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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 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. 106

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
Amendment No. 108
 
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) 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.

 

 

 

 

 

TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF

 

PROSPECTUS

October 31, 2023

 

This prospectus describes the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (the “Fund”) which is authorized to offer one class of shares by this prospectus.

 

The Fund seeks daily inverse leveraged investment results and is intended to be used as a short-term trading vehicle.

 

The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Fund is very different from most mutual funds and exchange-traded funds and presents different and greater risks. Investors should note that:

(1) The Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the performance of its underlying security.

(2) the Fund pursues a daily investment objective that is inverse to the performance of its underlying security, a result opposite of most mutual funds and ETFs.

(3) The pursuit of its daily investment objective means that the return of the Fund for a period longer than a full trading day will be the product of a series of daily leveraged inverse returns, for each trading day during the relevant period. As a consequence, especially in periods of market volatility, the volatility of the underlying security may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the underlying security. Further, the return for investors that invest for periods less than a full trading day will not be the product of the return of the Fund’s stated daily leveraged inverse investment objective and the performance of the underlying security for the full trading day. During periods of high volatility, the Fund may not perform as expected and the Fund may have losses when an investor may have expected gains if the Fund is held for a period that is different than one trading day.

 

 

 

 

The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by sophisticated investors, such as traders and active investors employing dynamic strategies. Investors in the Fund should:

 

(1) understand the risks associated with the use of leveraged inverse strategies; 

(2) understand the consequences of seeking daily leveraged inverse investment results; and  

(3) intend to actively monitor and manage their investments.

 

Investors who do not understand the Fund, or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments, should not buy the Fund.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its daily inverse leveraged investment objective and an investment in the Fund could lose money. The Fund is not a complete investment program.

 

The Fund’s investment adviser will not attempt to position the Fund’s portfolio to ensure that the Fund does not gain or lose more than a maximum percentage of its net asset value on a given trading day. As a consequence, if the Fund’s underlying security moves more than 50%, as applicable, on a given trading day in a direction adverse to the Fund, the Fund’s investors would lose all of their money.

 

Fund Ticker Principal U.S. Listing Exchange

TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF

SKRE NASDAQ Stock Market ®

 

 

 

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

FUND SUMMARY – TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS 27
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 41
MANAGEMENT 64
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES 65
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 67
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 68
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 73
FOR MORE INFORMATION 74

 

 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY – TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND

 

The Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (the “Fund”) seeks  investment results of 200% of the inverse (or opposite) of the daily performance of the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (the “KRE ETF”) and is very different from most other exchange-traded funds and presents different and greater risks. The pursuit of daily inverse investment goals means that the return of the Fund for a period longer than a full trading day may have no resemblance to -200% of the daily performance of the KRE ETF. This means that the return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each single day’s compounded return over the period, which will very likely differ from -200% of the return of the KRE ETF for that period. Longer holding periods and higher volatility of the KRE ETF increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher volatility, the volatility of the KRE ETF may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the KRE ETF. Further, the return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be -200% of the performance of the KRE ETF for the period.

 

The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily inverse (-2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of shorting and leverage and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the KRE ETF’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the KRE ETF’s performance decreases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day if the price of the KRE ETF goes up by more than 50% in one trading day.

 

1

 

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the inverse (or opposite) of the daily performance of the KRE ETF. The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period of time different than a trading day.

 

The Fund and the Trust are not affiliated with KRE ETF or its investment manager.

 

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. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

 

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

   
Management Fee(1) 0.75%
Other Expenses(2) 0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) 0.75%

 

(1)Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Tuttle Capital 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, 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)Other Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s initial fiscal year.

 

(3)The cost of investing in swaps, including the embedded cost of the swap and the operating expenses of the referenced assets, is an indirect expense that is not included in the above fee table and is not reflected in the expense example. The total indirect cost of investing in swaps, including the embedded cost of the swap and the operating expenses of the referenced assets, is estimated to be 0.196% for the fiscal period ending August 31, 2024.

 

2

 

 

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 hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a five percent (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
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF $77 $240

 

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

 

The Fund, under normal circumstances, invests in swap agreements that provide 200% inverse (opposite) daily exposure to TSLA equal to at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes ). The Fund seeks daily leveraged inverse investment results and is very different from most other exchange-traded funds and presents different and greater risks. As a result, the Fund will be riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund’s objective is to inversely magnify (-200%) the daily performance of the KRE ETF.

 

3

 

 

The Fund will enter into one or more swap agreements that provide inverse (opposite) or short daily exposure with respect to the KRE ETF with major global financial institutions for a specified period ranging from a day to more than one year whereby the Fund and the global financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the KRE ETF that is equal on a daily basis, to -200% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The gross return to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the KRE ETF. The Adviser attempts to consistently apply leverage to increase the Fund’s exposure to -200% of the KRE ETF by entering into total return swaps that provide a -200% return on the KRE ETF, and expects to rebalance the Fund’s holdings daily to maintain such exposure.

 

Additionally, the Fund may invest between 40-80% of the Fund’s portfolio depending on the amount of collateral required by the Fund’s counterparties in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality (“Collateral Investments”).

 

The terms “daily,” “day,” and “trading day,” refer to the period from the close of the markets on one trading day to the close of the markets on the next trading day. The Fund is “non-diversified,” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). Additionally, the Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.

 

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the underlying stock or other securities of the KRE ETF. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the KRE ETF from the publicly available documents. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither the Fund, the Trust nor the Advisor has participated in the preparation of such documents. Neither the Fund, the Trust nor the Advisor makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the KRE ETF is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of the KRE ETF (and therefore the prices of the KRE ETF at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the KRE ETF could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the KRE ETF pursuant to the 1940 Act, including the financial statements in its shareholder reports on Form N-CSR can be located by reference to the SEC file number 811-08839 through the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

 

4

 

 

The KRE ETF pursues the following investment strategies:

 

In seeking to track the performance of the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index (the “Index”), the KRE ETF employs a sampling strategy, which means that the KRE ETF is not required to purchase all of the securities represented in the Index. Instead, the KRE ETF may purchase a subset of the securities in the Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Index. The quantity of holdings in the KRE ETF will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the KRE ETF. Based on its analysis of these factors, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM”), the investment adviser to the KRE ETF, either may invest the KRE ETF 's assets in a subset of securities in the Index or may invest the KRE ETF 's assets in substantially all of the securities represented in the Index in approximately the same proportions as the Index, as determined by SSGA FM to be in the best interest of the KRE ETF in pursuing its objective. The KRE ETF is classified as “diversified” under the 1940 Act; however, the KRE ETF may become “non-diversified” solely as a result of tracking the Index (e.g., changes in weightings of one or more component securities). When the KRE ETF is non-diversified, it may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers.

 

5

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the KRE ETF generally invests substantially all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Index. In addition, in seeking to track the Index, the KRE ETF may invest in equity securities that are not included in the Index, cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA FM). In seeking to track the Index, the KRE ETF 's assets may be concentrated in an industry or group of industries, but only to the extent that the Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries. Futures contracts (a type of derivative instrument) may be used by the KRE ETF in seeking performance that corresponds to the Index and in managing cash flows. 

 

The Index represents the regional banks segment of the S&P Total Market Index (“S&P TMI”). The S&P TMI is designed to track the broad U.S. equity market. The regional banks segment of the S&P TMI comprises the Regional Banks sub-industry. The Index is one of twenty-one (21) of the S&P Select Industry Indices (the “Select Industry Indices”), each designed to measure the performance of a narrow sub-industry or group of sub-industries determined based on the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”). Membership in the Select Industry Indices is based on the GICS classification, as well as liquidity and market cap requirements. Companies in the Select Industry Indices are classified according to GICS which determines classifications primarily based on revenues; however, earnings and market perception are also considered. The Index consists of the S&P TMI constituents belonging to the Regional Banks sub-industry that satisfy the following criteria: (i) have a float-adjusted market capitalization greater than or equal to $500 million with a float-adjusted liquidity ratio (defined by dollar value traded over the previous 12 months divided by the float-adjusted market capitalization as of the index rebalancing reference date) greater than or equal to 90% or have a float-adjusted market capitalization greater than or equal to $400 million with a float-adjusted liquidity ratio (as defined above) greater than or equal to 150%; and (ii) are U.S. based companies. To evaluate liquidity, the dollar value traded for initial public offerings or spin-offs that do not have 12 months of trading history is annualized. The market capitalization threshold may be relaxed to ensure that there are at least 22 stocks in the Index as of the rebalancing effective date. Existing Index constituents are removed at the quarterly rebalancing effective date if either their float-adjusted market capitalization falls below $300 million or their float-adjusted liquidity ratio falls below 50%. The market capitalization threshold and the liquidity threshold are each reviewed from time to time based on market conditions. The Index rebalances and reconstitutes quarterly on the third Friday of the quarter ending month. The reference date for additions and deletions is after the close of the last trading date of the previous month. The S&P TMI tracks all eligible U.S. common equities listed on the NYSE, NYSE Arca, NYSE American, NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Select Market, NASDAQ Capital Market, Cboe BZX, Cboe BYX, Cboe EDGA, or Cboe EDGX exchanges. The Index is modified equal weighted. 

 

6

 

 

The Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser, the KRE ETF or SSGA FM. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Index. 

 

Neither the Fund nor any of its affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the KRE ETF.

 

Principal Risks

 

An investment in the Fund entails risk. The Fund may not achieve its inverse investment objective and there is a risk that you could lose all of your money invested in the Fund. The Fund is not a complete investment program. In addition, the Fund presents risks not traditionally associated with other mutual funds and ETFs. It is important that investors closely review all of the risks listed below and understand them before making an investment in the Fund. The realization of certain of the risks described below that may result in adverse market movements may actually benefit the Fund due to its inverse investment objective.

 

Investment Risks of the Fund

 

The investment risks of the Fund are as follows:

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s use of derivatives may be considered aggressive and may expose the Fund to greater risks and larger losses or smaller gains than investing directly in the reference asset(s) underlying those derivatives.  A derivative refers to any financial instrument whose value is derived, at least in part, from the price of an underlying security, asset, rate or index. The use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, rate or index. Gains or losses in a derivative may be magnified and may be much greater than the derivative’s original cost. 

 

7

 

 

Swap Agreement Risk.  The Fund expects to use swap agreements as a means to achieve its investment objective. Swap agreements are generally traded in over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets and have only recently become subject to regulation by the CFTC. CFTC rules, however, do not cover all types of swap agreements. Investors, therefore, may not receive the protection of CFTC regulation or the statutory scheme of the Commodity Exchange Act in connection with the Fund’s swap agreements. The lack of regulation in these markets could expose investors to significant losses under certain circumstances, including in the event of trading abuses or financial failure by participants.  Unlike in futures contracts, the counterparty to uncleared OTC swap agreements is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearing organization backed by a group of financial institutions. As a result, the Fund is subject to increased counterparty risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to uncleared swaps. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Fund could suffer significant losses on these contracts and the value of an investor’s investment in the Fund may decline.  OTC swaps of the type that may be utilized by the Fund are less liquid than futures contracts because they are not traded on an exchange, do not have uniform terms and conditions, and are generally entered into based upon the creditworthiness of the parties and the availability of credit support, such as collateral, and in general, are not transferable without the consent of the counterparty. Swaps are also subject to the risk of imperfect correlation between the value of the reference asset underlying the swap and the swap. Leverage inherent in derivatives will tend to magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Moreover, with respect to the use of swap agreements, if the KRE ETF has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction with the Fund. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to achieve the desired exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This, in turn, may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective, even if the KRE ETF reverses all or a portion of its intraday move by the end of the day. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning.

 

8

 

 

Counterparty Risk. Investing in derivatives involves entering into contracts with third parties (i.e., counterparties). The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The Fund will be subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that a counterparty is or is perceived to be unwilling or unable to make timely payments or otherwise meet its contractual obligations) with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to derivatives entered into by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or fails to perform its obligations, or if any collateral posted by the counterparty for the benefit of the Fund is insufficient or there are delays in the Fund’s ability to access such collateral, the value of an investment in the Fund may decline.

 

Volatility Risk. Volatility is the characteristic of a security or other asset, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. The value of the Fund’s investments in swaps – and therefore the value of an investment in the Fund – could decline significantly and without warning, including to zero. If you are not prepared to accept significant and unexpected changes in the value of the Fund and the possibility that you could lose your entire investment in the Fund, you should not invest in the Fund.

 

Leverage Risk. Leverage increases the risk of a total loss of an investor’s investment, may increase the volatility of the Fund, and may magnify any differences between the performance of the Fund and the KRE ETF. Because the Fund includes a multiplier of two times (-2X) the KRE ETF, a single day movement in the KRE ETF approaching 50% at any point in the day could result in the total loss of an investor’s investment if that movement is contrary to the investment objective of the Fund, even if the KRE ETF subsequently moves in an opposite direction, eliminating all or a portion of the earlier movement. This would be the case with any such single day movements in the KRE ETF, even if the KRE ETF maintains a level greater than zero at all times.

 

9

 

 

Although the KRE ETF will not borrow funds for trading, the Fund should be considered highly leveraged. Leverage embedded in the swap agreements may result in the Fund holding positions whose face or notional value may be many times the Fund’s NAV. Furthermore, derivative instruments such as swaps are highly volatile and are subject to occasional rapid and substantial fluctuations. Higher volatility generally indicates higher risk.

 

Shorting Risk. A short position is a financial transaction in which an investor sells an asset that the investor does not own. In such a transaction, an investor’s short position appreciates when a reference asset falls in value. By contrast, the short position loses value when the reference asset’s value increases. Because historically most assets have risen in value over the long term, short positions are expected to depreciate in value. Accordingly, short positions may be riskier and more speculative than traditional investments. In addition, any income, dividends or payments by reference assets in which the Fund has a short position will impose expenses on the Fund that reduce returns.

 

The Fund may obtain short exposure through the use of derivatives, such as swap agreements. To the extent that the Fund obtains short exposure from derivatives, the Fund may be exposed to heightened volatility or limited liquidity related to the reference asset of the underlying short position, which will adversely impact the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or adversely impact its performance. If the Fund were to experience this volatility or decreased liquidity, the Fund may be required to obtain short exposure through alternative investment strategies that may be less desirable or more costly to implement. If the reference asset underlying the short position is thinly traded or has a limited market, there may be a lack of available securities or counterparties for the Fund to enter into a short position or obtain short exposure from a derivative.

 

Compounding Risk. The Fund has a single day investment objective, and the Fund’s performance for any other period is the result of its return for each day compounded over the period. The performance of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will very likely differ in amount, and possibly even direction, from -200% of the daily return of the KRE ETF for the same period, before accounting for fees and expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on a leveraged fund. This effect becomes more pronounced as the KRE ETF’s volatility and holding periods increase. Fund performance for a period longer than a single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: (a) the KRE ETF volatility; (b) the KRE ETF performance; (c) period of time; (d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and (e) other Fund expenses. The  chart below illustrates the impact of two principal factors — the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance — on Fund performance. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance over a one-year period. Actual volatility, the KRE ETF and Fund performance may differ significantly from the chart below. Performance shown in the chart assumes: (a) no Fund expenses; and (b) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of zero percent. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/ lending rates were reflected, the Fund’s performance would be different than shown.

 

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Areas shaded red represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than -200% of the performance of the KRE ETF and those shaded green represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than -200% of the performance of the KRE ETF. The Fund’s actual returns may be significantly better or worse than the returns shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in “Inverse Correlation Risk” below.

 

One

Year

-200%

One

Year

Volatility Rate
Return Return 10% 25% 50% 75% 100%
-60% 120% 506.5% 418.1% 195.2% 15.6% -68.9%
-50% 100% 288.2% 231.6% 88.9% -26.0% -80.1%
-40% 80% 169.6% 130.3% 31.2% -48.6% -86.2%
-30% 60% 98.1% 69.2% -3.6% -62.2% -89.8%
-20% 40% 51.6% 29.5% -26.2% -71.1% -92.2%
-10% 20% 19.8% 2.3% -41.7% -77.2% -93.9%
0% 0% -3.0% -17.1% -52.8% -81.5% -95.0%
10% -20% -19.8% -31.5% -61.0% -84.7% -95.9%
20% -40% -32.6% -42.4% -67.2% -87.2% -96.5%
30% -60% -42.6% -50.9% -72.0% -89.1% -97.1%
40% -80% -50.5% -57.7% -75.9% -90.6% -97.5%
50% -100% -56.9% -63.2% -79.0% -91.8% -97.8%
60% -120% -62.1% -67.6% -81.5% -92.8% -98.1%

 

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The foregoing table is intended to isolate the effect of the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance on the return of the Fund and is not a representation of actual returns. For example, the Fund may incorrectly be expected to achieve a 40% return on a yearly basis if the KRE ETF return were -20%, absent the effects of compounding. As the table shows, with the KRE ETF volatility of 50%, the Fund could be expected to return -26.21% under such a scenario. The Fund’s actual returns may be significantly better or worse than the returns shown above as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in “Principal Risks — Inverse Correlation Risk” below.

 

The KRE ETF’s annualized historical daily volatility rate for the five-year period ended December 31, 2022, was 35.40%. The KRE ETF’s annualized daily volatility rates were as follows:

 

2018       20.96% 

2019       21.29% 

2020       61.30% 

2021       28.69% 

2022       28.08%

 

Volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher.

 

The KRE ETF’s annualized performance for the five-year period ended December 31, 2022 was 2.86%. Historical volatility and performance are not indications of what the KRE ETF volatility and performance will be in the future.

 

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Total Loss Risk. Because the Fund utilizes leverage in seeking to achieve its investment objective, it will lose more money in market environments adverse to its daily investment objective than funds that do not employ leverage. The use of leveraged positions increases risk and could result in the total loss of an investor’s investment within a single day. The Fund’s investments in leveraged positions generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed. As a result, such investments may give rise to losses that far exceed the amount invested in those instruments.

 

Inverse Correlation Risk. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of inverse correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective, and the percentage change of the Fund’s NAV each day may differ, perhaps significantly in amount, and possibly even direction, from -200% of the percentage change of the KRE ETF on such day.

 

In order to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its investment objective. Being materially under- or overexposed to the KRE ETF may prevent the Fund from achieving a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF and may expose the Fund to greater leverage risk. Market disruptions or closure, regulatory restrictions, market volatility, illiquidity in the markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, and other factors will adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to requisite levels. The target amount of portfolio exposure is impacted dynamically by the KRE ETF’s movements, including intraday movements. Because of this, it is unlikely that the Fund will have perfect -200% exposure during the day or at the end of each day and the likelihood of being materially under- or overexposed is higher on days when the KRE ETF is volatile, particularly when the KRE ETF is volatile at or near the close of the trading day.

 

A number of other factors may also adversely affect the Fund’s inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, including fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs associated with the use of derivatives, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or financial instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions in order to improve tax efficiency, comply with regulatory restrictions, or for other reasons, each of which may negatively affect the Fund’s inverse correlation with the KRE ETF. The Fund may also be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being under- or overexposed to the KRE ETF and may be impacted by reconstitutions of the KRE ETF and the KRE ETF rebalancing events. Additionally, the Fund’s underlying investments and/or reference assets may trade on markets that may not be open on the same day as the Fund, which may cause a difference between the changes in the daily performance of the Fund and changes in the level of the KRE ETF. Any of these factors could decrease the inverse correlation between the performance of the Fund and the KRE ETF and may hinder the Fund’s ability to meet its daily inverse investment objective on or around that day.

 

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Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the KRE ETF that is significantly greater or less than its stated multiple. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to leverage risk than if it had been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Collateral Investments Risk. The Fund’s use of Collateral Investments may include obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, including bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, money market funds, short-term bond ETFs, and corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper.

 

Some securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in which case the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, and consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate. Although the Fund may hold securities that carry U.S. Government guarantees, these guarantees do not extend to shares of the Fund.

 

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Money market funds are subject to management fees and other expenses. Therefore, investments in money market funds will cause the Fund to bear indirectly a proportional share of the fees and costs of the money market funds in which it invests. At the same time, the Fund will continue to pay its own management fees and expenses with respect to all of its assets, including any portion invested in the shares of the money market fund. It is possible to lose money by investing in money market funds.

 

The Fund may purchase securities of open-end investment companies including ETFs if the purchase is in compliance with the 1940 Act. If the Fund invests in securities of other investment companies, the return of any such investment will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees, of such investment companies. However, the Adviser believes that at times the return and liquidity features of these securities will be more beneficial than other types of securities.

 

Corporate debt securities such as commercial paper generally are short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses. Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest. Corporate debt securities carry both credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment-grade generally are considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.

 

Debt Securities Risk and Fixed Income Risk. Investments in debt and fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasuries, or derivatives based on fixed income securities, subject the holder to the credit risk of the issuer and to interest rate risk. GeDebt Securities Risk and Fixed Income Risknerally, the value of debt securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by the Fund may decline. If the principal on a debt security is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. Debt securities generally do not trade on a securities exchange making them generally less liquid and more difficult to value than common stock.

