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fund as an investment vehicle.

 

4.Allocation of Expenses.

 

During the term of this Agreement, Advisor shall pay all of the expenses of the Fund (including compensation of members of the Board of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) of a Fund), except for (i) the fee payment under this Agreement, (ii) distribution fees or expenses under the Fund’s 12b-1 plan (if any), (iii) interest expenses, (iv) taxes, (v) acquired fund fees and expenses, (vi) brokers’ commissions and any other portfolio transaction-related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, (vii) credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses and (viii) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business. For the avoidance of doubt, Advisor’s payment of such expenses may be accomplished through the Fund’s payment of such expenses and a corresponding reduction in the fee payable to Advisor pursuant to Section 5 hereof; provided, however, that if the amount of expenses paid by the Fund exceeds the fee payable to Advisor pursuant to Section 5 hereof, Advisor will reimburse the Fund for such excess amount.

 

2 

 

 

Any officers or employees of Advisor or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Advisor, who may also serve as officers, trustees or employees of the Trust shall not receive any compensation from the Trust for their services. The expenses with respect to any two or more series of the Trust shall be allocated in proportion to the net assets of the respective series except where allocations of direct expenses can be made.

 

5.Compensation of Advisor.

 

The Trust agrees to pay Advisor on behalf of the Fund and Advisor agrees to accept as full compensation for the performance of all functions and duties on its part to be performed pursuant to the provisions hereof, a management fee payable monthly and calculated on the daily net assets of the Fund at an annual rate as noted in Schedule A of this Agreement.

 

6.Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.

 

a.           Advisor is authorized, in arranging the Fund’s portfolio transactions, to employ or deal with such members of securities or commodities exchanges, brokers or dealers, including “affiliated” broker-dealers (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) (hereinafter “broker-dealers”), as may, in its best judgment, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain “best execution,” for these transactions, which is understood to mean prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable . The Advisor shall not be precluded from obtaining, consistent with the provisions of Subsection (c) of this Section the benefit of such investment information or research as will be of significant assistance to the performance by Advisor of its investment management functions.

 

b.           Advisor shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund’s portfolio transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain best execution of particular and related portfolio transactions. The abilities of a broker-dealer to obtain best execution of particular portfolio transaction(s) will be judged by Advisor on the basis of all relevant factors and considerations including, insofar as feasible, the execution capabilities required by the transaction or transactions; the ability and willingness of the broker-dealer to facilitate the Fund’s portfolio transactions by participating therein for its own account; the importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or confidentiality; the broker-dealer’s apparent familiarity with sources from or to whom particular securities might be purchased or sold; as well as any other matters relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer for particular and related transactions of the Fund.

 

c.           Advisor shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to allocate brokerage on the Fund’s portfolio transactions to broker-dealers, other than an affiliated broker-dealer, qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services are defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Fund and/or other accounts for which Advisor or its affiliates exercise “investment discretion” (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and to cause the Trust to pay such broker-dealers a commission for effecting a portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer adequately qualified to effect such transaction would have charged for effecting that transaction, if Advisor determines, in good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of Advisor and its investment advisory affiliates with respect to the accounts as to which they exercise investment discretion. In reaching such determination, Advisor will not be required to place or attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and/or research services provided or being provided by such broker-dealer. In demonstrating that such determinations were made in good faith, Advisor shall be prepared to show that all commissions were allocated for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and that the total commissions paid by the Trust over a representative period selected by the Trust’s trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.

 

3 

 

 

d.           Advisor shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any particular portfolio transactions or to select any broker- dealer on the basis of its purported or “posted” commission rate but will, to the best of its ability, endeavor to be aware of the current level of the charges of eligible broker-dealers and to minimize the expense incurred by the Fund for effecting its portfolio transactions to the extent consistent with the interests and policies of the Fund as established by the determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the provisions of this Section 7.

 

e.           On occasions when Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of Advisor and its affiliates, Advisor to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but will be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by Advisor in the manner which Advisor considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to its other clients over time. The Trust agrees that Advisor and its affiliates may give advice and take action in the performance of their duties with respect to any of their other clients that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of actions taken, with respect to the Funds. The Trust acknowledges that Advisor and its affiliates are fiduciaries to other entities, some of which have the same or similar investment objectives (and will hold the same or similar investments) as the Funds, and that Advisor will carry out its duties hereunder together with its duties under such relationships.

 

f.           The Trust recognizes that an affiliated broker-dealer: (i) may act as one of the Fund’s regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so to act; (ii) may be a major recipient of brokerage commissions paid by the Trust; and (iii) may effect portfolio transactions for the Fund only if the commissions, fees or other remuneration received or to be received by it are determined in accordance with procedures contemplated by any rule, regulation or order adopted under the Investment Company Act for determining the permissible level of such commissions.

 

7.Duration.

 

This Agreement, with respect to each Fund (including any series of the Trust added to this Agreement by execution of an amended Schedule A), will take effect on the date set forth next to that Fund’s name in Schedule A. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, this Agreement, with respect to each Fund, shall remain in effect until two years from the effective date specified in Schedule A, and thereafter will continue in effect from year to year, so long as such continuance shall be approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including the vote of the majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such a vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

 

4 

 

 

8.Termination.

 

This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by Advisor at any time without penalty upon giving the Trust sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust); or (ii) by the Trust at any time without penalty upon sixty days’ written notice to Advisor (which notice may be waived by Advisor) provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of all of the trustees of the Trust then in office or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

9.Assignment or Amendment.

 

This Agreement may not be amended without the affirmative vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purposes of voting on such approval and, where required by the Investment Company Act, by a vote or written consent of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, and shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its “assignment,” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

10.Disclaimer of Trustee or Shareholder Liability

 

Advisor understands and agrees that the obligations of the Trust under this Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Trust or Fund personally but bind only the Trust and the Trust’s property. Advisor represents that it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust disclaiming Trustee or shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and agrees that obligations, if any, assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Agreement will be limited in all cases to the Trust and its assets, and if the liability relates to one or more series, the obligations hereunder will be limited to the respective assets of the Fund.

 

11.Definitions.

 

The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of the Investment Company Act.

 

ETF OPPORTUNIES TRUST, FOR THE FUNDS LISTED IN SCHEDULE A HEREOF:

 

/s/ David A. Bogaert  

Signature

 

By: David A. Bogaert

 

Title: President

 

FORMIDABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

/s/ William Brown III  

Signature

 

By: William Brown III

 

Title: Managing Member & Chief Executive Officer

 

5 

 

 

Schedule A

 

Funds, Effective Date and Compensation to Advisor

 

The fee payable by the Trust on behalf of each Fund shall be calculated on the daily net assets of each Fund at an annual rate as noted below:

 

Fund Effective Date Compensation
Formidable ETF March 9, 2021  1.19% of the first $250 million
 1.14% over $250 million up to $500 million
 1.09% in excess of $500 million
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF March 9, 2021  0.89% of the first $250 million
 0.84% over $250 million up to $500 million
 0.79% in excess of $500 million
Formidable Fortress ETF March 9, 2021  0.89% of the first $250 million
 0.84% over $250 million up to $500 million
 0.79% in excess of $500 million

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(4)

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

with

Toroso Investments, LLC

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreeement (the “Agreement”) by and among Formidable Investments, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company with its principal place of business at 221 East 4th Street Suite 2700, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York, 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”) first made as of the 9th day of March 2021, amended as of December 20, 2022, and further amended as of June 20, 2023.

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated March 9, 2021, as amended to add additional series, with the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.   Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible.

 

 

 

 

(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.

 

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(d)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.

 

(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund.

 

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.

 

(h)The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets.

 

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(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises.

 

(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.

 

(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC.

 

(l)The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security.

 

2.   Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

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3.   Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:

 

(a)The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);

 

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

 

(c)Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time;

 

(d)Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds;

 

(e)Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

 

(f)A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and

 

(g)The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

 

The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.

 

4.   Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

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In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.

 

5.   Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.

 

6.   Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.

 

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The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.   Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds.

 

(d)The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

(f)The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

 

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(g)This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

 

(h)The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(i)The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

 

(j)The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

 

8.   Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.

 

(a)Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the effectiveness of the Transaction; (ii) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (iii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iv) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty:

 

(i)By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

 

(ii)By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

 

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(iii)By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iv)By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

 

9.   Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and

 

(b)the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”).

 

10.         Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.

 

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11.         Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

 

(i)a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(iii)a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.         The Name “Formidable Asset Management.” The Adviser grants to the Sub-Adviser a sub-license to use the name “Formidable Asset Management” (the “Name”). The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser to use the Name is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Sub-Adviser shall only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the Name or any of Adviser’s respective affiliates or clients names without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Sub-Adviser is authorized to disclose the Name and the Adviser’s and the Funds identities as clients of the Sub-Adviser in any representative client list prepared by the Sub-Adviser for use in marketing materials. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any affiliate or agent of the Sub-Adviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation in connection with any services such affiliates or agents provide to the Sub-Adviser or the Funds under this Agreement. The Adviser has obtained all licenses and permissions necessary for the Sub-Adviser to use any index data provided to it by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser is not required to obtain any such licenses or permissions itself.

 

13.         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

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14.         Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

15.         Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at:

Formidable Asset Management
221 East 4th Street, Suite 2700

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

To the Trust  at:

ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

 

To the Sub-Adviser at:

Toroso Investments, LLC

898 N. Broadway, Suite 2

Massapequa, New York 11758

 

16.         Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.

 

17.         Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

18.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. 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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19.         Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

20.         Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

21.         Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

 

(b)Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

         
  Formidable Asset Management, LLC
         
  By: /s/ William Brown III
         
  Name: William Brown III
         
  Title: Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer
         
  Toroso Investments, LLC
         
  By: /s/ Dan Carlson
         
  Name: Dan Carlson
         
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
         
  On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust
         
  By: /s/ David A. Bogaert
         
  Name: David A. Bogaert
         
  Title:   President

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Dated March 9, 2021 by and among

 

Formidable Asset Management, LLC

and

Toroso Investments, LLC

and

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Rate
Formidable ETF 0.05% based on Fund assets, subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee.
Formidable Dvidend and Income ETF 0.05% based on Fund assets, subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee.
Formidable Fortress ETF 0.035% based on Fund assets, subject to a $25,000 annual minimum fee.

 

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(6)

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreeement (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 9th day of March, 2021 and amended as of December 20, 2022 by and among Applied Finance Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limied liability company with its principal place of business at 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonia, Texas 78257 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York, 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated March 9, 2021, as amended to add additional series, with the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.   Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible.

 

 

 

 

(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.

 

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(d)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.

 

(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund.

 

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.

 

(h)The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets.

 

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(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises.

 

(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.

 

(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC.

 

(l)The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security.

 

2.   Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

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3.   Delivery of Documents. The Sub-Adviser has received or has access to copies of each of the following documents:

 

(a)The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);

 

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

 

(c)Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time;

 

(d)Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds;

 

(e)Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

 

(f)A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and

 

(g)The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

 

The Trust shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.

 

4.   Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

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In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8(b)(i) with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.

 

5.   Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.

 

6.   Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Adviser or any affiliated person relating to data provided to Adviser by the Sub-Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s agent and used by the Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement) to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement) to the extent resulting from or relating to Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.   Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds.

 

(d)The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

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(f)The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

 

(g)This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

 

(h)The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Trust is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(i)The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

 

(j)The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

 

8.   Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.

 

(a)Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (ii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iii) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b)Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty:

 

(i)By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

 

(ii)By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

 

(iii)By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iv)By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

 

9.   Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and

 

(b)the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”).

 

10.          Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.

 

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11.          Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

 

(i)a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(iii)a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.          The Name “Applied Finance Advisors, LLC”. The Adviser grants to the Sub-Adviser a sub-license to use the name “Applied Finance Advisors, LLC” (the “Name”). The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser to use the Name is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Sub-Adviser shall only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the Name or any of Adviser’s respective affiliates or clients names without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Sub-Adviser is authorized to disclose the Name and the Adviser’s and the Funds identities as clients of the Sub-Adviser in any representative client list prepared by the Sub-Adviser for use in marketing materials. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any affiliate or agent of the Sub-Adviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation in connection with any services such affiliates or agents provide to the Sub-Adviser or the Funds under this Agreement.

 

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13.          Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

14.          Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

15.          Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at:

Applied Finance Advisors, LLC
17806 IH, Suite 300

San Antonio, Texas 78257

 

To the Trust  at:

ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

 

To the Sub-Adviser at:

Toroso Investments, LLC

898 N. Broadway, Suite 2

Massapequa, New York 11758

 

16.          Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.

 

17.          Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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18.          Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. 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.

 

19.          Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

20.          Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

21.          Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

  

[Signature page follows]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

         
  Applied Finance Advisors, LLC
         
  By:  
         
  Name: Paul Blinn
         
  Title: Managing Member
         
  Toroso Investments, LLC
         
  By:  
         
  Name:  
         
  Title:  
         
  On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust
         
  By:  
         
  Name: David A. Bogaert
         
  Title: President

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

Dated March 9, 2021 by and among

 

Applied Finance Advisors, LLC

and

Toroso Investments, LLC

and

ETF Opportunities Trust

 

 

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund

 

Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF

Threshold Fee
First $500 million 0.0350%
Next $500 million 0.0325%
Over $1 billion 0.0300%

 

*Subject to $25,000 minimum per year

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(10)

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

with

Toroso Investments, LLC

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 4th day of October 2021 and amended December 20, 2022, by and among Gea Sphere Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limied liability company with its principal place of business at 55 Mystery Farm Dr. Cranston, Rhode Island 02921 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated September 16, 2021, as amended to add additional series, with the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.       Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), act upon the instructions provided by the Advisor for what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible.

