As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 |
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. 145 | ☒ |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 147 | ☒ |
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 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:
☒ | 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. |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF
PROSPECTUS
June 26, 2024
This prospectus describes the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF which is authorized to offer one class of shares by this prospectus.
Fund | Ticker | Principal U.S. Listing Exchange |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF | NASDAQ Stock Market ® |
The
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 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 – SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF
Investment Objective
The SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Management Fee(1) | 0.89% |
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees(2) | 0.00% |
Other Expenses(3) | 0.00% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.89% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(4) | (0.04%) |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.85% |
(1) | Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, 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) | Under the Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets for certain distribution-related activities and shareholder services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. |
(3) | Other Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s initial fiscal year. |
(4) | The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee to an annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Fund until April 20, 2026 and the Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior to that date. |
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Name of Fund | 1 Year | 3 Years |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF | $87 | $280 |
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 is actively managed and typically owns 20 domestic stocks that are normally included in the S&P 500 Index (“S&P 500”). The stocks are chosen using a Full-Cycle Trend (“FCT”) strategy developed by an affiliate of the Adviser, 3Fourteen Research, LLC (“3Fourteen”). The FCT strategy is based on a proprietary model developed by 3Fourteen that selects stocks based on quality stock screens and trend factors such as return on capital and cash flow stability, earnings growth, return on investment, momentum, linear regression and trend analysis. The FCT strategy is used to create a model portfolio of stocks, which is published in a monthly newsletter issued by 3Fourteen and is available to subscribers to 3Fourteen’s newsletter, including the Adviser. The model portfolio is used by the Adviser to create the Fund’s portfolio of stocks. Each month, when the FCT model portfolio is updated, the Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced and the Adviser will use its discretion regarding additional rebalancing during the month. At the Adviser’s discretion, the implementation of the FCT strategy and the model portfolio with respect to the Fund may or may not vary from 3Fourteen’s published version of the model portfolio in the following ways: the number of securities owned, the security types, and the timing of buys and sells for the Fund. Potential reasons for deviation from the model may include, but are not limited to, compliance to concentration limits imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), and atypical volatility of a stock immediately after the model has been published.
The Fund seeks to identify and hold stocks that the Adviser believes can outperform the S&P 500 over the entire market cycle (i.e. a period including both a bull market and a bear market).The Adviser believes that FCT’s systematic investment approach may generate returns that exceed the return of the S&P 500, and achieve the Fund’s investment objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation, and constantly monitors the performance of its universe of individual stocks and invests the Fund’s assets into the stocks deemed to be most attractive at the time of analysis.
The Fund’s investment strategies may involve active and frequent trading resulting in high portfolio turnover.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
As with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
Equity Securities Risk. There is no guarantee that any favorable past performance of stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio will continue, and such stocks may experience significant declines in value over short and longer time periods. Companies that issue these stocks may experience lower than expected returns or may experience negative growth, as well as increased leverage, resulting in lower than expected or negative returns to Fund shareholders. Many factors can affect a stock’s quality and performance, and the impact of these factors on a stock or its price can be difficult to predict. The Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s stocks may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments and adversely affect the Fund’s performance. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.
Stock Market Risk. Overall stock market risks may affect the value of the Fund. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, pandemics, natural disasters, and political events affect the securities markets. Movements in the stock market may affect adversely the specific securities held by the Fund on a daily basis, and, as a result, such movements may negatively affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”). When the value of the Fund’s investments decrease, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Model Portfolio and Management Risk 3Fourteen Research relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of components of the Fund’s strategy, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser can offer assurances that 3Fourteen Research’s calculation methodology or sources of information used to formulate the strategy to construct the model portfolio will provide an accurate assessment of included components. The Fund is subject to management risk as an actively-managed investment portfolio. As the Fund’s Adviser has the discretion to not fully replicate the Model Portfolio, it is subject to the risk that the investment strategy may not produce the intended results. The Adviser’s investment approach may fail to produce the intended results. If the Adviser’s perception of a stock’s value is not realized in the expected time frame, the Fund’s overall performance may suffer.
Performance Deviation Risk. Because of the Adviser’s timing of investing the Fund’s portfolio, there may be risk with respect to correlation of the Fund’s performance with the performance of the model portfolio. The Fund’s portfolio may from time to time deviate from the model portfolio. Further, the timing of cash flows for the Fund, changes in the model portfolio, the weightings of the securities included in the model portfolio in the Fund and the effect of expenses applicable to the Fund which are not applicable to the model portfolio also may cause the Fund’s performance to deviate from the performance of the model portfolio. If the Adviser does not invest the Fund in securities of the model at same time and in the same weights, there may be a deviation in the Fund’s performance.
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Large-Capitalization Stock Risk. Investments in large-capitalization company stocks individually or as a group could fall out of favor with the equity markets, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on mid- or small-capitalization company stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to changing demographics, market challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.
Issuer Risk. The performance of the Fund depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.
Volatility Risk. Equity securities such as stocks tend to be more volatile than other investment choices. The value of an individual stock can be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility can affect the value of the Fund’s shares.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy involves active trading and will result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.
Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is non-diversified, the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause a Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and have a greater impact on such Funds’ performance.
Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund and its service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cybersecurity that may cause the Fund to lose or compromise confidential information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which may cause the Fund’s investments in such companies to lose value. There is no guarantee the Fund will be successful in protecting against cybersecurity breaches.
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’s investment strategy may require it to redeem Shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. 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 recognize a capital gain 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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New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.
New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an ETF, however an affiliate of the Adviser has experience managing actively managed mutual funds with a similar investment strategy.
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 (844) FCTE-ETF or (844) 328-3383.
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”), 4400 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203, is the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Tidal Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Adviser’s Portfolio Managers: Warren Pies, E.R.P., Co-Senior Portfolio Manager, Mark Biller, Co-Senior Portfolio Manager, Eric Collier, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager, Anthony Ayers, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager, and Fernando Vidal, Co-Portfolio Manager, have been portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception in 2024.
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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 5,000 Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. You can purchase and sell individual Shares of the Fund throughout the trading day like any publicly traded security. The Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange (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). Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s Shares are not redeemable securities.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case withdrawals from the arrangement will be taxed.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS
The SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
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 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is actively managed and typically owns 20 domestic stocks that are normally included in the S&P 500. The stocks are chosen using the FCT strategy developed by an affiliate of the Adviser, 3Fourteen Research. The FCT strategy is based on a proprietary model developed by 3Fourteen that selects stocks based on quality stock screens and trend factors such as return on capital and cash flow stability, earnings growth, return on investment, momentum, linear regression and trend analysis. The FCT strategy is used to create a model portfolio of stocks, which is published in a monthly newsletter issued by 3Fourteen and is available to subscribers to 3Fourteen’s newsletter, including the Adviser. The model portfolio is used by the Adviser to create the Fund’s portfolio of stocks. Each month, when the FCT model portfolio is updated, the Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced and the Adviser will use its discretion regarding additional rebalancing during the month. At the Adviser’s discretion, the implementation of the FCT strategy and the model portfolio with respect to the Fund may or may not vary from 3Fourteen Research’s published version of the model portfolio in the following ways: the number of securities owned, the security types, and the timing of buys and sells for the Fund. Potential reasons for deviation from the model may include, but are not limited to, compliance to concentration limits imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), and atypical volatility of a stock immediately after the model has been published.
The Full-Cycle Trend strategy developed by 3Fourteen Research combines proprietary quality screens and trend factors to select a portfolio of stocks that 3Fourteen Research believes will outperform the S&P 500. The foundation of this strategy is a proprietary model that focuses on return on capital and cash flow stability throughout the full market cycle. High return on capital coupled with low cashflow volatility across multiple years of operation are the highest weightings within the Fund’s quality screen. The Full-Cycle Trend strategy also considers a stock’s earnings growth, return on investment, and momentum. Each month the model is used to determine which stocks remain in the model portfolio, which stocks should be sold, and which new stocks should be purchased as replacements for existing stocks in the model portfolio. Each month, this screen is used to identify the 100 highest quality stocks according to these proprietary quality metrics.
These 100 high quality stocks are then ranked using proprietary measures such as momentum (the sum of the rates of change in price movement of a stock over more than one period of time to help determine the strength of a trend), trend breadth (a technical indicator that measures the number of stocks increasing in price compared to those decreasing in price) and regression analysis (a statistical method estimating the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables, used to assess the strength of the relationship between them), which are used to determine the strength and breadth of each stock’s uptrend (a price increase over time, with each successive peak and trough being higher than previous peaks and troughs), and the top 20 stocks are selected for the model portfolio.
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The Fund seeks to identify and hold stocks that the Adviser believes can outperform the S&P 500 over the entire market cycle (i.e. a period including both a bull market and a bear market). The Adviser believes that FCT’s systematic investment approach may generate returns that exceed the return of the S&P 500, and achieve the Fund’s investment objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation, and constantly monitors the performance of its universe of individual stocks and invests the Fund’s assets into the stocks deemed to be most attractive at the time of analysis. The Adviser seeks to deliver stocks that it intends to sell as part of its redemption in-kind trading process to reduce capital gains for the Fund.
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.
The Fund’s investment selections will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Adviser reserves the right to override the Fund’s investment models. In addition, the Fund’s Sub-Adviser will only be responsible for handling the day-to-day management of the Fund’s trading process and managing the creation and redemption trading process for the Fund.
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.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
Equity Securities Risk. There is no guarantee that any favorable past performance of stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio will continue, and such stocks may experience significant declines in value over short and longer time periods. Companies that issue these stocks may experience lower than expected returns or may experience negative growth, as well as increased leverage, resulting in lower than expected or negative returns to Fund shareholders. Many factors can affect a stock’s quality and performance, and the impact of these factors on a stock or its price can be difficult to predict. The Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s stocks may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response, and adversely affect the Fund’s performance. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.
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Stock Market Risk. Overall stock market risks may affect the value of the Fund. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, pandemics, natural disasters, and political events affect the securities markets. Movements in the stock market may affect adversely the specific securities held by the Fund on a daily basis, and, as a result, such movements may negatively affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”). When the value of the Fund’s investments decrease, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Model Portfolio and Management Risk. 3Fourteen Research, LLC relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of components of the Fund’s strategy, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser can offer assurances that 3Fourteen Research, LL’s calculation methodology or sources of information used to formulate the strategy to construct the model portfolio will provide an accurate assessment of included components. The Fund is subject to management risk as an actively-managed investment portfolio. As the Fund’s Adviser has the discretion to not fully replicate the Model Portfolio, it is subject to the risk that the investment strategy may not produce the intended results. The Adviser’s investment approach may fail to produce the intended results. If the Adviser’s perception of a stock’s value is not realized in the expected time frame, the Fund’s overall performance may suffer.
Performance Deviation Risk. Because of the Adviser’s timing of investing the Fund’s portfolio, there may be risk with respect to correlation of the Fund’s performance with the performance of the model portfolio. The Fund’s portfolio may from time to time deviate from the model portfolio. Further, the timing of cash flows for the Fund, changes in the model portfolio, the weightings of the securities included in the model portfolio in the Fund and the effect of expenses applicable to the Fund which are not applicable to the model portfolio also may cause the Fund’s performance to deviate from the performance of the model portfolio. If the Adviser does not invest the Fund in securities of the model at same time and in the same weights, there may be a deviation in the Fund’s performance.
Large-Capitalization Stock Risk. Investments in large-capitalization company stocks individually or as a group could fall out of favor with the equity markets, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on mid- or small-capitalization company stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to changing demographics, market challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.
Issuer Risk. The performance of the Fund depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.
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Volatility Risk. Equity securities tend to be more volatile than other investment choices. The value of an individual stock can be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility can affect the value of the Fund’s shares.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy involves active trading and will result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.
Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is non-diversified, the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause a Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and have a greater impact on such Funds’ performance.
Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund and its service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cybersecurity that may cause the Fund to lose or compromise confidential information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which may cause the Fund’s investments in such companies to lose value. There is no guarantee the Fund will be successful in protecting against cybersecurity breaches.
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. |
● | Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy may require it to redeem Shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. 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 recognize a capital gain 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. |
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● | 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. |
New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.
New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an ETF, however an affiliate of the Adviser has experience managing actively managed mutual funds.