 

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Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline because of rising market interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter term debt securities and higher for longer-term debt securities. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the current period of historically low rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives. Duration is a reasonably accurate measure of a debt security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates and a common measure of interest rate risk. Duration measures a debt security’s expected life on a present value basis, taking into account the debt security’s yield, interest payments and final maturity. In general, duration represents the expected percentage change in the value of a security for an immediate 1% change in interest rates. For example, the price of a debt security with a three-year duration would be expected to drop by approximately 3% in response to a 1% increase in interest rates. Therefore, prices of debt securities with shorter durations tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than debt securities with longer durations. As the value of a debt security changes over time, so will its duration.

 

Call Risk. Some debt securities may be redeemed, or “called,” at the option of the issuer before their stated maturity date. In general, an issuer will call its debt securities if they can be refinanced by issuing new debt securities which bear a lower interest rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates an issuer will call its high yielding debt securities. The Fund would then be forced to invest the proceeds at lower interest rates, likely resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

 

Credit Risk. An issuer or other obligated party of a debt security may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due. In addition, the value of a debt security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or unwillingness to make such payments.

 

Valuation Risk. The Fund may hold securities or other assets that may be valued on the basis of factors other than market quotations. This may occur because the asset or security does not trade on a centralized exchange, or in times of market turmoil or reduced liquidity. There are multiple methods that can be used to value a portfolio holding when market quotations are not readily available. The value established for any portfolio holding at a point in time might differ from what would be produced using a different methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio holdings that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” assets or securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their valuations from one day to the next than if market quotations were used. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell or close out a portfolio position for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio position is sold or closed out at a discount to the valuation established by the Fund at that time. The Fund’s ability to value investments may be impacted by technological issues or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.

 

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Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, the Fund might not be able to acquire or dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent true market value in the judgment of the Adviser. Markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests may be disrupted by a number of events, including but not limited to economic crises, health crises, natural disasters, excessive volatility, new legislation, or regulatory changes inside or outside of the U.S. For example, regulation limiting the ability of certain financial institutions to invest in certain financial instruments would likely reduce the liquidity of those instruments. These situations may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high leveraged correlation with the KRE ETF. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in derivative instruments involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell the derivative instrument or sell it at a reasonable price.

 

ETF Risks. The Fund is an exchange-traded fund, and, as a result of an ETF’s structure, it is exposed to the following risks:

 

Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Limitation Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants (“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 (“Shares”) 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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Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund intends to redeem Shares for cash rather than in-kind. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to incur certain costs such as brokerage costs, and to recognize capital gains that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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

 

Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility and volatility in the Fund’s portfolio holdings, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses that are in addition to any losses caused by a decrease in NAV.

 

Trading. Although Shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange, and may be traded on other U.S. exchanges, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Fund Shares.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. This means it has the ability to invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in the securities of a small number of issuers or in financial instruments with a single counterparty or a few counterparties. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and increase the risk that the Fund’s performance will decline based on the performance of a single issuer or the credit of a single counterparty and make the Fund more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

 

Intraday Price Performance Risk. The intraday performance of shares of the Fund traded in the secondary market generally will be different from the performance of the Fund when measured from one NAV calculation-time to the next. When shares are bought intraday, the performance of the Fund’s Shares relative to the KRE ETF until the Fund’s next NAV calculation time will generally be greater than or less than the Fund’s stated multiple times the performance of the KRE ETF.

 

Market Maker Risk. If the Fund has lower average daily trading volumes, it may rely on a small number of third-party market makers to provide a market for the purchase and sale of Shares. Any trading halt or other problem relating to the trading activity of these market makers could result in a dramatic change in the spread between the Fund’s net asset value and the price at which the Shares are trading on the Exchange, which could result in a decrease in value of the Shares. In addition, decisions by market makers or Aps to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying values of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Shares trading at a discount to net asset value and also in greater than normal intra-day bid-ask spreads for Shares.

 

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Trading Issues Risk. 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 Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. The Fund may have difficulty maintaining its listing on the Exchange in the event the Fund’s assets are small, the Fund does not have enough shareholders, or if the Fund is unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders.

 

Trading Halt Risk. Although the KRE ETF’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the underlying issuer’s may, in turn, result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s shares. Trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may incur high portfolio turnover to manage the Fund’s investment exposure. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares may cause more frequent creation or redemption activities that could, in certain circumstances, increase the number of portfolio transactions. High levels of portfolio transactions increase brokerage and other transaction costs and may result in increased taxable capital gains. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.

 

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New Fund Risk. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has no operating history and currently has fewer assets than larger funds. Like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. This impact may be positive or negative, depending on the direction of market movement during the period affected.

 

Investment Risks of the KRE ETF

 

The risks with respect to the investment strategies of the KRE ETF are as follows:

 

Market Risk. The KRE ETF's investments are subject to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, inflation, changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers, and general market liquidity. The KRE ETF is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Local, regional or global events such as war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on the KRE ETF and its investments.

 

Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by the KRE ETF may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

 

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Banking Companies Risk. The performance of bank stocks may be affected by extensive governmental regulation, which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and the interest rates and fees they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers can negatively impact banking companies. Banks may also be subject to severe price competition. Competition is high among banking companies and failure to maintain or increase market share may result in lost market value. 

 

Financial Institutions Risk. Changes in the creditworthiness of financial institutions (such as banks and broker-dealers) may adversely affect the values of instruments of issuers in financial industries. Adverse developments in banking and other financial industries may cause the KRE ETF to underperform relative to other funds that invest more broadly across different industries or have a smaller exposure to financial institutions. Changes in governmental regulation and oversight of financial institutions may have an adverse effect on the financial condition of a financial institution. 

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk. As with all exchange-traded funds, Fund Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of Fund Shares in the secondary market may differ from the KRE ETF's daily net asset value per share and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the net asset value per share (premium) or less than the net asset value per share (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

 

Concentration Risk. When the KRE ETF focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector, financial, economic, business, and other developments affecting issuers in that industry, market, or economic sector will have a greater effect on the KRE ETF than if it had not done so. 

 

Futures Contract Risk. A futures contract is a standardized agreement that calls for the purchase or sale of a specific asset at a specific price at a specific future time, or cash settlement of the terms of the contract. Transactions in futures contracts can create investment leverage and may have significant volatility. It is possible that a futures contract transaction will result in a much greater loss than the principal amount invested, and the KRE ETF may not be able to close out the futures contract at a favorable time or price. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract. In the event no such market exists, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions, and the KRE ETF will be unable to terminate its exposure to the futures contract. There is also a risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the futures contract and movements in the price of the underlying assets. The counterparty to a futures contract may be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments, return the KRE ETF's margin, or otherwise honor its obligations. 

 

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Indexing Strategy/Index Tracking Risk. The KRE ETF is managed with an indexing investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Index or of the actual securities comprising the Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the KRE ETF's performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the KRE ETF. Errors in index data, index computations or the construction of the Index in accordance with its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the KRE ETF and its shareholders. To the extent circumstances evolve in between reconstitutions, the Index may include, and the KRE ETF may therefore hold for a period of time, securities of companies that do not align with the Index's objective and/or criteria. When there are changes made to the component securities of the Index and the KRE ETF in turn makes similar changes to its portfolio, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio changes will be borne directly by the KRE ETF and its shareholders. The KRE ETF may recognize gains as a result of rebalancing or reconstituting its securities holdings to reflect changes in the securities included in the Index. The KRE ETF also may be required to distribute any such gains to its shareholders to avoid adverse federal income tax consequences. While SSGA FM seeks to track the performance of the Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index), the KRE ETF's return may not match the return of the Index. The KRE ETF incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the KRE ETF may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the KRE ETF or reserves of cash held by the KRE ETF to meet redemptions. SSGA FM may attempt to track the Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Index, or in some securities not included in the Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the KRE ETF's return and that of the Index. 

 

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Non-Diversification Risk: To the extent the KRE ETF becomes “non-diversified,” the KRE ETF may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent the KRE ETF invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the KRE ETF may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of the KRE ETF’S Shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds. The KRE ETF may become non-diversified for periods of time solely as a result of tracking the Index (e.g., changes in weightings of one or more component securities). 

 

The Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Performance History

 

The Fund is new and 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 at (833) 759-6110.

 

Investment Adviser

 

Tuttle Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

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Portfolio Manager

 

Matthew Tuttle, Chief Executive Officer of the 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 cash and/or in-kind securities. 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 (i.e., Nasdaq). 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). When buying or selling shares through a broker, most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered prices in the secondary market for shares. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s shares are not redeemable securities. Recent information regarding the Fund, including its NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid/ask spreads, is available on the Fund’s website at www.shortregionalbanks.com.

 

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.

 

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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (e.g., 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.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS

 

The Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged inverse investment results and is very different from most other exchange-traded funds and presents different and greater risks. As a result, the Fund may be riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund’s objective is to inversely magnify (-200%) the daily performance of the KRE ETF.

 

The Fund will enter into one or more swap agreements that provide inverse (opposite) or short daily exposure with respect to the KRE ETF with major global financial institutions for a specified period ranging from a day to more than one year whereby the Fund and the global financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the KRE ETF that is equal on a daily basis, to -200% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The gross return to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the KRE ETF. The Adviser attempts to consistently apply leverage to increase the Fund’s exposure to -200% of the KRE ETF by entering into total return swaps that provide a -200% return on the KRE ETF, and expects to rebalance the Fund’s holdings daily to maintain such exposure.

 

The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period of time different than a trading day. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) without shareholder approval upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to shareholders. Unless otherwise noted, all other policies of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval. In the event that the KRE ETF liquidates or does not otherwise publicly trade, the Fund reserves the right to substitute a different ETF, index or security for the underlying ETF. In such circumstances, the Fund would file a supplement to this prospectus to provide shareholders with notice of the change prior to its implementation.

 

The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by sophisticated investors, such as traders and active investors employing dynamic strategies. Such investors are expected to monitor and manage their portfolios frequently. Investors in the Fund should: (a) understand the risks associated with the use of leverage; (b) understand the consequences of seeking daily leveraged investment results; and (c) intend to actively monitor and manage their investments. Investors who do not understand the Fund or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments should not buy the Fund.

 

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There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and an investment in the Fund could lose money. The Fund is not a complete investment program.

 

ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly traded securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at NAV solely by Authorized Participants and only in aggregations of a specified number of shares Creation Units. Also, unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade In the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

 

The Fund will enter into swap agreements with respect to the KRE ETF with major global financial institutions for a specified period ranging from one day to more than one year whereby the Fund and the global financial institution will agree to exchange the return earned or realized on the KRE ETF. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the KRE ETF.

 

Each trading day the Adviser adjusts the Fund’s exposure to the KRE ETF such that the notional exposure of all swaps equals -200% of the Fund’s aggregate net asset value. The impact of market movements during the day determines whether the total notional swap exposure needs to be increased or decreased. If the price of the KRE ETF has fallen on a given day, the value of the Fund’s net assets should rise, meaning its total notional swap exposure will typically need to be increased. Conversely, if the price of the KRE ETF has risen on a given day, the value of the Fund’s net assets should fall, meaning its total notional swap exposure will typically need to be reduced.

 

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The time and manner in which the Fund rebalances its portfolio may vary from day to day at the sole discretion of the Adviser depending upon market conditions and other circumstances. Generally, at or near the close of the market at each trading day, the Fund will position its portfolio to ensure that the Fund’s exposure to the KRE ETF is consistent with its stated investment objective. The Fund reviews its notional exposure under each of its swap agreements, which reflects the extent of the Fund’s total investment exposure under the swap, to ensure that the Fund’s exposure is in-line with its stated investment objective. The gross returns to be exchanged are calculated with respect to the notional amount and the KRE ETF’s returns to which the swap is linked. Swaps are typically closed out on a net basis. Thus, while the notional amount reflects the Fund’s total investment exposure under the swap, the net amount is the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under the swap. That is the amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be more or less exposed to leverage risk than if it had been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent that the Fund needs to “roll” its swap positions (i.e., enter into new swap positions with a later expiration date as the current positions approach expiration), it could be subjected to increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. 

 

Additionally, the Fund may invest between 40-80% of its portfolio depending on the amount of collateral required by the Fund’s counterparties in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.

 

THE TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF, ETF Opportunities Trust, AND Tuttle Capital management, LLC ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH SPDR S&P REGIONAL BANKING ETF OR SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC .

 

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Principal Investments

 

Swap Agreements

 

The Fund will enter into swap agreements to pursue its investment objective of delivering daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of -200% of the daily performance of the KRE ETF. The swap agreements may include as a reference asset investment vehicles that seek exposure to the KRE ETF.

 

Swap agreements are contracts entered into primarily with major financial institutions for a specified period ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross return to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the KRE ETF. The Fund may use a combination of swaps on the KRE ETF and swaps on various investment vehicles that are designed to track the performance of the KRE ETF. The underlying investment vehicle may not track the performance of the KRE ETF due to embedded costs and other factors, which may increase the Fund’s correlation risk and impact the Fund’s ability to correlate with the KRE ETF.

 

With respect to the use of swap agreements, if the KRE ETF has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between a Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction with the Fund. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to achieve the desired exposure consistent with its investment objective. This, in turn, may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective, even if the KRE ETF reverses all or a portion of its intraday move by the end of the day. Any costs associated with using swap agreements may also have the effect of lowering the Fund’s return.

 

The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government Securities, money market funds and corporate debt securities such as commercial paper or other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality. The Fund may also invest in short-term bond ETFs.

 

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U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies of the U.S. government, or by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

Non-Principal Investments

 

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

 

The Fund may invest in securities with maturities of less than one year or cash equivalents, or they may hold cash. The percentage of the Fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on several factors, including market conditions. For more information on eligible short-term investments, see the SAI.

 

Additional Information Regarding Investment Techniques and Policies

 

The Effects of Fees and Expenses on the Return of a Fund for a Single Trading Day. To create the necessary exposure, the Fund uses leveraged investment techniques, which necessarily incur brokerage and financing charges. In light of these charges and the Fund’s operating expenses, the expected return of the Fund over one trading day is equal to the gross expected return, which is the daily return of the KRE ETF multiplied by the Fund’s daily leveraged investment objective, minus (i) financing charges incurred by the portfolio and (ii) daily operating expenses. For instance, if the KRE ETF returned 2% on a given day, the gross expected return of the Fund would be 4%, but the net expected return, which factors in the cost of financing the portfolio and the impact of operating expenses, would be lower. The Fund will reposition its portfolio at the end of every trading day.

 

To create the necessary exposure, the Fund will enter into total return swaps that pay the Fund -200% of the return on the KRE ETF. The Fund will reposition its portfolio at the end of every trading day. Therefore, if an investor purchases Fund shares at close of markets on a given day, the investor’s exposure to the KRE ETF would reflect 200% of the inverse performance of the KRE ETF during the following trading day.

 

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A Cautionary Note to Investors Regarding Dramatic Price Movement in the KRE ETF. The Fund could lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event of a movement of the KRE ETF in excess of 50% in a direction adverse to the Fund (meaning an increase in the value of the KRE ETF). The risk of total loss exists.

 

If the KRE ETF has a dramatic adverse move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s swap agreements may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the swap transaction. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the KRE ETF later reverses all or a portion the move, and result in significant losses.

 

Examples of the Impact of Daily Leverage and Compounding. Because the Fund’s exposure to the KRE ETF is repositioned on a daily basis, for a holding period longer than one day, the pursuit of a daily investment objective will result in daily leveraged compounding for the Fund. This means that the return of the KRE ETF over a period of time greater than one day multiplied by the Fund’s daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., -200%) generally will not equal the Fund’s performance over that same period. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day. This deviation increases with higher volatility in the KRE ETF and longer holding periods. Further, the return for investors that invest for periods less than a full trading day or for a period different than a trading day will not be the product of the return of the Fund’s stated daily leveraged investment objective and the performance of the KRE ETF for the full trading day. The actual exposure will largely be a function of the performance of the KRE ETF from the end of the prior trading day.

 

Consider the following examples:

While these examples are designed to show the effect on the Fund of leverage, volatility and performance with respect to the KRE ETF.

 

Mary is considering investments in two Funds, Funds A and B. Fund A is an ETF which seeks (before fees and expenses) to match the performance of the KRE ETF. Fund B is a leveraged ETF and seeks daily leveraged investment results (before fees and expenses) that correspond to 200% of the daily performance of the KRE ETF.

 

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An investment in Fund A would be expected to gain 5% on Day 1 and lose 4.76% on Day 2, returning the investment to its original value. The following example assumes a $100 investment in Fund A when the KRE ETF is also valued at $100:

 

Day KRE ETF Value KRE ETF Performance Value of Fund A Investment
  $100.00   $100.00
1 $105.00 5.00% $105.00
2 $100.00 -4.76% $100.00

 

The same $100 investment in Fund B would be expected to gain 10% on Day 1 (200% of 5%) but decline 9.52% on Day 2.

 

Day KRE ETF Performance

200% of the

KRE ETF Performance

Value of Fund B Investment
      $100.00
1 5.00% 10.0% $110.00
2 -4.76% -9.52% $99.52

 

Although the percentage decline in Fund B is smaller on Day 2 than the percentage gain on Day 1, the loss is applied to a higher principal amount, so the investment in Fund B experiences a loss even when the aggregate value of the KRE ETF for the two-day period has not declined. (These calculations do not include the charges for fund fees and expenses).

 

As you can see, an investment in Fund B has additional risks due to the effects of leverage and compounding.

 

An investor who purchases shares of the Fund intra-day will generally receive more, or less, than 200% exposure to the KRE ETF from that point until the end of the trading day. The actual exposure will be largely a function of the performance of the KRE ETF from the end of the prior trading day. If the Fund’s shares are held for a period longer than a single trading day, the Fund’s performance is likely to deviate from 200% or -200% of the return of the KRE ETF’s performance for the longer period. This deviation will increase with higher volatility of the KRE ETF and longer holding periods.

 

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Examples of the Impact of Volatility. The Fund rebalances its portfolio on a daily basis, increasing exposure in response to that day’s gains or reducing exposure in response to that day’s losses. Daily rebalancing will typically cause the Fund to lose money if the KRE ETF experiences volatility. A volatility rate is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the KRE ETF’s returns over a defined period. For periods longer than a trading day, volatility in the performance of the KRE ETF from day to day is the primary cause of any disparity between the Fund’s actual returns and the returns of the KRE ETF for such period. Volatility causes such disparity because it exacerbates the effects of compounding on the Fund’s returns. In addition, the effects of volatility are magnified in the Fund due to leverage. Consider the following three examples that demonstrate the effect of volatility on a hypothetical fund:

 

Example 1 – KRE ETF Experiences Low Volatility

 

John invests $10.00 in the Fund at the close of trading on Day 1. During Day 2, the KRE ETF gains 2%, and John’s investment falls by 4% to $9.60. On Day 3, the KRE ETF rises by 1.96%, and John’s investment falls by 3.92% to $9.22. For the two-day period the KRE ETF returned 4% while John’s investment lost 7.8%. John’s return still correlates to -200% return of the KRE ETF.

 

Example 2 – KRE ETF Experiences High Volatility

 

John invests $10.00 in the Fund after the close of trading on Day 1. During Day 2, the KRE ETF rises from 100 to 102, a 2% gain, and John’s investment falls 4% to $9.60. John continues to hold his investment through the end of Day 3, during which the KRE ETF declines from 102 to 98, a loss of 3.92%. John’s investment rises by 7.84%, from $9.60 to $10.35. For the two-day period since John invested in the Fund, the KRE ETF lost 2% while John’s investment increased from $10 to $10.35, a 3.5% gain. The volatility of the KRE ETF affected the correlation between the KRE ETF’s return for the two-day period and John’s return. In this situation, John gained less than two times the return of the KRE ETF.

 

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Market Volatility. The Fund seeks to provide a return which is a multiple of the inverse daily performance of the KRE ETF. The Fund does not attempt to, and should not be expected to, provide returns which are a multiple of the inverse return of the KRE ETF for periods other than a single day. The Fund rebalances its portfolio on a daily basis, increasing exposure in response to that day’s gains or reducing exposure in response to that day’s losses.

 

Daily rebalancing will impair the Fund’s performance if the KRE ETF experiences volatility. The Fund would be expected to lose 12% (as shown in Table 1 below) if the KRE ETF provides no return over a one-year period and had annualized volatility of 20%. If the KRE ETF’s annualized volatility were to rise to 40%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period for the Fund rises to 45%.

 

Table 1

 

Volatility Range Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF Losses
10% -3%
20% -12%
30% -26%
40% -45%
50% -65%
60% -92%
70% -99%
80% -99%
90% -99%
100% -99%

 

Note that at higher volatility levels, there is a chance of a complete loss of Fund assets even if the KRE ETF is flat. For instance, if annualized volatility of the KRE ETF was 90%, the Fund would be expected to lose 99% of its value, even if the KRE ETF returned 0% for the year.

 

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Table 2 shows the annualized historical volatility rate for the KRE ETF over the five-year period ended December 31, 2022. Since market volatility has negative implications for funds which rebalance daily, investors should be sure to monitor and manage their investments in the Fund particularly in volatile markets. The negative implications of volatility in Table 1 can be combined with the recent volatility in Table 2 to give investors some sense of the risks of holding a Fund for longer periods over the past five years. Historical volatility and performance are not likely indicative of future volatility and performance.