 

 

 

 

(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser shall act upon the instructions provided by the Advisor the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.

 

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(d)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.

 

(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund.

 

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.

 

(h)The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets.

 

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(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises.

 

(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.

 

(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC.

 

(l)The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security.

 

2.  Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

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3.  Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:

 

(a)The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);

 

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

 

(c)Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time;

 

(d)Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds;

 

(e)Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

 

(f)A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and

 

(g)The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

 

The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.

 

4.  Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

5 

 

 

In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.

 

5.  Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.

 

6.  Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.

 

6 

 

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.  Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds.

 

(d)The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

(f)The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

 

7 

 

 

(g)This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

 

(h)The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(i)The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

 

(j)The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

 

8.  Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.

 

(a)Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the effectiveness of the Transaction; (ii) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (iii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iv) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty:

 

(i)By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

 

(ii)By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

 

8 

 

 

(iii)By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iv)By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

 

9.  Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and

 

(b)the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”).

 

10.         Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.

 

9 

 

 

11.          Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

 

(i)a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(iii)a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.         The Name “Gea Sphere Advisors, LLC.” The Adviser grants to the Sub-Adviser a sub-license to use the name “Gea Sphere Advisors, LLC” (the “Name”). The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser to use the Name is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Sub-Adviser shall only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the Name or any of Adviser’s respective affiliates or clients names without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Sub-Adviser is authorized to disclose the Name and the Adviser’s and the Funds identities as clients of the Sub-Adviser in any representative client list prepared by the Sub-Adviser for use in marketing materials. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any affiliate or agent of the Sub-Adviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation in connection with any services such affiliates or agents provide to the Sub-Adviser or the Funds under this Agreement. The Adviser has obtained all licenses and permissions necessary for the Sub-Adviser to use any index data provided to it by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser is not required to obtain any such licenses or permissions itself.

 

13.         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

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14.       Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

15.       Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at: Gea Sphere, LLC
55 Mystery Farm Drive
Cranston, Rhode Island 02921
   
To the Trust at: ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
   
To the Sub-Adviser at: Toroso Investments, LLC
989 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, New York 11758

 

16.       Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.

 

17.       Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

18.       Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. 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.

 

19.       Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

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20.          Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

21.          Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

 

(b)Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

 

Gea Sphere Advisors, LLC

 

By:/s/ Eduard Hamanjian  

 

Name:Eduard Hamanjian  

 

Title:Managing Director  

 

Toroso Investments, LLC

 

By:/s/ Dan Carlson  

 

Name:Dan Carlson  

 

Title:CFO  

 

On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust

 

By:/s/ David A. Bogaert  

 

Name:David A. Bogaert  

 

Title:President  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Dated October 4, 2021 by and among

 

GEA SPHERE Advisors, llc

and

TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC

and

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Rate* Asset Level
Alpha Dog ETF 0.045%
0.040%
0.035%
0.030%
First $250 million
$250 million to $500 million
$500 million to $1 billion
Above $1 billion
     

*Subject to a $30,000 annual minimum fee.

   

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(17)

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

with  

Toroso Investments, LLC

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreeement (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 10th day of November, 2021 and amended December 20, 2022, by and among WEALTHTRUST Asset Management, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company with its principal place of business at 4458 Legendary Drive, Suite 140, Destin, Florida 32541 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 10, 2021 with the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.   Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible.

 

 

 

 

(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.

 

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(d)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.

 

(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund.

 

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.

 

(h)The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets.

 

3

 

 

(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises.

 

(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.

 

(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC.

 

(l)The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security.

 

2.   Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

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3.   Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:

 

(a)The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);

 

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

 

(c)Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time;

 

(d)Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds;

 

(e)Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

 

(f)A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and

 

(g)The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

 

The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.

 

4.   Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

5

 

 

In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.

 

5.   Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.

 

6.   Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.

 

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The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.   Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds.

 

(d)The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

(f)The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

 

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(g)This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

 

(h)The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(i)The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

 

(j)The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

 

8.   Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.

 

(a)Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (ii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iii) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty:

 

(i)By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

 

(ii)By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

 

8

 

 

(iii)By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iv)By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

 

9.   Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and

 

(b)the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”).

 

10.          Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.

 

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11.          Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

 

(i)a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(iii)a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.           Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

13.           Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

14.           Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at:

WEALTHTRUST Asset Management, LLC
4458 Legendary Drive, Suite 140

Destin, Florida 32541

 

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To the Trust  at:

ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

   
To the Sub-Adviser at:

Toroso Investments, LLC

989 N. Broadway, Suite 2

Massapequa, New York 11758

 

15.           Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.

 

16.           Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

17.           Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. 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.

 

18.           Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

19.           Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

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20.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

 

(b)Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

     
  WEALTHTRUST Asset Management, LLC
   
  By: /s/ John G. McHugh
     
  Name:  John G. McHugh
   
  Title:  President and Chief Investment Officer
         
  Toroso Investments, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dan Carlson
     
  Name: /s/ Dan Carlson
     
  Title: CFO
     
  On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust
   
  By: /s/ David A. Bogaert
     
  Name:  David A. Bogaert
   
  Title:  President

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Dated November 10, 2021 by and among

 

WEALTHTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT, llc

and

TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC

and

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Rate Asset Level
WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF 0.03% All Assets
*Subject to a $20,000 annual minimum    

 

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(d)(18) 

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
with
Toroso Investments, LLC

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreeement (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 8th day of December 2021 and amended as of December 20, 2022 by and among Cultivar Capital, Inc., a Texas corporation with its principal place of business at 421 E. Hickory St., Suite 103, Denton, Texas 76201 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 8, 2021 with the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.   Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible.

 

 

 

 

(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.

 

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(d)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.

 

(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund.

 

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.

 

(h)The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets.

 

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(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises.

 

(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.

 

(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC.

 

(l)The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security.

 

2.   Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.

 

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3.   Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:

 

(a)The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);

 

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

 

(c)Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time;

 

(d)Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds;

 

(e)Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

 

(f)A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and

 

(g)The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

 

The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.

 

4.   Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

5

 

 

In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.

 

5.   Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.

 

6.   Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.

 

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The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.   Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

 

(c)The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds.

 

(d)The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

 

(e)The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

 

(f)The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

 

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(g)This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

 

(h)The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(i)The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

 

(j)The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

 

8.   Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.

 

(a)Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (ii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iii) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty:

 

(i)By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

 

(ii)By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

 

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(iii)By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(iv)By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

 

9.   Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and

 

(b)the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”).

 

10.          Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.

 

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11.          Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

(a)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

 

(i)a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;

 

(iii)a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.          Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

13.          Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

14.          Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement relating to any breach or remedy under this contract shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. While the Adviser does not consent to electronic delivery of notices of any breach or remedy under this contract, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all other routine operational documents, reports or other client communications required to fulfull its advisory and operational duties by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at: Cultivar Capital, Inc.
421 E. Hickory Street, Suite 103
Denton, Texas 76201

 

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To the Trust  at: ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
   
To the Sub-Adviser at: Toroso Investments, LLC
989 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Massapequa, New York 11758

 

15.          Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.

 

16.          Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

17.          Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. 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.

 

18.          Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

19.          Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

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20.          Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

 

(b)Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

 

  Cultivar Capital, Inc.
                               
  By: /s/ Thomas E. Muir
   
  Name: Thomas E. Muir
   
  Title: President and CEO
         
  Toroso Investments, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dan Carlson
     
  Name: Dan Carlson
     
  Title: CFO

 

  On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust
                               
  By: /s/ David A. Bogaert
   
  Name: David A. Bogaert
   
  Title: President

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A
to the
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Dated December 8, 2021 by and among

 

CULTIVAR CAPITAL, INC.
and
TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
and
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Rate Asset Level
Cultivar ETF 0.04% All Assets

*Subject to a $25,000 annual minimum

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(i)(4)

 

 

JOHN H. LIVELY, Managing Partner

john.lively@practus.com

11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

(913) 660-0778

 

July 31, 2023

 

ETF Opportunities Trust

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, VA 23235

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Counsel” in the Statement of Additional Information for the Formidable ETF, Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and the Formidable Fortress ETF, which are included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Trust’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (No. 333-234544), and Amendment No. 67 to the Trust’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (No. 811-23439), on Form N-1A.

 

If you have any questions concerning the foregoing, please contact the undersigned at (913) 660-0778 or John.Lively@practus.com.

 

Regards,

 

/s/ John H. Lively

On behalf of Practus, LLP

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(j)(2)

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated May 30, 2023, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Formidable ETF and Formidable Fortress ETF, each a series of ETF Opportunities Trust, for the year ended March 31, 2023, and to the references to our firm in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Formidable Dividend and Income ETF, a series of ETF Opportunities Truist, under the headings “Fund Service Providers“ and “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial Information” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
July 26, 2023

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

800.229.1099 | 866.818.4538 fax | cohencpa.com

 

Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

 

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(p)(7)

 

Code of Ethics

 

Standards of Conduct

 

The Firm’s policy is to comply with Section 204A of the Advisers Act which requires registered investment advisers to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of public information. The SEC adopted Rule 204A-1 which requires all SEC- registered advisers to maintain a code of ethics. The Rule is designed to prevent fraud by reinforcing the fiduciary principles that must govern the conduct of advisory firms and their personnel. Each employee of the Firm must comply with the Firm’s Code of Ethics and Statement on Insider Information (“Code”) which is maintained by the CCO as a separate document.

 

Commitment to ethical professional conduct is expected of all Geasphere, Inc. employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

 

1)Abiding by the spirit and the letter of the laws and regulations applicable to investment advisors;
2)Protecting the confidentiality of all business & personal information pertaining to our clients’;
3)Forbidding “insider trading” as described by federal securities laws;
4)Avoiding conflicts of interest;
5)Acting with honesty, integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, and employees.

 

The failure of any employee to comply with this Code will result in an appropriate disciplinary action.

 

Abiding by the Laws Applicable to Investment Advisors

 

All employees, officers, and directors of Geasphere, Inc. must respect and comply with all the laws, rules and regulations of the United States, and the states, counties, cities, and other jurisdictions, in which Geasphere, Inc. conducts its business. Employees, officers, and directors who fail to comply with this Code and applicable laws will be subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including immediate discharge.

 

Such legal compliance must include, without limitation, compliance with the “insider trading” prohibitions applicable to the company and its employees, officers, and directors. Generally, Geasphere, Inc.’s insider trading policy restricts employees from trading in the securities of any company, if employees have material, non-public information about that company. More detail regarding this policy can be found in the Compliance Manual section entitled “Insider Trading: Policy and Procedures.”

 

Protection of Material Nonpublic Personal Information

 

Protecting our clients’ privacy is important to us. In providing investment management services, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about our clients. Our policy is to keep this information strictly confidential, and to use or disclose it only as needed to provide services to our clients, or as permitted by law. Our privacy policy applies equally to our former clients, as well as individuals who simply inquire about the services we offer.

 

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Information We Collect. The nonpublic personal information we maintain about our clients includes what they provide to us when they first open an account, as well as information they communicate to us regarding their account at any other time. This information may include, but is not limited to their name, address, social security number, employment, investment objectives, financial circumstances, account transactions and investment holdings.

 

Information We Disclose. We only disclose nonpublic information about a client to outside firms that provide necessary services for the client account, such as the account custodian, broker-dealer, or as authorized by our clients or required by law.

 

How We Safeguard Information. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our clients to those persons who have a need to know it or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect the confidentiality of our clients’ information. To ensure that employees understand the importance of these safeguards, every employee must read, sign, and retain the privacy policy statement, entitled “Privacy Policy: Employee Agreement.”

 

More information regarding how we protect our clients’ personal information can be found in the Compliance Manual sections entitled, “Privacy Policy” and “Security of Personal Data.”

 

Personal Securities Trading Policy and Procedures

 

Geasphere, Inc. forbids any officer, director, or employee from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, on material nonpublic information or communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as “insider trading.” Geasphere, Inc.’s policy applies to every officer, director and employee and extends to activities within and outside their duties at Geasphere, Inc. Every officer, director and employee must read, sign, and retain the personal securities trading policy statement, entitled “Policy and Procedures for Preventing Insider Trading.” (See the Compliance Manual section entitled “Insider Trading: Policy and Procedures.”)

 

The personal trading procedures were established to aid the officers, directors, and employees of Geasphere, Inc. in avoiding insider trading, and to aid the firm in preventing, detecting, and imposing sanctions against insider trading.

 

The trading of ETFs, as well as individual stocks, closed-end investment companies, non-government bonds and stock options (but not index options) must be monitored for all employees and other workers closely affiliated with Geasphere, Inc. (if any).

 

The personal trading policies and procedures are as follows:

 

1)All trades of stocks, non-government bonds, ETFs, closed-end investment companies and stock options by employees or workers at Geasphere, Inc. must be reported within ten days of the trade. However, buying and selling money market instruments including money market funds, CD’s and Treasury bills need not be reported. This requirement may be satisfied by sending duplicate confirmations of such trades to the firm.