MANAGEMENT
The Investment Adviser. 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”), 4400 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203 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 limited liability company and was organized in Indiana.
The Adviser is a joint venture between 3Fourteen Research, LLC, and SMI Advisory Services, LLC and was formed in 2024. The Adviser is controlled by both 3Fourteen Research, LLC and SMI Advisory Services, LLC. The Adviser does not pay an advisory fee or a research licensing fee to 3Fourteen Research for the Full-Cycle Trend strategy or the model portfolio. 3Fourteen Research, LLC and SMI Advisory Services, LLC each receive a portion of the profits from the Adviser.
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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; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Board; and (iii) is responsible for oversight of the Sub-Adviser. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at the rate of 0.89%.
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.
The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Tidal Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for handling the day-to-day management of the Fund’s trading process, which includes Creation and/or Redemption basket processing. The Sub-Adviser does not select investments for the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser, which has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758, provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a sub-advisory fee by the Adviser. See the Fund’s statement of additional information (“SAI”) for a description of the Sub-Adviser’s fee.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s annual report for the period ending December 31, 2024.
The Portfolio Manager
Adviser’s Portfolio Managers – The Fund is managed by the Adviser’s portfolio management team. The individual members of the team are responsible for managing the day-to-day investment operations of the Fund, subject to the ultimate decision-making authority over all portfolio decisions and trading practices by the Senior Portfolio Manager.
Warren Pies, E.R.P., Co-Senior Portfolio Manager.
Mr. Pies is a co-founder of the Adviser and is also the founder of the Adviser’s co-owner, 3Fourteen Research.
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At 3Fourteen, Warren is the lead author and strategist. His research combines proprietary fundamental, technical and macro indicators to identify major investment themes and market trends affecting capital markets. Warren works closely with a team of analysts, data scientists, and developers whose expertise ranges from machine learning, time series analysis, and application development.
Prior to founding 3Fourteen Research, Warren led Ned Davis Research’s Energy and Commodity strategy. In that role, he built the firm’s commodity-related studies, models, and unique indicators.
Warren is a frequent contributor to the media including participating in the 2013 Barron’s MLP Roundtable discussion, the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg and RealVision. In 2014, Euromoney Institutional Investor awarded Warren the Padraic Fallon award for his research on the Shale Revolution. Outside of the research world, Warren has worked as a practicing attorney specializing in regulatory approvals for various industrial activities and projects. He has also owned, operated, and sold a portfolio of self-storage properties to a national REIT.
He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Warren is an Energy Risk Professional – Certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals.
Mark Biller, Co-Senior Portfolio Manager.
Mr. Biller is a co-founder of the Adviser and is also a co-founder of the Adviser’s co-owner, SMI Advisory Services.
At SMI Advisory Services, Mr. Biller has served as senior portfolio manager of the entire family of SMI Funds since their creation in 2005. He played a key role in the design and creation of strategies followed by the various SMI Funds.
As senior portfolio manager, Mr. Biller has ultimate decision-making authority regarding all portfolio decisions and trading practices of the Sound Mind Investing Funds. His duties involve researching and selecting the Underlying Funds in which the Funds invest, upgrading the Funds’ investments in Underlying Funds and determining the overall allocation among style categories. In addition to his duties at the Adviser, Mr. Biller has been the Executive Editor of the Sound Mind Investing newsletter and online business for over 15 years. Mr. Biller’s writings on a broad range of financial and investment topics have been featured in a variety of national print and electronic media, and he has also appeared as a financial commentator for various national and local radio programs. The Sound Mind Investing newsletter was first published in 1990 and currently has many thousands of subscribers. Since it was first published 30 years ago, the newsletter has provided recommendations to tens of thousands of subscribers using a variety of investment strategies that are used by the Funds. Mr. Biller earned his B.S. in Finance from Oral Roberts University.
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Eric Collier, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager.
Mr. Collier is a co-founder of the Adviser and is also a co-founder of the Adviser’s co-owner, SMI Advisory Services.
At SMI Advisory Services, Mr. Collier has served as a co-portfolio manager of the entire family of SMI Funds since their creation in 2005. He was integral in the design and testing of the Dynamic Allocation and Bond Upgrading strategies utilized by the various SMI Funds.
Mr. Collier is a co-Portfolio Manager responsible for researching and selecting each Fund’s investments, determining overall allocation among style categories, and trading, subject to the ultimate decision-making authority of the Senior Portfolio Manager. In addition to his duties at the Adviser, Mr. Collier is a co-founder of Omnium Investment Company, LLC. At Omnium, he conducts analytical and quantitative research, and risk management. Prior to co-founding Omnium, Mr. Collier worked at Oxford Group, Ltd, a fee-only financial services firm. At Oxford Group, Mr. Collier provided investment advice to several high net-worth individuals concentrating on investment and financial planning strategies. Prior to that Mr. Collier was an Investment Analyst and Registered Investment Adviser Representative for Webb Financial Advisers, an investment advisory firm, from 1997 to 2000, where he was responsible for due diligence and manager selection on large cap growth and value securities, small cap growth and value securities, international cap securities, and fixed income securities. Mr. Collier graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Finance in 1998. He also studied at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands through the International Business Program at Indiana University. He has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation, and he is a member of the CFA Institute (formerly the Association for Investment Management and Research (“AIMR”)).
Anthony Ayers, CFA, Co-Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ayers is a co-founder of the Adviser and is also a co-founder of the Adviser’s co-owner, SMI Advisory Services. At SMI Advisory Services, Mr. Ayers has served as a co-portfolio manager of the entire family of SMI Funds since their creation in 2005. He was integral in the design and testing of the Dynamic Allocation and Bond Upgrading strategies utilized by the various SMI Funds. Mr. Ayers is a co-Portfolio Manager responsible for researching and selecting each Fund’s investments, determining overall allocation among style categories, and trading, subject to the ultimate decision-making authority of the Senior Portfolio Manager. In addition to his duties at the Adviser, Mr. Ayers is a co-founder of Omnium Investment Company, LLC. At Omnium, he also conducts analytical and quantitative research, and risk management. Mr. Ayers helped develop the Adviser’s risk management procedures and a proprietary daily risk management reporting system. Prior to co-founding Omnium, Mr. Ayers was an Investment Analyst at Oxford Group, Ltd., where he was responsible for performing manager searches and due diligence on various mutual fund portfolio managers specializing in large capitalized growth and value securities, small capitalized growth and value securities, international capitalized securities, and fixed income securities. Prior to that Mr. Ayers was a Senior Investment Representative for Charles Schwab, where he assisted high net-worth clients with developing and trading complex option strategies, hedging concentrated portfolios, constructing diversified investment portfolios, risk management, and making individual stock and mutual fund recommendations. Mr. Ayers graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Finance in 1996, and he is a CFA charter holder.
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Fernando Vidal, Co-Portfolio Manager.
Mr. Vidal is a co-founder of the Advisor and is also an owner of the advisor’s co-owner, 3Fourteen Research.
Prior to joining 3Fourteen Research, Fernando spent 7 years working as a quantitative analyst at Ned Davis Research’s consulting group conducting research, building and testing models and studies for institutional investors. Following his work at Ned Davis Research, he spent 6 years founding and leading a Data Science team at SauceLabs, a VC-backed fast growing market leader in software testing based out of San Francisco. His team worked on AI and Machine Learning applications involving large-scale time series analysis and classification models.
At 3Fourteen Research, Fernando leads the model development process and brings machine learning research into the mix of qualitative analysis and quantitative rigor. His many years of experience implementing machine learning models at scale has provided him a combination of healthy skepticism and deep appreciation for how these techniques can add value to the investment process.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ 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.3fourteensmi.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.
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DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Service Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year for certain distribution-related activities and shareholder services.
No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
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 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 of the Fund are traded under the trading symbol FTCE. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading.
When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
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, a Fund generally values 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.
Fair value pricing is used by a 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 a Fund’s NAV is calculated. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
Authorized Participants (“APs”) may acquire shares directly from the Fund and may tender their shares for redemption directly to the Fund, at NAV per share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of at least 5,000 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 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 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 in-kind redemptions. However, the Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds to an AP in cash. 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 Authorized Participants, and the vast majority of trading in shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the 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 a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that shares trade at or close to NAV. The 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 a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Shares.
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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 by the Fund. In-kind Creation Unit trade arrangements are designed to protect Fund shareholders from the adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions. The Fund expects to typically satisfy Creation Unit redemptions in-kind but, if necessary, will do so in cash. Cash Unit redemptions may result in the Fund selling portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net Fund redemptions which can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the Fund, whereas the shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.
Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by the Fund. The Fund will distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with U.S. federal income 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.
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.
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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” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements), if any, generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax for U.S non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those requirements 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 requirements. 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.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
By law, the Fund is required to backup withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (which generally is a Social Security number for individuals) in the required manner and in certain other situations.
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Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of shares may be limited.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any cash it pays. An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax adviser with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.
If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Taxes” in the SAI for a description of the requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to share redemptions and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current U.S. federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser 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 and other 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 and transfer agent 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.
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.
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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.3fourteensmi.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 June 26, 2024, 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 SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at (844)-328-3383, by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.3fourteensmi.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 e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
(Investment Company Act File No. 811-23439)
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SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF
Ticker: FCTE
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
844-328-3383
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dated June 26, 2024
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus for the Fund dated June 26, 2024 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 SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at 844-328-3383 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.3fourteensmi.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.
Investment Adviser:
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC
4400 Ray Boll Blvd.
Columbus, Indiana 47203
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE TRUST
General. This SAI relates to SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend 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 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the sub-adviser to the Fund is Tidal Investments, LLC (the “Sub-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 5,000 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 |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF | FCTE | 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
The Fund is a non-diversified, active fund that typically owns 20 stocks that are usually domestic and usually from the S&P 500. The stocks are chosen using a “Full-Cycle Trend” strategy. The FCT strategy is used to create a model portfolio of stocks developed by an affiliate of the Adviser, 3Fourteen Research, LLC (“3Fourteen Research”).
The Advisor believes the Full-Cycle Trend’s systematic investment approach can generate superior returns by constantly monitoring the performance of its universe of individual stocks and standing ready to move assets into the securities deemed by the Advisor to be most attractive at the time of analysis.
The FCT strategy developed by 3Fourteen Research selects stocks based on proprietary Quality screens and Trend factors that may include, but are not limited to, cash flow, earnings growth, return on investment, momentum, linear regression and trend analysis. Each month the model is used to determine which stocks remain in the Fund’s portfolio, which stocks should be sold, and which new stocks should be purchased as replacements.
Equity Securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations.
Common Stocks. Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the company’s board of directors.
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Large Capitalization Stocks. Investments in large capitalization securities as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization securities. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies.
Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, which is a class of capital stock that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets. Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights.
Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common dividends. A passed dividend on non-cumulative preferred stock is generally extinguished. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from non-participating preferred, which is limited to the stipulated dividend.
Adjustable rate preferred stock pays a dividend that is adjustable, usually quarterly, based on changes in the Treasury bill rate or other money market rates.
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity securities, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other equity securities). As with other fixed income securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a fixed income stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and therefore may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, the price of a convertible security may be greater than the value of the underlying common stock.
Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are receipts typically issued in the United States by a bank or trust company evidencing ownership of an underlying foreign security. The Fund may invest in ADRs which are structured by a U.S. bank without the sponsorship of the underlying foreign issuer. In addition to the risks of foreign investment applicable to the underlying securities, such unsponsored ADRs may also be subject to the risks that the foreign issuer may not be obligated to cooperate with the U.S. bank, may not provide additional financial and other information to the bank or the investor, or that such information in the U.S. market may not be current.
Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants. A warrant gives the right to buy a stock and specifies the amount of the underlying stock, the purchase (or “exercise”) price, and the date the warrant expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.
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Foreign Securities. To the extent that a Fund has exposure to foreign equity or fixed income securities, it will be subject to certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in domestic securities. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.
Securities trading on overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market, but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders.
To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will only do so in the form of ADRs (i.e., American Depositary Receipts).
Cash and Cash Equivalents . 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, repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities and corporate bonds or notes that mature in one year or less.
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.