 

Table 2 – Historic Volatility of the KRE ETF

 

  5-Year Historical Volatility Rate
KRE ETF 35.40%

 

The Projected Returns of Fund for Intra-Day Purchases. Because the Fund rebalance its portfolio once daily, an investor who purchases shares during a day will likely have more, or less, than 200% leveraged investment exposure to the KRE ETF. The exposure to the KRE ETF received by an investor who purchases the Fund intra-day will differ from the Fund’s stated daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., -200%) by an amount determined by the movement of the KRE ETF from their value at the end of the prior day. If the KRE ETF moves in a direction favorable to the Fund between the close of the market on one trading day through the time on the next trading day when the investor purchases the Fund shares, the investor will receive less exposure to the KRE ETF than the stated fund daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., -200%). Conversely, if the KRE ETF moves in a direction adverse to the Fund, the investor will receive more exposure to the KRE ETF than the stated fund daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., -200%).

 

Table 3 below indicates the exposure to the KRE ETF that an intra-day purchase of the Fund would be expected to provide based upon the movement in the value of the KRE ETF from the close of the market on the prior trading day. Such exposure holds until a subsequent sale on that same trading day or until the close of the market on that trading day. For instance, if the KRE ETF has moved 5% in a direction favorable to the Fund, the investor would receive exposure to the performance of the KRE ETF from that point until the investor sells later that day or the end of the day equal to approximately -173% of the investor’s investment. Conversely, if the KRE ETF has moved 5% in a direction unfavorable to the Fund, an investor would receive exposure to the performance of the KRE ETF from that point until the investor sells later that day or the end of the day equal to approximately 233% of the investor’s investment.

 

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The table includes a range of the KRE ETF’s moves from 20% to -20% for the Fund. Movement of the KRE ETF beyond the range noted below will result in exposure further from the Fund’s daily leveraged investment objective.

 

Table 3 – Intra-Day Leverage of Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF

 

KRE ETF Resulting Exposure for Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF
-20% -114%
-15% -131%
-10% -150%
-5% -173%
0% -200%
5% -233%
10% -275%
15% -329%
20% -400%

 

The Projected Returns of the Fund for Periods Other Than a Single Trading Day. The Fund seeks leveraged investment results on a daily basis — from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day — which should not be equated with seeking a leveraged investment objective for any other period. For instance, if the KRE ETF gains 10% for a week, the Fund should not be expected to provide a return of 20% for the week even if it meets its daily leveraged investment objective throughout the week. This is true because of the financing charges noted above but also because the pursuit of daily goals may result in daily leveraged compounding, which means that the return of the KRE ETF over a period of time greater than one day multiplied by the Fund’s daily leveraged investment objective or inverse daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., 200% of -200%) will not generally equal the Fund’s performance over that same period. In addition, the effects of compounding become greater the longer Shares are held beyond a single trading day.

 

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The following tables set out a range of hypothetical daily performances during a given 10 trading days of the KRE ETF and demonstrate how changes in the KRE ETF impacts the Fund’s performance for a trading day and cumulatively up to, and including, the entire 10 trading day period. The charts are based on a hypothetical $100 investment in the Fund over a 10-trading day period and do not reflect fees or expenses of any kind.

 

Table 4 – The KRE ETF Lacks a Clear Trend

 

KRE ETF Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF
  Value Daily Performance Cumulative Performance NAV Daily Performance Cumulative Performance
  100     $100.00    
Day 1 105 5.00% 5.00% $90.00 -10.00% 10.00%
Day 2 110 4.76% 10.00% $81.43 -9.52% 18.57%
Day 3 100 -9.09% 0.00% $96.23 18.18% -3.67%
Day 4 90 -10.00% -10.00% $115.48 20.00% 15.48%
Day 5 85 -5.56% -15.00% $128.31 11.12% 28.33%
Day 6 100 17.65% 0.00% $ 83.03 -35.30% -16.97%
Day 7 95 -5.00% -5.00% $ 91.33 -10.00% -8.67%
Day 8 100 5.26% 0.00% $ 81.71 -10.52% -18.28%
Day 9 105 5.00% 5.00% $73.54 -10.00% -26.45%
Day 10 100 -4.76% 0.00% $ 80.55 9.52% -19.45%

 

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The cumulative performance of the KRE ETF in Table 4 is 0% for 10 trading days. The return of the Fund is -19.45%. The volatility of the KRE ETF’s performance and lack of a clear trend results in performance for the Fund for the period which bears little relationship to the performance of the KRE ETF for the 10-trading day period.

 

Table 5 – The KRE ETF Rises in a Clear Trend

 

KRE ETF Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF
  Value Daily Performance Cumulative Performance NAV Daily Performance Cumulative Performance
  100     $100.00    
Day 1 102 2.00% 2.00% $96.00 -4.00% -4.00%
Day 2 104 1.96% 4.00% $92.24 -3.92% -7.76%
Day 3 106 1.92% 6.00% $88.69 -3.84% -11.31%
Day 4 108 1.89% 8.00% $85.34 -3.78% -14.66%
Day 5 110 1.85% 10.00% $82.18 -3.70% -17.82%
Day 6 112 1.82% 12.00% $79.19 -3.64% -20.81%
Day 7 114 1.79% 14.00% $76.36 -3.58% -23.64%
Day 8 116 1.75% 16.00% $73.68 -3.50% -26.31%
Day 9 118 1.72% 18.00% $71.14 -3.44% -28.85%
Day 10 120 1.69% 20.00% $68.73 -3.38% -31.25%

The cumulative performance of the KRE ETF in Table 5 is 20% for 10 trading days. The return of the Fund is -31.25%. In this case, because of the positive KRE ETF trend, the Fund’s decline is less than -200% of the KRE ETF gain for the 10-trading day period.

 

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Table 6 – The KRE ETF Declines in a Clear Trend

 

KRE ETF Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF
  Value Daily Performance Cumulative Performance NAV Daily Performance Cumulative Performance
  100     $100.00    
Day 1 98 -2.00% -2.00% $104.00 4.00% 4.00%
Day 2 96 -2.04% -4.00% $108.24 4.08% 8.24%
Day 3 94 -2.08% -6.00% $112.76 4.16% 12.75%
Day 4 92 -2.13% -8.00% $117.55 4.26% 17.55%
Day 5 90 -2.17% -10.00% $122.66 4.34% 22.65%
Day 6 88 -2.22% -12.00% $128.12 4.44% 28.10%
Day 7 86 -2.27% -14.00% $133.94 4.54% 33.91%
Day 8 84 -2.33% -16.00% $140.17   4.66% 40.15%
Day 9 82 -2.38% -18.00% $146.84 4.76% 46.82%
Day 10 80 -2.44% -20.00% $154.01 4.88% 53.99%

The cumulative performance of the KRE ETF in Table 6 is -20% for 10 trading days. The return of the Fund is 53.99%. In this case, because of the negative KRE ETF trend, the Fund’s gain is greater than 200% of the KRE ETF decline for the 10-trading day period.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. 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 including the risks of the investment strategies of the KRE ETF. The realization of certain of the risks described below that may result in adverse market movements may actually benefit the Fund due to its inverse investment objective.

 

Principal Risks

 

Investment Risks of the Fund

 

The investment risks of the Fund are as follows:

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s investment exposure to derivatives may be considered aggressive and may expose the Fund to greater risks and larger losses or smaller gains than investing directly in the reference asset(s) underlying those derivatives. A derivative refers to any financial instrument whose value is derived, at least in part, from the price of an underlying security, asset, rate or index. The use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, rate or index. Gains or losses in a derivative may be magnified and may be much greater than the derivative’s original cost.

 

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Swap Agreement Risk. The Fund expects to use swap agreements as a means to achieve its investment objective. Swap agreements are generally traded in OTC markets and have only recently become subject to regulation by the CFTC. CFTC rules, however, do not cover all types of swap agreements. Investors, therefore, may not receive the protection of CFTC regulation or the statutory scheme of the Commodity Exchange Act in connection with the Fund’s swap agreements. The lack of regulation in these markets could expose investors to significant losses under certain circumstances, including in the event of trading abuses or financial failure by participants. Unlike in futures contracts, the counterparty to uncleared OTC swap agreements is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearing organization backed by a group of financial institutions. As a result, the Fund is subject to increased counterparty risk with respect to the amount they expect to receive from counterparties to uncleared swaps. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Fund could suffer significant losses on these contracts and the value of an investor’s investment in the Fund may decline. OTC swaps of the type that may be utilized by the Fund are less liquid than futures contracts because they are not traded on an exchange, do not have uniform terms and conditions, and are generally entered into based upon the creditworthiness of the parties and the availability of credit support, such as collateral, and in general, are not transferable without the consent of the counterparty. Swaps are also subject to the risk of imperfect correlation between the value of the reference asset underlying the swap and the swap. Leverage inherent in derivatives will tend to magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Moreover, with respect to the use of swap agreements, if the KRE ETF has a dramatic intraday move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the transaction with the Fund. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to achieve the desired exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This, in turn, may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective, even if the KRE ETF reverses all or a portion of its intraday move by the end of the day. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning.

 

Counterparty Risk. Investing in derivatives involves entering into contracts with third parties (i.e., counterparties). The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The Fund will be subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that a counterparty is or is perceived to be unwilling or unable to make timely payments or otherwise meet its contractual obligations) with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to derivatives entered into by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or fails to perform its obligations, or if any collateral posted by the counterparty for the benefit of the Fund is insufficient or there are delays in the Fund’s ability to access such collateral, the value of an investment in the Fund may decline.

 

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Volatility Risk. Volatility is the characteristic of a security or other asset, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. The value of the Fund’s investments in swaps – and therefore the value of an investment in the Fund – could decline significantly and without warning, including to zero. If you are not prepared to accept significant and unexpected changes in the value of the Fund and the possibility that you could lose your entire investment in the Fund, you should not invest in the Fund.

 

Leverage Risk. Leverage increases the risk of a total loss of an investor’s investment, may increase the volatility of the Fund, and may magnify any differences between the performance of the Fund and the KRE ETF. Because each Fund includes a multiplier of two times (-2X) the KRE ETF, a single day movement in the KRE ETF approaching 50% at any point in the day could result in the total loss of an investor’s investment if that movement is contrary to the investment objective of the Fund, even if the KRE ETF subsequently move in an opposite direction, eliminating all or a portion of the earlier movement. This would be the case with any such single day movements in the KRE ETF, even if the KRE ETF maintains a level greater than zero at all times.

 

Although the KRE ETF will not borrow funds for trading, the Fund should be considered highly leveraged. Leverage embedded in the swap agreements may result in the Fund holding positions whose face or notional value may be many times the Fund’s NAV. Losses incurred on leveraged investments increase in direct proportion to the degree of leverage employed. Furthermore, derivative instruments such as swaps are highly volatile and are subject to occasional rapid and substantial fluctuations. Volatility is a statistical measurement of the variation of returns of a security or fund or index over time. Higher volatility generally indicates higher risk.

 

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Shorting Risk.

 

The Fund will typically obtain inverse or “short” exposure through the use of derivatives such as swap agreements, which may expose the Fund to certain risks such as an increase in volatility or decrease in the liquidity of the securities or financial instruments of the underlying short position. If the Fund were to experience this volatility or decreased liquidity, the Fund’s return may be lower, the Fund’s ability to obtain inverse exposure through the use of derivatives may be limited or the Fund may be required to obtain inverse exposure through alternative investment strategies that may be less desirable or more costly to implement. If the securities or financial instruments underlying the short positions are thinly traded or have a limited market due to various factors, including regulatory action, the Fund may be unable to meet its investment objective due to a lack of available securities, financial instruments or counterparties. The Fund may not be able to issue additional Creation Units during periods when it cannot meet its investment objective due to these factors. Any income, dividends or payments by the assets underlying the Fund’s short positions will negatively impact the Fund.

 

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Compounding Risk. The Fund has a single day investment objective, and the Fund’s performance for any other period is the result of its return for each day compounded over the period. The performance of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will very likely differ in amount, and possibly even direction, from -200% of the daily return of the KRE ETF for the same period, before accounting for fees and expenses. Compounding affects all investments, but has a more significant impact on a leveraged fund. This effect becomes more pronounced as the KRE ETF’s volatility and holding periods increase. The Fund’s performance for a period longer than a single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: (a) the KRE ETF’s volatility; (b) the KRE ETF’s performance; (c) period of time; (d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and (e) other Fund expenses. The  chart below illustrates the impact of two principal factors — the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance — on Fund performance. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance over a one-year period. Actual volatility, the KRE ETF and Fund performance may differ significantly from the chart below. Performance shown in the chart assumes: (a) no Fund expenses; and (b) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of zero percent. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/ lending rates were reflected, the Fund’s performance would be different than shown.

 

Areas shaded red represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than -200% of the performance of the KRE ETF and those shaded green represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than -200% of the performance of the KRE ETF. The Fund’s actual returns may be significantly better or worse than the returns shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in “Inverse Correlation Risk” below.

 

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One

Year

-200%

One

Year

Volatility Rate
Return Return 10% 25% 50% 75% 100%
-60% 120% 506.5% 418.1% 195.2% 15.6% -68.9%
-50% 100% 288.2% 231.6% 88.9% -26.0% -80.1%
-40% 80% 169.6% 130.3% 31.2% -48.6% -86.2%
-30% 60% 98.1% 69.2% -3.6% -62.2% -89.8%
-20% 40% 51.6% 29.5% -26.2% -71.1% -92.2%
-10% 20% 19.8% 2.3% -41.7% -77.2% -93.9%
0% 0% -3.0% -17.1% -52.8% -81.5% -95.0%
10% -20% -19.8% -31.5% -61.0% -84.7% -95.9%
20% -40% -32.6% -42.4% -67.2% -87.2% -96.5%
30% -60% -42.6% -50.9% -72.0% -89.1% -97.1%
40% -80% -50.5% -57.7% -75.9% -90.6% -97.5%
50% -100% -56.9% -63.2% -79.0% -91.8% -97.8%
60% -120% -62.1% -67.6% -81.5% -92.8% -98.1%

 

The foregoing table is intended to isolate the effect of the KRE ETF volatility and the KRE ETF performance on the return of the Fund and is not a representation of actual returns. For example, the Fund may incorrectly be expected to achieve a 40% return on a yearly basis if the KRE ETF return were -20%, absent the effects of compounding. As the table shows, with the KRE ETF volatility of 50%, the Fund could be expected to return -26.21% under such a scenario. The Fund’s actual returns may be significantly better or worse than the returns shown above as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in “Principal Risks — Inverse Correlation Risk” below.

 

 The KRE ETF’s annualized historical daily volatility rate for the five-year period ended December 31, 2022, was 35.40%. The KRE ETF’s annualized daily volatility rates were as follows:

 

2018       20.96% 

2019       21.29%

2020       61.30%

2021       28.69%

2022       28.08%

 

Volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher.

 

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The KRE ETF’s annualized performance for the five-year period ended December 31, 2022 was 2.86%. Historical volatility and performance are not indications of what the KRE ETF volatility and performance will be in the future.

 

Total Loss Risk. Because the Fund utilizes leverage in seeking to achieve its investment objective, it will lose more money in market environments adverse to its daily investment objective than funds that do not employ leverage. The use of leveraged positions increases risk and could result in the total loss of an investor’s investment within a single day. The Fund’s investments in leveraged positions generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed. As a result, such investments may give rise to losses that far exceed the amount invested in those instruments.

 

Inverse Correlation Risk. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of inverse correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its daily inverse investment objective, and the percentage change of the Fund’s NAV each day may differ, perhaps significantly in amount, and possibly even direction, from -200% of the percentage change of the KRE ETF on such day.

 

In order to achieve a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its inverse investment objective. Being materially under- or overexposed to the KRE ETF may prevent the Fund from achieving a high degree of inverse correlation with the KRE ETF and may expose the Fund to greater leverage risk. Market disruptions or closure, regulatory restrictions, market volatility, illiquidity in the markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, and other factors will adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to requisite levels. The target amount of portfolio exposure is impacted dynamically by the KRE ETF’s movements, including intraday movements. Because of this, it is unlikely that the Fund will have perfect -200% exposure during the day or at the end of each day and the likelihood of being materially under- or overexposed is higher on days when the KRE ETF is volatile, particularly when the KRE ETF is volatile at or near the close of the trading day.

 

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A number of other factors may also adversely affect the Fund’s inverse correlation with the KRE ETF, including fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs associated with the use of derivatives, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or financial instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions in order to improve tax efficiency, comply with regulatory restrictions, or for other reasons, each of which may negatively affect the Fund’s inverse correlation with the KRE ETF. The Fund may also be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being under- or overexposed to the KRE ETF and may be impacted by reconstitutions of the KRE ETF and the KRE ETF’s rebalancing events. Additionally, the Fund’s underlying investments and/or reference assets may trade on markets that may not be open on the same day as the Fund, which may cause a difference between the changes in the daily performance of the Fund and changes in the level of the KRE ETF. Any of these factors could decrease the inverse correlation between the performance of the Fund and the KRE ETF and may hinder the Fund’s ability to meet its daily investment objective on or around that day.

 

Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the KRE ETF that is significantly greater or less than its stated multiple. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to leverage risk than if it had been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Collateral Investments Risk. The Fund’s use of Collateral Investments may include obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, including bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, money market funds and corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper.

 

Some securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in which case the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, and consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate. Although the Fund may hold securities that carry U.S. Government guarantees, these guarantees do not extend to shares of the Fund.

 

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Money market funds are subject to management fees and other expenses. Therefore, investments in money market funds will cause the Fund to bear indirectly a proportional share of the fees and costs of the money market funds in which they invests. At the same time, the Fund will continue to pay their own management fees and expenses with respect to all of its assets, including any portion invested in the shares of the money market fund. It is possible to lose money by investing in money market funds.

 

Corporate debt securities such as commercial paper generally are short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses. Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest. Corporate debt securities carry both credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment-grade generally are considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.

 

Debt Securities Risk and Fixed Income Risk. Investments in debt and fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasuries, or derivatives based on fixed income securities, subject the holder to the credit risk of the issuer and to interest rate risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer or other obligor of a security will not be able or willing to make payments of interest and principal when due. Generally, the value of debt securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by a Fund may decline. If the principal on a debt security is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. Debt securities generally do not trade on a securities exchange making them generally less liquid and more difficult to value than common stock.

 

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Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline because of rising market interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter term debt securities and higher for longer-term debt securities. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the current period of historically low rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives. Duration is a reasonably accurate measure of a debt security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates and a common measure of interest rate risk. Duration measures a debt security’s expected life on a present value basis, taking into account the debt security’s yield, interest payments and final maturity. In general, duration represents the expected percentage change in the value of a security for an immediate 1% change in interest rates. For example, the price of a debt security with a three-year duration would be expected to drop by approximately 3% in response to a 1% increase in interest rates. Therefore, prices of debt securities with shorter durations tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than debt securities with longer durations. As the value of a debt security changes over time, so will its duration.

 

Call Risk. Some debt securities may be redeemed, or “called,” at the option of the issuer before their stated maturity date. In general, an issuer will call its debt securities if they can be refinanced by issuing new debt securities which bear a lower interest rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates an issuer will call its high yielding debt securities. The Fund would then be forced to invest the proceeds at lower interest rates, likely resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

 

Credit Risk. An issuer or other obligated party of a debt security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument may be unable or unwilling to satisfy its payments obligations to the Fund when due. In addition, the value of a debt security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or unwillingness to make such payments. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

 

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Valuation Risk. The Fund may hold securities or other assets that may be valued on the basis of factors other than market quotations. This may occur because the asset or security does not trade on a centralized exchange, or in times of market turmoil or reduced liquidity. There are multiple methods that can be used to value a portfolio holding when market quotations are not readily available. The value established for any portfolio holding at a point in time might differ from what would be produced using a different methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio holdings that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” assets or securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their valuations from one day to the next than if market quotations were used. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell or close out a portfolio position for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio position is sold or closed out at a discount to the valuation established by a Fund at that time. The Fund’s ability to value investments may be impacted by technological issues or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.

 

Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, the Fund might not be able to acquire or dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent true market value in the judgment of the Adviser. Markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invest may be disrupted by a number of events, including but not limited to economic crises, health crises, natural disasters, excessive volatility, new legislation, or regulatory changes inside or outside of the U.S. For example, regulation limiting the ability of certain financial institutions to invest in certain financial instruments would likely reduce the liquidity of those instruments. These situations may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high leveraged correlation with its underlying ETF. The KRE ETF is subject to liquidity risk primarily due to its investments in derivatives. Investments in derivative instruments involve the risk that the Fund may be unable to sell the derivative instrument or sell it at a reasonable price.

 

ETF Risks. The Fund is an exchange-traded fund, and, as a result of an ETF’s structure, it is exposed to the following risks:

 

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Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Limitation Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants (“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 (“Shares”) 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.

 

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund intends to redeem Shares for cash rather than in-kind. The Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to incur certain costs such as brokerage costs, and to recognize capital gains that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

 

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

 

Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility and volatility in the Fund’s portfolio holdings, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses that are in addition to any losses caused by a decrease in NAV.