 

2

 

 

2)In the event that Geasphere, Inc. purchases stocks, non-government bonds, ETFs, or closed- end investment companies for any of its clients, Geasphere, Inc. employees may not purchase the same securities for their personal accounts. These black out restrictions do not apply to any stocks, non-government bonds, ETFs or closed-end funds that are held in employee accounts managed by Geasphere, Inc.

3)If a client transfers stocks, non-government bonds, ETFs, or closed-end funds to his or her managed account which are also held by one or more employees of Geasphere, Inc. at the time of transfer, the Geasphere, Inc. employee holding these securities may not sell them on the same day they are sold for the client. In addition, employees may not buy additional shares of such securities so long as they are held in any account managed by Geasphere, Inc. These restrictions do not apply to any stocks, non-government bonds, ETFs or closed-end funds that are held in employee accounts managed by Geasphere, Inc.

4)The firm requires all employees to provide periodic duplicate statements and confirms sent directly to Geasphere from the brokerage firm of its employees. These statements will be used to independently verify employees’ transactions and compliance with the above rules and restrictions regarding personal trading activity.

5)Employees must also submit an initial statement for the month end prior to the first day of employment. These initial and periodic statements will be reviewed and archived.

6)As part of ongoing Compliance Training, Geasphere will remind its employees of their responsibilities to (1) avoid insider trading and (2) promptly report all personal transactions to the Firm no later than ten days after the end of each quarter.

 

More detail regarding the Geasphere, Inc. Personal Trading Policy and Procedures can be found in the Compliance Manual section entitled “Insider Trading: Policy and Procedures.”

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

We seek to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible and, if not possible, we shall disclose potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate person or persons. Geasphere, Inc. avoids the following potential conflicts of interest:

 

Soft Dollar Commissions

 

Geasphere, Inc. does not participate in Soft Dollar Arrangements. If this should change in the future, appropriate policies and procedures will be drafted.

 

Gifts Policy

 

Geasphere Employees are prohibited from accepting any gift, service or other items of value exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars (“$250”) within a calendar year from any person or entity that does business with Geasphere. Furthermore, Geasphere Employees may not give or offer any gift, service, or other item that exceeds a value of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) within a calendar year to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Geasphere without prior written approval. Under no circumstance may cash or cash equivalents be given or accepted as a gift to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Geasphere.

 

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Each quarter, Geasphere Employees must complete and submit a quarterly Gift and Entertainment Report that discloses any gift given to or received from an existing client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Geasphere. The Geasphere shall review the Gift and Entertainment Report to ensure compliance with the Code. The Firm shall retain all Quarterly Gift and Entertainment Reports in accordance with Firm recordkeeping policy.

 

Entertainment Policy

 

Geasphere Employees are prohibited from providing or accepting extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with Geasphere. Geasphere Employees may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, if the person or entity providing the entertainment is physically present.

 

Each quarterly, Geasphere Employees must complete and submit a Quarterly Gift and Entertainment Report that discloses any entertainment provided to or accepted from an existing client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Geasphere that exceeded a value of five hundred dollars (“$500”). The Firm shall review each Quarterly Gift and Entertainment Report to ensure compliance with the Code. The Firm shall retain all Quarterly Gift and Entertainment Reports in accordance with Firm recordkeeping policy.

 

Political Contributions Policy

 

New Geasphere Employees are required to disclose all political contributions they have made within the last 6 months prior to commencement of employment. In addition, all future political contributions must be pre-approved by Geasphere. employees are also required to complete a Political Contribution attestation on a quarterly basis.

 

Outside Business Activities

 

Geasphere personnel are expected to devote their full time to Geasphere’s interests during regular hours of employment and during other hours when needed. Geasphere personnel who seek outside employment or to engage in outside business activities, whether paid or unpaid, must receive prior approval from the Firm before engaging in any such activity by submitting an Outside Business Activity Request Form. An Outside Business Activity is defined as any business activity that is not directly related to your employment with the Firm, whether or not compensation is received, excluding passive investments and non-investment-related activity that is exclusively charitable, civic, religious, or fraternal and is recognized as tax exempt. No outside business activity that reasonably poses or creates a real or perceived conflict of interest or might otherwise interfere with an employee’s regular duties or his or her working effectiveness will be approved.

 

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Upon review of each Outside Business Activity Request Form, the Firm shall either approve or deny the request. If the Firm approves the request despite an actual or potential conflict with the Code, a rational for the approval will be memorialized. The Firm shall maintain all Outside Business Activity Request Forms in accordance with Firm recordkeeping policy.

 

Conflicts of Interest Regarding Eduard

 

As President and Chief Compliance Officer, there is an inherent conflict of interest with regards to Eduard reviewing his own personal trade activity review, outside business activity approval, and gifts and entertainment review. To avoid the actual or appearance of conflicts of interest, Compliance Risk Concepts (“CRC”), Geasphere’s third-party compliance consulting firm will conduct the periodic reviews of all of Eduard’s brokerage statements, outside business activities and gifts and entertainment reporting. s CRC will provide written acknowledgement of review of all of Eduard’s statements and attestations. Geasphere will maintain the documentation according to the books and records policy found herein.

 

Business Philosophy

 

Geasphere, Inc. employees shall act with honesty, integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employers, and other employees.

 

Consequences of Violating the Code of Ethics

 

The failure of any employee of the Company to comply with this Code will result in disciplinary action which, depending on the seriousness of the matter, may include reprimand, probation, suspension, demotion, or dismissal, and possible civil or criminal action including reporting the unethical behavior to the appropriate authorities. Disciplinary measures will apply to supervisors and senior executives who condone questionable, improper, or illegal conduct by those employees reporting to them or who fail to take appropriate corrective action when such matters are brought to their attention, or who allow unethical or illegal conduct to occur because of their inattention to supervisory responsibilities.

 

Every employee of Geasphere, Inc. must sign and date a copy of this document in the space provided at the bottom of these pages. This signed copy will be maintained in each employee’s file.

 

5

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(p)(9)

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

This Code of Ethics has been adopted by the Firm Advisory Solutions, LLC (“the Firm” or “the Firm”) and is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (“Advisors Act”). It will set forth the standards of conduct expected of the Firm (“the Firm”) associates and will address, among other things, personal trading by associates, gifts, the prohibition against the use of inside information and other situations where there is a possibility for conflicts of interest.

 

The ethical culture of the Firm is of critical importance and must be supported at the highest levels of our Firm. This Code of Ethics is designed to:

·Protect the Firm’s clients by deterring misconduct by associates;
·Educate associates regarding the Firm’s expectations and the laws governing their conduct;
·Remind associates that they are in a position of trust and must act with complete propriety at all times;
·Protect the reputation of the Firm;
·Prevent unauthorized trading in client or associates accounts;
·Guard against violation of the securities laws; and,
·Establish procedures for associates to follow so that the Firm may determine whether its associates are complying with the Firm’s ethical principles.

 

the Firm and its associates are subject to the following specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients:

·The duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided;
·The duty to ensure that investment advice meets the client’s individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and
·A duty to be loyal to clients.

SCOPE OF THE CODE

Honesty, integrity, and professionalism are hallmarks of the Firm. The Firm maintains the highest standards of ethics and conduct in all of its business relationships. This Code of Ethics covers a wide range of business practices and procedures and applies to all associates when conducting the business and affairs of the Firm.

 

The activities of any officer, director or other associates of the Firm will be governed by the following general principles: (1) honest and ethical conduct will be maintained in all personal securities transactions and such conduct will be in a manner that is consistent with the Code of Ethics, thus avoiding or appropriately addressing any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an associate’s position of trust and responsibility, (2) associates shall not take inappropriate advantage of their positions with the Firm, (3) associates shall have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the information

 

 

 

 

concerning the identity of securities holdings and financial circumstances of all clients, and (4) independence in the investment decision-making process is paramount.

 

Failure to comply with this Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including the termination of employment by the Firm.

 

PERSONS COVERED BY THE CODE

All access and supervised persons are subject to the Firm’s Code of Ethics

 

If you are a “supervised person”1 or “access person”2 as defined in Rule 204A-1 or have been designated by the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), you are required to comply with the Firm’s Code of Ethics. Any questions as to whether an individual is required to comply with the Firm’s Code of Ethics should be directed to the CCO.

 

All individuals listed above, any other individuals who are “supervised persons” or “access persons,” and any individuals designated by the CCO required to comply with the Firm’s Code of Ethics are collectively referred to as “Code Persons.”

 

SECURITIES COVERED BY THE CODE

“Reportable Security” typically means any stock, bond, future, investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a “security” under the Advisers Act. The term “Reportable Security” is very broad and includes items you might not ordinarily think of as “securities,” including, but not limited to:

·Options on securities, indexes, and currencies;
·Limited partnership interests;
·Foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds; and
·Private investment funds, hedge funds and investment clubs.

 

Exceptions from the term “Reportable Security” as expressly excluded from the reporting requirements of Rule 204A-1 include:

·Direct obligations of the U.S. government;
·Banker’s acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high-quality short- term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements;
·Shares issued by money market funds;

 

 

1A supervised person includes the following:

Directors, officers and partners of the Firm or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions;
Associates of the Firm; and
Persons who provide investment advice on behalf of the Firm and are subject to the Firm’s supervision and control.

 

2An “access person” includes any supervised person who:

Has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any fund for which the Firm serves as an investment adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(20) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or
Is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.
All directors, officers and partners are presumed to be “access persons.”

 

 

·Shares of open-end mutual funds that are registered under the Investment Company Act (mutual funds), and;
·Shares issues by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are funds advised or sub-advised by the Firm.

 

STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

Pursuant to Rule 204A-1, the Firm is required to establish a standard of business conduct for its Code Persons. This section sets forth those standards.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

All Code Persons must comply with applicable federal and state securities laws. Code Persons are not permitted, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security held or to be acquired by a client:

·To defraud such client in any manner;
·To mislead such client, including making a statement that omits material facts;
·To engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon such client;
·To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such client; or
·To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation.

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

As a fiduciary, the Firm and all Code Persons have an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of its clients. With this duty, the Firm and its Code Persons can achieve this obligation by trying to avoid conflicts of interest and by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with respect to any client. A “conflict of interest” may occur when a Code Person’s private interests may be inconsistent with the interests of the Firm’s clients and/or his or her service to the Firm. Additionally, Code Persons must try to avoid situations that have even the appearance of conflict or impropriety.

·Conflicts Among Client Interests

Conflicts of interest may arise where the Firm or its Code Persons have reason to favor the interests of one client over another client (e.g., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts compensated by performance fees over accounts not so compensated, accounts in which associates have made material personal investments, accounts of close friends or relatives of Code Persons). The Firm prohibits inappropriate favoritism of one client over another client that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.

·Competing with Client Trades

The Firm prohibits Code Persons from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally, directly, or indirectly, as a result of such transactions, including purchasing or selling such securities.

 

INSIDER TRADING

Code Persons are prohibited from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of material, nonpublic information. Additionally, the Firm’s Code Persons are prohibited from

 

 

communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. The Firm has insider trading policies and procedures that can be found in the Firm’s Compliance Policy and Procedures Manual. A brief discussion is included in this Code of Ethics.

·Penalties

Should a Code Person violate the Firm’s insider trading policies and procedures, potential penalties may include, but are not limited to, civil injunctions, permanent bars from employment in the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made, or losses avoided, criminal fines, and jail sentences.

·Material Nonpublic Information

The SEC’s position is that the term “material nonpublic information” relates not only to issuers, but also to the Firm’s securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.

 

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The Firm requires all Code Persons to strictly comply with the Firm’s policies and procedures regarding personal securities transactions outside of the Firm. The following procedures are designed to assist the Firm in detecting and preventing abusive sales practices.

·Trading Alongside Clients.

It is the express policy of the Firm that no Firm associate, or immediate family member of an associate, may purchase or sell any security prior to a transaction(s) being implemented for an advisory account during the same day unless such transactions are at a price equal to or inferior to the price obtained by advisory clients, and therefore, preventing such Code Person from benefiting from transactions placed on behalf of advisory accounts. the Firm may utilize batched orders to carry out this policy.

·Initial Public Offerings – Prohibition.

Code Persons are prohibited from directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership3 of any security in an initial public offering.

·Limited or Private Offerings – Pre-Clearance.

Code Persons are prohibited from directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership of any security in a limited or private offering, without the specific, advance written approval of the CCO, which the CCO may deny for any reason.

 

 

 

 

3 The term “beneficial ownership” as used in this Code of Ethics is to be interpreted by reference to Rule 16a-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under the Rule, a person is generally deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities if the person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the securities. The term “pecuniary interest” means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities.

 

Notwithstanding the fact that a Code Person has not purchased a security for his/her own account or the account of an immediate family member, if at any time a Code Person becomes aware that he or she has become a beneficial owner of a security in an initial public, limited or private offering (e.g., a purchase made by an immediate family member, which is any relative by blood or marriage living in the Code Person’s household), the Code Person shall promptly report such interest to the CCO who shall determine the appropriate action, if any.