Repurchase Agreements. As a means of earning income for periods as short as overnight, the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. government securities. The Fund may enter into repurchase commitments for investment purposes for periods of 30 days or more. Such commitments involve investment risks similar to those of the debt securities in which the Fund invests. Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a security, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase that security at a specified time and price. A purchase of securities under a repurchase agreement is considered to be a loan by the Fund. The Fund’s Sub-Adviser monitors the value of the collateral to ensure that its value always equals or exceeds the repurchase price and also monitors the financial condition of the seller of the repurchase agreement. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to dispose of the securities held as collateral may be impaired and the Fund may incur extra costs. Repurchase agreements for periods in excess of seven days may be deemed to be illiquid. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
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Illiquid Securities. In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), the Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in “illiquid investments.” For this purpose, the term "illiquid investments" are investments that the Fund cannot reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund may, however, hold an illiquid investment if it becomes illiquid after purchase. The Fund monitors the portion of its total assets that are invested in illiquid securities on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that the value of illiquid securities held by the Fund does not exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets.
The Fund must classify each portfolio investment at least monthly into one of four liquidity categories (highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid and illiquid), which are defined pursuant to the Liquidity Rule. Such classification is to be made using information obtained after reasonable inquiry and taking into account relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations. Moreover, in making such classification determinations, the Fund determines whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class, in sizes that the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, is reasonably expected to significantly affect its liquidity, and if so, the Fund takes this determination into account when classifying the liquidity of that investment. The Fund may be assisted in classification determinations by one or more third-party service providers. Investments classified according to this process as “illiquid investments” are those subject to the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
The Fund has a liquidity risk management program designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. The program has been approved by the Board, which has also approved the appointment of a liquidity program administrator (the “LPA”). The LPA is responsible for oversight of the Fund’s liquidity risk management efforts, including classifying the liquidity of each Fund investment, ensuring the Fund holds no more than 15% of net asset value in illiquid investments, and reporting to the Board regarding the effectiveness and operation of the liquidity risk management program.
Temporary Investments. The Fund may take temporary defensive measures that are inconsistent with the Fund’s normal fundamental or non–fundamental investment policies and strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions as determined by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Such measures could include, but are not limited to, investments in (1) highly liquid short–term fixed income securities issued by or on behalf of municipal or corporate issuers, obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, commercial paper, and bank certificates of deposit; (2) repurchase agreements involving any such securities; and (3) other money market instruments. The Fund may also invest in shares of money market mutual funds to the extent permitted under applicable law. Money market mutual funds are investment companies, and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions. As a shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear their ratable share of their expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Adviser, with respect to assets so invested. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective during temporary defensive periods.
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.
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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.
Cybersecurity Risk. Investment companies, such as the Fund, and its 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.
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.
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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.
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:
1. | May not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction. |
2. | May not issue any senior securities to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction. |
3. | May not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent 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. |
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5. | May not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction. |
6. | May not make loans to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction. |
7. | May invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund. |
If a percentage or rating restriction on an investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in such percentages or restrictions resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Currently, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified, 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.
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MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Investment Adviser. 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”), 4400 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203, 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 limited liability company and was organized in Indiana in 2024.
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 0.89%, 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.
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The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Tidal Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758. The Sub-Adviser was established in 2012 and provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. No outside companies or individuals currently own more than 25% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights. Over 50% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights are with employee-members.
Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Adviser is responsible for trading portfolio securities for the Fund, including selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale transactions, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board. For the services it provides for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser is compensated by the Adviser from the management fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser’s fee, which is calculated daily and payable monthly as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at the following annual rate: 0.04% on the first $500 million in assets; and 0.035% on assets over $500 million, subject to $25,000 annual minimum fee.
Portfolio Manager. As described in the prospectus, Warren Pies, Mark Biller, Eric Collier, Anthony Ayers and Fernando Vidal serve as the Fund’s Portfolio Managers and are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund. In addition to the Fund, the Portfolio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The information below is provided as of March 31, 2024:
Portfolio Manager |
Other Registered Investment Company Accounts |
Assets Managed ($ millions) |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts |
Assets Managed ($ millions) |
Other Accounts |
Assets Managed ($ millions) |
Total Assets Managed ($ millions) |
Warren Pies, E.R.P. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Mark Biller |
3 |
231 |
0 |
0 |
1,005 |
569 |
800 |
Eric Collier, CFA |
3 |
231 |
0 |
0 |
1,005 |
569 |
800 |
Anthony Ayers, CFA |
3 |
231 |
0 |
0 |
1,005 |
569 |
800 |
Fernando Vidal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Conflicts of Interests. A 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 a Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include a Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.
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Compensation. The Portfolio Managers do not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser for their services as Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Managers’ compensation is based solely on the overall financial operating results of the Adviser. The Portfolio Managers’ 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 Manager’s 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.
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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”).
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.
Distribution Plan
The Trust has adopted a distribution and shareholder service plan (the “Plan”) with respect to the Fund in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, which regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. There is no current intention to charge such fees pursuant to the Plan. Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan (“Qualified Trustees”). The Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount that may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Qualified Trustees.
The Plan provides that the Fund may pay the Distributor or certain other parties an annual fee of up to a maximum of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Shares. Under the Plan, the Distributor or the Fund may make payments pursuant to written agreements to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies including, without limit, investment counselors, broker-dealers and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “Agents”) as compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance. The Plan is characterized as a compensation plan since the distribution fee will be paid to the Distributor or other parties without regard to the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor or other parties or the amount of payments made to other financial institutions and intermediaries. The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution related services. The Trust intends to operate the Plan in accordance with its terms and with FINRA rules concerning sales charges.
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Under the Plan, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund of the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) payments to the Trust’s distributor (the “Distributor”) and to securities dealers and others in respect of the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(b) payment of compensation to and expenses of personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Shares of the Fund or who render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, administrator, or custodian, including but not limited to, answering inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, providing personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, providing other shareholder liaison services, responding to shareholder inquiries, providing information on shareholder investments in the Shares of the Fund, and providing such other distribution and shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably request, arranging for bank wires, assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in the Fund, forwarding communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders, processing purchase, exchange, and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers;
(c) formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising;
(d) | preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature; |
(e) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Trust for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Trust;
(f) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund;
(g) obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.
The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above, and in any other activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan.
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.
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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 Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115..
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
Trustees and Officers. The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trust’s activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the 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, YEAR OF BIRTH 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 1955 Trustee |
Indefinite, Since December, 2019 | Dean Emeritus (since 2023) and Professor of Marketing (since 2013), Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University. | 49 | Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty-two series of that trust. |
Mary Lou H. Ivey 1958 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. | 49 | Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty-two series of that trust. |
Theo H. Pitt, Jr. 1936 Trustee |
Indefinite, Since December, 2019 | Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) since 1997. | 49 |
Independent Trustee of Chesapeake Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Hillman Capital Management Investment Trust; World Funds Trust for the twenty-two series of that trust; and Starboard Investment Trust for the ten series of that trust; (all registered investment companies). |
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OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES
NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST | TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS |
David Bogaert 1964 President |
Indefinite, Since December 2019 | Managing Director of Business Development, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (fund administration), October 2013 – present. |
Thomas A. Carter 1966 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 1964 Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer |
Indefinite, Since December 2019 | Managing Director of Fund Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present. |
Ann T. MacDonald 1955 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 1969 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 1962 Assistant Secretary |
Indefinite, Since December 2019 |
Managing Director, Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 to present. |
Laura Wright 1973 Assistant Secretary |
Indefinite, Since July 2022 | Manager, Fund Administration, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., August 2023 to present, Fund Administrator, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2016 to 2023. |
J. Stephen King 1963 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 1968 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 1966 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 1969 Assistant Chief Compliance Officer |
Indefinite, Since March 2023 |
Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting firm) since March 2007. |
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.
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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 eight times during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter, which is described in Exhibit C – the charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one time during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee receives, investigates, and makes recommendations as to the appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees, or agents. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee did not meet during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
Trustee Compensation.
Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust receives compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Prior to January 1, 2024, each Trustee received a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $12,000, paid quarterly. Effective January 1, 2024, each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $54,000, paid quarterly. The Independent Chairperson receives an additional annual fee of $5,000, paid quarterly. Additionally, each Trustee receives 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:
Name of Trustee (Non- Interested Trustee) |
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 | $2,160 | $0 | $0 | $2,160 |
Mary Lou H. Ivey | $2,360 | $0 | $0 | $2,360 |
Theo H. Pitt, Jr. | $2,160 | $0 | $0 | $2,160 |
(1) The "Fund Complex" consists of the Fund and all series of the Trust that are managed by the Adviser.
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, 2023, and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.
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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 844-328-3383; and (2) on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to 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.
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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. 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.
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 Valuation Designee (as defined below). Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.
Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to methodologies established by the Board. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) approved by the Board based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost when it 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 Valuation Designee (as defined below). Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, the mean between bid and asked prices quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or by the Valuation Designee (as defined below) or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.
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Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service approved by the Board to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the 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 (as defined below). 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.
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.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. As a general principle, the fair value of a security or other asset is the price that would be received upon the sale of the security or asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and time. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation designee (“Valuation Designee”) for the Fund to perform fair value determinations relating to all Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through a fair valuation committee, and may apply fair valuation methodologies approved by the Board, or utilize prices or inputs from pricing services, quotation reporting systems, valuation agents and other third-party sources that have been approved by the Board.
Fair valuation may require subjective determinations about the value of a security. While the Fund’s and Valuation Designee’s policies and procedures are intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Fund cannot ensure that fair values accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by the Fund may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold.
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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 Trust will 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 the Fund’s portfolio, plus a cash amount (an “In Kind Creation” and “In Kind Redemption”). At the discretion of the Adviser, the Fund may elect at any time, and from time to time, that 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”).
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.
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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.
The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”) (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time), as long as they are in proper form. If an order to purchase Creation Units is received in proper form by Closing Time, then it will be processed that day. Purchase orders received in proper form after Closing Time will be processed on the following Business Day and will be priced at the NAV determined on that day. Custom orders must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date. In the case of an In Kind Creation, a custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below in the sections entitled “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”
All orders to create Creation Units from investors who are not Authorized Participants shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of 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.
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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”).
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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 kind, 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”).
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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 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 that 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 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, 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 should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares by the partnership.
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 “ Code”). There can be no assurance that it will so qualify. 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 Code Section 7704. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.
If a RIC fails the Income Test and such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, generally it will not be subject to the 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.
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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 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 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 U.S. federal income tax rate (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 intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of its 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.
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 accrued OID will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed below) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the Distribution Test, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the accrued income.
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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 Distribution Test or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate U.S. federal 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 preferential 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 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 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 to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or REITs or (ii) in the case of individual U.S. shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at preferential rates 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. 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 were 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 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 advisers with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the Shares 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 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 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. Both long-term and short-term capital gain of U.S. corporations are taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate U.S. taxpayers, short-term capital gain is taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally is 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 Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of Shares 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 Code Section 351, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund 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 advisers 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.
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The Fund is required to report its shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period for Shares to the IRS on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s.
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’s standing tax lot identification method is the method 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 Shares.
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. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 generally are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).
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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.
Some debt obligations 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 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, it 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, its 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 RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
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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.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt U.S. shareholder could recognize unrelated business taxable business income (“UBTI”) by virtue of its investment in the Fund if Shares constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt U.S. shareholder within the meaning of 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 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 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 own tax advisers 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.
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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 it meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations.
Non-U.S. Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a Non-U.S. shareholder are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.
A RIC is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a Non-U.S. shareholder (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the Non-U.S. shareholdern is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the Non-U.S. shareholder and the Non-U.S. shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual Non-U.S. shareholder, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual Non-U.S. shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (“USRPIs”) as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the RIC (“Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends”). If the Fund invests in an underlying fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to Non-U.S. shareholders.
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).
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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.
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.
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A Non-U.S. shareholder may be subject to U.S. state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax referred to above.
Backup Withholding. The Fund generally is required to backup withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury Department 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.
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 and (ii) possibly in the future, certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Shares 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.
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 is being prepared, various administrative and legislative changes to the U.S. federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer's mark up or reflect a dealer's mark down. When the 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.