 

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Trading. Although Shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange, and may be traded on other U.S. exchanges, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Fund Shares.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. This means it has the ability to invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in the securities of a small number of issuers or in financial instruments with a single counterparty or a few counterparties. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and increase the risk that the Fund’s performance will decline based on the performance of a single issuer or the credit of a single counterparty and make the Fund more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

 

Intraday Price Performance Risk. The intraday performance of shares of the Fund traded in the secondary market generally will be different from the performance of the Fund when measured from one NAV calculation-time to the next. When shares are bought intraday, the performance of the Fund’s Shares relative to the KRE ETF until the Fund’s next NAV calculation time will generally be greater than or less than the Fund’s stated multiple times the performance of the KRE ETF.

 

Market Maker Risk. If the Fund has lower average daily trading volumes, it may rely on a small number of third-party market makers to provide a market for the purchase and sale of Shares. Any trading halt or other problem relating to the trading activity of these market makers could result in a dramatic change in the spread between the Fund’s net asset value and the price at which the Shares are trading on the Exchange, which could result in a decrease in value of the Shares. In addition, decisions by market makers or APs to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying values of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Shares trading at a discount to net asset value and also in greater than normal intra-day bid-ask spreads for Shares.

 

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Trading Issues Risk. 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 Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. The Fund may have difficulty maintaining their listing on the Exchange in the event the Fund’s assets are small, the Fund does not have enough shareholders, or if the Fund is unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders.

 

Trading Halt Risk. Although the KRE ETF’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the underlying issuer’s may, in turn, result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s shares. Trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in the KRE ETF’s and/or Fund’s shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.

  

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Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may incur high portfolio turnover to manage the Fund’s investment exposure. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares may cause more frequent creation or redemption activities that could, in certain circumstances, increase the number of portfolio transactions. High levels of portfolio transactions increase brokerage and other transaction costs and may result in increased taxable capital gains. Each of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.

 

New Fund Risk. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has no operating history and currently have fewer assets than larger funds. Like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. This impact may be positive or negative, depending on the direction of market movement during the period affected.

 

Investment Risks of the KRE ETF

 

The risks with respect to the investment strategies of the KRE ETF are as follows:

 

Banking Companies Risk. The performance of bank stocks may be affected by extensive governmental regulation, which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and the interest rates and fees they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers can negatively impact the banking companies. Banks may also be subject to severe price competition. Competition among banking companies is high and failure to maintain or increase market share may result in lost market value.

 

Concentration Risk. The KRE ETF's assets may be concentrated in an industry or group of industries, but only to the extent that the KRE ETF's underlying Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries. When the KRE ETF focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector, financial, economic, business, and other developments affecting issuers in that industry, market, or economic sector will have a greater effect on the KRE ETF than if it had not focused its assets in that industry, market, or economic sector, which may increase the volatility of the KRE ETF.

 

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Counterparty Risk. The KRE ETF will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the KRE ETF enters into derivatives contracts and other transactions such as repurchase agreements. The KRE ETF's ability to profit from these types of investments and transactions will depend on the willingness and ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the KRE ETF may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, resulting in a loss to the Fund. The KRE ETF may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in an insolvency, bankruptcy, or other reorganization proceeding involving its counterparty (including recovery of any collateral posted by it) and may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. If the KRE ETF holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty. Under applicable law or contractual provisions, including if the KRE ETF enters into an investment or transaction with a financial institution and such financial institution (or an affiliate of the financial institution) experiences financial difficulties, then the KRE ETF may in certain situations be prevented or delayed from exercising its rights to terminate the investment or transaction, or to realize on any collateral and may result in the suspension of payment and delivery obligations of the parties under such investment or transactions or in another institution being substituted for that financial institution without the consent of the KRE ETF. Further, the KRE ETF may be subject to “bail-in” risk under applicable law whereby, if required by the financial institution's authority, the financial institution's liabilities could be written down, eliminated or converted into equity or an alternative instrument of ownership. A bail-in of a financial institution may result in a reduction in value of some or all of its securities and, if the KRE ETF holds such securities or has entered into a transaction with such a financial security when a bail-in occurs, the KRE ETF may also be similarly impacted.

 

Leveraging Risk. Repurchase agreements and certain derivatives transactions may create investment leverage. If the KRE ETF engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect on the KRE ETF’s investment portfolio, the value of the KRE ETF will be potentially more volatile and all other risks will tend to be compounded. This is because leverage generally creates investment risk with respect to a larger base of assets than the KRE ETF would otherwise have and so magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the KRE ETF’s underlying assets. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in losses to the KRE ETF. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of leverage may cause the KRE ETF to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy repayment, interest payment, or margin obligations or to meet asset segregation or coverage requirements.

 

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Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that the KRE ETF may not be able to dispose of investments or close out derivatives transactions readily at a favorable time or prices (or at all) or at prices approximating those at which the KRE ETF currently values them. For example, certain investments may be subject to restrictions on resale, may trade in the over-the-counter market or in limited volume, or may not have an active trading market. Illiquid investments may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. It may be difficult for the KRE ETF to value illiquid investments accurately. The market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. If the liquidity of the KRE ETF’s holdings deteriorates, it may lead to differences between the market price of Shares of the KRE ETF and the net asset value of such Shares, and could result in the KRE ETF Shares being less liquid. Disposal of illiquid investments may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that are higher than those for liquid investments. The KRE ETF may seek to borrow money to meet its obligations (including among other things redemption obligations) if it is unable to dispose of illiquid investments, resulting in borrowing expenses and possible leveraging of the KRE ETF.

 

Equity Investing Risk. The market prices of equity securities owned by the KRE ETF may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, non-compliance with regulatory requirements, and reduced demand for the issuer's goods or services. The values of equity securities also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

 

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Financial Institutions Risk. Some instruments are issued or guaranteed by financial institutions, such as banks and brokers, or are collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by financial institutions. Changes in the creditworthiness of any of these institutions may adversely affect the values of instruments of issuers in financial industries. Financial institutions may be particularly sensitive to certain economic factors such as interest rate changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles. Adverse developments in banking and other financial industries may cause the KRE ETF to underperform relative to other funds that invest more broadly across different industries or have a smaller exposure to financial institutions. Changes in governmental regulation and oversight of financial institutions may have an adverse effect on the financial condition or the earnings or operations of a financial institution and on the types and amounts of businesses in which a financial institution may engage. An investor may be delayed or prevented from exercising certain remedies against a financial institution. The amount of the KRE ETF's assets that may be invested in any financial institution, or financial institutions generally, may be limited by applicable law.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk. The net asset value of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the KRE ETF's securities holdings. The market prices of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the KRE ETF's net asset value and supply and demand of Fund Shares on the Exchange. It cannot be predicted whether Fund Shares will trade below, at or above their net asset value. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Fund Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of an Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the net asset value of Fund Shares during periods of market volatility. However, given that Fund Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset value), SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM”), the investment adviser to the KRE ETF, believes that large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of Fund Shares should not be sustained over long periods. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Fund Shares normally will trade close to the KRE ETF's net asset value, disruptions to creations and redemptions or market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the KRE ETF's net asset value. If an investor purchases Fund Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value of Fund Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value of Fund Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.

 

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Futures Contract Risk; Other Exchange-Traded Derivatives Risk. The risk of loss relating to the use of futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives is potentially unlimited. The ability to establish and close out positions in futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract or other exchange-traded derivative or at any particular time. In the event no such market exists for a particular derivative, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions, and the KRE ETF will be unable to terminate the derivative. In using futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives, the KRE ETF will be reliant on the ability of the Adviser to predict market and price movements correctly; the skills needed to use such derivatives successfully are different from those needed for traditional portfolio management. If the KRE ETF uses futures contracts or other exchange-traded derivatives for hedging purposes, there is a risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the derivatives and movements in the securities or index underlying the derivatives or movements in the prices of the KRE ETF's investments that are the subject of such hedge. The prices of futures and other exchange-traded derivatives, for a number of reasons, may not correlate perfectly with movements in the securities or index underlying them. For example, participants in the futures markets and in markets for other exchange-traded derivatives are subject to margin deposit requirements. Such requirements may cause investors to take actions with respect to their derivatives positions that they would not otherwise take. The margin requirements in the derivatives markets may be less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets in general, and as a result those markets may attract more speculators than the securities markets do. Increased participation by speculators in those markets may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion, even a correct forecast of general market trends by the Adviser still may not result in a successful derivatives activity over a very short time period. The risk of a position in a futures contract or other exchange-traded derivative may be very large compared to the relatively low level of margin the KRE ETF is required to deposit. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The KRE ETF will incur brokerage fees in connection with its exchange-traded derivatives transactions. The KRE ETF will typically be required to post margin with its futures commission merchant in connection with its transactions in futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives. In the event of an insolvency of the futures commission merchant or a clearing house, the KRE ETF may not be able to recover all (or any) of the margin it has posted with the futures commission merchant, or to realize the value of any increase in the price of its positions, or it may experience a significant delay in doing so. The KRE ETF also may be delayed or prevented from recovering margin or other amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or futures clearinghouse. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the various exchanges have established limits referred to as “speculative position limits” on the maximum net long or net short positions that any person and certain affiliated entities may hold or control in a particular futures contract. Trading limits are imposed on the number of contracts that any person may trade on a particular trading day. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose sanctions or restrictions. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFTC to establish speculative position limits on certain commodity futures contracts and their economically equivalent futures, options and swaps. Regulatory action taken by the CFTC to establish these additional position limits may adversely affect the market liquidity of the futures, options and economically equivalent derivatives in which the KRE ETF may invest. It is possible that, as a result of such limits, the KRE ETF's Adviser will be precluded from taking positions in certain futures contracts or over-the-counter derivatives as a result of positions held by other clients of the Adviser or by the Adviser or its affiliates themselves.

 

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Futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives traded on markets outside the U.S. are not generally subject to the same level of regulation by the CFTC or other U.S. regulatory entities as contracts traded in the U.S., including without limitation as to the execution, delivery, and clearing of transactions. U.S. regulators neither regulate the activities of a foreign exchange, nor have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of the foreign exchange or the laws of the foreign country in question. Margin and other payments made by the KRE ETF may not be afforded the same protections as are afforded those payments in the U.S., including in connection with the insolvency of an executing or clearing broker or a clearinghouse or exchange. Certain foreign futures contracts and other exchange-traded derivatives may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. contracts.

 

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Indexing Strategy/Index Tracking Risk. The KRE ETF is managed with an indexing investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. The KRE ETF will seek to provide investment results that correspond generally to the performance of the Index, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Index or of the actual securities comprising the Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. The KRE ETF generally will buy and will not sell a security included in the Index as long as the security is part of the Index regardless of any sudden or material decline in value or foreseeable material decline in value of the security, even though the Adviser may make a different investment decision for other actively managed accounts or portfolios that hold the security. As a result, the KRE ETF's performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Index (in absolute terms and by comparison with other indices) and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the KRE ETF. Errors in index data, index computations or the construction of the Index in accordance with its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the KRE ETF and its shareholders. To the extent circumstances evolve in between reconstitutions, an Index may include, and the corresponding Fund may therefore hold for a period of time, securities of companies that do not align with the Index's objective and/or criteria. While the Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index), the KRE ETF's return may not match the return of the Index for a number of reasons. For example, the return on the sample of securities purchased by the KRE ETF (or the return on securities not included in the Index) may not correlate precisely with the return of the Index. The KRE ETF incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the KRE ETF may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into or out of the KRE ETF or reserves of cash held by the KRE ETF to meet redemptions. The Adviser may attempt to track the Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Index, or in some securities not included in the Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the KRE ETF's return and that of the Index. Changes in the composition of the Index and regulatory requirements also may impact the KRE ETF's ability to match the return of the Index. The Adviser may apply one or more “screens” or investment techniques to refine or limit the number or types of issuers included in the Index in which the KRE ETF may invest. Application of such screens or techniques may result in investment performance below that of the Index and may not produce results expected by the Adviser. Index tracking risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

 

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Pursuant to each Index methodology, a security may be removed from an Index in the event that it does not comply with the eligibility requirements of the Index. As a result, the KRE ETF may be forced to sell securities at inopportune times and/or unfavorable prices due to these changes in the Index components. When there are changes made to the component securities of an Index and the corresponding Fund in turn makes similar changes to its portfolio to attempt to increase the correlation between the KRE ETF's portfolio and the Index, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio changes will be borne directly by the KRE ETF and its shareholders. Unscheduled changes to an Index may expose the corresponding Fund to additional tracking error risk. The KRE ETF may recognize gains as a result of rebalancing or reconstituting its securities holdings to reflect changes in the securities included in the corresponding Index. The KRE ETF also may be required to distribute any such gains to its shareholders to avoid adverse federal income tax consequences.

 

Market Risk. Market prices of investments held by the KRE ETF will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The KRE ETF's investments are subject to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile, and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors, including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, inflation, changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers and general market liquidity. Even if general economic conditions do not change, the value of an investment in the KRE ETF could decline if the particular industries, sectors or companies in which the KRE ETF invests do not perform well or are adversely affected by events. Further, legal, political, regulatory and tax changes also may cause fluctuations in markets and securities prices. Local, regional or global events such as war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on the KRE ETF and its investments.

 

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Non-Diversification Risk. Funds classified as “non-diversified” may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent the KRE ETF invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the KRE ETF may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of Shares of the KRE ETF may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds. The KRE ETF may become non-diversified for periods of time solely as a result of tracking its Index (e.g., changes in weightings of one or more component securities).

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

The Investment Adviser. Tuttle Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), 155 Lockwood Rd., Riverside, CT 06878, is the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company and was organized in 2012.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investments. The Adviser also: (i) furnishes the Fund with office space and certain administrative services; and (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Board. For its services, 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 rate of 0.75%.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, to pay all expenses of the Fund, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the period ending February 29, 2024, once that report is produced.

 

The Portfolio Manager

 

Matthew Tuttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser, has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since their inception in 2023. Matthew Tuttle has been involved in the financial services industry since 1990. He has an MBA in finance from Boston University and is the author of two financial books, Financial Secrets of My Wealthy Grandparents and How Harvard and Yale Beat the Market. He has been launching and managing ETFs since 2015.

 

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The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership in the Fund.

 

The Trust

 

The Fund is a non-diversified 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 Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and the Board is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.

 

Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI. Complete holdings are published on the Fund’s website on a daily basis. Please visit the Fund’s website at www.shortregionalbanks.com. In addition, the Fund’s 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.

 

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

 

Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund through broker-dealers at market prices. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on Nasdaq (the “Exchange”) and on the secondary market during the trading day and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other shares of publicly traded securities. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. Shares of the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF trade under the trading symbol “SKRE”.

 

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.

 

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The NAV of the Fund’s shares is calculated at the close of regular trading on the Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. New York time, on each day the Exchange is open. 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.

 

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally value its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. Swaps are marked to market for purposes of the calculation of the Fund’s NAV.

 

Fair value pricing is used by the Fund when market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be unreliable or inaccurate based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security or a significant event occurring after the close of the market but before the time as of which the Fund’s NAV is calculated. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.

 

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

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will pay out redemption proceeds to a redeeming AP within two (2) days after the AP’s redemption request is received, in accordance with the process set forth in the Fund’s SAI and in the agreement between the AP and the Fund’s distributor. However, the Fund reserves the right, including under stressed market conditions, to take up to seven (7) days after the receipt of a redemption request to pay an AP, all as permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund anticipates regularly meeting redemption requests primarily through cash redemptions. However, the Fund reserves the right to pay all or portion of the redemption proceeds to an AP in-kind. Cash used for redemptions will be raised from the sale of portfolio assets or may come from existing holdings of cash or cash equivalents.

 

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

 

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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.

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by APs, 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 Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with the Fund, 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 Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that shares trade at or close to NAV. The Fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that the Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. 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.

 

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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. The Fund expects to typically satisfy redemptions in cash, but reserves the right to redeem in-kind. Satisfying redemptions in cash 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. In-kind arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from the adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions.

 

Ordinarily, the Fund will distribute any net investment income and net realized capital gains annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements.

 

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

 

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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 Fund 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:

 

-The Fund makes distributions,

-You sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and

-You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions

Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that the Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (e.g., 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 the 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 the 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.

 

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Distributions in excess of the 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 Fund is required to backup withhold twenty-four percent (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 (1) 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.

 

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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 (1) year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one (1) 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.

 

Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this prospectus is being prepared, various administrative and legislative changes to the 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 discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s fund accountant, and it provides certain other services to the Fund 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 Fund’s custodian and transfer agent.

 

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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 Fund.

 

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

 

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 Fund 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.

 

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.

 

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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.shortregionalbanks.com.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date hereof, no financial highlights are available. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

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

 

The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Fund. The Fund’s 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 Fund, you may wish to refer to the Fund’s SAI dated October 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 Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll-free at (833) 759-6110, by email at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.XXX.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Copies of these documents and other information about the Fund 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 email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

(Investment Company Act File No. 811-23439)

 

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TUTTLE CAPITAL DAILY 2X INVERSE REGIONAL BANKS ETF

Ticker: SKRE

(the “Fund”)

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

833-759-6110

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Dated October 31, 2023

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus for the Fund dated October 31, 2023 as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports (once available), prospectus and SAI by writing to Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at 833-759-6110 or by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (once available), prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.shortregionalbanks.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Investment Adviser:

Tuttle Capital Management, LLC

155 Lockwood Rd.

Riverside, Connecticut 06878

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS 2
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 11
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 12
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST 15
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS 20
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES 21
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 29
TAXES 29
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES 41
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS 42
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 43
PROXY VOTING 44
CODES OF ETHICS 45
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 45
EXHIBIT A 46
EXHIBIT B 47
EXHIBIT C 52

 

 

 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. This SAI relates to Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF (the “Fund”) and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectus. The Fund is 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 Fund is Tuttle Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”).

 

The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund will issue and redeem Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in aggregations of at least 10,000 Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). The Fund will issue and redeem Creation Units principally for cash. The Fund 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 Fund is listed on a national securities exchange (the “Exchange”) as set forth below.

 

Fund Ticker Symbol Principal U.S. Listing
Exchange
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF SKRE NASDAQ Stock Market®

 

Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of the 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 Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Fund is “non-diversified” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a non-diversified fund, the 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.

 

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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. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have any portfolio turnover information available.

 

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS

 

The following discussion of investment techniques and instruments supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the investment information in the Fund’s prospectus. In seeking to meet its investment objective, the 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 Fund’s prospectus, such investment techniques and instruments are not a part of the principal strategies and the corresponding risks are not principal risks of the Fund.

 

Principal Investment Strategies, Policies And Risks

 

Swaps. The Fund may enter into total return swaps, which may be used either as economically similar substitutes for owning the reference asset specified in the swap, such as the securities that comprise a given market index, particular securities or commodities, or other assets or indicators. They also may be used as a means of obtaining exposure in markets where the reference asset is unavailable or it may otherwise be impossible or impracticable for the Fund to own that asset. “Total return” refers to the payment (or receipt) of the total return on the underlying reference asset, which is then exchanged for the receipt (or payment) of an interest rate. Total return swaps provide a Fund with the additional flexibility of gaining exposure to a market or sector index in a potentially more economical way.

 

Most swaps entered into by the Fund provide for the calculation and settlement of the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” with a single payment. Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). Other swaps may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the return on the reference entity. The Fund’s current obligations under the types of swaps that the Funds expect to enter into (e.g., total return swaps) will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund by the counterparty to the swap) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will collateralized by the Fund posting collateral to a tri-party account between the Fund’s custodian, the Fund, and the counterparty. However, typically no payments will be made until the settlement date.

 

Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis and if the counterparty to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.

 

Fixed Income Investments and Cash Equivalents. Fixed income investments and cash equivalents held by the Fund may include, without limitation, the types of investments set forth below.

 

 

(2)The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities include securities that are issued or guaranteed by the United States Treasury, by various agencies of the U.S. government, or by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some of the U.S. government agencies that issue or guarantee securities include the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Farmers Home Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, the Maritime Administration, the Small Business Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority. An instrumentality of the U.S. government is a government agency organized under federal charter with government supervision. Instrumentalities issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land banks, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Federal National Mortgage Association. In the case of those U.S. government securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. The U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, and consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

 

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(2) The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. If such certificates of deposit are non-negotiable, they will be considered illiquid securities and be subject to the Fund’s 15% restriction on investments in illiquid securities. Pursuant to the certificate of deposit, the issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured. The Fund may only invest in certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with at least $1 billion in assets.

 

(3) The Fund may invest in bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest for a specific maturity.

 

(4) The Fund may invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of these investments will be reduced.

 

(5) The Fund may invest in commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for the notes. However, they are redeemable by a Fund at any time. The Fund’s portfolio managers will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. The Fund may invest in commercial paper only if it has received the highest rating from at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

 

(6) The Fund may invest in shares of money market funds, as consistent with its investment objective and policies. Shares of money market funds are subject to management fees and other expenses of those funds. Therefore, investments in money market funds will cause the Fund to bear proportionately the costs incurred by the money market fund’s operations. At the same time, the Fund will continue to pay its own management fees and expenses with respect to all of its assets, including any portion invested in the shares of other investment companies. It is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in money market fund.

 

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(7) The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, as consistent with its investment objective and policies. Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment-grade generally are considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due.

 

Cash Reserves. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, as a cash reserve, for liquidity purposes, or as cover for positions it has taken, the Fund may invest all or part of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, which include, but are not limited to, short-term money market instruments, U.S. government securities, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, or repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities.

 

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 the 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.