 

 

In determining whether to grant permission for such limited or private placement, the CCO shall consider, among other things, whether such offering should be reserved for a client and whether such transaction is being offered to the person because of his or her position with the Firm.

 

Any person who has received such permission shall be required to disclose such an investment when participating in any subsequent consideration of such security for purchase or sale by client of the Firm, and that the decision to purchase or sell such security shall be made by persons with no personal, direct or indirect, interest in the security.

 

If you have any question as to whether a possible investment is an initial public offering or a limited or private placement, please consult with the CCO.

·Blackout Periods

Policies for Code Persons purchasing or selling any Reportable Security for their account or an account of an immediate family member during a blackout period are defined as follows:

1)Same Day - On the same trading day on which any client account managed by the Firm purchases or sells that Reportable Security (or any closely related security, such as an option or a related convertible or exchangeable security), unless the Code Person had no actual knowledge that the reportable security (or any closely related security) was being considered for purchase or sale for any client account. If any such transaction occurs, the Firm will normally require any profits from the transaction to be disgorged for donation by the Firm to charity. Code Persons may trade alongside clients or same day as clients as long as the subject transactions are at a price equal to or inferior to the price obtained by clients.
2)Two Day – Code Persons effecting trades with discretion for client accounts will have a two (2) day blackout period for the reportable security traded. This two- day period will be the business day prior to client trade date and the client trade date. This additional day of blackout is intended to eliminate front running by any Associate.
·Restricted List

The Firm maintains a list of restricted securities. Code Persons are prohibited from purchasing or selling those securities while they are on the restricted list without prior written approval of the CCO unless the Code Person is trading at the same time and price as the Firm’s clients or trading an ETF or ETN.

·Prohibition on Participation in Investment Clubs

Code Persons are prohibited from participating in or making investments with or through any investment club or similar association or entity except with the specific, advance written approval of the CCO, which the CCO may deny for any reason. If you have any doubt or uncertainty as to whether a particular association or entity is an Investment Club, you should ask the CCO before you become in any way involved with the association or entity.

Code Persons are prohibited from directly or indirectly advising or causing any immediate family member (i.e., any relative by blood or marriage living in the Code Person’s household) to engage in conduct the Code Person is prohibited from engaging in under the Firm’s Code of Ethics.

 

It sometimes happens that a Code Person (e.g., one who is responsible for making investment recommendations or final investment decisions for client accounts -- an IAR or research analyst) determines--within 48 hours immediately before or after he or she has purchased or sold for his or her own account a Reportable Security that was not, to the Code Person’s knowledge, then under

 

 

consideration for purchase by any client account--that it would be desirable for client accounts as to which the Code Person is responsible for making investment decisions to purchase or sell the same Reportable Security (or a closely related security). In this situation, the Code Person MUST put the clients' interests first and promptly make the investment recommendation or decision in the clients' interest, rather than delaying the recommendation or decision for clients until after the 48 hours following the day of the transaction for the Code Person’s own account to avoid a possible conflict with the blackout provisions of this Code.

 

GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Code Persons should not accept gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel obligated to do business with a person or Firm. Similarly, a Code Person should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel obligated to do business with the Firm or the Code Person.

·Gifts

No Code Person may receive any gift, service, or other thing of more than de Minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm. No Code Person may give or offer any gift of more than de Minimis value to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm without pre-approval by the CCO. Gifts, other than cash, given in connection with special occasions (e.g., promotions, retirements, weddings), of reasonable value are permissible.

·Cash

No Code Person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm. This includes cash equivalents such as gift certificates, bonds, securities, or other items that may be readily converted to cash.

·Entertainment

No Code Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of the Firm. Code Persons may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner, a sporting event, golf outings, etc. provided that such activities involve no more than customary amenities.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

All Code Persons of the Firm shall exercise care in maintaining the confidentiality of any confidential information, except where disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes non-public information, the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of clients.

1.Firm Duties

The Firm will keep all information about clients (including former clients) in strict confidence, including client’s identity (unless the client consents), the client’s financial circumstances, the client’s security holdings, and advice furnished to the client by the Firm or its vendors.

·Code Persons’ Duties

The Firm strictly prohibits Code Persons from disclosing to persons outside the Firm any material nonpublic information about any client, the securities investments made by the Firm on behalf of the client, information about contemplated securities transactions, or

 

 

information regarding the Firm’s trading strategies, except as required to perform a securities transaction on behalf of a client or for other legitimate business purposes.

·Internal Walls

The Firm prohibits Code Persons from disclosing nonpublic information concerning clients or securities transactions to any other person within the Firm, except as required for legitimate business purposes.

·Physical Security

Firm files containing material nonpublic information will be sealed and/or locked when not being used or accessed and access to computer files containing such information is restricted to certain permitted associates via user-specific logins and codes.

·Regulation S-P

The Firm maintains policies and procedures in compliance with Regulation S-P. For specific procedures and policies these documents should be reviewed and understood. The Firm requires that all Code Persons comply with the Firm’s privacy policy. NOTE: Regulation S-P covers only a subset of the Firm’s confidentiality standards. Regulation S-P applies only to natural persons and only to personal information. The Firm’s fiduciary duty to keep client information confidential extends to all of the Firm’s clients and information, including, but not limited to corporations, limited liability organizations, trusts and estates.

 

SERVICE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Service on Boards of publicly traded companies should be limited to a small number of instances. However, such service may be undertaken after advanced written notice and approval from the CCO. Code Persons serving as Directors will not be permitted to participate in the process of making investment decisions on behalf of clients which involve the subject company, or in any other respect if making such a decision would create the illusion of, or an actual conflict of interest.

 

OTHER OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

All Code Persons must report outside business activities upon employment at the Firm, prior to engaging in any outside business activity whether or not such activity requires prior approval, and on an annual basis. (See Outside Business Activity Form).

·Executorships

The Firm prohibits acceptance of executorships by an associate of the Firm for a client of the Firm. However, family relationships may make it desirable to accept executorships under certain circumstances. In all cases, it is necessary for the individual to have written authorization from the CCO to act as an executor. All such existing or prospective relationships should be reported in writing to the CCO.

·Custodianships, Powers of Attorney, and Trustees

It is expected that most custodianships will be for minors of an associate’s immediate family. These will be considered as automatically authorized and do not require approval from the Firm. However, approval of the Firm is required for all other custodianships. Entrustment with a Power of Attorney from a client or to act as Trustee for a client’s account is generally prohibited for all associates. An exception to this may be if the client is an immediate family member of the associate. In all cases, acceptance of Power of Attorney or Trusteeship by any associate, requires prior written approval from the CCO.

 

 

·Insurance Agents

IARs act as agents appointed with various life, long term care or other insurance companies, and receive commissions, trails, or other compensation from the respective product sponsors and/or as a result of effecting insurance transactions for clients. Clients have the right to purchase insurance products away from the Firm. As a result, this creates a conflict of interest between the Clients interests and the Firm’s interest. At all times, the Firm and Code Persons will act in the client’s best interest and act as a fiduciary in carrying out services provided to the Firm’s Clients.

·Disclosure.

Regardless of whether an activity is specifically addressed in this Code, Code Persons are required to disclose in writing, any personal interest that might present a conflict of interest or harm the reputation of the Firm.

·Trustees.

It is the Firm’s policy that neither the Firm, nor any associate or supervised person will act as a trustee except in situations where there is a clear prior personal relationship. All such existing or prospective relationships should be reported to the CCO.

 

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

The Code Persons of the Firm are reminded that all oral and written statements, including those made to clients, prospective clients, their representatives, or the media, must be professional, accurate, balanced, and not misleading in any way.

 

COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

 

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION PROCEDURES AND REPORTING

General Policy/ Preclearance

It is the general policy of the Firm to allow Code Persons to buy or sell all other securities, subject to the preclearance requirements and the prohibitions listed above. Code Persons are required to obtain preclearance for all securities on the Firm’s restricted list and Code Persons are required to notify the CCO about the purchase or sales of ALL Reportable Securities, except the following:

·Purchases or sales over which a code Person has no direct or indirect influence or control;
·Purchases or sales pursuant to an automatic investment plan;
·Purchases effected upon exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuers, and sales of such rights so acquired;
·Acquisition of securities through stock dividends, dividend reinvestments, stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, and other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of securities;
·Open end investment company shares
·Certain closed-end index funds
·Unit investment trusts;
·ETFs and ETNs that are based on a broad-based security index;
·Futures and options on currencies or on a broad-based securities index;

 

 

·Other non-volitional events, such as assignment of options or exercise of an option at expiration; or
·The Code Person is trading alongside clients and receives the same price as clients.

 

Any violation may require the Code person to obtain preclearance on all reportable securities going forward.

 

 

PRE-CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

The pre-clearance requirements and associated procedures are designed to identify any prohibition or limitation applicable to a proposed investment. Pre-clearance procedures include the following:

·Code Persons must submit detailed information about the proposed transaction and any additional information as requested by the CCO or his or her designee.
·All information must be submitted before the proposed transaction.
·The CCO or other designated person shall authorize/deny the requested transaction.
·Documentation of the transaction, the approval/ denial of and rationale supporting the decision shall be maintained for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval/denial was issued.

 

The CCO or his or her designee may deny or revoke a preclearance request for any reason. In no event will preclearance be granted for any transaction if the Firm has a buy or sell order pending for that same security or a closely related security (such as an option relating to that security, or a related convertible or exchangeable security). Furthermore, in no event will preclearance be granted for any transaction if the purchase or sale of such security is inconsistent with the purposes of this Code of Ethics and Advisers Act. If approved, preclearance is valid only for the day on which it is granted and the following one (1) business day. The Chief Executive Officer shall authorize/ deny preclearance requests of the CCO or other person that authorizes transactions.

 

A duplicate confirmation will be obtained and checked against the file of pre-clearance approvals.

 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Firm requires Code Persons to submit to the CCO a report of all holdings in Reportable Securities which the Code Person has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership as defined by Rule 204A-1, within 10 days of becoming a Code Person and thereafter on an annual basis.

 

For the purposes of personal securities reporting requirements, a Code Person’s holdings include the holdings of a Code Person’s immediate family (including any relative by blood or marriage living in the Code Person’s household), and holdings in any account in which the Code Person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership, such as a trust.

 

The holdings report must include:

·the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, type of security, number of shares and principal amount (if applicable) of each reportable security in which the Code Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

 

·the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Code Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Code Person’s direct or indirect benefit;
·the date the report was submitted; and
·the specific account numbers or identifiers in the holdings report.

QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORTS

All Code Persons must submit to the CCO transaction reports no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter covering all transactions in Reportable Securities during the quarter.

 

For the purposes of quarterly transaction reports, a Code Person’s transactions include the transactions of a Code Person’s immediate family (including any relative by blood or marriage living in the Code Person’s household), and transactions in any account in which the Code Person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership, such as a trust.

 

The report must include:

·the date of the transaction, the title and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, the number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved;
·the nature of the transaction (e.g., purchase or sale);
·the price of the security at which the transaction was effected;
·the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and
·the date the report is submitted.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF REPORTS

All reports provided by Code Persons concerning their transactions and holdings will be maintained in confidence, except to the extent necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of the Code or to comply with requests for information from government agencies.

 

REPORTING EXEMPTIONS

Under the rule, Code Persons are not required to submit: (a) any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the Code Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; (b) a transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan, including dividend reinvestment plans; (c) a transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that the Firm holds in its records. The confirmations or statements must be received no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.

 

DUPLICATE BROKERAGE CONFIRMATIONS AND STATEMENTS

The Firm requires each Code Person to disclose the broker/dealers in which the Code Person maintains accounts. The Code Person shall direct their brokers to provide to the CCO or other designated compliance official, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of confirmations of all personal securities transactions and copies of periodic statements for all securities accounts in which they have an interest. Code Persons may use such duplicate brokerage confirmation and account statements in lieu of submitting holdings and

 

 

transaction reports, provided that all required information is contained in those confirmations and statements.

 

MONITORING OF PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The Firm will review personal securities transactions and holdings reports periodically. The Firm has developed these procedures:

The Firm designates the CCO (“Reviewer”) to review and monitor personal securities transactions and trading patterns of Code Persons.

·Should the Reviewer become aware of potential violations of the code, a written report explaining the potential violations and the supporting documents will be presented to the Managing Partner of the Firm.

 

The Reviewer shall follow these steps in reviewing personal securities holdings and transactions reports:

·Assess whether Code Person has followed required internal procedures, such as pre- clearance;
·Compare personal trading to any restricted lists;
·Assess whether the Code Person is trading for his or her own account in the same securities the Firm is trading for clients; and if so, whether the clients are receiving terms as favorable as the Code Person takes for him or herself;
·Periodically analyze the Code Person’s trading for patterns that may indicate abuse, including market timing; and,
·Review the performance of the Code Person’s account(s) in comparison to accounts over which they have discretion and investigate any substantial disparities between performance returns.