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In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates. The Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the 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 or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the 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 or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.
To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser under their respective advisory agreements. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.
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In some cases the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.
From time to time, the 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 or the Sub-Adviser with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research "credits" in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).
Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Fund, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the 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.3fourteensmi.com) certain information relating to the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Fund’s next net asset value per share calculation.
In addition, certain information may also be made available to certain parties:
● | Communications of Data Files: The 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 Fund’s website after the close of markets in the U.S. |
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● | 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 the 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 the Fund’s transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with the disclosure in the Fund’s 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 Fund 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 Fund’s website. |
● | Third-Party Service Providers: Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to the Trustees and their counsel, outside counsel for the Fund, 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 Fund, the terms of the current registration statement and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. |
● | The 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.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares into one or more series of shares. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further authorizes the trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes. The Trust’s shares of beneficial interest have no par value.
The Fund is authorized to issue one class of shares imposing no front-end or deferred sales charges.
Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the applicable prospectus, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual fund, shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the particular fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective fund, of any general assets of the Trust not belonging to any particular fund which are available for distribution.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share held and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except as otherwise expressly required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular class. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate of the Trust’s outstanding shares may elect all of the trustees, irrespective of the votes of other shareholders.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each fund in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the fund. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment management agreement or any change in an investment objective, if fundamental, or in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such fund. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series or class.
The Trust does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 25% of the Trust’s shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.
The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trust’s shares as the Board may deem desirable. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust to merge or to consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust or to sell or exchange all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, in dissolution of the Trust, or any series or class thereof. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust by the Trustees without shareholder approval. However, the exercise of such authority by the Board without shareholder approval may be subject to certain restrictions or limitations under the 1940 Act.
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PROXY VOTING
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the 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.
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 844-328-3383 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235; and (2) on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Administrator have each adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
FINANCIAL 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.
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
Telephone: 844-328-3383
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EXHIBIT A
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders.
Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisers
The Board believes that the investment adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of each Fund (each an “Adviser”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Adviser of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.
The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Adviser shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Adviser shall perform these duties in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Adviser shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.
Conflict of Interest Transactions
In some instances, an Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and those of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such case, the Adviser is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Adviser has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders’ best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Adviser of its final decision on the matter and the Adviser shall vote in accordance with the Board’s decision.
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Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders
If a Fund has a website, the Fund may post a copy of its Adviser’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
Each Adviser shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as adviser, to the Trust’s administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trust’s administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31st of each year.
Adopted: December 4, 2019
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EXHIBIT B
3FOURTEEN & SMI ADVISORY SERVICES
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
A. | Policy |
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders.
In the 3FourteenSMI (“SMI”) family of funds, SMI as a matter of policy, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients and typically votes in favor of management.
When SMI votes the proxies of its investment company clients, it will vote those proxies in the best interest of its clients and in accordance with the policy and procedures contained in this document.
Clients are not allowed to direct proxy votes.
Clients will be given a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures upon request.
B. | Proxy Voting Procedures |
Form N-PX/Annual Report of Proxy Voting Record:
Form N-PX is used by Funds to file reports with the SEC containing the Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30. The Form must be filed using Extensible Markup Language (XML) not later than August 31 of each year. Form N-PX must employ the same language employed in an issuer’s form of proxy to identify proxy voting matters, presented in the same order employed in an issuer’s form of proxy, and categorize the subject matter of each of the reported proxy voting matters using the following list of 14 specified categories:
1. | Director Elections |
2. | Section 14A |
3. | Audit-Related |
4. | Investment Company Matters |
5. | Shareholder Rights and Defenses |
6. | Extraordinary Transactions |
7. | Capital Structure |
8. | Compensation |
9. | Corporate Governance |
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10. | Environment or Climate |
11. | Human Rights or Human Capital/Workforce |
12. | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
13. | Other Social Issues |
14. | Other |
Form N-PX requires each series of a multi-series trust to present its complete voting record separately from other series. Each registered fund must also disclose that its proxy voting record is publicly available on (or through) its website and available upon request, free of charge. The following information must be collected separately for each Fund in order to complete and file Form N- PX:
1. | The name of the issuer of the portfolio security; |
2. | The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security; |
3. | The CUSIP number (may be omitted if not available through reasonably practicable means); |
4. | The shareholder meeting date; |
5. | A brief description of the matter voted on; |
6. | Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or the security holder; |
7. | Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter; |
8. | The number of shares that were voted or instructed to be cast, as well as the number of shares loaned but not recalled and, therefore, not used to vote by the fund. |
9. | How the Fund cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors and certain executive compensation matters); and |
10. | Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management. |
Process for Voting:
All proxies received by SMI for the SMI family of Funds will be sent to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The CCO will:
● | Keep a record of each proxy received, |
● | Determine which accounts managed by SMI holds the security to which the proxy relates, |
● | Determine how SMI should vote the proxy, |
● | Complete the proxy vote and submit it in a timely and appropriate manner, |
● | Complete a Form N-PX Report at least 30 days prior to August 31, review the Adviser’s corporate action records to determine whether any proxy votes were cast on behalf of the Fund for which reports were not filed. If unreported votes are discovered, the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer shall determine the reason and provide supporting documentation. |
● | Compile all Form N-PX Reports submitted for the 12-month period ended June 30 and complete Form N-PX. |
● | Send the completed Form N-PX to the Administrator who shall file Form N-PX with the SEC. |
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● | Provide quarterly certifications with respect to its adherence to its proxy voting and exemptive order policies and procedures. |
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SMI may retain a third party to assist it in coordinating and voting proxies with respect to client securities. If so, the Compliance Officer shall monitor the third party to assure that all proxies are being properly voted and appropriate records are being retained.
C. | Voting Guidelines |
When voting, SMI will generally vote:
● | In favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals, including election of directors (where no corporate governance issues are implicated), selection of auditors, and increases in or reclassification of common stock. |
● | Against proposals that make it more difficult to replace members of the issuer’s board of directors, including proposals to stagger the board, cause management to be overrepresented on the board, introduce cumulative voting, introduce unequal voting rights, and create supermajority voting. |
For other proposals, SMI shall take best efforts to determine whether a proposal is in the best interest of its clients and may take into account the following factors, among others:
● | Whether the proposal was recommended by management and if applicable, consider SMI’s opinion of management; |
● | Whether the proposal acts to entrench existing management; and |
● | Whether the proposal fairly compensates management for past and future performance. |
Pursuant to Rule 12d1-4, Funds must mirror vote proposals on proxies issued by underlying investment companies in the event that the Fund and its advisory group (as defined in Rule 12d1-4) own more than 25% of the shares of any one investment company. Mirror voting means that the Fund votes its shares in the same proportion that all shares of the underlying investment company are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from Fund shareholders.
SMI reserves the right to add to these factors as it deems necessary in order to ensure that further categories of proposals are covered and that the general principles in determining how to vote all proxies are fully stated.
D. | Conflicts of Interest |
The CCO will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of SMI and its clients. This examination will include a review of the relationship of SMI and its affiliates with the issuer of each security [and any of the issuer’s affiliates] to determine if the issuer is a client of SMI or an affiliate of SMI or has some other relationship with SMI or a client of SMI.
If a material conflict exists, SMI will determine whether voting in accordance with the voting guidelines and factors described above is in the best interest of the client. SMI will also determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected Clients
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E. | Disclosure |
SMI will disclose in its Form ADV Part II that investment company clients may contact the Chief Compliance Officer, via e-mail in order to obtain information on how SMI voted such Client’s proxies, and to request a copy of these Proxy Voting policies and procedures. If a Client requests the voting record, the CCO will prepare a written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy that the Client has inquired about, (1) the name of the issuer; (2) the proposal voted upon and (3) how SMI voted the Client’s proxy.
A concise summary of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures will be included in SMI Form ADV Part II, and will be updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated. The CCO will arrange for a copy of this summary to be sent to all existing Clients, either as a separate mailing or along with a periodic account statement or other correspondence sent to Clients.
F. | Record Keeping |
The CCO will maintain files relating to SMI’s proxy voting procedures and votes. Records will be maintained and preserved for six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record. Records of the following will be included in the files:
● | Copies of these proxy voting policies and procedures and any amendments thereto. |
● | A copy of each proxy statement that SMI receives. SMI may also choose to have a third party retain a copy of the proxy statements, provided that third party undertakes to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request. |
● | A record of each vote that SMI casts. SMI may also rely on a third party to retain a copy of the votes cast, provided that third party undertakes to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request. |
● | Form N-PX Reports submitted for the 12-month period ended June 30 and complete Form N-PX. |
● | A copy of each written client request for information regarding how SMI voted such Client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response to any (written and oral) Client request for information on how SMI voted its proxy. |
● | Quarterly, the CCO will request and review an Audit Report from the Proxy Vote solicitor to ensure that all Proxy Votes solicitations were received and voted. |
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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
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 Private 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 Dividend 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. | Bitwise Funds Trust |
23. | Bluestone Community Development Fund |
24. | BondBloxx ETF Trust |
25. | Bramshill Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
26. | Bridgeway Funds, Inc. |
27. | Brinker Capital Destinations Trust |
28. | Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. |
29. | Build Funds Trust |
30. | Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund |
31. | Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund |
32. | Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund |
33. | Calamos ETF Trust |
34. | Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund |
35. | Calamos Global Total Return Fund |
36. | Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund |
37. | Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund |
38. | Cascade Private Capital Fund |
39. | Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund |
40. | Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
41. | Clifford Capital International Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
42. | Clifford Capital Partners Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
43. | Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund |
44. | Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund |
45. | Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc. |
46. | Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
47. | CornerCap Small-Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
48. | CrossingBridge Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
49. | Curasset Capital Management Core Bond Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
50. | Curasset Capital Management Limited Term Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
51. | CYBER HORNET S&P 500® and Bitcoin 75/25 Strategy ETF, Series of ONEFUND Trust |
52. | Davis Fundamental ETF Trust |
53. | Defiance Daily Short Digitizing the Economy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
54. | Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
55. | Defiance Israel Fixed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
56. | Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
57. | Defiance Next Gen H2 ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
58. | Defiance Quantum ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
59. | Denali Structured Return Strategy Fund |
60. | Direxion Funds |
61. | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
62. | Dividend Performers ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
63. | Dodge & Cox Funds |
64. | DoubleLine ETF Trust |
65. | DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund |
66. | DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund |
67. | DoubleLine Yield Opportunities Fund |
68. | DriveWealth ETF Trust |
69. | EIP Investment Trust |
70. | Ellington Income Opportunities Fund |
71. | ETF Opportunities Trust |
72. | Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund |
73. | Exchange Listed Funds Trust |
74. | FlexShares Trust |
75. | Forum Funds |
76. | Forum Funds II |
77. | Forum Real Estate Income Fund |
78. | Goose Hollow Enhanced Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
79. | Goose Hollow Multi-Strategy Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
80. | Goose Hollow Tactical Allocation ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
81. | Grayscale Future of Finance ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
82. | Gramercy Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
83. | Guinness Atkinson Funds |
84. | Harbor ETF Trust |
85. | Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
86. | Horizon Kinetics Energy and Remediation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
87. | Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
88. | Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
89. | Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
90. | IDX Funds |
91. | Innovator ETFs Trust |
92. | Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC |
93. | Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC |
94. | John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust |
95. | LDR Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
96. | Mairs & Power Balanced Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
97. | Mairs & Power Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
98. | Mairs & Power Minnesota Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
99. | Mairs & Power Small Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
100. | Manor Investment Funds |
101. | Milliman Variable Insurance Trust |
102. | Mindful Conservative ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
103. | Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
104. | Mohr Growth ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
105. | Mohr Industry Nav ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
106. | Mohr Sector Nav ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
107. | Morgan Stanley ETF Trust |
108. | Morningstar Funds Trust |
109. | Mutual of America Investment Corporation |
110. | NEOS ETF Trust |
111. | Niagara Income Opportunities Fund |
112. | North Square Investments Trust |
113. | OTG Latin American Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
114. | Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
115. | Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
116. | Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
117. | Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
118. | Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
119. | Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
120. | Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
121. | Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund |
122. | Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC |
123. | Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
124. | Performance Trust Short Term Bond ETF, 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. | Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
134. | Rareview Systematic Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
135. | Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
136. | Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds |
137. | Reynolds Funds, Inc. |
138. | RiverNorth Enhanced Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
139. | RiverNorth Patriot ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
140. | RMB Investors Trust |
141. | Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
142. | Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
143. | Roundhill Alerian LNG ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
144. | Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
145. | Roundhill Cannabis ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
146. | Roundhill ETF Trust |
147. | Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
148. | Roundhill S&P Global Luxury ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
149. | Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
150. | Roundhill Video Games ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
151. | Rule One Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
152. | Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
153. | Six Circles Trust |
154. | Sound Shore Fund, Inc. |
155. | SP Funds Trust |
156. | Sparrow Funds |
157. | Spear Alpha ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
158. | STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
159. | STF Tactical Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
160. | Strategic Trust |
161. | Strategy Shares |
162. | Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
163. | Syntax ETF Trust |
164. | Tekla World Healthcare Fund |
165. | Tema ETF Trust |
166. | Teucrium Agricultural Strategy No K-1 ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
167. | Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Agriculture Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
168. | Teucrium AiLA Long-Short Base Metals Strategy ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
169. | The 2023 ETF Series Trust |
170. | The 2023 ETF Series Trust II |
171. | The Community Development Fund |
172. | The Finite Solar Finance Fund |
173. | The Private Shares Fund |
174. | The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
175. | Third Avenue Trust |
176. | Third Avenue Variable Series Trust |
177. | Tidal ETF Trust |
178. | Tidal Trust II |
179. | TIFF Investment Program |
180. | Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
181. | Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
182. | Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
183. | Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
184. | Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
185. | Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Core Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
186. | Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
187. | Total Fund Solution |
188. | Touchstone ETF Trust |
189. | TrueShares Active Yield ETF, Series of Listed Funds 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. | Vest Bitcoin Strategy Managed Volatility Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
208. | Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
209. | Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
210. | Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
211. | Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
212. | Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust |
213. | VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
214. | VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
215. | VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
216. | VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
217. | VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
218. | VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
219. | VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
220. | VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
221. | VictoryShares International Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
222. | VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
223. | VictoryShares NASDAQ Next 50 ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
224. | VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
225. | VictoryShares THB Mid Cap ESG ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
226. | VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
227. | VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
228. | VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
229. | VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
230. | VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
231. | VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
232. | VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
233. | VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
234. | VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
235. | VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
236. | VictoryShares WestEnd US Sector ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
237. | Volatility Shares Trust |
238. | West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
239. | Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc. |
240. | Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust |
241. | WisdomTree Digital Trust |
242. | WisdomTree Trust |
243. | WST Investment Trust |
244. | 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 | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | President/Manager | None |
Chris Lanza Kate Macchia |
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 |
Vice President Vice President |
None None |
Nanette K. Chern | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Kelly B. Whetstone Susan L. LaFond |
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 |
Secretary Treasurer |
None 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, the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF and the REX AI 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 |
Tidal 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, IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF and the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend 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, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI 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, T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF, Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF, Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF, and the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs).