 

Other Investment Risks

 

Overview. An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks that an investment in the Fund shares entails, including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the securities market may worsen and the value of the securities and therefore the value of the Fund may decline. The Fund may not be an appropriate investment for those who are unable or unwilling to assume the risks involved generally with such an investment. The past market and earnings performance of any of the securities included in the Fund is not predictive of their future performance.

 

Borrowing and Leverage Risk. The Fund may borrow money for cash management purposes or investment purposes. Borrowing for investment is a form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique which increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV per share of the Fund will fluctuate more when the Fund are leveraging its investments than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds. Under adverse conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. Consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If at any time the value of the Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including weekends and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund’s borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage requirement. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sale. Obligations under futures contracts and swap agreements that are similarly covered will not be considered “senior securities” and, therefore, will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement.

 

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Counterparty Credit Risk. The Fund will not enter into any uncleared swap (i.e., not cleared by a central counterparty) unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The counterparty to an uncleared swap will typically be a major global financial institution. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enter into derivatives contracts and other transactions such as repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund’s ability to profit from these types of investments and transactions will depend on the willingness and ability of their counterparty to perform its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in an insolvency, bankruptcy, or other reorganization proceeding involving its counterparty (including recovery of any collateral posted by it) and may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. If the Fund holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty. Under applicable law or contractual provisions, including if the Fund enters into an investment or transaction with a financial institution and such financial institution (or an affiliate of the financial institution) experiences financial difficulties, then the Fund may in certain situations be prevented or delayed from exercising its rights to terminate the investment or transaction, or to realize on any collateral, and may result in the suspension of payment and delivery obligations of the parties under such investment or transactions or in another institution being substituted for that financial institution without the consent of the Fund. Further, the Fund may be subject to “bail-in” risk under applicable law whereby, if required by the financial institution’s authority, the financial institution’s liabilities could be written down, eliminated or converted into equity or an alternative instrument of ownership. A bail-in of a financial institution may result in a reduction in value of some or all of its securities and, if the Fund holds such securities or has entered into a transaction with such a financial security when a bail-in occurs, the Fund may also be similarly impacted.

 

Upon entering into a cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with its Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”) an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to a small percentage of the notional amount (this amount is subject to change by the FCM or clearing house through which the trade is cleared). This amount, known as “initial margin,” is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the cleared swap and is returned to the Fund upon termination of the swap, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the swap fluctuates, making the long and short position in the swap contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking-to-market.” The premium (discount) payments are built into the daily price of the swap and thus are amortized through the variation margin. The variation margin payment also includes the daily portion of the periodic payment stream.

 

A party to a cleared swap is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the FCM through which it holds its position. Credit risk of market participants with respect to cleared swaps is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. An FCM is generally obligated to segregate all Fund received from customers with respect to cleared swap positions from the FCM’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by an FCM from its customers are generally held by the FCM on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the FCM may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Fund’s FCM, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the FCM’s customers for a relevant account class. Also, the FCM is required to transfer to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared swaps positions, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the FCM. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the FCM notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the FCM to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. However, if the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing house to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing house. In addition, if an FCM does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with the Fund, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by an FCM, the Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the FCM with respect to the margin held by the FCM.

 

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Cybersecurity Risk. Investment companies, such as the Fund, and their service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber attacks. Cyber attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cybersecurity breaches. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund or the Advisor, the Fund’s custodian or transfer agent, or intermediaries or other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential company information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses, and cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cybersecurity risk management purposes. While the Fund and its service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems designed to prevent or reduce the impact of cybersecurity attacks, such plans and systems have inherent limitations due in part to the ever-changing nature of technology and cybersecurity attack tactics, and there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control any cybersecurity plans or systems implemented by their service providers.

 

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Among the risks presented are market risk, credit risk, management risk and liquidity risk. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. In addition, when the Fund invests in certain derivative securities, including, but not limited to, when-issued securities, forward commitments, futures contracts and interest rate swaps, the Fund is effectively leveraging its investments, which could result in exaggerated changes in the net asset value of the Fund’s shares and can result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested. The success of the Advisor’s derivatives strategies will depend on its ability to assess and predict the impact of market or economic developments on the underlying asset, index or rate and the derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions. Liquidity risk exists when a security cannot be purchased or sold at the time desired, or cannot be purchased or sold without adversely affecting the price. Certain specific risks associated with an investment in derivatives may include: market risk, credit risk, correlation risk, liquidity risk, legal risk and systemic or “interconnection” risk, as specified below.

 

Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that the value of the underlying assets may go up or down. Adverse movements in the value of an underlying asset can expose the Fund to losses. Market risk is the primary risk associated with derivative transactions. Derivative instruments may include elements of leverage and, accordingly, fluctuations in the value of the derivative instrument in relation to the underlying asset may be magnified. The successful use of derivative instruments depends upon a variety of factors, particularly the portfolio manager’s ability to predict movements of the securities, currencies and commodities markets, which may require different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. There can be no assurance that any particular strategy adopted will succeed. A decision to engage in a derivative transaction will reflect the portfolio managers’ judgment that the derivative transaction will provide value to the Fund and its shareholders and is consistent with the Fund’s objective, investment limitations and operating policies. In making such a judgment, the portfolio managers will analyze the benefits and risks of the derivative transactions and weigh them in the context of the Fund’s overall investments and investment objective.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the failure of a counterparty to comply with the terms of a derivative instrument. Specifically, the FCM or the clearing house could fail to perform its obligations, causing significant losses to a Fund. For example, the Fund could lose margin payments it has deposited with an FCM as well as any gains owed but not paid to the Fund, if the FCM or clearing house becomes insolvent or otherwise fails to perform its obligations. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearing houses and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. Under current CFTC regulations, a FCM maintains customers’ assets in a bulk segregated account. If a FCM fails to do so, or is unable to satisfy a substantial deficit in a customer account, its other customers may be subject to risk of loss of their funds in the event of that FCM’s bankruptcy. In that event, in the case of futures and options on futures, the FCM’s customers are entitled to recover, even in respect of property specifically traceable to them, only a proportional share of all property available for distribution to all of that FCM’s customers. In addition, if the FCM does not comply with the applicable regulations, or in the event of a fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by the FCM, a Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the FCM with respect to the margin held by the FCM. FCMs are also required to transfer to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house, which amount is generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the FCM.

 

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Correlation Risk. Correlation risk is the risk that there might be an imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of a derivative instrument and price movements of investments being hedged. When a derivative transaction is used to completely hedge another position, changes in the market value of the combined position (the derivative instrument plus the position being hedged) result from an imperfect correlation between the price movements of the two instruments. With a perfect hedge, the value of the combined position remains unchanged with any change in the price of the underlying asset. With an imperfect hedge, the value of the derivative instrument and its hedge are not perfectly correlated. For example, if the value of a derivative instrument used in a short hedge (such as writing a call option, buying a put option or selling a futures contract) increased by less than the decline in value of the hedged investments, the hedge would not be perfectly correlated. This might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being hedged, such as speculative or other pressures on the markets in which these instruments are traded. The effectiveness of hedges using instruments on indices will depend, in part, on the degree of correlation between price movements in the underlying ETF and the price movements in the investments being hedged.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a derivative instrument cannot be sold, closed out or replaced quickly at or very close to its fundamental value. Generally, exchange contracts are very liquid because the exchange clearing house is the counterparty of every contract. OTC transactions are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since they often can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction. The Fund might be required by applicable regulatory requirements to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts and/or make margin payments when it takes positions in derivative instruments involving obligations to third parties (i.e., instruments other than purchase options). If the Fund is unable to close out its positions in such instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expires, matures or is closed out. These requirements might impair the Fund’s ability to sell a security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require that a Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time. The Fund’s ability to sell or close out a position in an instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends upon the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the counterparty to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Due to liquidity risk, there is no assurance that any derivatives position can be sold or closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.

 

Legal Risk. Legal risk is the risk of loss caused by the unenforceability of a party’s obligations under the derivative. While a party seeking price certainty agrees to surrender the potential upside in exchange for downside protection, the party taking the risk is looking for a positive payoff. Despite this voluntary assumption of risk, a counterparty that has lost money in a derivative transaction may try to avoid payment by exploiting various legal uncertainties about certain derivative products.

 

Systemic or “Interconnection” Risk. Systemic or “interconnection” risk is the risk that a disruption in the financial markets will cause difficulties for all market participants. In other words, a disruption in one market will spill over into other markets, perhaps creating a chain reaction. Much of the OTC derivatives market takes place among the OTC dealers themselves, thus creating a large interconnected web of financial obligations. This interconnectedness raises the possibility that a default by one large dealer could create losses for other dealers and destabilize the entire market for OTC derivative instruments.

 

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Government Regulation of Derivatives Risk. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to predict fully the effects of legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.

 

The regulation of derivatives in the U.S., the EU and other jurisdictions is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. Recent legislative and regulatory reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, have resulted in new regulation of derivatives, including clearing, margin reporting, recordkeeping and registration requirements for certain types of derivatives. Because these requirements are new and evolving, and certain of the rules are not yet final, their ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in swap transactions (for example, by making certain types of swap transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such swap transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner that the Adviser might otherwise choose. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies.

 

Also, as described above, in the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency, the Fund’s ability to exercise remedies could be stayed or eliminated under special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the EU and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty and may prohibit the Fund from exercising termination rights based on the financial institution’s insolvency. In particular, in the EU, governmental authorities could reduce, eliminate or convert to equity the liabilities to the Fund of a counterparty experiencing financial difficulties (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).

 

In addition, Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act provides for the regulation of registered investment companies’ use of derivatives and certain related instruments. The new rule, among other things, limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests and eliminates the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising from the SEC’s Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4) are not, however, subject to the full requirements under the rule.

 

These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. The implementation of the clearing requirement for certain swaps has increased the costs of derivatives transactions for a Fund, since the Fund has to pay fees to its clearing members and are typically required to post more margin for cleared derivatives than they have historically posted for bilateral derivatives. The costs of derivatives transactions may increase further as clearing members raise their fees to cover the costs of additional capital requirements and other regulatory changes applicable to the clearing members. Certain aspects of these regulations are still being implemented, so their potential impact on the Fund and the financial system are not yet known. While the regulations and central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk (i.e., the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause them to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that the mechanisms imposed under the regulations will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing, minimum margin requirements and related requirements expose the Fund to new kinds of risks and costs.

 

 8

 

 

Illiquid Securities Risk. Illiquid securities may be difficult to dispose of at the price at which the Fund has valued the securities and at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid securities are also more difficult to value, especially in challenging markets. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid securities may restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquid securities may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash and could result in the Fund incurring losses on the sale of illiquid or restricted securities.

 

Listing Standards Risk. The Fund is required by the Exchange to comply with certain listing standards (which includes certain investment parameters) in order to maintain its listing on the Exchange. Compliance with these listing standards may compel the Fund to sell securities at an inopportune time or for a price other than the security’s then-current market value. The sale of securities in such circumstances could limit the Fund’s profit or require the Fund to incur a loss, and as a result, the Fund’s performance could be impacted.

 

Market Conditions. Events in certain sectors historically have resulted, and may in the future result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to: bankruptcies, corporate restructurings, and other events related to the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008; governmental efforts to limit short selling and high frequency trading; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; social, political, and economic instability in Europe; economic stimulus by the Japanese central bank; steep declines in oil prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; China’s economic slowdown; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and circumstances such as pandemics or epidemics in one or more countries or regions. Interconnected global economies and financial markets increase the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Such events may cause significant declines in the values and liquidity of many securities and other instruments. It is impossible to predict whether such conditions will recur. Because such situations may be widespread, it may be difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of such events.

 

 9

 

 

Regulatory Margin Risk. In recent years, regulators across the globe, including the CFTC and the U.S. banking regulators, have adopted margin requirements applicable to uncleared swaps. While the Fund is not directly subject to these requirements, where the Fund’s counterparties are subject to the requirements, uncleared swaps between the Fund and those counterparties are required to be marked-to-market on a daily basis, and collateral is required to be exchanged to account for any changes in the value of such swaps. The rules impose a number of requirements as to these exchanges of margin, including as to the timing of transfers, the type of collateral (and valuations for such collateral) and other matters that may be different than what the Fund would agree with its counterparty in the absence of such regulation. In all events, where the Fund is required to post collateral to its swap counterparty, such collateral will be posted to an independent bank custodian, where access to the collateral by the swap counterparty will generally not be permitted unless the Fund is in default on its obligations to the swap counterparty.

 

In addition to the variation margin requirements, regulators have adopted “initial” margin requirements applicable to uncleared swaps. Where applicable, these rules require parties to an uncleared swap to post, to a custodian that is independent from the parties to the swap, collateral (in addition to any “variation margin” collateral noted above) in an amount that is either (i) specified in a schedule in the rules or (ii) calculated by the regulated party in accordance with a model that has been approved by that party’s regulator(s). At this time, the initial margin rules do not apply to the Fund’s swap trading relationships. However, the rules are being implemented on a phased basis, and in the near future, the rules may apply to the Fund. In the event that the rules apply, they would impose significant costs on the Fund’s ability to engage in uncleared swaps and, as such, could adversely affect the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund, may impair the Fund’s ability to achieve their investment objective and/or may result in reduced returns to the Fund’s investors.

 

Termination and Default Risk. Certain of the Fund’s swap agreements contain termination provisions that, among other things, require the Fund to maintain a pre-determined level of net assets, and/or provide limits regarding the decline of the Fund’s net asset value over specific periods of time, which may or may not be exclusive of redemptions. If the Fund were to trigger such provisions and have open derivative positions, at that time counterparties to the swaps could elect to terminate such agreements and request immediate payment in an amount equal to the net liability positions, if any, under the relevant agreement.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities are subject to interest rate risk but generally do not involve the credit risks associated with investments in other types of debt securities. As a result, the yields available from U.S. government securities are generally lower than the yields available from other debt securities. U.S. government securities are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and the payment of principal when held to maturity. While securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. federal government agencies (such as Ginnie Mae) are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, securities issued by government sponsored entities (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are solely the obligation of the issuer and generally do not carry any guarantee from the U.S. government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to its government sponsored entities or any other agency if not obligated by law to do so.

 

Special Considerations

 

Tracking and Correlation. Several factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its underlying ETF. Among these factors are: (i) the Fund’s fees and expenses, including brokerage (which may be increased by high portfolio turnover) and the costs associated with the use of derivatives; (ii) an imperfect correlation between the performance of instruments held by the Fund, such as swaps, and the performance of the underlying ETF; (iii) bid-ask spreads (the effect of which may be increased by portfolio turnover); (iv) holding instruments traded in a market that has become illiquid or disrupted; (v) the Fund’s share prices being rounded to the nearest cent; (vi) changes to the underlying ETF that are not disseminated in advance; (vii) the need to conform the Fund’s portfolio holdings to comply with investment restrictions or policies or regulatory or tax law requirements; limit-up or limit-down trading halts on options or futures contracts which may prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts; (viii) early and unanticipated closings of the markets on which the holdings of the Fund trade, resulting in the inability of the Fund to execute intended portfolio transactions; and (ix) fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

 10

 

 

Also, because the Fund engages in daily rebalancing to position its portfolio so that its exposure to the underlying ETF is consistent with the Fund’s daily investment objective, disparities between estimated and actual purchases and redemptions of the Fund may cause the Fund to be under- or overexposed to its benchmark. This may result in greater tracking and correlation error.

 

Furthermore, the Fund has an investment objective to seek daily inverse investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to specified multiple (e.g. -200% ) of the daily performance of its underlying ETF for a single day, not for any other period. A “single day” is measured from the time the Fund calculates its NAV to the time of the Fund’s next NAV calculation. In addition, while a close correlation of the Fund its underlying ETF may be achieved on any single day, the Fund’s performance for any other period is the result of its return for each day compounded over the period. This usually will differ in amount and possibly even direction from specified multiple (e.g. 200% or -200%) of the daily return of the underlying ETF for the same period, before accounting for fees and expenses, as further described in the Fund’s Prospectus.

 

Leverage. The Fund intends to use, on a regular basis, leveraged investment techniques in pursuing their investment objectives. Leverage exists when the Fund achieves the right to a return on a capital base that exceeds the Fund’s assets. Utilization of leverage involves special risks and should be considered to be speculative. Specifically, leverage creates the potential for greater gains to Fund shareholders during favorable market conditions and the risk of magnified losses during adverse market conditions. Leverage is likely to cause higher volatility of the NAVs of the Fund’s Shares. Leverage may also involve the creation of a liability that does not entail any interest costs or the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest which would decrease the Fund’s total return to shareholders. If the Fund achieves its investment objectives, during adverse market conditions, shareholders should experience a loss greater than they would have incurred had the Fund not been leveraged.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental (“Fundamental”), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, the term “majority” of the outstanding shares of the Fund 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 the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the 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”).

 

The Fund:

 

2.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 the 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.

 

 11

 

 

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, the 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 the Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of the 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 Fund 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 Fund is 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. The Fund currently offers one class of shares. The Fund 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 Fund’s Fundamental Policy #4 as described above, the 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.

 

MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Investment Adviser. Tuttle Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), 155 Lockwood Rd., Riverside, Connecticut 06878, is the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company and was organized in 2012.

 

 12

 

 

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 the 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 the Fund; and (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, all ordinary expenses of the Fund, 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 Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee 0.75%, calculated daily and payable monthly as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees (including (including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (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 Fund, 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 the Independent Trustees; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. 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 the 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 Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund 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 Fund may purchase securities issued by financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 

Portfolio Manager. As described in the prospectus, Matthew Tuttle serves as the Fund’s Portfolio Manager is are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund. In addition to the Fund, 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 July 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)

Matthew Tuttle 11 $300 0 $0 0 $0 $300

 

Conflicts of Interests. The Portfolio Manager’s 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 Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

 13

 

 

Compensation. The Portfolio Manager does not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser for his services as Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Manager’s compensation is based solely on the overall financial operating results of the Adviser. The portfolio manager’s compensation is not directly linked to the Fund’s performance, although positive performance and growth in managed assets are factors that may contribute to the Adviser’s distributable profits and assets under management.

 

Portfolio Managers’ Share Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not commenced operations, and therefore, the Portfolio Managers do not beneficially own shares of the Fund.

 

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

 

Fund Accountant 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 Fund. As financial administrator, Citi performs services including but not limited to: (1) calculating Fund expenses; (2) calculating the Fund 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 the Fund that include the daily calculation of the 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.

 

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 Fund, 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.

 

Custodian and Transfer Agent. 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 transfer agent and custodian for the Fund and safeguards and holds the Fund’s cash and securities, settles the Fund’s securities transactions and collects income on the Fund’s investments. Under the agreement, the Custodian also: (1) provides data required by the Adviser to determine the Fund’s Creation Basket and estimated All Cash Amount for each Business Day); (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). As transfer agent, the Custodian issues shares of the Fund in Creation Units to fill purchase orders for the Fund’s shares, maintains records of the issuance and redemption of the Fund’s shares, and acts as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent.

 

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 Fund’s 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 “1934 Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

 14

 

 

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 Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.

 

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 Fund. 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 Fund. 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 Fund.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd. audits the Fund’s 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 Avenue, 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 Fund 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 business experience as a practicing tax accountant since 1996 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 the 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 Fund; (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 Fund; (5) engaging the services of the Chief Compliance Officer of the 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.

 

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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 Emeritus (since 2023) and Professor of Marketing (since 2013), Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University. 36 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty 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), from 2008 to 2021. 36 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty series of that trust.

Theo H. Pitt, Jr.

(87)

Trustee

Indefinite, Since December, 2019 Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) since 1997. 36

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

 

 16

 

 

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.

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.

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.

 

Laura Wright

(50)

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since July 2022 Managing Director of Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 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.

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.

Soth Chin

(57)

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.

 

 

 17

 

 

The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust and certain aspects of the services provided by the Adviser and the Fund’s 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 four times during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022.

 

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 one time during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022.

 

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 12-month period ended December 31, 2022.

 

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 to be received by each Trustee from the Trust for the Fund’s first fiscal year is estimated as follows:

 

 18

 

 

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 $800 $0 $0 $800
         

Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee

 

Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee

 

$800

 

$800

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

 

$800

 

$800

 

 

*The Trust does not pay deferred compensation.
(1)The “Fund Complex” consists of the Fund.

 

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 Fund 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 Fund
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

 

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 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 Fund and the 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 Fund, for their own account.

 

The Codes of Ethics are on file with, and can be reviewed 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 Fund’s 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 Fund. 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, 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) 759-6110; and (2) on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 19

 

 

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 the 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 Fund shares, these record owners are not considered the beneficial owners of the Fund’s shares or control persons of the Fund. 

 

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

 

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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described 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.

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) 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 approximated 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 Fund calculates NAV. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, the mean between bid and asked prices quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service 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 Fund 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 Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s investment adviser as the Valuation Designee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund 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.

 

 20

 

 

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.

 

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 Fund 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.

 

When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s investment adviser, as the Valuation Designee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the Exchange Close.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

Creation Units

 

The Trust issues and sells Shares of the 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 consideration for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units will be made entirely in a cash amount equal to the NAV of the shares that constitute the Creation Unit(s) (an “All Cash Amount”). At the discretion of the Adviser, the Funds may elect at any time, and from time to time, to issue and sell Creation Units at NAV for “in kind” consideration, 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, plus a cash amount (an “In Kind Creation” and “In Kind Redemption”). 