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE INITIAL CERTIFICATION

The Firm requires all Code Persons to certify in writing that they have: (a) received, read and understood the amendments to the Code; (b) read and understood all provisions of the Code; and (c) agreed to comply with the terms of the Code. This is done when the Code Person signs the Acknowledgement of Receipt of Compliance Manual in the Code of Ethics Exhibit A.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

All amendments to the Firm’s Code of Ethics will be provided to Code Persons, who will submit written acknowledgement that they have received, read, and understood the amendments to the Code, in the form attached hereto as Acknowledgment of Receipt and Acceptance of Amendment to Code of Ethics in the Code of Ethics in Exhibit B.

 

ANNUAL CERTIFICATION

All Code Persons shall annually certify that they have read, understood, and complied with the Code of Ethics. In addition, Code Persons shall annually certify that the Code Person has submitted the reports required by the Code and has not engaged in any prohibited conduct, in the form attached hereto as

 

 

Annual Certification in Code of Ethics Exhibit C. If a Code Person is unable to make such representation, the Firm shall require the person to self-report any violations.

 

RECORDKEEPING

The Firm will maintain the following records in a readily accessible place:

·A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five (5) years;
·A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five

(5) years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;

·A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five (5) years was, a Code Person;
·Holdings and transaction reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage confirmation statements submitted in lieu of these reports;
·A list of the names of person who are currently, or within the past five (5) years were, Code Persons;
·A record of any decision, and supporting reasons for approving, the acquisition of securities by a Code Person in private or limited offerings for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted.

 

FORM ADV DISCLOSURE

The Firm shall include in Form ADV, Part 2A, Form CRS, or similar document, a summary of the Firm’s Code and shall state that the Firm will provide a copy of the Code to any client or prospective client upon request.

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The CCO, or a designated person, shall be responsible for training and educating Code Persons regarding the Code. Such training shall occur periodically, and all Code Persons are required to attend any training sessions or read any applicable materials.

 

ANNUAL REVIEW

The CCO shall review, at least annually, the adequacy of the code and the effectiveness of its implementation.

 

REPORT TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT

The CCO shall report to senior management the annual review of the Code and bring material violations to their attention.

 

REPORTING VIOLATIONS

All Code Persons shall report violations of the Firm’s Code of Ethics promptly to the CCO or other appropriate associates designated in the Code.

·Confidentiality

All reports of violations shall be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by laws and investigated promptly and appropriately.

 

 

·Alternate Designee

The alternate person to whom associates may report violations in case the CCO or other primary designee is involved in the violation or is unreachable is Amy Cappellino.

·Reporting Types

Examples of the types of reporting required under this Code include noncompliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of the Firm’s business; material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, clients' records or reports; activity that is harmful to clients and deviations from required controls and procedures that safeguard clients and the Firm.

·Apparent Violations

Code Persons shall report “apparent” or “suspected” violations in addition to actual or known violations of the code.

·Retaliation

Retaliation against an individual who reports a violation is prohibited and constitutes a further violation of the Code.

 

WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM

Whistleblower Program. Effective August 12, 2011, The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (aka the Whistleblower Program) provided the SEC the authority to pay financial rewards to whistleblowers who provide new and timely information about any securities law violation. To be eligible, the whistleblower’s information must lead to a successful SEC enforcement action with more than

$1,000,000 in monetary sanctions. While the rules incent rather than require prospective whistleblowers to use internal Firm compliance program, the regulations clarify that the SEC, when considering the amount of an award, will consider to what extent (if any) the whistleblower participated in the internal compliance processes of the Firm.

 

More information regarding eligibility and how to report anonymously can be found via the following link: SEC Whistleblower. A person must be acting in good faith in reporting a complaint or concern and must have reasonable grounds for believing a deliberate misrepresentation has been made regarding accounting or audit matters or a breach of this Manual or the Firm’s Code of Ethics. A malicious allegation known to be false is considered a serious offense and will be subject to disciplinary action that may include termination of employment.

 

It is further the Firm’s policy that any misconduct by any Firm owner, management associates or Supervised Person (exempt or non-exempt) shall be reported to the CCO. If the misconduct being reported is regarding the CCO, reports shall be made to other owners, management associates or applicable regulators. If reported to an owner or management associates, the Firm will protect the reporting person’s identity and will not cause or threaten retaliation of any sort in connection with these reports. Reports may be filed online or via Form TCR (Tip, Complaint or Referral) available at the above link.

 

SANCTIONS

Code Persons that violate the Code may be subject to disciplinary action that a designated person or group (e.g., CCO, Managing Partner) deems appropriate, including but not limited to a warning, fines, disgorgement, suspension, demotion, or termination of employment. In addition to sanctions, violations may result in referral to governmental or self-regulatory authorities when appropriate.

 

 

FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE CODE

Should a Code Person require additional information about the Code or have any other ethics-related questions, they should contact the CCO.

 

Code Persons will be required to complete an Acknowledgement of Receipt and Acceptance of Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics Amendment forms upon receipt and review of the Code of Ethics as shown in this compliance manual. These documents will be provided as a separate form, copies of which are shown below.

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS EXHIBIT A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

 

By signing below, I certify that I have received, read, understand, have abided by, and will continue to abide by the Firm’s Code of Ethics. I understand that any questions about the Firm’s Code of Ethics should be directed to the CCO.

 

 

 

Print Name:

 

Signature:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS EXHIBIT B

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF AMENDMENT TO CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

By signing below, I certify that I have received, read, understand, have abided by, and will continue to abide by the Firm’s Amendment to Code of Ethics. I understand that any questions about the Firm’s Code of Ethics should be directed to the CCO.

 

 

Name:

 

Signature:

 

Date:

 

 

Code Persons will be required to complete the Annual Certification of Compliance with the Code of Ethics form upon receipt and review of the Code of Ethics as shown in this compliance manual. This document will be provided as a separate form, a copy of which is shown below.

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS EXHIBIT C

ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

I certify that during the year ended as of the date written below, I have complied with the Firm’s Code of Ethics in all respects

 

Print Name:

 

Signature:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX D – INSIDER TRADING

 

 

STATEMENT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE FLOW AND USE OF MATERIAL

NONPUBLIC (INSIDE) INFORMATION

 

This is a Statement of Policies and Procedures with Respect to the Flow and Use of Material Nonpublic (Inside) Information (the “Statement”) of the Firm Advisory Solutions, LLC (“the Firm”).

 

A reputation for integrity and high ethical standards in the conduct of the affairs of the Firm is of paramount importance to us. To preserve this reputation, it is essential that all transactions in securities be effected in conformity with applicable securities laws.

 

This Statement has been adopted in response to the requirements of the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 (the “Act”). The Act was designed to enhance the enforcement of the securities laws, particularly in the area of insider trading, by:

 

(i)imposing severe penalties on persons who violate the laws by trading on material, nonpublic information and
(ii)requiring Custodian and investment advisers to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of inside information. All Supervised Persons of the Firm are required to comply with this Statement.

 

The purpose of this Statement is to explain:

·the general legal prohibitions regarding insider trading;
·the meaning of the key concepts underlying the prohibition;
·the sanctions for insider trading and expanded liability for controlling persons; and
·the Firm’s educational program regarding insider trading.

THE BASIC INSIDER TRADING PROHIBITION

The Act does not define insider trading. However, in general, the “insider trading” doctrine under U.S. federal securities laws prohibits any person (including investment advisers) from knowingly or recklessly breaching a duty owed by that person by:

·trading while in possession of material, nonpublic information;
·communicating (“tipping”) such information to others;
·recommending the purchase or sale of securities on the basis of such information; or
·providing substantial assistance to someone who is engaged in any of the above activities.

 

In addition, rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) prohibit an individual from trading while in possession of material, nonpublic information relating to a tender offer, whether or not trading involves a breach of duty, except for a Firm acting in compliance with “Chinese Wall” procedures.

 

Possession Versus Use of Inside Information (Meaning of “on the basis of”)

 

 

Until fairly recently, an unsettled issue under U.S. insider trading laws was whether an alleged violator must have “used” material nonpublic information or whether mere “possession” is enough. To clarify this issue, the SEC adopted Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which states that “a purchase or sale of a security of an issuer is ‘on the basis of ‘material nonpublic information about that security or issuer if the person making the purchase or sale was aware of the material nonpublic information when the person made the purchase or sale.” In other words, if a person trades with respect to a security or issuer while he or she has knowing possession of material nonpublic information about the security or issuer, the person will likely be deemed to have traded “on the basis of “that information (in possible violation of insider trading laws) even if the person did not actually use the information in making the trade.

 

No Fiduciary Duty to Use Inside Information. Although the Firm has a fiduciary relationship with its clients, it has no legal obligation to trade or recommend trading on the basis of information its associates know to be “inside” information. In fact, such conduct could violate the federal securities laws.

 

BASIC CONCEPTS

As noted, the Act did not specifically define insider trading. However, federal law prohibits knowingly or recklessly purchasing or selling directly or indirectly a security while in possession of material, nonpublic information or communicating (“tipping”) such information in connection with a purchase or sale. Under current case law, the SEC must establish that the person misusing the information has breached either a fiduciary duty to company shareholders or some other duty not to misappropriate insider information.

 

Thus, the key aspects of insider trading are:

·Materiality

Insider trading restrictions arise only when information that is used for trading, recommending or tipping is “material.” Information is considered “material” if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or if it could reasonably be expected to affect the price of a company’s securities. It need not be so important that it would have changed the investor’s decision to buy or sell. On the other hand, not every tidbit of information about a security is material.

·Nonpublic Information

Information is considered public if it has been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally (e.g., national business and financial news wire services, such as Dow Jones and Reuters; national news services, such as The Associated Press, The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal; broad tapes; SEC reports; brokerage Firm analysts’ reports that have been disseminated to the Firm’s clients). Just as an investor is permitted to trade on the basis of nonpublic information that is not material, he or she may also trade on the basis of information that is public. However, as an example, information given by a company director to an acquaintance of an impending takeover prior to that information being made public would be considered both “material” and “nonpublic.” Trading by either the director or the acquaintance prior to the information being made public would violate the federal securities laws.

·Knowing

Under the federal securities laws, a violation of the insider trading limitations requires that the individual act:

 

 

a)with “scienter” – with knowledge that his or her conduct may violate these limitations – or
b)(ii) in a reckless manner. “Recklessness” involves acting in a manner that ignores circumstances that a reasonable person would conclude would result in a violation of insider trading limitations.
·Fiduciary Duty

The general tenor of recent court decisions is that insider trading does not violate the federal securities laws if the trading, recommending, or tipping of the insider information does not result in a breach of duty. Over the last decade, the SEC has brought cases against accountants, lawyers, and stockbrokers because of their participation in a breach of an insider's fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. The SEC has also brought cases against non-corporate associates who misappropriated information about a corporation and thereby allegedly violated their duties to their employers. The situations in which a person can trade on the basis of material, nonpublic information without raising a question whether a duty has been breached are so rare, complex and uncertain that the only prudent course is not to trade, tip or recommend while in possession of or based on inside information. In addition, trading by an individual while in possession of material, nonpublic information relating to a tender offer is illegal irrespective of whether such conduct breaches a fiduciary duty of such individual. Set forth below are several situations where courts have held that such trading involves a breach of fiduciary duty or is otherwise illegal.

·Corporate Insider

In the context of interviews or other contact with corporate management, the Supreme Court held that an investment analyst who obtained material, nonpublic information about a corporation from a corporate insider does not violate insider trading restrictions in the use of such information unless the insider disclosed the information for "personal gain." However, personal gain may be defined broadly to include not only a pecuniary benefit, but also a reputational benefit or a gift. Moreover, selective disclosure of material, nonpublic information to an analyst might be viewed as a gift.

·Tipping Information

The Act includes a technical amendment clarifying that tippers can be sued as primary violators of insider trading prohibitions, and not merely as aiders and abettors of a tippee's violation. In enacting this amendment, Congress intended to make clear that tippers cannot avoid liability by misleading their tippees about whether the information conveyed was nonpublic or whether its disclosure breached a duty. However, Congress recognized the crucial role of securities analysts in the smooth functioning of the markets and emphasized that the new direct liability of tippers was not intended to inhibit "honest communications between corporate officials and securities analysts.”

·Corporate Outsider

Additionally, liability could be established when trading occurs based on material, nonpublic information that was stolen or misappropriated from any other person, whether a corporate insider or not. An example of an area where trading on information may give rise to liability, even though from outside the company whose securities are traded, is material, nonpublic information secured from an attorney or investment banker employed by the company.

·Tender Offers

The SEC has adopted a rule specifically prohibiting trading while in possession of material information about a prospective tender offer before it is publicly announced. This rule also

 

 

prohibits trading while in possession of material information during a tender offer which a person knows or has reason to know is not yet public. Under the rule, there is no need for the SEC to prove a breach of duty. Furthermore, in the SEC's view, there is no need to prove that the nonpublic, material information was actively used in connection with trading before or during a tender offer. However, this rule has an exception that allows trading by one part of a securities Firm where another part of that Firm has material, nonpublic information about a tender offer if certain strict "Chinese Wall" procedures are followed.

 

SANCTIONS AND LIABILITIES

·Sanctions

Insider trading violations may result in severe sanctions being imposed on the individual(s) involved and on the Firm. These could involve SEC administrative sanctions, such as being barred from employment in the securities industry, SEC suits for disgorgement and civil penalties of, in the aggregate, up to three times profits gained or losses avoided by the trading, private damage suits brought by persons who traded in the market at about the same time as the person who traded on inside information, and criminal prosecution which could result in substantial fines and jail sentences. Even in the absence of legal action, violation of insider trading prohibitions or failure to comply with this Statement or the Code may result in termination of your employment and referral to the appropriate authorities.