|
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, REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF and REX AI 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 sub-adviser to the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF). |
n) | Adviser |
Tapp Finance, Inc., 3700 W. Lawton St., Seattle, Washington 98199 (records relating to its function as adviser to the TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and the TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF).
|
o) | Sub-Adviser |
Tuttle Capital Management, LLC, 155 Lockwood Rd., Riverside CT 06878 (relating to its function as sub-adviser to the TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and the TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF).
|
p) | 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).
|
q) | Adviser |
3Fouteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC, 4400 Ray Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203 (records relating to its function as adviser to the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF).
|
r) |
Custodian, Transfer Agency
|
Citibank, N.A., 390 Greenwich Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10013. |
s) | Administrator | Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235. |
t) | Distributor |
Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.
|
u) | 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. 145 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 26th day of June, 2024.
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. 145 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 | June 26, 2024 |
*Mary Lou H. Ivey | Trustee | June 26, 2024 |
*Theo H. Pitt, Jr. | Trustee | June 26, 2024 |
/s/ Karen M. Shupe | Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer | June 26, 2024 |
Karen M. Shupe | ||
/s/ Ann T. MacDonald | Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | June 26, 2024 |
Ann T. MacDonald | ||
*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe | ||
Karen M. Shupe | ||
*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney
EXHIBITS
(d)(31) | Form of Advisory Agreement between Registrant and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(d)(32) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC and Tidal Investments, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(e)(12) | Form of Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(h)(18) | Form of Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(h)(36) | Fee Waiver Letter dated June 25, 2024 between the Registrant and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(i)(29) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend) ETF |
(m)(1) | Form of Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
(p)(3) | Code of Ethics for Vident Asset Management |
(p)(17) | Code of Ethics for 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC |
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS
Exhibit 99.(d)(31)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made the 25th day of June 2024, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (hereinafter referred to as the “Trust”), and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Advisor”) with its principal place of business located at 4400 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203, with respect to the series portfolios of the Trust identified in this Agreement (each a “Fund”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and Advisor is an investment adviser registered as such with the Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, This Agreement is made effective as to each Fund as of the date set forth on the set of schedules to this Agreement identified as “Schedule A” and then numerically designated (e.g., Schedule A-1) attached hereto as of the “Effective Date” noted on each Schedule A with respect to each of the Funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as follows:
1. | General Provision. |
a. The Trust hereby engages Advisor and Advisor hereby accepts such engagement, to act as the investment adviser of the Fund identified in each Schedule A to this Agreement and to perform for the Fund such other duties and functions as are hereinafter set forth. Advisor shall, in all matters, give to the Fund and the Trust’s Board of Trustees the benefit of its best judgment, effort, advice and recommendations and shall at all times use its best efforts to conform to and enable the Fund to conform to: (i) the provisions of the Investment Company Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) any order or no-action relief of the Commission applicable to the operation of the Fund; (iii) any other applicable provisions of state or federal law; (iv) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, as amended from time to time; (v) any other policies, procedures and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust; (vi) the fundamental policies and investment restrictions of the Fund as reflected in the Trust’s registration statement under the Investment Company Act; and (vii) the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust in effect from time to time. The appropriate officers, contractors and employees of Advisor shall be available upon reasonable notice for consultation with any of the trustees and officers of the Trust with respect to any matters dealing with the business and affairs of the Trust as they pertain to the Fund, including the valuation of any of the Fund’s portfolio securities which do not have readily available market quotations per Section 3 hereof.
2. | Investment Management. |
a. Advisor shall, subject to the direction and control by the Trust’s Board of Trustees: (i) regularly provide investment advice and recommendations to the Fund with respect to its investments, investment policies and the purchase and sale of securities; (ii) designate the identity, quantity and weighting of the securities (and amount of cash, if any) to be accepted in exchange for “creation units” of the Fund or that will be applicable that day to redemption requests received by the Fund; (iii) supervise continuously the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio and determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund; and ( iv) arrange, subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, for the purchase of securities and other investments for the Fund and the sale of securities and other investments held in the portfolio of the Fund.
b. Provided that the Trust shall not be required to pay any compensation other than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, Advisor may obtain investment information, research or assistance from any other person, firm or corporation to supplement, update or otherwise improve its investment management services.
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c. The Advisor may, from time to time, hire one or more sub-advisers, including, without limitation, affiliates of Advisor, to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Fund(s) or any portion thereof. In addition, the Advisor has the authority to (i) select new or additional sub-advisers for each Fund, (ii) enter into and materially modify existing sub-advisory agreements, and (iii) terminate and replace any sub-adviser. Each such action described in this paragraph is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Trust or the Advisor, and the terms of any applicable exemptive relief obtained from the Commission. The retention of a sub-adviser by the Advisor shall not relieve the Advisor of its responsibilities under this Agreement.
d. Provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect Advisor from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement, Advisor shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of good faith errors or omissions in connection with any matters to which this Agreement relates.
e. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Advisor or any officer or contractor or other related party thereof from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict Advisor or any of its directors, officers, stockholders, contractors, other related parties or employees from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own account or for the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such activities will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by Advisor of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and under the Advisers Act.
f. To carry out the duties and responsibilities provided hereunder, Advisor is hereby authorized, as agent and attorney-in-fact for the Trust, for the account of, at the risk of and in the name of the Fund, to place orders and issue instructions for the Fund. In all purchases, sales and other transactions in securities for the Fund, Advisor is authorized to exercise full discretion and act for the Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Fund might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions.
3. | Other Duties of Advisor. |
Advisor shall, at its own expense, provide and supervise the activities of all administrative and clerical personnel as shall be required to provide effective corporate management and administration for the Fund, including (i) the compilation and maintenance of such records with respect to its operations as may reasonably be required; (ii) the preparation and filing of such reports with respect thereto as shall be required by the Commission; (iii) the composition of periodic reports with respect to its operations for shareholders of the Fund; (iv) the composition of proxy materials for meetings of the Fund’s shareholders; (v) the composition of such registration statements as may be required by Federal securities laws for continuous public sale of shares of the Fund and (vi) at Advisor’s discretion, the development and implementation, if appropriate, of management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Fund as an investment vehicle.
4. | Allocation of Expenses. |
During the term of this Agreement, Advisor shall pay all of the expenses of the Fund (including compensation of members of the Board of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) of a Fund), except for (i) the fee payment under this Agreement, (ii) distribution fees or expenses under the Fund’s 12b-1 plan (if any), (iii) interest expenses, (iv) taxes, (v) acquired fund fees and expenses, (vi) brokers’ commissions and any other portfolio transaction-related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, (vii) credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses and (viii) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business. For the avoidance of doubt, Advisor’s payment of such expenses may be accomplished through the Fund’s payment of such expenses and a corresponding reduction in the fee payable to Advisor pursuant to Section 5 hereof; provided, however, that if the amount of expenses paid by the Fund exceeds the fee payable to Advisor pursuant to Section 5 hereof, Advisor will reimburse the Fund for such excess amount.
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Any officers or employees of Advisor or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Advisor, who may also serve as officers, trustees or employees of the Trust shall not receive any compensation from the Trust for their services. The expenses with respect to any two or more series of the Trust shall be allocated in proportion to the net assets of the respective series except where allocations of direct expenses can be made.
5. | Compensation of Advisor. |
The Trust agrees to pay Advisor on behalf of the Fund and Advisor agrees to accept as full compensation for the performance of all functions and duties on its part to be performed pursuant to the provisions hereof, a management fee payable monthly and calculated on the daily net assets of the Fund at an annual rate as noted in each Schedule A of this Agreement.
6. | Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage. |
a. Advisor is authorized, in arranging the Fund’s portfolio transactions, to employ or deal with such members of securities or commodities exchanges, brokers or dealers, including “affiliated” broker-dealers (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) (hereinafter “broker-dealers”), as may, in its best judgment, implement the policy of the Fund to obtain “best execution,” for these transactions, which is understood to mean prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable . The Advisor shall not be precluded from obtaining, consistent with the provisions of Subsection (c) of this Section the benefit of such investment information or research as will be of significant assistance to the performance by Advisor of its investment management functions.
b. Advisor shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund’s portfolio transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain best execution of particular and related portfolio transactions. The abilities of a broker-dealer to obtain best execution of particular portfolio transaction(s) will be judged by Advisor on the basis of all relevant factors and considerations including, insofar as feasible, the execution capabilities required by the transaction or transactions; the ability and willingness of the broker-dealer to facilitate the Fund’s portfolio transactions by participating therein for its own account; the importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or confidentiality; the broker-dealer’s apparent familiarity with sources from or to whom particular securities might be purchased or sold; as well as any other matters relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer for particular and related transactions of the Fund.
c. Advisor shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to allocate brokerage on the Fund’s portfolio transactions to broker-dealers, other than an affiliated broker-dealer, qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services are defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Fund and/or other accounts for which Advisor or its affiliates exercise “investment discretion” (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and to cause the Trust to pay such broker-dealers a commission for effecting a portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer adequately qualified to effect such transaction would have charged for effecting that transaction, if Advisor determines, in good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of Advisor and its investment advisory affiliates with respect to the accounts as to which they exercise investment discretion. In reaching such determination, Advisor will not be required to place or attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and/or research services provided or being provided by such broker-dealer. In demonstrating that such determinations were made in good faith, Advisor shall be prepared to show that all commissions were allocated for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and that the total commissions paid by the Trust over a representative period selected by the Trust’s trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
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d. Advisor shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any particular portfolio transactions or to select any broker- dealer on the basis of its purported or “posted” commission rate but will, to the best of its ability, endeavor to be aware of the current level of the charges of eligible broker-dealers and to minimize the expense incurred by the Fund for effecting its portfolio transactions to the extent consistent with the interests and policies of the Fund as established by the determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the provisions of this Section 7.
e. On occasions when Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of Advisor and its affiliates, Advisor to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but will be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by Advisor in the manner which Advisor considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to its other clients over time. The Trust agrees that Advisor and its affiliates may give advice and take action in the performance of their duties with respect to any of their other clients that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of actions taken, with respect to the Funds. The Trust acknowledges that Advisor and its affiliates are fiduciaries to other entities, some of which have the same or similar investment objectives (and will hold the same or similar investments) as the Funds, and that Advisor will carry out its duties hereunder together with its duties under such relationships.
f. The Trust recognizes that an affiliated broker-dealer: (i) may act as one of the Fund’s regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so to act; (ii) may be a major recipient of brokerage commissions paid by the Trust; and (iii) may effect portfolio transactions for the Fund only if the commissions, fees or other remuneration received or to be received by it are determined in accordance with procedures contemplated by any rule, regulation or order adopted under the Investment Company Act for determining the permissible level of such commissions.