 

 21

 

 

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 the Fund. The Cash Component serves to compensate the Trust or the Authorized Participant, as applicable, for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component.

 

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 the Fund. This Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to orders to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available, 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 the 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).

 

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.

 

 22

 

 

The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date (“Closing 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. 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 the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement.

 

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

 

Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. 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”).

 

 23

 

 

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.”

 

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.

 

 24

 

 

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units

 

The Trust reserves the 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 Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; ) or (6) 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.

 

Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+1 basis” (that is, one Business Day 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 the Fund’s custodian for each creation order is $250.00.

 

 25

 

 

In addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, of a percentage of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for cash purchases, non-standard orders, or partial cash purchases of Creation Units. The variable charge is primarily designed to cover additional costs (e.g., brokerage, taxes) involved with buying the securities with cash. The Fund may determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.” 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.

 

The Creation Transaction Fee may be waived for the 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 the Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancings in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for the Fund’s shares; and not result in the 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 Fund, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or must redeem through an Authorized Participant. The Trust redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Authorized Participants must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit.

 

Generally, Creation Units of the Fund will also be redeemed at NAV principally in cash, although the Fund reserves 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 the Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.

 

Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within one Business Day (that is “T+1”). However, as discussed in Appendix B, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on a basis other than T+1 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). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

 

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

 

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 the Fund’s custodian for each redemption order is $250.00.

 

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.

 

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 the 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 the Fund’s shares; and not result in the Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

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ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Fund 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 Fund and its 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 Fund). 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 the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

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

 

a 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 made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the 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 Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The 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, the 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.

 

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If a RIC fails as the Income Test 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, the 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 the 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.

 

If the 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%). The Fund intend to distribute at least annually substantially all of their investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

The 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. The Fund generally intend 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.

 

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The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the 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 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 OID accrued 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 the 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 Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% 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 the 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.

 

Distributions in excess of the 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, the Fund would be required to satisfy the Income Test, Asset Test, and Distribution Test for that year and distribute of 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 the 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 the 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 U.S. individual 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 the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the 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. The 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.

 

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As a RIC, the 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. The 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).

 

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, the 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 the 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.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund is to retain any net capital gain, the 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 the 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 the 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.

 

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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.

 

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 Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of Shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

 

The Fund has chosen average cost as the standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the 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. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. The 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 you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. U.S. shareholders may choose a method different than the 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.

 

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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. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” The 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.

 

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 the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the 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 the Fund.

 

Straddles. When the 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:

 

The Fund may have to wait to deduct any losses. If the Fund has a capital gain in one position of a straddle and a capital loss in the other, the Fund may not recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes until the Fund disposes of both positions. This might occur, for example, if the Fund had a highly appreciated stock position and the Fund purchased protective put options (which give 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, the Fund must defer recognition of the loss on its put options until the Fund sells and recognizes the gain on the original, appreciated position.

 

The Fund’s capital gain holding period may get clipped. The moment the Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If the 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.

 

The 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 the 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 the 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.

 

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Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the 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, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the 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 the 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.”

 

Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. The 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. The 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 the Fund receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

If the 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). The 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 the 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 the 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 business taxable 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 the 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 the 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. shareholder 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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The 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.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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Backup Withholding. The 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.

 

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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 the 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 was 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 Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser, or their affiliates. The Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers, but may place portfolio transactions with brokers and dealers that promote or sell the 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 may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the Fund 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 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Fund 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 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 Fund.

 

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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 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 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 will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under their respective advisory agreements. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the 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 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 faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser o 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 Fund 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 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 Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Fund, the 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 Fund 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 Fund, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.

 

Securities of "Regular Broker-Dealers”. The 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. The Fund is newly formed and has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.

 

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 Fund’s primary listing exchange, the Fund disclose on their website (www.shortregionalbanks.com) certain information relating to the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the 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: Each Fund may make available through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or through posting on the Fund’s website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a list of the Fund’s holdings (generally pro-rata) that Authorized Participants could deliver to the Fund to settle purchases of the Fund (i.e. Deposit Securities) or that Authorized Participants would receive from the Fund to settle redemptions of the Fund (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, 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 each Fund is willing to accept for a creation, and securities that the Fund will provide on a redemption.

 

The Adviser may also discuss portfolio holdings-related information with broker/dealers, in connection with settling each Fund’s 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, 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 Fund, the Adviser, or any other person in connection with the disclosure of portfolio information. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or his or her 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.

 

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.

 

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The Fund is 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.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund 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.

 

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The Trust is required to disclose annually the 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 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 833-759-6110 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 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 STATEMENTS

 

The Fund is new and does not have audited financial statements at this time. Upon completion of the Fund's first fiscal period/year, audited financial statements will become available.

 

Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

Telephone: 833-759-6110

 

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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. 

 

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

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES TUTTLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (“TCM”)

 

Proxy Voting

 

Background

 

Proxy voting is an important right of investors and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.

 

SEC-registered investment advisers that exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser's interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser's proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.

 

Policy

 

TCM, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary obligation to our clients, maintains the responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities held by accounts in which it has discretionary authority unless it delegates such responsibilities to Sub-Advisors. TCM’s proxy voting policy must be approved by the Trust(s) Board representatives in connection with registered investment companies (including TCM ETFs) it manages. (Note: See Form N-PX policy for further information concerning TCM’s obligations for its registered investment company clients.) TCM must adhere to the Board approved proxy voting policy. TCM has more latitude in regard to proxy voting for non- fund/non-ETF clients but shall follow the same guidelines herein. TCM has delegated sub-adviser oversight and proxy voting matters to its CEO or designee (e.g. Trader) with a retrospective review performed by its Brokerage Committee on a quarterly basis. Where TCM is obligated to exercise proxy voting, the Firm policy is to perform this duty consistent with the best economic interests of our clients. TCM’s CEO or designee shall, prior to effectuating a client agreement, make a determination as to the obligation of proxy voting. If the CEO determines that proxy voting is the responsibility of TCM, then the procedures herein shall be followed. In cases where TCM is not obligated to vote proxies, the CEO shall confirm with the client so that both parties have a mutual understanding and, in turn, the CEO will email the CCO as to this fact to have contemporaneous supporting documentation. TCM maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our Adviser’s proxy policies and practices. The Adviser will, at least annually, review its Proxy Voting policy and, where necessary, make enhancements based on the results of such review.

 

Consequently, for clients in which TCM maintains the proxy voting obligations attendant to other registered investment companies or separately managed account(s) for which TCM is the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, TCM shall adhere to the applicable proxy voting policies in place whether implemented by TCM or the primary investment adviser/sponsor, as may be required. Further, TCM does typically exercise the proxy voting authority for the shares it serves as ETF sub-adviser SMA sub-adviser as the Primary Investment Advisor or SMA Sponsor is typically obligated to carryout this function.

 

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TCM will approach each corporate proxy statement on a case-by-case basis and may vote a proxy in a manner different from management’s recommendation. In sum, whereupon TCM is responsible for proxy voting (inclusive of issuer proposals, corporate actions, and class action lawsuits), the Firm’s CEO will consider both sides of each proxy issue and after appropriate evaluation will cast its votes according to the most favorable position.

 

As a general principle when responsible for proxy voting for clients and, in particular investment companies, the Adviser shall determine how to vote proxies based on our reasonable judgment of that vote insofar as what is most likely to produce favorable financial results for the clients or shareholders. Proxy votes typically will be cast in favor of proposals that maintain or strengthen the shared interests of shareholders and management, increase shareholder value, maintain or increase shareholder influence over the issuer's board of directors and management, and maintain or increase the rights of shareholders. Conversely, proxy votes will be cast against proposals having the opposite effect or in circumstances where (i) the cost of voting such proxy exceeds the expected benefit to the client; (ii) if the proxy authorizes a re-registration process imposing trading and transfer restrictions on the shares, commonly, referred to as “blocking.”

 

In keeping with its fiduciary obligation, TCM and its CEO may not be influenced by outside sources who have interests which conflict with the interests of the Adviser’s clients when voting proxies for such clients. Accordingly, our policy and procedures include the responsibility to receive and disclose any potential conflicts of interest and maintaining relevant and required records.

 

To help ensure that TCM votes proxies in the best interests of the client, the Adviser has established procedures highlighted by guidelines (i.e., best practices) aimed at setting forth practices to be followed by the CEO and to properly deal with a material conflict of interest. As an overarching principle, TCM views its obligations to exercise proxy votes on management and shareholder proposals at publicly traded companies as a means intended to assist institutional investors in circumstances the underling proposals are guided by promoting long-term shareholder value creation and risk mitigation. Public companies which maintain generally strong corporate governance cultures understand these practices should respect shareholder rights and provide appropriate transparency, taking into account relevant laws, customs, and best practice codes of each market and region, as well as the right and responsibility of shareholders to make informed voting decisions.

 

From time to time, it is possible that CEO will decide (i) to vote shares held in client accounts differently from the vote of another client account holding the same security. Such actions may result from situations where clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on TCM's voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities; or (ii) to abstain from voting on behalf of client account(s) for good reason. For example, in the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, TCM will generally NOT vote proxies. If, however, TCM elects to vote in these instances, TCM's policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions from a client. TCM may determine to abstain from voting a proxy if the CEO determines doing so is not in the best interest of the client.

 

In connection with administrative or clerical matters, such as formally issues proxy votes and associated record retention, TCM has engaged a third-party service provider to manage such aspects of the Adviser’s proxy voting obligations. For more information concerning the tasks performed by the third-party service provider (ior “Proxy Support Vendor”), including retention of the Adviser’s proxy voting records, please consult with the designated representative of Proxy Support Vendor.

 

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Procedure

 

Guidelines. The following guidelines will serve as parameters for the CEO in rendering a proxy vote and, in particular, viewing proposals and recommendations from management in a favorable demeanor in comparison to their counterparts who do not exhibit such tendencies:

 

Accountability. Corporate Boards should be accountable to shareholders, the owners of the companies, by holding regular board elections, by providing sufficient information for shareholders to be able to assess directors and board composition, and by providing shareholders with the ability to remove directors. Directors should respond to investor input such as that expressed through vote results on management and shareholder proposals and other shareholder communications. Shareholders should have meaningful rights on structural provisions, such as approval of or amendments to the corporate governing documents and a vote on takeover defenses. As an example, the Adviser will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched or cause unequal voting rights.

 

Stewardship. A company’s governance, social, and environmental practices should meet or exceed the standards of its market regulations and general practices and should take into account relevant factors that may impact significantly the company’s long-term value creation. Issuers and investors should recognize constructive engagement as both a right and responsibility. As an example, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by an auditor's non-audit services.

 

Independence. Boards should be sufficiently independent so as to ensure that they are able and motivated to effectively supervise management’s performance and remuneration, for the benefit of all shareholders. Boards should include an effective independent leadership position and sufficiently independent committees that focus on key governance concerns such as audit, compensation, and the selection and evaluation of directors. The Adviser, for example, will tend to vote against a corporation's board of directors or "management" proposal should it include, among others, excessive compensation, unusual management stock options, preferential voting and poison pills.

 

Transparency. Companies should provide sufficient and timely information that enables shareholders to understand key issues, make informed vote decisions, and effectively engage with companies on substantive matters that impact shareholders’ long-term interests in the company. In reviewing such proposals, the Adviser will further consider the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer’s business practices.

 

Voting Ballots and Records. The proxy voting practice itself is initiated at such time the company (or issuer) disseminates the proxy voting ballot (“Ballot”). Once proxy material has been received, it is promptly reviewed by the CEO (in the capacity of a CIO or PM) and the issues presented are then evaluated. In most instances, the CEO or designee receives the Ballot from the company electronically with a request to log into a secured website at which point the proxy voting proposals (e.g., Board elections, corporate governance matters, ratification of an independent registered public accounting firm, etc.) will appear for consideration. The Ballot typically contains voting selections as follows: “For” (in which a vote cast will support the measure), “Against” (in which a vote cast will oppose the measure), and “Abstain (in which no vote is cast). The CEO or designee will complete the Ballot and submit it to the company or issuer electronically. Prior to logging out of the website, the CEO will print a PDF version of the screen showing the measures voted upon and the votes recorded. Next, the CEO or designee will email the PDF attachment to the CCO who, in turn, will update the “Proxy Voting Log” (or “Log”) with the requisite information on a periodic basis as part of the Brokerage Committee’s retrospective review duties.

 

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Disclosure/Client Requests for Information. TCM will provide conspicuously displayed information in its Disclosure Document and website (i.e., for the adviser) summarizing this proxy voting policy and procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how TCM voted a client’s proxies, and that clients may request a copy of these policies and procedures. Upon receiving such requests, the CCO shall forward the most current version of the Proxy Voting Policy herein and Proxy Voting Log via email or regular mail to the requestor. The requestor shall receive the proxy voting information free of charge, which also should be disclosed on the website and disclosure documents.

 

Conflicts of Interest. TCM and, more specifically the CEO (in the capacity of a CIO/PM) will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the Adviser and the client by reviewing the relationship of TCM with the issuer of each security to determine if TCM or any of its Supervised Persons has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer. If a material conflict of interest exists, the CEO or designee will request that the CCO to advise whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means, such as, voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting guidelines (see above) or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation. TCM will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest in the aforementioned Proxy Voting Log.

 

Recordkeeping. TCM shall retain the following proxy voting records in a format and retention period as set forth in the Recordkeeping guidelines set forth in this Manual:

These policies and procedures and any amendments thereto;
Each proxy statement (which shall be maintained on the Adviser’s website or alternatively the Adviser’s website shall include instructions for investors to obtain the proxy voting records)
Proxy Analysis Report, if applicable;
Record of each vote cast or abstention (or “Ballot”) in a manner prescribed by the Proxy Voting Form (see below). The CEO will direct the vote of proxies (including corporate actions and class action lawsuits) for which TCM is the primary investment adviser. In such instances, the CEO or designee shall enter the information required to complete the Proxy Voting Form which, too, will be used to memorialize proxy voting records in accordance with the Advisers Act;

 

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Documentation, if any, created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision including periodic reports to the CCO, if applicable.
Clerical or administrative records generated on behalf of the Adviser by the Proxy Support Vendor.
Form N-PX (if not maintained by the Trust/Trust CCO)

 

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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 an “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustees have any 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”) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(d)(4)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(d)(7)   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)(8)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Gea Sphere, LLC on behalf of the Alpha Dog ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(d)(9)   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)(10)   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)(11)   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)(12)   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)(13)   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)(14)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC 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. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(d)(15)   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)(16)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
     
(d)(17)   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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form        N-1A filed on October 6, 2023 .
     
(d)(18)   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)(19)   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)(20)   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”) and REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023. 

 

 

 

 

(d)(21)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX ETFs REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023. 
     
(d)(22)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF and the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 
     

(d)(23)

 

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Brendan Wood TopGun Partnerships Inc. and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 

 

(d)(24)  

Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and IDX Advisors, LLC on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).

 

(d)(25)  

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) and IDX Advisors, LLC on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).

 

(d)(26)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target 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 & Innovation  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 Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 
     
(e)(8)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(9)   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 & Innovation 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 Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 

 

(g)(11)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target 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 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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form        N-1A filed on October 6, 2023 .
     
(h)(10)   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)(11)

 

 

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX ETFs and REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2023. 

 

(h)(12)  

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse All Innovation ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF and the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 

 

(h)(13)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(14)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(15)   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)(16)   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)(17)   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)(18)   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)(19)   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)(20)   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)(21)   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)(22)   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)(23)   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 & Innovation 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)(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 Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 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 T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target 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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.  
     
(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form N-1A filed on October 6, 2023 .
     
(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023. 
     
(i)(17)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2023. 
     

(i)(18)

 

  Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF  – Filed Herewith.
     
(i)(19)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 

 

 

 

 

(i)(20)  

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital 2X Long AI ETF and the Tuttle Capital 2X Inverse AI ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).

 

(i)(20)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF (to be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(21)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target 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  is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(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 Asset Management – Filed Herewith. 

 

 

 

 

(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(p)(10)   Code of Ethics for Cultivar Capital, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023. 
     
(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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2023. 
     
(p)(14)  

Code of Ethics for Brendan Wood TopGun Partnerships Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023. 

 

(p)(15)   Code of Ethics for IDX Advisors, 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 Managers Trust
76.ETF Opportunities Trust
77.Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
78.Exchange Listed Funds 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.Guinness Atkinson Funds
86.Harbor ETF Trust
87.Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
88.Horizon Kinetics Energy and Remediation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
89.Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
90.Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
91.Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
92.IDX Funds
93.Innovator ETFs Trust
94.Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
95.Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
96.John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
97.LDR Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
98.Mairs & Power Balanced Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
99.Mairs & Power Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers

 

 

 

 

100.Mairs & Power Minnesota Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
101.Mairs & Power Small Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
102.Manor Investment Funds
103.Merk Stagflation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
104.Milliman Variable Insurance Trust
105.Mindful Conservative ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
106.Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
107.Mohr Growth ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
108.Mohr Sector Navigator ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
109.Morgan Stanley ETF Trust
110.Morningstar Funds Trust
111.Mutual of America Investment Corporation
112.NEOS ETF Trust
113.North Square Investments Trust
114.OTG Latin American Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
115.Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
116.Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
117.Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
118.Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
119.Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
120.Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
121.Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
122.Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
123.Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
124.Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
125.Perkins Discovery Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
126.Philotimo Focused Growth and Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
127.Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
128.PMC Core Fixed Income Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
129.PMC Diversified Equity Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
130.Point Bridge America First ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
131.Preferred-Plus ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
132.Putnam ETF Trust
133.Quaker Investment Trust
134.Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
135.Rareview Inflation/Deflation ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
136.Rareview Systematic Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
137.Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
138.Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
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 Alerian LNG ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
146.Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
147.Roundhill BIG Bank ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
148.Roundhill BIG Tech ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
149.Roundhill Cannabis ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
150.Roundhill IO Digital Infrastructure ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
151.Roundhill MEME ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
152.Roundhill S&P Global Luxury ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
153.Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
154.Roundhill Video Games ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
155.Rule One Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
156.Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
157.Six Circles Trust
158.Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
159.Sparrow Funds
160.Spear Alpha ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust

 

 

 

 

161.STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
162.STF Tactical Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
163.Strategic Trust
164.Strategy Shares
165.Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
166.Syntax ETF Trust
167.Tekla World Healthcare Fund
168.Tema ETF Trust
169.Teucrium Agricultural Strategy No K-1 ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
170.Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Agriculture Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
171.Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Base Metals Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
172.The Community Development Fund
173.The Finite Solar Finance Fund
174.The Private Shares Fund
175.The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
176.Third Avenue Trust
177.Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
178.Tidal ETF Trust
179.Tidal Trust II
180.TIFF Investment Program
181.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
182.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
183.Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
184.Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
185.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
186.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Core Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
187.Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
188.Total Fund Solution
189.Touchstone ETF Trust
190.TrueShares Eagle Global Renewable Energy Income 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 

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101 

 

Vice President 

 

None

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

Kelly B. Whetstone

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100,
Portland, ME 04101

 

Secretary

 

None

Susan L. LaFond   111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
  Treasurer   None
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 & Innovation 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, Cultivar ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income 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, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target 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 & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF).

 

m)          Sub-Adviser

Brendan Wood TopGun Partnerships Inc., 15 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 1B2 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF).

 

n)            Adviser

IDX Advisors, LLC, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 605, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (records relating to its function as adviser to the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF).

 

 

 

 

 

o)           

Custodian, Transfer Agency

 

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

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

 

r)             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 of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 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 October, 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. 106 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   October 31, 2023
         
*Mary Lou H. Ivey   Trustee   October 31, 2023
         
*Theo H. Pitt, Jr.   Trustee   October 31, 2023
         
/s/ Karen M. Shupe   Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer   October 31, 2023
 Karen M. Shupe        
         
/s/ Ann T. MacDonald   Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer   October 31, 2023
 Ann T. MacDonald        

 

*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe    
Karen M. Shupe    
     

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

(i)(18)Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF

 

(p)(3)Code of Ethics for Vident Asset Management

 

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(i)(18)

 

 

 

JOHN H. LIVELY, Managing Partner

john.lively@practus.com

11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

(913) 660-0778

 

October 31, 2023

 

ETF Opportunities Trust

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

 

RE:Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (File Nos. 333-234544 and 811-23439)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.

 

This opinion relates to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Amendment”), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the “Shares”), with no par value per share, for the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, a new series of the Trust (the “Fund”).

 

We understand that the Amendment is being filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trust's Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, substantially in the form in which they are being filed in the Amendment (collectively, the “Prospectus”).

 

As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.

 

 

 

 

The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.

 

We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:

 

  (a) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records reviewed are accurate and complete; and

 

  (b) all representations, warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other factual information (i) made by public officers, or (ii) made by officers or representatives of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects.

 

The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trust’s obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.

 

Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:

 

  (a) The Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and

 

  (b) The Shares, when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s Registration Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities

 

We express no opinion as to any other matters other than as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein.