·Controlling Persons

The Act increases the liability of "controlling persons" -- defined to include both an employer and any person with the power to influence or control the activities of another. For example, any individual that is a manager or director or officer exercising policy making responsibility is presumed to be a controlling person. Thus, a controlling person may be liable for another's actions as well as his or her own.

A controlling person of an insider trader or tipper may be liable if such person failed to take appropriate steps once such person knew of, or recklessly disregarded the fact that the controlled person was likely to engage in, a violation of the insider trading limitations. The Act does not define the terms, but "reckless" is discussed in the legislative history as a "heedless indifference as to whether circumstances suggesting associate violations actually exist."

A controlling person of an insider trader or tipper may also be liable if such person failed to adopt and implement measures reasonably designed to prevent insider trading. This Statement and the Code are designed for this purpose, among others.

 

RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIRED CONDUCT TO PREVENT INSIDER TRADING

In order to prevent even inadvertent violations of the ban on insider trading, or even the appearance of impropriety regarding other forms of personal trading, the following standards of conduct must be observed:

1.All information about the Firm’s clients and about securities in which the Firm or its clients invest, including but not limited to the value of accounts; securities bought, sold or held; current or proposed business plans; acquisition targets; confidential financial reports or projections; borrowings, etc., must be held in strictest confidence.
2.When obtaining material information about an issuer or portfolio from insiders, the Firm will determine whether the information learned has already been disseminated through public channels. In discussions with securities analysts, it also may be appropriate to determine whether the information the analyst provides has been publicly disseminated.

 

 

3.If you suspect that you or the Firm has learned material, non-public information about an issuer, you must take the following steps:
4.Report the information and any proposed trade in that security to the CCO;
5.Do not buy or sell the securities for you own account or for the account of anyone else, including a Firm client;
6.After reviewing the issue, the CCO will make a determination as to whether the information is “inside” information. If it is, the CCO will so inform all Supervised Persons, and no one at the Firm may trade based on such information until the CCO determines that the information has been made public. At that time, the CCO shall notify the Firm’s Supervised Persons in writing that the ban on trading based on such information has been lifted.
7.At all times, decisions regarding investments for clients will be made independently of decision concerning the accounts of supervised Persons or affiliates of the Firm. Under no circumstances may action be taken for client accounts in order to benefit a Supervised Person’s account or those of the Supervised Person’s Family/Household.
8.No Supervised Person shall recommend any securities transaction for an advisory client without having disclosed his or his interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer of the securities, including without limitation: (1) his or her direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer; (2) any contemplated transaction by such person in such securities; (3) any position with such issuer or its affiliates; and (4) any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and such person or any party in which such person has a significant interest.

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(p)(10)

 

CULTIVAR CAPITAL, INC.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

   

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 Cultivar Capital, Inc.’s (“Cultivar” or “Firm”) investment advisory business involves a relationship of trust and confidence with its clients. That relationship is largely defined by the terms of its investment management agreements with Cultivar’s clients (“Client Agreements”). The Firm is also subject to various laws and regulations that govern investment advisers’ conduct. This Code of Ethics and Conduct describes the general standard of conduct expected of all employees and focuses on specific areas where employee conduct has the potential to affect Cultivar’s clients’ interests adversely. Any violations (whether by oneself or by another Cultivar employee) must be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) immediately upon discovery.

 

CULTIVAR IS A FIDUCIARY

 

 

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 imposes a fiduciary duty on investment advisors which applies to the entire relationship between the Firm and its clients. As a fiduciary, Cultivar has a duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interests of each of its clients.

 

A fiduciary owes its clients the duty of care which includes the following duties:

 

To provide advice in the client’s best interest,

 

To seek best execution, and

 

To provide advice and monitoring over the course of the relationship.

 

 

The duty of loyalty entails making full and fair disclosure of all material facts concerning the relationship, including all conflicts of interest.

 

A breach of fiduciary duty may subject Cultivar and/or its employees to civil liability and, in extreme cases, to criminal prosecution. It may also expose the Firm and its employees to sanctions by regulatory authorities. This fiduciary duty is the core principle underlying this manual and represents the expected basis of all of Cultivar dealings with the Firm’s clients.

 

Additionally, because Cultivar offers financial planning as a service to its clients and has employees holding the CFP designation, Cultivar is also held to the CFP Board Standards of Conduct issued October 2019.

 

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

 

a.General Policy

 

  The following basic principles guide all aspects of the Firm’s business and represent the minimum standards to which Cultivar expects employees to adhere:

 

1)Cultivar’s clients’ interests come before employees’ personal interests and, except to the extent otherwise provided in Client Agreements, before the Firm’s interests.

 

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2)The Firm must disclose fully all material facts about conflicts of which it is aware between the Firm’s and its employees’ interests on the one hand and clients’ interests on the other.1

 

3)Employees must operate on the Firm’s and their own behalf consistently with the Firm’s disclosures to and arrangements with clients regarding conflicts and its efforts to manage the impacts of those conflicts.

 

4)The Firm and its employees must not take inappropriate advantage of the Firm’s or their positions of trust with or responsibility to clients.

 

5)The Firm and its employees must always comply with all applicable securities laws.

 

6)Cultivar expects employees to spend their work days on firm business.

 

  It is each employee’s duty to consider and adhere to these principles in all of his or her activities that involve the Firm and its clients and to report to the CCO any activities he or she believes may constitute or involve a violation of any law or any provision of this Code.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

For purposes of this Code, the term “employee” includes not only employees within the ordinary sense of the term, but also officers who function as employees (even if they are compensated solely through their member interests), officers, others who occupy a status similar to that of an officer or a director and others (could include certain types of independent contractors) whose activities are subject to the Firm’s supervision and control and include providing investment advice to clients.2

 

Different employees have different responsibilities, different levels of control over investment decision-making for clients and different access to information about investment decision-making and implementation.

 

Access Persons

All employees (including temporary personnel such as clerical personnel provided by an agency who are so designated by the CCO) who, in the course of their normal functions or duties, make, participate in or obtain information about clients’ purchases or sales of securities. Because of the Firm’s size and the range of duties that employees may have, all of the Firm’s employees and officers are considered “Access Persons.” Access Persons include: Thomas Muir, Sara Foster, Janet Davis, Keith Henderson and Paul Ucheoma.

 

 

1 The Firm’s and its employees’ interests in some respects inevitably conflict with clients’ interests. The Firm tries to manage those conflicts in ways that its clients know about and that are fair under all the circumstances.

 

2 Some persons who do not function as employees and some consultants may be subject to some but not all of the provisions of this Code. The CCO, in consultation with management, will determine whether and to what extent to subject those personnel to this Code, depending on, among other things, the extent to which those personnel may have access to confidential information about, for example, the Firm’s involvement in particular investments.

 

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Personal
Account
Any account in which the Firm or an Access Person has a beneficial interest, other than an account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control. Personal Accounts typically include accounts held in an Access Person’s name and other accounts held in the various forms described in Appendix A. These include accounts at brokerage firms, banks and any other institution that effect Securities transactions or hold Securities. Please note that these include accounts in the name of an Access Person’s spouse.
Beneficial
Interest or
Beneficial
Ownership
The concept of “beneficial ownership” of securities is broad and includes many diverse situations. An employee has a “beneficial interest” not only in securities he or she owns directly, but also in securities held by (i) his or her spouse, minor children or relatives who live full time in his or her home, (ii) another person if the employee obtains benefits substantially equivalent to ownership (through any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement) and (iii) certain types of entities that the employee controls or in which he or she has an equity interest. Appendix A contains examples of common beneficial ownership arrangements. It is very important to review Appendix A in determining compliance with reporting requirements and trading restrictions.

Non-reportable

Security

Direct obligations of the United States Government; bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and shares issued by money market funds, by open-end investment companies (i.e., mutual funds) and by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in mutual funds.
Reportable
Security

With the exception of non-reportable securities listed above, any note, stock, bond, debenture, equipment trust certificate, trade acceptance, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, limited liability company interest, limited partnership interest, investment contract, put, call, straddle, option or privilege on a financial instrument or interest or group or index thereof (including any interest therein or the value thereof), swap agreement, swaption, cap, collar, floor, forward rate agreement, forward contract, forward commitment for the purchase or sale of a financial interest, contract for differences, notional principal contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

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ETFs Personal trades in Exchange Traded Funds must be reported and require preclearance of trades.
Restricted List A list of securities for which Access Persons are prohibited from enacting any trades.

 

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRADING

 

a.General Policy

 

 

Mutual Funds: Cultivar, or individuals associated with Cultivar, may buy or sell securities identical to those recommended to customers for their personal accounts. Cultivar often recommends mutual fund portfolios to its clients. Mutual funds are traded at the close of each trading day, thereby eliminating any price advantage that a person associated with Cultivar might reserve over Cultivar’s clients. Therefore, Cultivar’s employees are allowed to trade in mutual funds at their discretion.

 

Equities and Other Securities: Employees may not trade in names on the restricted list. Cultivar employees may trade in equities and other securities after approval by the Chief Compliance Officer. Employees may participate in equity block trades with clients (receiving the same price), or employee trades may occur no sooner than the day after trades placed on behalf of clients. In addition, any related person(s) may have an interest or position in a certain security that may also be recommended to a client. Investing in IPOs or private placements in personal accounts must be preapproved by the Chief Compliance Officer. Employees request this approval by completing Appendix C, which must be signed by the CCO.

 

The Code of Ethics (particularly the personal trading policy) must be disclosed in Cultivar’s Form ADV.

 

Personal Trades

Not
Allowed

Allowed

Need
Preclearance
Need to
Report
ETFs, equities, bonds or any derivatives  
Mutual funds      
Private placements/IPOs  

 

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b.Procedures for Conducting Personal Account Transactions

 

 

(1)       Preclearing Transactions. Before participating in an IPO or a private placement or before placing an order to buy or sell a Reportable Security in a Personal Account, each Access Person must submit a completed and signed Personal Account Trading Request Form (see Appendix C) to the CCO for approval.3 If the CCO approves the transaction (as evidenced by his/her countersignature on the Request Form), the Access Person may place the trade during the three trading days after receiving the approval (or whatever other period the CCO specifies on the approval form).

 

The CCO may disapprove a proposed transaction for any reason but need not explain his or her reasoning to the requesting employee. Here are some factors that may (but need not) influence the decision:

 

Whether the transaction represents an investment opportunity that should be offered to the Firm’s client accounts before employees take advantage of it.

 

Whether the transaction involves a security that is being bought or sold for clients or is being considered for purchase or sale on behalf of clients.

 

Whether the transaction is otherwise prohibited under any of the Firm’s internal policies.

 

Whether the transaction is inconsistent with applicable law.

 

Whether the transaction might create an appearance of impropriety.

 

 

The Firm may, in the CCO’s discretion, terminate any approval of a proposed transaction based on, for example, a decision to effect transactions for clients in the relevant or a related Reportable Security. Similarly, the Firm may, in the CCO’s discretion, require an Access Person to cancel pending orders or freeze or reverse transactions, based on developments or information that leads the CCO to believe the transaction may involve a violation of law or Firm policies. Any such cancellation, freeze or reversal may, in the CCO’s discretion, be at the Access Person’s expense.

 

(2)       Front Running. No employee may effect a transaction in a Reportable Security for a Personal Account if the employee knows that the Firm is effecting (i.e., has an unexecuted order pending) or considering effecting a “same way” transaction in the same Reportable Security for client accounts.4 Transactions in options, derivatives or convertible instruments that are related to a Reportable Security in which the Firm is effecting or considering effecting transactions for client accounts are subject to the same limitations. The CCO may consider exceptions to this prohibition, but exceptions will be rare.

 

 

3 Reminder: This applies to all securities transactions, not just transactions in the public markets. In fact, Investment Adviser Act regulations require preapproval of all investments in private placements (as well as public offerings).

 

4 Trading while aware of pending or contemplated client transactions is also prohibited by the policies and procedures related to “Misuse of Confidential Information” below.

 

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c.Reporting Obligations

 

 

Each Access Person must report the following securities holdings and transactions to the Firm as follows. Access Persons are required to move all personal accounts to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), unless otherwise allowed by the CCO.

 

(1)       List of Accounts and Annual Report of Holdings. Each Access Person must provide a list of all Personal Accounts in which he or she has a beneficial interest and of all of his or her current holdings of Reportable Securities at least annually. The list should be in the form of Appendix D (or duplicate brokerage statements accompanied with a statement that the Access Person has no other accounts containing securities or holds no private placements) and must be provided not more than 10 days after the Access Person became an Access Person and on or before February 14 of each year thereafter. Information must be as of a date no more than 45 days before the date the report is submitted or, for annual reports provided before February 14 of a year, as of December 31 of the preceding year. The CCO reviews these reports as received to ensure that all required trades were reported and that there are no holdings in conflict with client positions.

 

Please note that each year each Access Person must provide both a statement of holdings and Appendix D, with the Access Person’s signature attesting that no additional securities are owned beyond those showing on the statements provided.