7. | Duration. |
This Agreement, with respect to each Fund (including any series of the Trust added to this Agreement by execution of an amended or new Schedule A), will take effect on the date set forth next to that Fund’s name in the applicable Schedule A. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, this Agreement, with respect to each Fund, shall remain in effect until two years from the effective date specified in the appliable Schedule A, and thereafter will continue in effect from year to year, so long as such continuance shall be approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including the vote of the majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such a vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
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8. | Termination. |
This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by Advisor at any time without penalty upon giving the Trust sixty days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust); or (ii) by the Trust at any time without penalty upon sixty days’ written notice to Advisor (which notice may be waived by Advisor) provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of all of the trustees of the Trust then in office or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act.
9. | Assignment or Amendment. |
This Agreement may not be amended without the affirmative vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purposes of voting on such approval and, where required by the Investment Company Act, by a vote or written consent of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its “assignment,” as defined in the Investment Company Act.
10. | Disclaimer of Trustee or Shareholder Liability |
Advisor understands and agrees that the obligations of the Trust under this Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Trust or Fund personally but bind only the Trust and the Trust’s property. Advisor represents that it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust disclaiming Trustee or shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and agrees that obligations, if any, assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Agreement will be limited in all cases to the Trust and its assets, and if the liability relates to one or more series, the obligations hereunder will be limited to the respective assets of the Fund.
11. | Definitions. |
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of the Investment Company Act.
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ETF OPPORTUNIES TRUST, FOR THE FUNDS LISTED IN EACH SCHEDULE A HEREOF: | ||
Signature | ||
By: David A. Bogaert | ||
Title: President | ||
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC | ||
Signature | ||
By: | ||
Title: |
Schedule A-1
Funds, Effective Date and Compensation to Advisor
The fee payable by the Trust on behalf of each Fund shall be calculated on the daily net assets of each Fund at an annual rate as noted below:
Fund | Effective Date | Compensation |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF |
June 25, 2024 | 0.89% |
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS
Exhibit 99.(d)(32)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
with
TIDAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and among 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Advisor”) with its principal place of business located at 4400 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, Indiana 47203, ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and Tidal Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York, 11758 (the “Sub-Adviser”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated March 15, 2024, with the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services each of the series portfolios of the Trust (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) to the Adviser and as identified in “Schedule A” and then numerically designated (e.g., Schedule A-1) attached hereto as of the “Effective Date” noted on each Schedule A with respect to each of the Funds.
A G R E E M E N T
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:
(a) | The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible. |
(b) | In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time. |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act. |
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(d) | The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser). |
(e) | The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust. |
(f) | The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund. |
(g) | The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement. |
(h) | The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets. |
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(i) | In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises. |
(j) | On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances. |
(k) | The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC. |
(l) | The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security. |
2. Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
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3. Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:
(a) | The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”); |
(b) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”); |
(c) | Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time; |
(d) | Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds; |
(e) | Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder; |
(f) | A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and |
(g) | The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time. |
The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.
4. Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.
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In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.
5. Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.
6. Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.
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The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:
(a) | The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect; |
(b) | The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations); |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds. |
(d) | The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement; |
(e) | The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted; |
(f) | The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser; |
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(g) | This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser; |
(h) | The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; |
(i) | The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company. |
(j) | The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage. |
8. Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.
(a) | Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the effectiveness of the Transaction; (ii) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (iii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iv) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement. |
(b) | Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty: |
(i) | By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser; |
(ii) | By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach; |
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(iii) | By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or |
(iv) | By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board. |
This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
9. Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) | in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and |
(b) | the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”). |
10. Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.
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11. | Reporting of Compliance Matters. |
(a) | The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following: |
(i) | a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program; |
(ii) | on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program; |
(iii) | a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and |
(iv) | an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement. |
(b) | The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser. |
12. The Name “3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services.” The Adviser grants to the Sub-Adviser a sub-license to use the name “3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services.” (the “Name”). The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser to use the Name is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Sub-Adviser shall only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the Name or any of Adviser’s respective affiliates or clients names without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Sub-Adviser is authorized to disclose the Name and the Adviser’s and the Funds identities as clients of the Sub-Adviser in any representative client list prepared by the Sub-Adviser for use in marketing materials. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any affiliate or agent of the Sub-Adviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation in connection with any services such affiliates or agents provide to the Sub-Adviser or the Funds under this Agreement. The Adviser has obtained all licenses and permissions necessary for the Sub-Adviser to use any index data provided to it by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser is not required to obtain any such licenses or permissions itself.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
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14. Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
15. Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.
To the Adviser at: | 3Fourteen
& SMI Advisory Services, LLC Columbus, Indiana 47203
|
To the Trust at: | ETF
Opportunities Trust Richmond, Virginia 23235
|
To the Sub-Adviser at: | Tidal Investments, LLC 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2 Massapequa, New York, 11758 |
16. Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.
17. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
19. Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
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20. Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.
In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.
21. Miscellaneous.
(a) | A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust. |
(b) | Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order. |
[Signature page follows]
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.
SMI Advisory Services, LLC | ||
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
Tidal Investments, LLC | ||
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust | ||
By: |
Name: | David A. Bogaert |
Title: | President |
SCHEDULE A-1
to the
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, llc
and
TIDAL INVESTMENTS, LLC
and
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:
Fund | Minimum Fee | Rate | Effective Date |
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF | $20,000 | First $250M: 3.5 bps Over $250M: 3.0 bps |
June 25, 2024 |
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC | ||
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
Tidal Investments, LLC | ||
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
On Behalf of the ETF Opportunities Trust | ||
By: |
Name: | David A. Bogaert |
Title: | President |
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(e)(12)
ELEVENTH AMENDMENT TO
ETF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This eleventh amendment (“Amendment”) to the ETF distribution agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of September 30, 2021, between ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (together with the Trust, the “Parties”) is made effective as of June 25, 2024.
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement to replace Exhibit A.
WHEREAS, Section 8(b) of the Agreement requires that all amendments and modifications to the Agreement be in writing and executed by the Parties.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. | Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement. |
2. | Exhibit A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by Exhibit A attached hereto. |
3. | Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the provisions of the Agreement shall remain unamended and in full force and effect to the same extent as if fully set forth herein. |
4. | This Amendment shall be governed by, and the provisions of this Amendment shall be construed and interpreted under and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Amendment to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST | FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC | |||
By: | By: | |||
David A. Bogaert, President | Teresa Cowan President | |||
Date: | Date: |
EXHIBIT A
American Conservative Values ETF
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
Formidable ETF
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF
Formidable Fortress ETF
Alpha Dog ETF
Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF
Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity Fund
WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF
Cultivar ETF
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
REX IncomeMax AMD Strategy ETF
REX IncomeMax AMZN Strategy ETF
REX IncomeMax BABA 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 V Strategy ETF
REX IncomeMax UNG Strategy ETF
REX IncomeMax USO Strategy ETF
REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF
Brendan Wood TopGun ETF
IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF
IDX Dynamic Fixed Income 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
T-Rex 2x Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF
TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF
TappAlpha Innovation 100Growth & Daily Income ETF
REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF
Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF
Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF
T-Rex 2x Long AMC Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse AMC Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long GME Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse GME Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long HOOD Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse HOOD Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long SMCI Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse SMCI Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long DJT Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse DJT Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long MARA Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse MARA Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long RBLX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse RBLX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long PLTR Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse PLTR Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long VKTX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse VKTX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long ARM Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse ARM Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long SHOP Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse SHOP Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long AMD Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse AMD Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long NFLX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse NFLX Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long BA Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse BA Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long SNOW Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse SNOW Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long AVGO Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse AVGO Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long PANW Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse PANW Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long COIN Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse COIN Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long TSM Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse TSM Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long SQ Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse SQ Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long TLRY Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse TLRY Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long AI Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse AI Daily Target ETF
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(h)(18)
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
Administration Services
Between
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
and
ETF Opportunities Trust
March 15, 2024
Exhibit A – Series Portfolios
Exhibit B – Administrative Services
Exhibit C – Fees and Expenses
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 15, 2024 between Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., a corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (“CFS”) and ETF Opportunities Trust, a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Trust”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and consists of one more series portfolios listed on Exhibit A (the “Funds”), each of which may consist of one or more classes of shares of beneficial interest; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain CFS to provide certain administration and other general services (the “Services”) with respect to the Funds and CFS is willing to furnish such Services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment.
The Trust hereby appoints CFS as administrator for the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, and CFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the Services as set forth in this Agreement. The Services of CFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein or as may be agreed to from time to time, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against CFS hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Trust determines that it would be appropriate to engage another service provider (either directly or through CFS) as the , sub-administrator, CFS responsibilities with respect to such function shall be confined to overseeing such function – any such relationship shall be noted and described in Exhibit C to this Agreement.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of CFS.
CFS hereby represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(c) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its By-Laws to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(e) It has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and,
This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of CFS, enforceable against CFS in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and securities parties.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Trust.
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to CFS that:
(a) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware;
(b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) It is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act;
(e) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(f) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities laws filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all shares of the Funds and any classes thereof being offered for sale.
Section 4. Trust Reports to CFS Delivery of Documents and Other Materials.
The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to CFS such copies of each Fund’s prospectus, statement of additional information, financial statements, proxy statements, shareholder reports, each current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each current shareholder services plan or similar document adopted by the Fund, each Fund’s net asset value per share, declaration, record and payment dates, amounts of any dividends or income, special actions relating to each Fund’s securities and other information relating to the Trust’s business and affairs as CFS may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. CFS shall maintain such information as required by regulation and as agreed upon between the Trust and CFS. The Trust will complete all necessary prospectus and compliance reports, as well as monitoring the various limitations and restrictions.
Section 5. Services Provided by CFS.
(a) CFS will provide, or supervise the performance of others, the Services described herein subject to the direction and supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s currently effective Registration Statement, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, applicable laws and regulations, and all resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board, and further subject to CFS’s policies and procedures as in effect from time to time. CFS shall be responsible for all necessary office space, equipment, personnel, and facilities necessary for it to perform its obligations under this Agreement. CFS may sub-contract with third parties to perform certain of the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder; provided, however, that CFS shall remain principally responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of such other entities and provided further that CFS shall be responsible for the payment of such third parties unless the Board approves such payment in a separate agreement or otherwise approves passing the costs associated with such third party onto the Funds as an out-of-pocket expense of CFS.
Except with respect to CFS’s duties as set forth in this Agreement, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Trust assumes all responsibility for ensuring that each Fund complies with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 1940 Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and any other laws, rules and regulations, or interpretations thereof, of governmental authorities with jurisdiction over each Fund.
(i) | Administrative Services – set forth in Exhibit B. |
CFS shall be responsible for promptly communicating any conflicts between its policies and procedures in effect from time to time and the resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board.
(b) CFS shall keep records relating to the Services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Trust, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. CFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by CFS relating to the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Trust or its designee on and in accordance with its request. The Trust and the Trust’s authorized representatives shall have access to CFS’s records relating to the Services under this Agreement at all times during CFS’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such records shall be provided promptly by CFS to the Trust or the Trust’s authorized representatives.