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Counsel" in the statement of additional information for the Fund, which is included in the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

 2

 

 

 

Sincerely,
  
 /s/ PRACTUS, LLP
  
 Practus, LLP

 

 3

 

 

ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(p)(3)

 

 

 

Vident Asset Management

 

Code of Ethics

 

July 15, 2023

 

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Contents

 

1.                    OVERVIEW 3
1.1         Code of Ethics 3
1.2         Standards of Business Conduct 3
1.3         Applicability of this Code of Ethics 3
1.4         Employee Duties 4
1.5         Employees’ Obligation to Report Violations 5
1.6         Vident’sDuties and Responsibilities to Employees and Reporting Persons 5
1.7         Fund Board Reporting 6
1.8         Recordkeeping 6
   
2.                     REPORTABLE PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS 6
2.1         Applicability of this Section to Reporting Persons 6
2.2         Resolving Conflicts of Interest 6
2.3         Reportable Securities Accounts and Transactions 7
2.4         New Accounts 8
2.5         Trading Restrictions and Prohibitions 9
2.6         How to Pre-Clear Reportable Securities, Private Placements, and Cryptocurrency Transactions 10
2.7         Summary of What Employees and their Immediate Family Need to Report Quarterly and Pre-Clear 12
2.8         Ban on Short-Term Trading 13
2.9         Reporting Person Compensation-Related Accounts 14
   
3.                     CODE VIOLATIONS 15
3.1         Investigating Code Violations 15
3.2         Penalties 15
3.3         Dismissal and/or Referral to Authorities 16
3.4         Exceptions to the Code 16
   
4.                     INSIDER TRADING 17
4.1         Background 17
4.2         Policies and Procedures 19
   
APPENDIX – DEFINITIONS 22

 

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1.OVERVIEW

 

1.1Code of Ethics

 

Vident Asset Management (“Vident”) has adopted this Code of Ethics (“Code”) pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and Rule 17j- 1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”). This Code establishes standards of business conduct and outlines the policies and procedures that Employees must follow to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, or improper practices or transactions. This Code is maintained and administered by Vident’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and Compliance Designees. The CCO and Compliance Designees are collectively referred to herein as the “Code Team.”

 

Please refer to Appendix - Definitions for the definitions of capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in the Code.

 

1.2Standards of Business Conduct

 

Employees must always observe the highest standards of business conduct and follow all applicable laws and regulations. Employees may never:

 

Use any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a client;

 

Make any untrue statement of a material fact to a client or mislead a clientby omitting to state a material fact;

 

Engage in any act, practice or course of business that would defraud or deceive a client;

 

Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a client;

 

Engage in any inappropriate trading practices, including price manipulation; or

 

Engage in any transaction or series of transactions that may give the appearance of impropriety.

 

This Code does not attempt to identify all possible fraudulent, manipulative, or improper practices or transactions, and literal compliance with each of its specific provisions will not shield Employees from liability for personal trading or other conduct that violates a fiduciary duty to clients.

 

1.3Applicability of this Code of Ethics

 

Employees are subject to all provisions of this Code with the exception of Section 2, Reportable Personal Securities Transactions. Section 2 is applicable only to Reporting Persons and their Immediate Family Members.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, all employees of Vident are Employees. Non-employee directors or officers of Vident are not deemed Employees or Reporting Persons as they are not involved in the day-to-day management of Vident and are not privy to Material Non-Public Information regarding Vident Client Account transactions or holdings.

 

1.4Employee Duties

 

As an Employee, you are expected to:

 

Be ethical;

 

Act professionally;

 

Exercise independent judgment;

 

Comply with applicable Federal Securities Laws;

 

Avoid, mitigate, or appropriately resolve conflicts of interest, and situations which create the perception of a conflict of intertest. A conflict of interest exists when financial or other incentives motivate an Employee to place their or Vident’s interest ahead of a Vident Client Account. For more information on conflicts of interest, see Section 2.2, Resolving Conflicts of Interest, and other applicable conflicts of interest policies;

 

Promptly report violations or suspected violations of the Code and/or any Vident compliance policy to the Code Team; and

 

Cooperate fully, honestly, and in a timely manner with any Code Team investigation or inquiry.

 

Employees and Reporting Persons are required to submit all requests and reports (unless otherwise noted herein) to the Code Team via ComplianceAlpha.

 

In addition to ComplianceAlpha, Employees can contact the Code Team for requests, assistance, and ad-hoc issues.

 

Training for ComplianceAlpha will be provided to Employees upon hire by the Code Team.

 

All Employees, as a condition of employment, must certify electronically within ComplianceAlpha receipt of this Code and certify, within 10 calendar days of becoming subject to the Code, upon material amendment, and annually thereafter, that they have read, understand, and will comply with the Code. Violations of the Code may result in disciplinary actions, including disgorgement, fines, and even termination, as determined by the Code Team.

 

The Code and your fiduciary obligations generally require you to put the interests of Vident clients ahead of your own.The Code Team may review and take appropriate action concerning instances of conduct that, while not necessarily violating the letter of the Code, gives the appearance of impropriety.

 

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1.5Employees’ Obligation to Report Violations

 

Employees are expected to report any concerns regarding ethical business conduct, suspected or actual violations of the Code, or any non-compliance with applicable laws, rules, or regulations to the Code Team (please also see Vident’s Whistleblower policy in the Compliance Policies & Procedures Manual). Reports will be treated confidentially to the extent reasonably possible and will be investigated promptly and appropriately. No retaliation may be taken against an Employee for providing information in good faith about such violations or concerns.

 

Examples of violations or concerns that Employees are expected to report include, but are not limited to:

 

Fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of our business;

 

Concerns about accounting, auditing, or internal accounting control matters;

 

Material omissions or misstatements in SEC filings; and

 

Any activity that is prohibited by the Code.

 

1.6Vident’s Duties and Responsibilities to Employees and Reporting Persons

 

To help Employees comply with this Code, the Code Team will:

 

  Identify and maintain current listings of Employees and Reporting Persons;

 

  Notify Reporting Persons in writing of their status as such and the Code requirements;

 

  Make a copy of the Code available and require initial, upon material amendment, and annual certifications that Employees have read, understand, and will comply with the Code;

 

  Make available a revised copy of the Code if there are any material amendments to it (and, to the extent possible, prior to their effectiveness) and require Employees to certify electronically (or in writing) receipt, understanding, and compliance with the revised Code;

 

  From time to time, provide training sessions to facilitate compliance with and understanding of the Code and keep records of such sessions and the Employees in attendance; and

 

  Review the Code at least once a year to assess its adequacy and effectiveness.

  

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1.7Fund Board Reporting

 

On a quarterly basis, the Code Team shall submit to the respective relevant board of the applicable Reportable Funds (the “Boards”) a written report describing violations of or waivers from the Code and any sanctions imposed in response to violations.

 

Vident will provide the Boards a copy of this Code before being retained for its services and within six months of any material changes of this Code.

 

1.8Recordkeeping

 

This Code, a record of each violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of the violation, a copy of each report and certification/acknowledgment made by an Employee and Reporting Person pursuant to the Code, lists of all persons required to make and/or review reports under the Code within the past five years, and a copy of any pre-clearance given or requested pursuant to the Code shall be preserved with Vident’s records, as appropriate, for the periods and in the manner required by the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act.

 

2.REPORTABLE PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

2.1Applicability of this Section to Reporting Persons

 

All references to Reporting Persons in the guidelines, prohibitions, restrictions, and duties set forth in this Section 2 should be interpreted to also refer, as the context requires, to Immediate Family Members of such persons. “You” or “your” should be interpreted to refer, as the context requires, to Reporting Persons and/or the Immediate Family Members of such persons.

 

2.2Resolving Conflicts of Interest

 

When engaging in Reportable Securities Transactions and transactions in Cryptocurrency, there might be conflicts between the interests of a Vident Client Account and Reporting Person’s personal interests. Any conflicts that arise in connection with such Reportable Securities Transactions and transactions in Cryptocurrency must be resolved in a manner that does not inappropriately benefit the Reporting Person or adversely affect Vident Client Accounts. Reporting Persons shall always place the financial interests of the Vident Client Accounts before personal financial and business interests.

 

Examples of inappropriate resolutions of conflicts are:

 

Taking an investment opportunity away from a Vident Client Account to benefit a portfolio or personal account in which a Reporting Person has Beneficial Ownership;

 

Using your position to take advantage of available investments for yourself;

 

Front running a Vident Client Account by trading in Reportable Securities (or Equivalent Securities) or Cryptocurrency ahead of the Vident Client Account;

  

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Taking advantage of information or using Vident Client Account portfolio assets to affect the market in a way that personally benefits you or a portfolio or personal account in which you have Beneficial Ownership; and

 

Engaging in any other behavior determined by the Code Team to be, or to have the appearance of, an inappropriate resolution of a conflict.

 

2.3Reportable Securities Accounts and Transactions

 

Reporting Persons must report all Reportable Securities Accounts and Reportable Securities Transactions to the Code Team via ComplianceAlpha (see Section 1.4, Employee Duties). Reportable Securities Accounts include accounts of Immediate Family Members and accounts in which a Reporting Person is a Beneficial Owner. There are three types of reports: (1) an initial holdings report that is filed upon becoming a Reporting Person or establishing any Reportable Securities Account, (2) a quarterly transaction report, and (3) an annual holdings report.

 

Each broker-dealer, bank, or fund company, where a Reporting Person has a Reportable Securities Account will be required to set up their accounts in ComplianceAlpha, so their feeds are received electronically. All accounts that have the ability to hold Reportable Securities must be included even if the account does not have holdings of ReportableSecurities at the time of reporting.

 

1.Initial Holdings Report. Within 10 business days of becoming a Reporting Person:

 

All Reportable Securities Accounts and Managed Accounts, including broker name and account number information, must be reported by each Reporting Person to the Code Team via ComplianceAlpha.

 

A recent statement (electronic or paper) for each Reportable Securities Account and Managed Account that cannot be linked to ComplianceAlpha must be submitted by each Reporting Person to the Code Team.

 

All holdings of Reportable Securities in Reportable Securities Accounts and Managed Accounts must be inputted by each Reporting Person into an Initial Holdings Report via ComplianceAlpha. The information in the report must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to the date of becoming a Reporting Person.

 

2.Quarterly Transactions Reports. Within 30 calendar days of each calendar quarter end:

 

Each Reporting Person must submit via ComplianceAlpha to the Code Team a report showing all Reportable Securities Transactions made in his/her Reportable Securities Accounts during the quarter. A request for this report will be generated by ComplianceAlpha with notification of due dates and sent to Reporting Persons via email. A report must be submitted by each Reporting Person even if there were no Reportable Securities Transactions during the quarter.

 

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Each Reporting Person must certify as to the correctness and completeness of this report.

 

This report and certification must be submitted to the Code Team within 30 calendar days of the previous quarter end.

 

3.Annual Holdings Reports. Within 30 calendar days of each calendar year end:

 

All holdings of Reportable Securities in all Reportable Securities Accounts must be reported by each Reporting Person to the Code Team via ComplianceAlpha. The information in the report must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to when you submit the report.

 

Each Reporting Person must certify as to the correctness and completeness of this report.

 

This report and certification must be submitted to the Code Team within 30 calendar days of the previous year end.

 

2.4New Accounts

 

Each Reporting Person must report a Reportable Securities Account (including those of Immediate Family Members) to the Code Team within 10 business days of receiving the account number or prior to executing a transaction requiring pre-clearance, whichever occurs first. Each Reporting Person wanting to establish a Managed Account (as discussed below) must contact the Code Team prior to the account’s opening and reporting in ComplianceAlpha and ensure all required documents have been provided to the Code Team.

 

Confidentiality

 

Vident will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the electronic reports submitted to the Code Team as required by this Code are kept confidential. Reports required to be submitted pursuant to the Code will be selectively reviewed by the Code Team and possibly senior executives or legal counsel on a periodic basis to seek to identify improper trading activity or patterns of trading and to otherwise seek to verify compliance with this Code. Data and information may be provided to Reportable Fund officers and Boards and will be provided to government authorities upon request or others if required to do so by law or court order.

 

Managed Accounts

 

As specified in Rule 204A-1, Reporting Persons are not required to submit any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which they have “no direct or indirect influence or control.”

 

For an account to qualify as a Managed Account, it must meet the following criteria:

 

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Reporting Persons have no direct or indirect influence or control over the account;

 

If the Reporting Person’s control over the account should change in any way, he or she will immediately notify the Code Team in writing of such a change and will provide any required information regarding holdings and transactions in the account pursuant to the Rule 204A-1 and this Code; and

 

The Reporting Person will agree to provide reports of holdings and/or transactions (including, but not limited to, duplicate account statements) made in the account at the request of the Code Team. Where reasonable, such Managed Account should be reported via ComplianceAlpha.

 

This includes accounts known as “Robo Advisor” accounts where account investments and reallocations are done through an automated platform without human involvement.

 

In order for an account to be coded in ComplianceAlpha as a Managed Account, documentation from the person or entity managing the account must be submitted to the Code Team prior to opening the account for review and support that the Reporting Person will not be able to influence or control Reportable Securities Transactions. Further, the Reporting Person must complete an ‘Exempt Accounts Certification’ initially upon the reporting of the account and annually thereafter, and they must provide a letter from the person or entity managing the account, stating that the Reporting Person does not have investment discretion over the account.

 

2.5Trading Restrictions and Prohibitions

 

All Reporting Persons and their Immediate Family Members must comply with the following trading restrictions and prohibitions:

 

Reportable Securities. All Reporting Persons must pre-clear transactions of certain Reportable Securities in Reportable Securities Accounts as described in the table that follows in Section 2.6, How to Pre-Clear Reportable Securities, Private Placements, Cryptocurrency Transactions.

 

Same Day Trading. Reporting Persons who are involved with the management of a Vident Client Account generally are prohibited from trading the same Reportable Security in a Reportable Securities Account on the same day as the Vident Client Account that they manage.

 

Vident Index Rebalances. Reporting Persons who are members of the Vident Index Policy Committee (“VIPC”) are prohibited from transacting in Reportable Securities in Reportable Securities Accounts three business days before, and the day of, a Vident sponsored index rebalance.

 

De Minimis Values for Trading. Notwithstanding the above, a Reporting Person’s trade request in ComplianceAlpha will be automatically approved if it meets the following criteria: (i) fewer than 750 shares, (ii) less than $20,000 total, and (iii) an issuer market capitalization of more than $6,000,000,000. If the trade request does not meet all three of these criteria, it will be flagged in ComplianceAlpha for further review by the Code Team. The Code Team will notify the Reporting Person via ComplianceAlpha if the trade has been approved or denied.

 

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IPOs and Initial Coin Offerings (“ICO”). Reporting Persons are prohibited from purchasing shares in an IPO and from purchasing virtual “coins” or “tokens” in an ICO.

 

Private Placements. Reporting Persons may, subject to pre-clearance requirements, purchase and sell shares in a Private Placement. Reporting Persons must provide a copy of the Private Placement’s private placement memorandum (confidential offering memorandum) and subscription agreement when requesting permission to make an initial investment in a Private Placement.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). All Reporting Persons must disclose and report all holdings in ETFs. Purchases and sales of ETFs require pre-clearance.

 

Short Securities. Selling securities short (or any derivative having the same economic effect as a short sale) are prohibited.

 

Investment Clubs. Reporting Persons may not participate in the activities of an investment club.

 

Attempts to Manipulate the Market. Reporting Persons must not execute any transactions intended to raise, lower, or maintain the price ofany Reportable Security or to create a false appearance of active trading.

 

Currency Accounts (including Cryptocurrencies). Reporting Persons do not need to report accounts established to hold foreign currency or Cryptocurrencies, provided no Reportable Securities can be held in the account. Purchases and sales of Cryptocurrencies require pre-clearance as addressed in Section 2.6, How to Pre-Clear Reportable Securities, Private Placements, Cryptocurrency Transactions.

 

2.6How to Pre-Clear Reportable Securities, Private Placements, and Cryptocurrency Transactions

 

Reporting Persons must follow the steps below to pre-clear trades for themselves and their Immediate Family Members:

 

1.Reportable Securities Transaction Request Authorization. A request for authorization of a transaction that requires pre-clearance must be entered using ComplianceAlpha (with the exception of Cryptocurrency, see below). Reporting Persons may only request pre- clearance for market orders or same day limit orders. Verbal pre-clearance requests are not permitted.

  

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2.Private Placement Transaction Request Authorization. Reporting Persons must request pre-clearance for Private Placement transactions via ComplianceAlpha. Such requests are good for the Private Placement’s next transaction window (i.e., monthly, quarterly) as governed by its offering documents. Verbal pre-clearance requests are not permitted.

 

3.Have the Request Reviewed and Approved. After receiving the electronic request, the Code Team via ComplianceAlpha will notify Reporting Persons if the trade has been approved or denied.

 

4.Trading in Cryptocurrency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases and sales of Cryptocurrency must be pre-approved via email to the Code Team. The email should detail the Cryptocurrency to be traded, intended trade date, purchase or sale, and quantity. Cryptocurrency approval requests may be approved for multiple-day windows on weekends only (for example, Reporting Persons may request approval for a transaction with a window of Friday to Sunday). For clarity, this does not include any use of Cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services.

 

The Code Team will respond via email with its approval or denial of Cryptocurrency transaction requests.

 

The Code Team reserves the right to request Cryptocurrency transaction history from Reporting Persons.

 

5.Trading in Foreign Markets. A request for pre-clearance of a transaction in a local foreign market that has already closed for the day may be granted with authorization to trade on the following day because of time zone considerations. Approval will only be valid for that following trading day in that local foreign market.

 

6.Approval of Transactions.

 

The Request May be Refused. The Code Team may refuse to authorize a Reporting Person’s Reportable Securities Transaction, Private Placement transaction, or Cryptocurrency transaction and need not give an explanation for the refusal. Reasons for refusing your Reportable Securities Transactions, Private Placement transactions, or Cryptocurrency transactions may be confidential.

 

Authorizations Expire. Any Reportable Securities Transaction authorization is effective until the close of business on the same trading day for which the authorization is granted (unless the authorization is revoked earlier). This expiration does not extend to Private Placement or Cryptocurrency transactions as discussed above. If the order for the transaction is not executed within the prescribed period, you must obtain a new pre-clearance authorization before placing a new transaction order.

  

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2.7       Summary of What Employees and their Immediate Family Need to Report Quarterly and Pre-Clear

 

The table below serves as a reference to use in determining what Reporting Persons need to report on quarterly transaction reports and must pre-clear when executing a trade. If you have questions about any types of securities not shown below, please contact a member of the Code Team.

 

  Report?   Pre-Clear?

Banker’s Acceptances, bank certificates of deposit (CDs), commercial paper & high-quality short-term debt Instruments, including repurchase agreements

No

 

No

Brokered Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Yes   No
Closed-End Funds Yes   Yes
Corporate Debt Securities Yes   Yes
Cryptocurrency No   Yes
Equity Securities Yes   Yes
ETFs and Options on ETFs Yes   Yes

European Union (“EU”) and United Kingdom (“UK”) domiciled and listed ETFs under the Undertakings for Collective investment in Transferrable Securities (“UCITS”) regime

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

Futures on Commodities Yes   No
Futures on Cryptocurrencies Yes   Yes
Futures on a Reportable Security and a narrow-based security index Yes   Yes

Gifting Reportable Securities to any account outside your Reportable Securities Account

Yes   Yes
Initial Public Offering Prohibited   Prohibited
Investment Trusts Yes   Yes
Money Market Mutual Funds No   No

Money Market Funds that are a UCITS, UK open-ended investment company (“OEIC”), or UK unit trust

No   No
Municipal Bonds Yes   Yes
Mutual Funds not managed by Vident No   No
UCITS, OEICS, or UK unit trusts not managed by Vident No   No
Options on Reportable Securities and on commodity futures contracts Yes   Yes

Private Placements Yes   Yes
Receipt of Reportable Securities as a Gift Yes   No

Reportable Securities purchased through Automated Investment Plans

 

Yes

 

 

Yes (initial plan and any adjustments thereto)

Short Term Cash Equivalents No   No
Transactions in Managed Accounts (including Robo Advisor accounts) Yes   No
Transactions in 401(k) plans that do not and cannot hold Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities No   No
Transactions in UK pension plans including self-invested pension plans that do not and cannot hold Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities No   No
Transactions in 529 Plans Yes   No
U.S. Government Bonds (direct obligations) No   No
U.S. Treasuries/Agencies (direct obligations) No   No
Securities issued by the UK National Savings and Investments No   No

Virtual Coins or Tokens acquired through an ICO or those acquired through a secondary token offering

Prohibited   Prohibited

 

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2.8Ban on Short-Term Trading

 

There is a ban on short-term trading. Reporting Persons are not permitted to buy and sell, or sell and buy, the same Reportable Security (or Equivalent Security) that has been pre-cleared within 30 calendar days; this will be considered short-term trading.

 

This prohibition is measured on a Last in – First out (“LIFO”) basis.

 

Pre-clearance requests will be automatically denied in ComplianceAlpha if they are within the 30-day holding period.

 

Reporting Persons may be required to disgorge any profits the Reporting Person makes from any sale before the 30-day period expires.

 

The ban on short-term trading does not apply to transactions that involve:

 

Reportable Securities not requiring pre-clearance (e.g., mutual funds that are not Reportable Funds, although they typically impose their own restrictions on short-term trading);

 

Commodities, futures (including currency futures), options on futures and options on currencies;

  

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Automated purchases and sales that were done as part of an Automatic Investment Plan. However, any self-directed purchases or sales outside the pre-set schedule or allocation of the Automatic Investment Plan, or other changes to the pre-set schedule or allocation of the Automatic Investment Plan, within a 30-day holding period, are subject to the 30- day ban on short term trading;

 

Cash sweep vehicles, including money market funds;

 

Transactions in Managed Accounts; or

 

Cryptocurrency.