 

(2)       Duplicate Statements. Until accounts are moved to Schwab, duplicate copies of all account statements issued by the Approved Employee Broker must be sent to the CCO or provided by the Access Person to the CCO. Access Persons must make these arrangements before executing any transactions with an Approved Employee Broker.

 

(3)       Quarterly Reports. A Quarterly Transaction Report in the form of Appendix E must be submitted no more than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. The report must represent that, except as disclosed on the report, and other than the transactions detailed in the Access Person’s account statements supplied to the CCO or visible through the custodian, the Access Person has not entered into any transactions in Reportable Securities. The CCO reviews quarterly transaction reports to ensure that required preapproval had been granted and to ensure that no personal trades conflicted with trades placed on behalf of clients.

 

Please note that each quarter each Access Person must provide both statements and Appendix E, with the Access Person’s signature attesting that no additional trades have been enacted in the prior quarter.

 

d.Chief Compliance Officer’s Procedures

 

  The CCO is responsible for implementing the following procedures related to transactions in Personal Accounts. The CCO will:

 

Implement the procedures specified above for Personal Trading and Outside Employee Activities.

 

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At least quarterly, compare Personal Account Trading Request and Authorization Forms with Personal Account trading information as to the relevant Access Persons.

 

Annually, compare the change in holdings for each Access Person to be certain all trades were reported as required.

 

Document any occurrence that he determines is a violation of this policy. The CCO will determine an appropriate sanction for the violation.

 

Make himself available to assist employees with questions regarding this policy.

 

Document all monitoring activities required by this code.

 

Review this Code on a regular basis and update it as necessary.

 

e.Violations of the Personal Trading Policy

 

  The Firm may impose a variety of sanctions for violations of these Personal Trading procedures. They may range from verbal reprimand to termination of employment and may include disgorgement by the Access Person of any profit on the transaction to Cultivar. Disgorged profits may be paid to the Firm’s clients that were affected by the violation.

 

INSIDE INFORMATION

 

a.General Policy

 

  Employees may acquire confidential and sensitive information during the course of performing their duties. Employees must not use this information to benefit themselves or the Firm, either by trading based on it (“insider trading”) or by providing it to others (“tipping”). Appendix B to this Code describes more fully what constitutes insider trading and tipping and the legal penalties for engaging in those activities.

 

b.Types of Confidential Information

 

  This Code discusses two types of confidential information: Company Inside Information and Firm Inside Information.

 

“Company Inside Information” is material nonpublic or confidential information about the issuer of a security or about the security itself.

 

“Firm Inside Information” is information about decisions the Firm is making or actively contemplating making about securities transactions and holdings in client accounts.

 

c.Access to Confidential Information

 

  The Firm must store materials that contain confidential information (of all types) in a manner reasonably designed to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. Generally this information should be available only to employees (and outside service providers such as attorneys) who have a “need to know” it in order to perform their duties for the Firm. Employees should keep all confidential documents hidden from public view when not in use. The Firm maintains password protection and other procedures to safeguard computer files from unauthorized access.

 

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d.Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Confidential Information

 

 

(1)       Company Inside Information. Some employees may receive Company Inside Information about issuers in whose securities Cultivar has invested or are considering investing client assets. Cultivar may use this information only for the purposes contemplated by the relationship (assuming they are lawful) and in accordance with any agreement with the issuer. Neither the Firm nor any employee may trade while in possession of Company Inside Information.

 

(2)       Firm Inside Information. Most employees will frequently obtain Firm Inside Information in the normal course of their duties. They may use it only to perform their ordinary business functions. For example, portfolio managers and traders may use information about clients’ securities transactions and holdings to determine whether to buy additional securities for those clients or to sell some or all of the clients’ positions. Employees may not use Firm Inside Information to trade for the benefit of Personal Accounts. Procedures for trading in these circumstances are included in Cultivar’s Trading Policies and Procedures.

 

e.Special Procedures Relating to Directorships

 

  In connection with certain investments, the Firm may have a representative on the Board of Directors of an issuing company.5 Company Inside Information that a representative receives will generally be attributed to the Firm. Thus, the Firm will be subject to all restrictions on transactions in that issuer’s securities that apply to the representative.6 These typically include complying with issuer’s so-called “windows” policies, which prohibit directors from trading except in designated “open-window” periods when the issuer is confident that all material information has been disclosed to the public. Any employee who serves as a director of a publicly traded company must keep the CCO fully informed on a current basis as to all periods during which the trading window for the relevant company is “open” and those during which it is “closed.” Each such employee must also inform the CCO immediately if, during any “open” period, the employee receives Company Inside Information (thus “closing” the window as to the Access Person and the Firm). The CCO will designate the subject security “restricted” during all periods for which the issuer’s trading window is closed, as well as during all periods in which the employee/director is in possession of Company Inside Information. The CCO will notify Trading and whatever other personnel may be appropriate to notify of any such “restricted” status — and of the termination of that status — and the CCO generally will not approve transactions in the relevant securities for Personal Accounts while the restricted status endures.

 

 

5 Directorships of for-profit companies are discouraged except in connection with the Firm’s investments of client assets.

 

6 If the Firm were to consent to an Access Person serving as a director of a publicly traded company other than in connection with client investments in that company, the Firm would probably impose similar restrictions on Firm trading.

 

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Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 8 of 15

 

 

 

f.Procedures Regarding Receipt of Information That May Be Confidential

 

 

(1)      In the course of deciding whether or not to effect a transaction, either for a Personal Account or for a client account, in addition to complying with preapproval procedures and other Firm procedures and policies, an employee should ask himself/herself whether they have any information that may constitute either Company Inside Information or Firm Inside Information. The employee should review the definitions in this Code and Appendix B for help, as well as consult with the CCO if they have any questions whatsoever.

 

(2)      If an employee has any reason to believe he/she may have Company Inside Information, he/she should take the following actions:

 

(a)Report the matter immediately to the CCO, disclosing all information believed to be relevant.

 

(b)Do NOT buy or sell any security to which the information relates — for any Personal Accounts or for any account the Firm manages.

 

(c)Do NOT communicate the information to anyone within or outside the Firm, other than the CCO. In addition, take care that the information is secure.

 

 

(3)      If any employee has reason to believe he/she may have Firm Inside Information, the following actions should be taken:

 

(a)The employee must NOT buy or sell any security to which the information relates for any Personal Accounts.

 

  The CCO will instruct the employee about how long to continue these restrictions on trading and communication. All questions must be resolved about whether information is material or nonpublic, the applicability or interpretation of these procedures or the propriety of any action to the satisfaction of the CCO before the employee may effect the transaction or communicate the information.

 

g.Chief Compliance Officer’s Procedures

 

  Whenever it is determined that an employee has received confidential information, the CCO will effect whatever measures are, in his or her judgment, appropriate to prevent dissemination of such information.

 

Review trading activity in all accounts the Firm manages with whatever frequency the CCO determines is appropriate.

 

Review trading activity in all Personal Accounts with whatever frequency the CCO determines is appropriate. This may include sampling.

 

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Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

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Conduct an investigation when he or she has reason to believe that any employee has received and traded on confidential information or has disseminated such information to other persons.

 

In consultation with Management, apply any sanctions he or she determines are appropriate to any violation of this Code.

 

GIFTS, POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND OUTSIDE EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

 

a.Personal Gifts

 

 

(1)       General Policy. Employees may not receive personal gifts that could induce them to take actions in client accounts for reasons other than Cultivar’s clients’ best interests. Employees may not accept gifts of cash or cash equivalents and must evaluate entertainment to determine if it might be excessive. When in doubt, do not accept a gift or entertainment, or check with the CCO.

 

(2)       Compliance Procedures. An employee must report promptly to the CCO any personal gift presented to the employee by someone outside the Firm, whether it is cash, wine, tickets, a trip, favors, etc. Generally, the Firm does not allow employees to accept gifts of more than $200. If a gift appears to be excessive in value, the CCO will determine the appropriate response, which may include, among other outcomes, returning the gift, giving it to charity or sharing it among all Firm employees.

 

b.Political Contributions

 

  Political contributions need preapproval. All Covered Associates (as defined below) will be required to report all political contributions exceeding

 

$150 to state and local political candidates, campaigns, PACs or political parties for which the contributor is not entitled to vote for the prior two years or
$350 to state and local political candidates, campaigns, PACs or political parties for which the contributor is entitled to vote for the prior two years,

 

  and from that time forward, on an annual basis. Cultivar will be unable to market to public funds if Cultivar (or any of its Covered Associates) made a donation in the prior two years to an individual in a position to select the manager for that fund. For more detailed information, please see below.

 

Applies to Covered Associates
General partner, managing member, executive officers or employees who solicit government entities (state or local)

Prohibitions

De Minimis Exception (Contributions Allowed) Exception for New Covered Associate

Provide IA services to State or local government entity if firm or Covered Associate

 

1)  Made a political contribution within 2 years to an official of that entity

2)  Paid or pays a solicitor to government entities unless is a regulated person or employee

3)  Coordinated or solicited a PAC to contribute to an official of that entity

4)  Paid the political party of the State or locality

<$150 to one official per election if contributor is not eligible to vote in the election

 

<$350 to one official per election if contributor is eligible to vote in the election

Exception if contribution was made more than 6 months before person became Covered Associate and does not solicit government entities

Exception for Certain Returned Contributions

Contribution Amount

Limits to Exceptions

Contributions will not be counted if:

1)  The discovery is made within 4 months of the contribution date and

2)  The contribution is returned within 60 days of discovery

<$350

A firm may be granted exceptions by the SEC with the following limits, allowing only one limit/employee/year:

 

<50 employees, 2/year

 

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 10 of 15

 

 

 

c.Service as a Public Company Director

 

  No Access Person may serve as a director of a publicly held company without prior approval by the CCO based upon a determination that service as a director would be in the best interests of any client of the Firm or at least not adverse to those interests.

 

d.Other Outside Business Interests

 

 

(1)       General Policy. Except for service as public company directors (which is subject to the procedure discussed above), Access Persons may not engage in significant business activities outside of their activities for the Firm without disclosing those activities to the CCO by completing Appendix F. The Firm may prohibit activities that the CCO, in his or her discretion, believes (i) may pose a significant conflict of interest with the Firm’s activities, (ii) could result in interruption in service to its clients or (iii) could result in adverse publicity for the Firm.

 

(2)       Compliance Procedures. Each employee must take the following steps to comply with the Firm’s policy regarding outside business activities:

 

(a)At or before commencement of employment, complete and submit to the CCO a Statement of Outside Business Activities in the form of Appendix F. Employees must discuss any disclosed activities with the CCO at his/her request to enable him/her to determine if the activities might result in a significant conflict of interest with Cultivar’s activities or such employee’s activities on Cultivar’s behalf.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 11 of 15

 

 

 

(b)Bring to the attention of the CCO any prospective plans to engage in any such activities prior to initiating them.

 

(c)Provide the CCO annually with an updated Appendix F indicating any changes to the information contained in Appendix F previously submitted.

 

  Any information submitted to the CCO under this policy will be considered confidential and will not be discussed with anyone other than senior management or Cultivar’s professional advisors without the employee’s permission.

 

e.Involvement in Litigation

 

  Each employee must advise the CCO immediately if they become involved in any litigation, including threatened litigation, or any administrative investigation or proceeding of any kind. Each employee must also report to the CCO if they receive any subpoena, are arrested, become subject to any order or are contacted by any regulatory authority.

 

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

a.Position Conflicts

 

 

Should the Firm cause one Client account to buy a security and another Client account to sell or short the same security, such opposing positions are not permitted within the same account or within any accounts managed by the same portfolio manager without- prior trade approval by the CCO. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more affiliated Client accounts may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the vales, prices or investment strategies of other Client accounts.

 

Generally, the Firm does not purchase, sell or hold securities on behalf of Clients contrary to the current recommendations made to other affiliated Client accounts. However, because certain Client accounts may have investment objectives, strategies or legal, contractual, tax or other requirements that differ (such as the need to take tax losses, realize profits, raise cash, diversification, etc.), the Firm may purchase, sell or continue to hold securities for certain Client accounts contrary to other recommendations. In addition, the Firm may be permitted to sell securities or instruments short for certain Client accounts and may not be permitted to do so for other affiliated Client accounts.

 

b.Conflicts Related to Investments in Affiliated Fund

 

 

The Firm may recommend an investment in the Cultivar ETF, an exchange traded fund to certain Clients based on their financial situations and investment objectives. When this occurs, a potential conflict of interest exists since the Firm is the Adviser to the Cultivar ETF. However, the Firm will be waiving its current advisory fee on the assets invested in the Cultivar ETF to mediate this potential conflict of interest. Moreover, the Firm will conduct training of its personnel, perform periodic review of the investment selections, provide appropriate disclosures, and implement applicable policies and procedures.

 

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Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 12 of 15

 

 

 

WHISTLEBLOWING

 

a.General Policy

 

 

Firm employees are encouraged to report potential violations of the Code of Ethics or other illegal or unethical behavior to the CCO or senior management of the Firm. Firm employees are also encouraged to discuss situations that may present ethical issues with such persons. The Firm will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality of reported violations, subject to applicable law, regulation or legal proceedings.