Section 6. Compensation and Expenses
(a) Compensation. The Trust agrees to pay CFS as compensation for its services according to the fee schedule set forth in Schedule C hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the later of the date of this Agreement or the date of commencement of operations of the Fund. If fees begin to accrue in the middle of a month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, all fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. Upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund, the Fund shall pay to CFS such compensation as shall be payable prior to the effective date of termination.
In addition, the Trust shall reimburse CFS from the assets of each Fund certain reasonable expenses incurred by CFS on behalf of each Fund individually in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Such out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to: documented fees and costs of obtaining advice of Fund counsel or accountants in connection with its services to each Fund; postage; long distance telephone; special forms required by each Fund; any economy class travel which may be required in the performance of its duties to each Fund; and any other extraordinary expenses it may incur in connection with its services to each Fund, provided that such extraordinary expenses must be approved by the Board prior to any reimbursement.
In connection with the services provided by CFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to reimburse CFS for expenses set forth in Schedule C hereto. In addition, the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, shall reimburse CFS for all reasonable expenses and employee time (at 150% of salary) attributable to any review of the Trust’s accounts and records by the Trust’s independent accountants or any regulatory body outside of routine and normal periodic reviews.
(b) Taxes. Except as required by applicable law or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, CFS shall not be liable for any taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Trust or any customer, excluding taxes, if any, assessed against CFS related to its income or assets.
(c) Invoices/Billing. All fees and reimbursements are payable in arrears on a monthly basis and the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within five (5) business days following receipt of the respective billing notice. Without prejudice to CFS’s other rights, CFS reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts (except to the extent the amount is subject to a bona fide dispute) from the due date until actual payment at an annual rate equal to the sum of the overnight Fed Funds rate as in effect from time to time plus 2 percentage points.
Section 7. Confidentiality.
CFS agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially all records and other information relative to the Trust and its shareholders received by CFS in connection with this Agreement, including any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P, and that it shall not use or disclose any such information except for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that CFS may disclose such information as required by law or in connection with any requested disclosure to a regulatory authority with appropriate jurisdiction after prior notification to the Trust.
The Trust acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals maintained by CFS on databases under the control and ownership of CFS or a third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”) of substantial value to CFS or the third party. The Trust agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to CFS and further agrees that it shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided under this Agreement.
Upon termination of this Agreement, CFS shall return to the Trust all copies of confidential or non- public personal information received from the Trust hereunder, other than materials or information required to be retained by CFS under applicable laws or regulations. CFS hereby agrees to dispose of any “consumer report information,” as such term is defined in Regulation S-P.
Section 8. Standard of Care / Limitation of Liability.
(a) Responsibility for Losses. CFS shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of a Fund except as necessary to fulfill its duties and obligations as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by CFS in writing. CFS shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for any loss arising out of any act or omission in carrying out its duties hereunder, except a loss resulting from CFS, its employees’ or its agents’ willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of CFS’s duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard of CFS, its employees’ or its agents’ obligations and duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitation on CFS’s liability shall not apply to the extent any loss or damage results from any fraud committed by CFS or any intentionally bad or malicious acts (that is, acts or breaches undertaken purposefully under circumstances in which the person acting knows or has reason to believe that such act or breach violates such person’s obligations under this Agreement or can cause danger or harm) of CFS.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other provision of this Agreement, (i) CFS shall not be liable for losses beyond its control, provided that CFS has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and (ii) CFS shall not be liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any oral or written instructions provided by the Fund, notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which CFS reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to Section 15, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond CFS’s control, including fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(b) | Limitations on Liability. |
(i) | CFS is responsible for the performance of only those duties as are expressly set forth herein and in the Exhibits and Schedules as they may be amended from time to time. CFS will have no implied duties or obligations. Each party to the Agreement shall mitigate damages for which the other party may become responsible hereunder. |
(ii) | CFS shall have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accurateness or completeness of any instruction or any other information it receives from a Fund, and shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered by a Fund or any of a Fund’s customers as a result of CFS’s reasonable reliance on and utilization of any such instruction or other such information. For the avoidance of doubt, CFS shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance on any instruction believed by it in good faith to have been authorized by an authorized person. |
(iii) | CFS shall have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused by the failure of the Trust to provide CFS with any information. |
(iv) | CFS is not responsible for the acts, omissions, defaults or insolvency of any third party including, but not limited to, any investment advisers, custodians, intermediaries or non- discretionary subcontractors. |
(v) | CFS shall have no responsibility for the management of the investments or any other assets of the Trust or its customers, and CFS shall have no obligation to review, monitor or otherwise ensure compliance by a Fund with the policies, restrictions, guidelines or disclosures applicable to the Fund or any other term or condition of the original documents, operating documents, policies and procedures or registration statement. Further, CFS shall have no liability to the Trust for any loss or damage suffered by the Trust as a result of any breach of the investment policies, objectives, guidelines or restrictions applicable to the Trust or any misstatement or omission in the registration statement. |
(vi) | Except as set forth in the exhibits hereto, the Trust acknowledges that the reporting obligations of CFS do not constitute a duty to monitor compliance and CFS shall not be liable for any failure of the Fund to comply with any laws, regulations or other applicable requirements thereof. |
(vii) | CFS shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers of the Trust, including the errors of pricing services (other than to pursue all reasonable claims against the pricing service based on the pricing services’ standard contracts entered into by CFS) and errors in information provided by an investment adviser to a Fund custodian (including prices and pricing formulas and untimely transmission of trade information). |
(viii) | CFS will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage arising from the misuse or sharing of online access by any authorized person of the Trust who has been issued a User ID by CFS. |
(ix) | Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, CFS hereby disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, made to the Trust or any other person, including, without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability or otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement. CFS disclaims any warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. |
(c) Mutual Exclusion of Consequential Damages. Except for any liquidated damages agreed to by the parties to this Agreement related to an unexcused termination of this Agreement, under no circumstances will either party be liable to the other party for special or punitive damages, or consequential loss or damage, or any loss of profits, goodwill, business opportunity, business, or revenue or anticipated savings, in relation to this Agreement, whether or not the relevant loss was foreseeable, or the party was advised of the possibility of such loss or damage or that such loss was in contemplation of the other party.
(d) Limited Recourse. CFS hereby acknowledges that a Fund’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Fund are binding only on the assets and property belonging to the Fund. The obligations of the parties hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such officers shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the Fund’s property.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other series portfolios of the Trust and that no series shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 9. Indemnification.
Indemnification by the Funds. Each Fund shall indemnify CFS and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by CFS that result from: (i) any claim, action, suit or proceeding in connection with CFS’s entry into or performance of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) any action taken or omission to act committed by CFS in the performance of its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) any action of CFS upon instructions believed in good faith by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of the Trust with respect to such Fund; (iv) the offer or sale of shares of the Funds in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such shares be registered or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares; (v) the processing of any checks or wires, including without limitation for deposit into the Trust’s demand deposit account maintained by CFS; (vi) the breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Section 3 above; or (vii) any error, omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of any information provided to CFS by the Trust, or the failure of the Trust to provide or make available any information requested by CFS knowledgeably to perform its functions hereunder; provided, that CFS shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting gross negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance in the performance of its duties, or by reckless disregard of such duties, on the part of CFS or its employees, agents or contractors.
The reliance upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted, by CFS, or its agents or subcontractors on: (i) the materials or any other information, records, documents, data, stock certificates or services, which are received by CFS or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry, electronic instructions or other similar means authorized by a Fund, and which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust; (ii) any instructions or requests of the Trust or any of its officers; (iii) any instructions or opinions of legal counsel with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by CFS under this Agreement which are provided to CFS after consultation with such legal counsel; or (iv) any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine, authentic, or signed by the proper person or persons;
(a) Indemnification by CFS. CFS shall indemnify each Fund and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by such Fund which result from: (i) CFS’s failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) CFS’s bad faith or willful misfeasance in performing its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) CFS’s gross negligence or misconduct or that of its employees, agents or contractors in connection herewith with respect to such Fund.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 9 shall apply, upon the assertion of an indemnification claim, the party seeking the indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The Trust shall have the option to participate with CFS in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or that of CFS. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the indemnifying party’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 10. Term and Termination.
This Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to a Fund from the “Effective Date” until the “End Date,” each as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement (the “Initial Term”); thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for a period of one year and continue in effect from year to year thereafter (the initial and any subsequent such periods are referred to as “Term”).
This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, without the payment of a penalty upon at least ninety (90) days’ written notice to other party prior to the end of the then current Term. Any termination shall be effective as of the date specified in the notice or upon such later date as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Upon notice of termination of this Agreement by either party, CFS shall promptly transfer to the successor administrator the original or copies of all books and records maintained by CFS under this Agreement including, in the case of records maintained on computer systems, copies of such records in machine-readable form, and shall cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the successor administrator in the establishment of the books and records necessary to carry out the successor administrator’s responsibilities. If this Agreement is terminated by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and materials to the successor administrator. Additionally, CFS reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination.
Section 11. Notices.
(a) Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given and effective when delivered in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other):
(i) | If to the Trust, to: |
ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
Attention: President
With copy to:
Practus, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, Kansas 66211
Attention: John H. Lively
(ii) | If to CFS, to: |
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
8730 Stony
Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
Attention: President
(b) Notice also shall be deemed given and effective upon receipt by any party or other person at the preceding address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other) if sent by regular mail, private messenger, courier service, telex, facsimile, or otherwise, if such notice bears on its first page in 14 point (or larger) bold type the heading “Notice Pursuant to Fund Services Agreement.”
Section 12. Assignment.
No party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the other’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. This Agreement shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction involving a merger or sale of substantially all of the assets of a Fund shall not require the written consent of CFS.
Section 13. Holidays.
Except as required by laws and regulations governing investment companies, nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall require CFS, in any capacity hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on any holiday or other day of special observance on which CFS is closed. Functions or duties normally scheduled to be performed on such days shall be performed on, and as of, the next business day on which both the Trust and CFS are open. CFS will be open for business on days when the Trust is open for business and/or as otherwise set forth in each Fund’s prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information.
Section 14. Waiver.
Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by written instrument executed by such party. No failure of either party hereto to exercise any power or right granted hereunder, or to insist upon strict compliance with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice of the parties with regard to the terms of performance hereof, will constitute a waiver of the rights of such party to demand full and exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 15. Force Majeure.
In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes; provided, however, that this provision shall not imply that CFS is excused from maintaining reasonable business continuity plans to address potential service outages.
Section 16. Amendments.
This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement between the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated verbally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought. The compensation stated in Schedule E attached hereto may be adjusted from time to time by the execution of a new schedule signed by the parties thereto.
Section 17. Severability.
If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
Section 18. Headings.
Titles to clauses of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and will be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Agreement.
Section 19. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20. No Strict Construction.
The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
Section 21. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.
This Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, and any subsequent amendments of the foregoing embody the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without reference to choice of law principles thereof, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provision of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
Section 22. Services Not Exclusive.
The services of CFS to the Trust are not deemed exclusive, and CFS shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent that such service does not affect CFS’s ability to perform its duties and obligations hereunder.
Section 23. Special or Consequential Damages.
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for special or consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
Section 24. Reliance on Trust Instructions and Experts.
CFS may rely upon the written advice of the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s legal counsel, accountants and other person believed by it in good faith to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and CFS shall not be liable for any actions taken in good faith upon such statements.
Section 25. Survival.