 

2.9Reporting Person Compensation-Related Accounts

 

Initial Holdings Report (to be submitted in ComplianceAlpha):

 

Reporting Persons who have an established Vident Simple IRA are required to report their balances in Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities as part of the Initial Holdings Reporting process.

 

401(k) Plans and IRA’s that are external to Vident are required to be reported if the 401(k) Plan or IRA is capable of holding Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities.

 

Quarterly Transaction Report (to be submitted in ComplianceAlpha):

 

Reporting Persons are required to report self-directed transactions in Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities in a Vident Simple IRA that occurred outside of the previously reported investment allocations.

 

Reporting Persons are required to report transactions in Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities in 401(k) plans or IRAs held outside of Vident.

 

Reporting Persons are not required to report bi-weekly payroll contributions, periodic company matches, or profit-sharing contributions.

 

Annual Holdings Report (to be submitted in ComplianceAlpha):

 

Reporting Persons are required to update their holdings in a Vident Simple IRA in their Annual Holdings Report.

 

If an external 401(k) account or IRA holds Reportable Funds or Reportable Securities, Reporting Persons arerequired to update these holdings in their Annual Holdings Report.

  

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3.CODE VIOLATIONS

 

3.1Investigating Code Violations

 

The Code Team is responsible for investigating any suspected violation of the Code. This includes not only instances of violations against the letter of the Code, but also any instances that may give the appearance of impropriety. Employees are expected to respond to Code Team inquiries promptly. The Code Team is responsible for reviewing the results of any investigation of any reported or suspected violation of the Code. The Code Team will report the results of each investigation to the CCO. Violations of the Code may also be reported to the Employee’s supervisor.

 

3.2Penalties

 

The Code Team is responsible for deciding whether a violation is minor, substantive, or serious. In determining the seriousness of a violation of the Code, the Code Team will consider the following factors, among others and will escalate as needed to the CCO:

 

The degree of willfulness of the violation;

 

The severity of the violation;

 

The extent, if any, to which an Employee profited or benefited from the violation;

 

The adverse effect, if any, of the violation on a Vident or a Vident Client Account; and

 

The Employee’s history of prior violation(s) of the Code.

 

For purposes of imposing sanctions, violations generally will be counted on a rolling 24-month period. However, the Code Team (in consultation with the CCO) reserves the right to impose a more severe sanction/penalty depending on the severity of the violation and/or taking into consideration violations dating back more than 24 months.

 

Any offenses as described below will be reportable to the Boards. Penalties will be imposed as follows:

 

Minor Offenses:

 

First minor offense – First written notice.

Second minor offense – Second written notice.

Third minor offense – One-month ban on all personal trading, fine, disgorgement and/or other action.

 

Minor offenses may include, but are not limited to, the following: failure to timely submit quarterly transaction reports, failure to timely complete assigned training, failure to submit signed electronic acknowledgments of Code forms and certifications, and conflicting pre-clearance request dates versus actual trade dates or other pre-clearance request errors.

 

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Substantive Offenses:

 

First substantive offense – Written notice, fine, disgorgement and/or other action.

Second substantive offense – Three-month ban on all personal trading, fine, disgorgement and/or other action.

Third substantive offense – Six-month ban on all personal trading, fine, disgorgement and/or other action.

 

Substantive offenses may include, but are not limited to, the following: unauthorized purchase/sale of Reportable Securities as outlined in the Code, violations of short-term trading holding period (30-day rule, excluding Cryptocurrency), failure to request pre-clearance of transactions as required by the Code, and failure to timely report a Reportable Securities Account. Other actions that may be taken in response to a substantive offense may include termination of employment and/or referral to authorities, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

 

Serious Offenses:

 

Engaging in insider trading or related illegal and prohibited activities such as “front running” and “scalping” is considered a “serious offense.” Vident will take appropriate steps, which may include fines, termination of employment and/or referral to governmental authorities for prosecution. The Code Team will immediately inform the CCO of any serious offenses.

 

Exceptions:

 

The Code Team may deviate from the penalties listed in the Code where the CCO determines that a more or less severe penalty is appropriate based on the specific circumstances of that case. For example, a first substantive offense may warrant a more severe penalty if it follows two minor offenses. Any deviations from the penalties listed in the Code, and the reasons for such deviations, will be documented and/or maintained in the Code files.

 

3.3Dismissal and/or Referral to Authorities

 

Repeated violations or a flagrant violation of the Code may result in immediate dismissal from employment. In addition, the Code Team, the CCO, and/or senior management may determine that a single flagrant violation of the law, such as insider trading, will result in immediate dismissal and referral to authorities.

 

3.4Exceptions to the Code

 

The Code Team is responsible for enforcing the Code. The Code Team may grant certain exceptions to the Code, provided any requests and any approvals granted must be submitted and obtained, respectively, in advance and in writing. The Code Team may refuse to authorize any request for exception under the Code and is not required to furnish any explanation for the refusal.

 

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4.INSIDER TRADING

 

4.1Background

 

Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of such investment adviser’s business, to prevent themisuse of Material Non-Public Information by such investment adviser or any associated person. In the past, the Federal Securities Laws have been interpreted to prohibit the following activities:

 

Trading by an insider while in possession of Material Non-Public Information;

 

Trading by a non-insider while in possession of Material Non-Public Information, where the information was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider’s duty to keep it confidential;

 

Trading by a non-insider who obtained Material Non-Public Information through unlawful means such as computer hacking; and

 

Communicating Material Non-Public Information to others in breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

What Information is Material?

 

Many types of information may be considered material, including, without limitation, advance knowledge of:

 

Dividend or earnings announcements;

Asset write-downs or write-offs;

Additions to reserves for bad debts or contingent liabilities;

Expansion or curtailment of company or major division operations;

Merger, joint venture announcements;

New product/service announcements;

Discovery or research developments;

Criminal, civil and government investigations, and indictments;

Pending labor disputes;

Debt service or liquidity problems;

Bankruptcy or insolvency;

Tender offers and stock repurchase plans;

Recapitalization plans; and

Major developments in litigation or events that could lead to litigation (e.g., a cyber breach or a data leak).

 

Information provided by a company could be material because of its expected effect on a particular class of securities, all of a company’s securities, the securities of another company, or the securities of several companies. The prohibition against misusing Material Non-Public Information applies to a wide range of financial instruments including, but not limited to, equities, bonds, warrants, options, futures, forwards, swaps, commercial paper, government-issued securities, and certain types of virtual currency or Cryptocurrency coins or tokens that were created in connection with an ICO. Material information need not relate to a company’s business. For example, information about the contents of an upcoming newspaper column may affect the price of a security, and therefore be considered material. Advance notice of forthcoming secondary market transactions could also be material.

 

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Employees should consult with the CCO or a Compliance Designee if there is any question as to whether non-public information is material.

 

What Information is Non-Public?

 

Once information has been effectively distributed to the investing public, it is no longer non-public. However, the distribution of Material Non-Public Information must occur through commonly recognized channels for the classification to change. In addition, there must be adequate time for the public to receive and digest the information. Non-public information does not change to public information solely by selective dissemination. The confirmation by an insider of unconfirmed rumors, even if the information in question was reported as rumors in a public form, may be non- public information. Examples of the ways inwhich non-public information might be transmitted include, but are not limited to:

 

In person;

In writing;

By telephone;

During a presentation;

By email, instant messaging, or Bloomberg messaging;

By text message or through Twitter; or

On a social networking site such as Facebook or LinkedIn.

 

Employees must be aware that even where there is no expectation of confidentiality, a person may become an insider upon receiving Material Non-Public Information. Employees should consult with the CCO or a Compliance Designee if there is any question as to whether material information is non-public.

 

Penalties for Trading on Material Non-Public Information

 

Severe penalties exist for firms and individuals that engage in Insider Trading, including civil injunctions, disgorgement of profits, and jail sentences. Further, fines for Insider Trading may be levied against individuals and companies in amounts up to three times the profit gained, or loss avoided (and up to $1,000,000 for companies). Vident is not obligated to pay legal fees, penalties, or other costs incurred by Employees found guilty of insider trading.

 

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4.2Policies and Procedures

 

Employees are strictly forbidden from engaging in Insider Trading, either personally or on behalf of Vident. Vident’s Insider Trading policies and procedures apply to all Employees, as well as any transactions in any securities by family members, trusts, or corporations, directly or indirectly controlled by such persons. The policy also applies to transactions by corporations in which the Employee is an officer, director, or 10% or greater stockholder, as well as transactions by partnerships of which the Employee is a partner unless the Employee has no direct or indirect control over thepartnership.

 

Procedures for Recipients of Material Non-Public Information

 

If an Employee has questions as to whether they are in possession of Material Non-Public Information, they should inform the CCO or a Compliance Designee as soon as possible. The CCO or a Compliance Designee will conduct research to determine if the information is likely to be considered material, and whether theinformation has been publicly disseminated.

 

Given the severe penalties imposed on individuals and firms engaging in Insider Trading, an Employee:

 

Must immediately report the potential receipt of Material Non-Public Information to the CCO or a Compliance Designee;

 

Must not trade the securities of any company about which they may possess Material Non- Public Information, or derivatives related to the issuer in question;

 

Must not discuss any potentially Material Non-Public Information with colleagues, except as specifically required by their position; and

 

Must not conduct research, trading, or other investment activities regarding a security for which they may have Material Non-Public Information until the CCO or a Compliance Designee dictates an appropriate course of action.

 

If the CCO or a Compliance Designee determines that the information is material and non- public, the CCO or a Compliance Designee will update a list of these restricted securities (the “Restricted List”) and ensure coding in ComplianceAlpha to restrict personal trading and the firm’s Order Management Systems (as applicable). Vident and its Employees will not place any trades in securities for which it has Material Non-Public Information.

 

Depending on the relevant facts and circumstances, the CCO or a Compliance Designee may also take some or all the following steps:

 

Review these policies and procedures with the affected Employee(s);

 

Initially ask the affected Employee(s) to execute written agreements that they will not disclose the potentially Material Non-Public Information to others, including colleagues;

  

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Periodically ask the affected Employee(s) to sign certifications that they have not improperly shared the information;

 

Require the affected Employee(s) to institute enhanced information security practices;

 

Implement a shared office space policy or clean desk policy outlining appropriate methods of protecting Material Non-Public Information;

 

Change the location of the affected Employee(s)’ workspace(s);

 

Review the emails of the affected Employees more frequently and/or conduct key word searches of all Employees’ emails for the information in question;

 

Review these Insider Trading policies and procedures with all Employees;

 

Inform Vident’s other Employees that the affected Employee(s) may be in possession of Material Non-Public Information;

 

Remind the other Employees that they should take reasonable steps to avoid inadvertent receipt of the information; and

 

Forbid other Employees from seeking to obtain the information.

 

Trading in affected securities may resume, and other responses may be adjusted or eliminated, when the CCO or a Compliance Designee determines that the information has become public and/or immaterial. At such time, the CCO or a Compliance Designee will update the Restricted List in ComplianceAlpha and the Order Management Systems (as applicable) to indicate the date that trading was allowed to resumeand the reason for the resumption.

 

See Vident’s Information Barriers/Firewalls policies in the Compliance Policies & Procedures Manual.

 

Selective Disclosure

 

Non-public information about Vident’s investment strategies, trading, and Vident Client Account holdings may not be shared with third parties except as is necessary to implement investment decisions and conduct other legitimate business. Notwithstanding this, see Vident’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy in the Compliance Policies & Procedures Manual.

 

Employees must never disclose proposed or pending trades or other sensitive information to any third party without the prior approval of the CCO or a Compliance Designee. Federal Securities Laws may prohibit the dissemination of such information and doing so may be considered a violation of the fiduciary duty that Vident owes to its Vident Client Accounts.

 

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Relationships with Potential Insiders

 

Vident’s vendors, including affiliated entities, may possess Material Non-Public Information. Individuals with access to Material Non-Public Information may have an incentive to disclose the information to Vident due to the potential for personal gain. Employees should be extremely cautious about investment recommendations, or information about issuers, that it receives from any party including affiliated entities, vendors, and/or consultants. Employees should inquire about the basis for any such recommendations or information and should consult with the CCO or a Compliance Designee if there is any appearance that the recommendations or information are based on Material Non-Public Information. Vident may receive Material Non-Public Information about its client account investment strategies and trading activities.

 

Employees are prohibited from trading on, or improperly utilizing, Material Non-Public Information obtainedfrom third-party or affiliated investment advisers or sub-advisers.

 

Rumors

 

Creating or passing false rumors with the intent to manipulate securities prices or markets may violate the antifraud provisionsof Federal Securities Laws. Such conduct is contradictory to this Code, as well as Vident’s expectations regarding appropriate behavior of its Employees. Employees are prohibited from knowingly circulating false rumors or sensational information that might reasonably be expected to affect market conditions for one or more securities, sectors, or markets, or improperly influencing any person or entity.

 

This policy is not intended to discourage or prohibit appropriate communications between Employees and other market participants and trading counterparties. Employees should consult with the CCO or a Compliance Designee regarding questions about the appropriateness of any communications.

 

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APPENDIX – DEFINITIONS

 

General Note:

 

The definitions and terms used in the Code are intended to mean the same as they do under the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act. If a definition hereunder conflicts with the definitions in the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act, or if a term used in the Code is not defined, you should follow the definitions and meanings in the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act.

 

Automatic Investment Plan A program that allows a person to purchase or sell Reportable Securities, automatically and on a regular basis in accordance with a pre-determined schedule and allocation, without any further action by the person. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a SIP (systematic investment plan), SWP (systematic withdrawal plan), SPP (stock purchase plan), DRIP (dividend reinvestment plan), or employer-sponsored plan subject to such a program.
   
Beneficial Owner

Reporting Persons are the “beneficial owner” of any Reportable Securities in which the Reporting Persons have a direct or indirect Financial or Pecuniary Interest, whether or not the Reporting Persons have the power to buy and sell, or to vote, the securities.

 

In addition, Reporting Persons are the “beneficial owner” of Reportable Securities in which an Immediate Family Member has a direct or indirect Financial or Pecuniary Interest, whether or not the Reporting Person or the Immediate Family Member has the power to buy and sell, or to vote, the Reportable Securities. For example, Reporting Persons have Beneficial Ownership of securities in trusts of which Immediate Family Members are beneficiaries.

 

Reporting Persons are also the “beneficial owner” of Reportable Securities in any account, including but not limited to those of relatives, friends, and entities in which Reporting Persons have a non-controlling interest or over which Reporting Persons or an Immediate Family Member exercise investment discretion. Such accounts do not include accounts Reporting Persons manage on behalf of Vident.

 

ComplianceAlpha

ACA ComplianceAlpha®, a third-party risk and compliance platform used for the management of personal trading surveillance, employee certifications, gift and entertainment requests and disclosures, political contributions, and outside business activity reporting.

 

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Control

The power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company unless the power is solely the result of an official position with such company. Owning 25% or more of a company’s outstanding voting securities is presumed to give Reporting Persons control over the company. (See Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act for a complete definition.)

   

Cryptocurrency

 

A digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double- spend. Generally based on a network that is distributed across a large number of computers. Includes, but not limited to, Avalanche, Bitcoin, Cardano, Dash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polkadot, Solana, Tether, and Tron.

 

Employee Employees, partners, officers, and directors of Vident that are subject to the supervision and control of Vident. This does not include partners, officers, and/or directors that do not perform day-to-day activities for Vident or those that do not come into the possession of Material Non-Public Information regarding the firm’s trading activities.
   
Equivalent Security Any Reportable Security issued by the same entity as the issuer of a subject security that is convertible into the equity security of the issuer. Examples include, but are not limited to, options, rights, stock appreciation rights, warrants and convertible bonds.
   
Federal Securities Laws The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, Title V of the Gramm- Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the SEC under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

 

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Financial or Pecuniary Interest

The opportunity for Reporting Persons or your Immediate Family Member, directly, or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject Reportable Securities whether through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. This standard looks beyond the record owner of Reportable Securities to reach the substance of a particular arrangement. Reporting Persons not only have a Financial or Pecuniary Interest in Reportable Securities held by Reporting Persons for their own benefit, but also Reportable Securities held (regardless of whether or how they are registered) by others for a Reporting Person’s benefit, such as Reportable Securities held for Reporting Persons by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors, administrators, or trustees. The term also includes any interest in any Reportable Security owned by an entity directly or indirectly controlled by Reporting Persons, which may include corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, trusts, and other types of legal entities. Reporting Persons or their Immediate Family Member likely have a Financial or Pecuniary Interest in:

 

The Reporting Person’s accounts or the accounts of Immediate Family Members;

 

A partnership or limited liability company if the Reporting Person or an Immediate Family Member is a general partner or a managing member;

 

A corporation or similar business entity if the Reporting Person or an Immediate Family Member has or shares investment control; or

 

A trust if the Reporting Person or an Immediate Family Member is a beneficiary.

 

Immediate Family Member Any of the following persons, including any such relations through adoption, who reside in the same household with you:

 

  ●         spouse ●         brother
  ●         domestic partner ●         sister
  ●         parent ●         mother-in-law
  ●         stepparent ●         father-in-law
  ●         child ●         daughter-in-law
  ●         stepchild ●         son-in-law
  ●         grandparent ●         sister-in-law
  ●         grandchild ●         brother-in-law

 

Immediate Family Member also includes any other relationship that the Code Team determines could lead to possible conflicts of interest, diversions of corporate opportunity, or appearances of impropriety.

  

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  All references to “Reporting Persons” in the guidelines, prohibitions, restrictions, and duties set forth in the Code should be interpreted to also refer, as the context requires, to Immediate Family Members of such persons.
   
Investment Club An investment club is a group of people who pool their money to make investments. Usually, investment clubs are organized as partnerships and, after the members study different investments, the group decides to buy or sell based on a majority vote of the members. Club meetings may be educational and/or each member may actively participate in investment decisions.
   
IPO An initial public offering, or the first sale of a company’s securities to public investors. Specifically, it is an offering of Securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
Managed Account Any account for which the holder gives, in writing, his or her broker or someone else (other than another Employee) the authority to buy and sell Reportable Securities, either absolutely or subject to certain restrictions, other than pre-approval by any Reporting Person. In other words, the holder gives up the right to decide what Reportable Securities are bought or sold for the account.
   
Non-Public Information Any information that is not generally available to the general public in widely disseminated media reports, SEC filings, public reports, or similar publications or sources.
   
Private Placement An offering, including an ICO, that is exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) or 4(6) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 thereunder. Shall extend to offerings made and/or domiciled in foreign jurisdictions such as, but not limited to, Bermuda, European Union, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Jersey.
   
Purchase or Sale of a Security In addition to any acquisition or disposition of a Reportable Security for value, a Purchase or Sale of a Reportable Security includes, among other things, the receipt or giving of a gift or writing of an option to purchase or sell a Reportable Security.

 

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Reportable FundAny investment company registered under the 1940 Act for which Vident serves as an investment adviser or sub-adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. Will also include UCITS, OEICs and UK unit trusts which Vident serves as investment adviser, sub-adviser, manager, or investment manager. A list of all Reportable Funds managed by Vident is available upon request. This list encompasses Vident’s registered investment company accounts that are sponsored and managed by a third-party, but sub-advised by Vident.
  
Reporting PersonWith respect to the applicability of the Code, this includes Employees, directors, and officers (other than non-Employee directors and officers), and any other persons designated by the Code Team that have access to Non-Public Information regarding any Vident Client Accounts’ purchase or sale of securities, or Non-Public Information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Reportable Fund; or who is involved in making securities recommendations to Vident Client Accounts, or who has access to such recommendations that are non-public.
  
 All references to “Reporting Persons” in the guidelines, prohibitions, restrictions, and duties set forth in this Code should be interpreted to also refer, as the context requires, to Immediate Family Members of the Reporting Person. The Code Team is responsible for maintaining a list of all Reporting Persons and notifying such Reporting Persons of their status.
  
Reportable Securities AccountAny account that holds Reportable Securities of which Reporting Persons have Beneficial Ownership, other than a Managed Account that holds Reportable Securities and has previously been approved by the Code Team over which Reporting Persons have no direct influence or Control. A Reportable Securities Account is not limited to Reportable Securities accounts maintained at brokerage firms, but also includes holdings of Reportable Securities owned directly by Reporting Persons or an Immediate Family Member or held through a retirement plan of Vident or a former employer.
  
Reportable Securities TransactionA Purchase or Sale of a Reportable Security, of which Reporting Persons acquire or relinquish Beneficial Ownership.

  

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Reportable Security/Securities Any security as defined under Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act or Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include direct obligations of the U.S. Government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, brokered certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares issued by money market mutual funds, shares issued by mutual funds other than the Reportable Funds, shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more mutual fund, none of which are Reportable Funds, or interests in unit-linked life and pension products sold in the UK that are invested exclusively in one or more UK unit trusts or OEICs, none of which are Reportable Funds. “Reportable Security” includes any security issued by registered closed-end funds and ETFs.
   
Vident Client Accounts

Accounts of investment advisory clients of Vident, including but not limited to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, UCITS, and OEICs.

 

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