 

The Firm will not permit retaliation of any kind by, or on behalf of, the Firm or any employee against any individual for making good faith reports of violations to this Code of Ethics or any securities laws.

 

RECORDKEEPING AND ADMINISTRATION

 

  The CCO is responsible for implementing this Code and, in connection with doing so, following these procedures:

 

Provide each employee with a copy of this Code, as it may be amended or supplemented.

 

Obtain each employee’s written acknowledgement that he or she has received a copy of this Code.

 

Maintain in the Firm’s records for the periods required by applicable regulations:

 

A copy of this Code and each revision of this Code.

 

A copy of each employee’s written acknowledgement of receipt of this Code.

 

A record of each violation of this Code and the actions taken as a result of that violation and records of employee reports pursuant to this Code.

 

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Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 13 of 15

 

 

 

ANNUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT AND CERTIFICATION

 

I have read, understand and acknowledge that I am subject to and agree to abide by the terms and provisions set forth in this compliance manual, including Cultivar’s Code of Ethics, and the information set forth in the Form ADV Part 2. I further certify that I have made all disclosures and reports required pursuant to this compliance manual, including the Code of Ethics, and the Form ADV Part 2 and that such disclosures and reports are true and accurate in all respects. If I become aware of changes such that the ADV is no longer correct, I will notify the CCO immediately. I understand that violations of this manual or the Code of Ethics would subject me to sanctions, up to and including termination of my employment with Cultivar for cause.

 

I acknowledge that I have received, read and understood Cultivar’s Code of Ethics and Policies and Procedures Manual). With respect to the most recently ended calendar year (or if shorter, for so long as he or she has been employed by Cultivar) the undersigned specifically:

 

obtained pre-approvals for any outside business activities, to the extent required by the Code of Ethics, and promptly disclosed any material changes with respect to any outside business activities to the CCO;
reported any gifts given or received in excess of $100, as required by the Code of Ethics;
reported violations of the Compliance Manual of which he/she was aware to the CCO.
forwarded all texts to my Cultivar email address.
followed the Firm’s CyberSecurity policy.
I have not discussed company business on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat or personal blogs that refer to the Firm or my activities on behalf of the Firm without the CCO’s approval.
I have not used my personal email address for business purposes.

 

     
Signature of Employee   Print Name of Employee
     
     
Date    

 

Disciplinary History Disclosure:

 

In the past ten years, I have not:
been convicted of or plead guilty or nolo contendere (“no contest”) in a domestic, foreign, or military court to any felony;
been charged with any felony;
been convicted of or plead guilty or nolo contendere in a domestic, foreign, or military court to a misdemeanor involving investments or an investment-related business, or any fraud, false statements, or omissions, wrongful taking of property, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or a conspiracy to commit any of these offenses; or

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 14 of 15

 

 

 

been charged with a misdemeanor listed in (iii).

 

For IARs only

 

 

I have reviewed my U4 (including the Disclosure Questions under Item 14).

Nothing has changed since my last review of this document.
The following change(s) have occurred:
   

 

I accept the terms of the Compliance Manual and will comply with the provisions therein.

 

     
Signature of Employee   Print Name of Employee
     
     
Date    

 

Political Contributions Disclosure:

 

I have reported all political contributions made by myself and all others living in my household for the past two years.

 

I have not contributed in the past two years to an individual or campaign for anyone who might influence selection of investment advisors for any of our public fund clients or prospects.

 

     
Signature of Employee   Print Name of Employee
     
     
Date    
     
     
Signature of Chief Compliance Officer   Date Reviewed

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of November 2021

Page 15 of 15

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

An employee has a “beneficial ownership” interest in Reportable Securities whenever he or she has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in those securities within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Examples of such pecuniary interests include (but are not limited to) when Reportable Securities are owned:

 

(1)By an employee for his/her own benefit, whether bearer, registered in his/her own name or otherwise.

 

(2)By others for the employee’s benefit (regardless of whether or how registered), such as securities held for the employee by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors or administrators.

 

(3)For an employee’s account by a pledgee.

 

(4)By a trust in which an employee has an income or remainder interest unless the employee’s only interest is to receive principal if (a) some other remainderman dies before distribution or (b) some other person can direct by will a distribution of trust property or income to the employee.

 

(5)By an employee as trustee or co-trustee, where either the employee or any member of his/her immediate family (i.e., spouse, children and their descendants, stepchildren, parents and their ancestors and stepparents, in each case treating a legal adoption as blood relationship) has an income or remainder interest in the trust.

 

(6)By a trust of which the employee is the settlor, if the employee has the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries.

 

(7)By any partnership in which the employee or a company the employee controls (alone or jointly with others) is a general partner.

 

(8)By a corporation or similar entity controlled by the employee alone or jointly with others.

 

(9)In the name of the employee’s spouse (unless legally separated).

 

(10)In the name of minor children of the employee or in the name of any relative of the employee or of his/her spouse (including an adult child) who is presently sharing the employee’s home. This applies even if the securities were not received from the employee and dividends are not actually used for the maintenance of the employee’s home.

 

(11)In the name of any person other than the employee and those listed in (9) and (10) above, if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the employee obtains benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix A

 

 

 

(12)In the name of any person other than the employee, even though the employee does not obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership (as described in (11) above), if the employee can vest or revest title in himself/herself.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix A

 

 

 

APPENDIX B

 

INSIDER TRADING BACKGROUND

 

The Firm forbids you to trade, either personally or on behalf of others, including accounts managed by the Firm, on material nonpublic information or communicate material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as “insider trading.” Cultivar’s policy extends to activities outside as well as within your duties for the Firm.

 

The term “insider trading” is not defined in the federal securities laws but generally is used to refer to the use of material nonpublic information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an “insider”) or to the communication of material nonpublic information to others.

 

While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits:

 

1.Trading by an insider while in possession of material nonpublic information.

 

2.Trading by a non-insider, while in possession of material nonpublic information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider’s duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated.

 

3.Communicating material nonpublic information to others.

 

The elements of insider trading and the penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below. If, after reviewing this policy statement, you have any questions, you should consult the CCO.

 

Who is an Insider?

 

The concept of “insider” is broad. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a “temporary insider” if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company’s affairs and as a result is given access to information solely for the company’s purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, a company’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers and the employees of such organizations. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, the company must expect the outsider to keep the disclosed nonpublic information confidential and the relationship must at least imply such a duty before the outsider will be considered an insider.

 

What is Material Information?

 

Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. Generally, information is “material” if there is a substantial likelihood a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions or if it is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Information you should consider material includes, but is not limited to the following:

 

Dividend changes

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix B

 

 

 

Earnings estimates

 

Changes in previously released earnings estimates

 

Significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements

 

Major litigation

 

Liquidation problems

 

Extraordinary management developments

 

Material information does not have to relate to a company’s business. For example, in Carpenter v. U.S., 108 U.S. 316 (1987), the Supreme Court considered as material certain information about the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that was expected to affect the market price of a security. In that case, a Wall Street Journal reporter was found criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that reports on various companies would appear in the Journal and whether those reports would be favorable or not.

 

What is Nonpublic Information?

 

Information is nonpublic until it has been effectively communicated to the market place. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, the Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation, would be considered public.

 

Penalties for Insider Trading

 

Penalties for trading on, or communicating, material nonpublic information are severe for both the individuals involved in the unlawful conduct and their employers. Persons can be subject to some or all of the penalties below, even if they do not personally benefit from the violation:

 

Civil injunctions

 

Treble damages

 

Disgorgement of profits

 

Jail sentences

 

Fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited

 

Fines for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided

 

In addition, any violation of the Firm’s Code of Ethics can be expected to result in serious sanctions by the Firm, potentially including dismissal.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix B

 

 

 

APPENDIX C

 

PERSONAL ACCOUNT TRADING REQUEST AND AUTHORIZATION FORM

 

Employee’s Name:    Date:    

 

I hereby request authorization to enter into the following securities transaction:

 

Name of Company and Ticker Symbol (for bonds: CUSIP, coupon and maturity date):

 

 

 

Type of Order: Buy______Sell______Short______Short Against Box______Exchange______

 

Tender______Other______(Explain:______________________________________________________________________)

 

If sell, purchase date: ____________________________

 

Price: Market ______Limit ______Stop ______Number of shares (for bonds, principal amount): _________________

 

Broker/Dealer:    Bank:    

 

Type of Account: Individual __________Joint __________Other __________(Explain:   )

 

Name and Number of Account:

   

 

This transaction is for investment purposes and to the best of my knowledge will comply with the relevant provisions of Cultivar’s Code of Ethics. I do not possess any material nonpublic information concerning the securities that are the subject of this transaction or the issuer thereof.

 

 

Signature of Employee

**********************************************************************

 

The above transaction is      approved based on information provided above and must be completed within three trading days from the date of approval. If the transaction has not been completed in whole or in part, approval may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer upon written request by the employee.

 

     
Chief Compliance Officer   Date

 

     
Authorized Signatory   Date

 

The above transaction is      disapproved for the following reason(s):

 

     
     
     
Chief Compliance Officer   Date

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix C

 

 

 

APPENDIX D

 

ANNUAL LIST OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTS

 

Required within 10 days of hire and annually thereafter

 

Name of Broker Name(s) in Which Account Held Account Number
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

LIST OF HOLDINGS OF REPORTABLE SECURITIES

 

I hereby certify that the following is a complete listing of all Reportable Securities held in Personal Accounts or otherwise “beneficially owned” by me (within the meaning described in the Firm’s Code of Ethics) as of the date hereof. I further acknowledge that failure to disclose fully all Reportable Securities will violate Cultivar’s Code of Ethics. DO NOT FILL THIS OUT IF YOU ARE ATTACHING COPIES OF STATEMENTS.

 

Name of Reportable Security

Ticker Symbol/CUSIP, Coupon, Maturity Date

Type of Security

Number of Shares/Principal Amount of Bonds

Date Acquired

         
         
         
         
         
         
         

 

All Reportable Securities I own are on brokerage statements provided to Cultivar.

 

I own no securities.

 

 

 

Name of Employee

 

 

 

Signature of Employee

 

 

 

Date

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix D

 

 

 

APPENDIX E

 

QUARTERLY REPORT OF PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

Name: ___________________________________________

 

For the quarter _______________through _______________

 

I hereby certify that, except as expressly listed below,7 the transactions identified on the account statements and trade confirmations provided to Cultivar by my broker(s) reflect all of my personal securities transactions during the quarter identified above.

 

Additional Transactions

 

Date   Buy/
Sell
  Name of Security   No. of
Shares
  Price   Broker
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     

 

 

I own no reportable securities.

 

No trades executed this quarter.

 

No trades conducted this quarter beyond those already reported to the Firm elsewhere.

 

 

 

Name of Employee

 

 

 

Signature of Employee

 

 

 

Date

 

 

7This may be used to report transactions in private placements, including investments in limited partnerships.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix E

 

 

 

APPENDIX F

 

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

 

1.Outside Activity

 

The following are all of the outside activities in which I am involved. “Outside activities” include any consulting, employment, advisory, independent contractor, directorship, officer position or other similar relationship with any person or entity other than the Firm for which I am compensated. Also reported are any charitable volunteer work involving clients, for example, serving on a foundation board of a client. I have indicated “none” if I am not involved in any such activity.

 

Outside Activity   Nature of Activity/Title
     
     
     

 

I have attached additional sheets if necessary.

 

2.Ownership Interests

 

The following is a list of all of my ownership interests of (i) securities in private companies, (ii) privately placed securities in public companies and (iii) publicly traded securities if the amount thereof exceeds 5% of the outstanding shares or other units of the class of securities. I have indicated “none” if I have no such interests.

 

Name of Company   Class of Securities   Percentage Ownership
         
         
         

 

I have attached additional sheets if necessary.

 

I hereby certify that all of the foregoing information is true and correct as of the date hereof. I undertake to inform the CCO immediately should there be any changes or supplements to the foregoing information.

 

     
Signature of Employee   Print Name
     
     
Date    

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix F

 

 

 

APPENDIX G (Optional)

 

GIFT LOG

 

Employee Name Date Received Type of Gift Donor’s Name Donor’s Company Relationship to Cultivar Approximate Value
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix G

 

 

 

APPENDIX H (Optional)

 

COMPARING TRADES

 

ISSUE

OR
TICKER

TRADE
DATE

ORDER

CLIENT
ACCOUNT

PERSONAL
ACCOUNT

CLIENT
PRICE

PERSONAL
PRICE

PERSONAL

TRADES
PREAPPROVED?

COMMENTS

                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

Sort by issue or ticker – then by trade date.

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix H

 

 

 

OUTSIDE MANAGER ATTESTATION

 

I ____________________________________hereby confirm that my account held at

____________________________________(custodian) is managed by

______________________________________(investment advisor). The investment advisor has discretionary authority on the account, placing all trades in the account on my behalf. I do not and will not request any trades be placed in this account. I will therefore request that an exemption to the reporting requirement be granted to me for this account. I will report to the CCO as soon as possible any change in the custodian, investment advisor, or if I should desire to place trades in this account.

 

 

 

(Name)

 

 

 

(Date)

 

Cultivar Capital, Inc.
Code of Ethics

As of August 2021

Appendix I