The obligations of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 24 and this 25 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
* * * * * * * *
Signature Page Follows
* * * * * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fund Services Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
COMMONWEALTH FUND SERVICES, INC. | |||
By: | Date: March 15, 2024 | ||
Print Name: Karen M. Shupe | |||
Title: Managing Director |
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A |
|||
By: | Date: March 15, 2024 | ||
Print Name: David A. Bogaert | |||
Title: President |
EXHIBIT A
to
Fund Services Agreement
List of Funds
Fund Name | Effective Date | End Date of Initial Term |
SMI 3Fourteen Tax-Efficient Full-Cycle Trend ETF | May 1, 2024 | April 30, 2027 |
EXHIBIT B
To
Fund Services Agreement
Administrative Services
1. | Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, CFS shall manage all aspects of each Fund’s operations with respect to each Fund except those that are the specific responsibility of any other service provider hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by the Board. |
2. | Oversee the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to each Fund by others, including its custodian, fund accounting agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and other services performed for each Fund, including: |
(a) | The preparation and maintenance by each Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant in such form, for such periods and in such locations as may be required by applicable law, of all documents and records relating to the operation of each Fund required to be prepared or maintained by the Trust or its agents pursuant to applicable law. |
(b) | The reconciliation of account information and balances among each Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant. |
(c) | The transmission of purchase and redemption orders for shares. |
(d) | The performance of fund accounting, including the accounting services agent’s calculation of the net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund’s shares. |
3. | For new series or classes, obtain CUSIP numbers, as necessary, and estimate organizational costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements. |
4. | Prepare and assist with reports for the Board as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. |
5. | Prepare quarterly and annual Code of Ethics forms for: (i) disinterested Board members; and (ii) officers of the Trust, if any, that are also employees of CFS, including a review of returned forms against portfolio holdings and reporting to the Board. |
6. | Prepare and mail annual Trustees’ and Officers’ questionnaires. |
7. | Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars. |
8. | As mutually agreed to by the parties, prepare updates to and maintain copies of the Trust’s trust instrument and by-laws. |
9. | Coordinate with insurance providers, including soliciting bids for Trustees & Officers/Errors & Omissions insurance and fidelity bond coverage, coordinate the filing of fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations. |
10. | Advise the Trust and the Board on matters concerning each Fund and its affairs. |
11. | With the assistance of the counsel to the Trust, the investment adviser, officers of the Trust and other relevant parties, prepare and disseminate materials for meetings of the Board on behalf of each Fund, and any committees thereof, including agendas and selected financial information as agreed upon by the Trust and CFS from time to time; attend and participate in Board meetings to the extent requested by the Board. |
12. | Prepare and maintain each Fund’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to each Fund in order to calculate its daily NAV. |
13. | In consultation with counsel for the Trust, assist in and oversee the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following: |
(a) | Amendments to each Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A. |
(b) | Periodic reports to each Fund’s shareholders and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual reports. |
(c) | Notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2. |
(d) | Proxy materials. |
(e) | Reports to the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, and Form N-PX. |
14. | Coordinate each Fund’s annual or SEC audit by: |
(a) | Assisting each Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of each Fund, any regulatory body in any requested review of each Fund’s accounts and records. |
(b) | Providing appropriate financial schedules (as requested by each Fund’s independent public accountants or SEC examiners); and |
(c) | Providing office facilities as may be required. |
15. | Assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with the Trust’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters. |
16. | Prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports, including Fund budgets, expense reports, pro-forma financial statements, expense and profit/loss projections and fee waiver/expense reimbursement projections on a periodic basis. |
17. | Authorize the payment of Fund expenses and pay, from Fund assets, all bills of each Fund. |
18. | Assist each Fund in the selection of other service providers, such as independent accountants, law firms and proxy solicitors; and perform such other recordkeeping, reporting and other tasks as may be specified from time to time in the procedures adopted by the Board; provided that CFS need not begin performing any such task except upon 65 days’ notice and pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation agreements. |
19. | Assist the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trust’s compliance program (as approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) as reasonably requested. |
20. | Perform certain compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters, monitoring compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trust’s Board. |
21. | Assist the Trust with its obligations under Section 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act, including the establishment and maintenance of internal controls and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that information prepared or maintained in connection with administration services provided hereunder is properly recorded, processed, summarized, or reported by CFS or its affiliates on behalf of the Trust so that it may be included in financial information certified by the Trust’s officers on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q. |
22. | Prepare and file any claims in connection with class actions involving portfolio securities, handle administrative matters in connection with the litigation or settlement of such claims, and prepare a report to the Board regarding such matters. |
23. | CFS shall provide such other services and assistance relating to the affairs of each Fund as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation agreements. |
EXHIBIT C
to
Mutual Fund Services Agreement
Administration and Compliance Fees
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(h)(36)
June 25, 2024
Board of Trustees
ETF Opportunities Trust
8370 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
RE: ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) – Fee Waiver
Dear Trustees:
Please note that 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (“Adviser”) agrees to waive its investment advisory fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust with respect to the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend (Tax-Efficient) ETF by 4 basis points (bps), from 89 bps to 85 bps from commencement of operations until April 30, 2026.
Regards,
Fred Beerwart
Chief Compliance Officer
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS
Exhibit 99.(i)(29)
JOHN H. LIVELY, Managing Partner
john.lively@practus.com
11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211
(913) 660-0778
June 26, 2024
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 SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend 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.
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Sincerely, | |
/s/ PRACTUS, LLP | |
Practus, LLP |
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ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(m)(1)
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
For Funds Advised by 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC
WHEREAS, the ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”), in separate series representing the interests in separate funds of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust offers a series of such Shares representing interests in the Fund(s) (a “Fund”) listed in Schedule A attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (“Plan”) with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Non-Interested Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, have approved this Plan by votes cast at a meeting held in person and called for the purpose of voting hereon and on any agreements related hereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan and on the following terms and conditions:
1. Servicing Activities. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund of the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) payments to the Trust’s distributor (the “Distributor”) and to securities dealers and others in respect of the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(b) payment of compensation to and expenses of personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Shares of the Fund or who render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, administrator, or custodian, including but not limited to, answering inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, providing personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, providing other shareholder liaison services, responding to shareholder inquiries, providing information on shareholder investments in the Shares of the Fund, and providing such other distribution and shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably request, arranging for bank wires, assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in the Fund, forwarding communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders, processing purchase, exchange, and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers;
(c) formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising;
(d) preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;
(e) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Trust for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Trust;
(f) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund;
(g) obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.
The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above, and in any other activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan.
2. | Maximum Expenditures. |
(a) The expenditures to be made by the Fund pursuant to this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed the following:
The Funds may pay an amount calculated at the rate of up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Funds for each year or portion thereof included in the period for which the computation is being made, elapsed since the commencement of operations to the date of such expenditures.
3. | Term and Termination. |
(a) This Plan shall become effective with respect to each class on the date that such class commences operation.
(b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect with respect to each class of the Fund for one year from the effective date of the Plan for such class and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Non-Interested Trustees, cast at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(c) This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to a particular class of the Fund by a vote of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class of the respective Fund.
4. Amendments. No material amendment to this Plan shall be made unless: (a) it is approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof; and (b) if the proposed amendment will increase materially the maximum expenditures permitted by Section 2 hereof with respect to any class, it is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class.
5. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of such Non-Interested Trustees.
6. Quarterly Reports. The Trust’s Distributor or Treasurer shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust and the Trustees shall review quarterly a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
7. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan. Any such related agreement or such reports for the first two years will be maintained in an easily accessible place.
8. Limitation of Liability. Any obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust. The term “World Funds Trust” means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”), which may be amended from time to time. This Plan has been authorized by the Trustees (including, the Non-Interested Trustees), acting as such and not individually, and such authorization by such Trustees shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust as provided in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.
This Plan was first authorized with respect to the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan on June 25, 2024.
SCHEDULE A
Funds
SMI 3Fourteen Tax-Efficient Full-Cycle Trend ETF
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(p)(3)
Vident Asset Management
Code of Ethics
May 31, 2024
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Contents
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1. | OVERVIEW |
1.1 | Code 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.
1.2 | Standards 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.
1.3 | Applicability 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.
1.4 | Empl.oyee 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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1.5 | Employees’ 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 regulatory filings; and |
● | Any activity that is prohibited by the Code. |
1.6 | Vident’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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1.7 | Fund 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 the Code, waivers from the Code (as may be relevant to the management of their applicable Reportable Fund), 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.
1.8 | Recordkeeping |
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 |
2.1 | Applicability 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.
2.2 | Resolving 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; |
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● | Front running a Vident Client Account by trading in Reportable Securities (or Equivalent Securities) or Cryptocurrency ahead of the Vident Client Account; |
● | 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. |
2.3 | Reportable 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 calendar 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. |
2.4 | New Accounts |
Each Reporting Person must report a Reportable Securities Account (including those of Immediate Family Members) to the Code Team within 10 calendar 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.
2.5 | Trading 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 (or 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. |
2.6 | How 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 |
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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 |
2.8 | Ban 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. |
2.9 | Reporting 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 |
3.1 | Investigating 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 and the Boards as discussed in Section 1.7, Fund Board Reporting, above.
3.2 | Penalties |
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.
3.3 | Dismissal 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.
3.4 | Exceptions 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 |
4.1 | Background |
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). |
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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.
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 X (formerly, 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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4.2 | Policies 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, derivatives related to the issuer in question, or another company that could be affected by the Material Non-Public Information the Employee may possess; |
● | 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); |
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● | 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; |
● | 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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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. |
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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. |
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. |
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: |
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● | 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 |
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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.
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.
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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. |
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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. |
Reportable Fund | Any 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. |
Reporting Person |
With 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 Account | Any 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 Transaction | A 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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ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(p)(17)
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services |
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory
Services, LLC
4400 Ray Boll Blvd
Columbus, IN 47203
Table of Contents
3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services |
1. | General Provisions |
This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC (“314SMI”), an Indiana limited liability company, in accordance with Rule 17j under the investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”) and Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). This Code establishes rules of conduct for all Supervised Persons of 314SMI and is designed to, among other things, govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of Access Persons of 314SMI. The Code is based upon the principle that 314SMI and its Supervised Persons owe a fiduciary duty to their Clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to:
■ | Place the interests of 314SMI’s Clients first and foremost ahead of their own personal interests, |
■ | Ensure that all personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with the Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility, |
■ | Avoid taking any inappropriate advantage of their positions. |
This Code is designed so that high ethical standards are applied and maintained by 314SMI and its Supervised Persons. The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities that may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading, and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct. Strict compliance with the provisions of this Code is expected of all affiliated persons of 314SMI.
Employees are urged to seek the advice of the CCO for any questions as to how this Code applies to their individual circumstances. The CCO may delegate any of their responsibilities or duties described in this Code by designating the individual assigned to the task in the Designation of Responsibilities exhibit in SMI’s Policies and Procedures Manual. The CCO may also, under circumstances that are considered appropriate or after consultation with a Managing Member of SMI, grant exceptions to the provisions contained in this Code only when it is clear that the interests of SMI’s Clients will not be adversely affected. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the interest of the Clients even at the expense of the interest of 314SMI’s Supervised Persons.
2. | Covered Persons |
Covered persons are all affiliated persons of 314SMI as defined below under Supervised Persons, Access Persons, and (where applicable) Family Members.
2.1. | Supervised Persons |
Supervised Persons include:
■ | Directors, officers, and partners of 314SMI (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); |
■ | Employees of 314SMI; |
■ | Any other person who provides regular advice on behalf of 314SMI and is subject to 314SMI’s supervision and control; |
■ | Temporary workers; |
■ | Consultants; |
■ | Independent contractors; and |
■ | Access Persons. |
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3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services |
2.2. | Access Persons |
Access Persons include any Supervised Persons who:
■ | In connection with his or her regular duties has access to non-public information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by 314SMI or a Client of 314SMI; or |
■ | Are involved in making securities recommendations to any Client; or |
■ | Are 314SMI’s directors, officers or partners who are natural persons. |
2.3. | Family Members |
For purposes of personal securities reporting and political contributions requirements, 314SMI considers the Supervised or Access Persons defined above to also include the person’s immediate family (as defined in the Adviser Act) (including any relative by blood or marriage living in the Supervised or Access Person’s household) and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (such as a trust).
3. | Business Conduct Standards |
3.1. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
All Supervised Persons must comply with all applicable state and Federal securities laws including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Act, (the “Act”), Regulation S-P and the Patriot Act, as it pertains to Anti- Money Laundering. Rule 17j-1 under the Act and Section 206 of the Advisers Act generally proscribe fraudulent or manipulative practices with respect to purchases or sales of securities held or to be acquired by investment advisers. In particular, it is unlawful for any affiliated person of 314SMI in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, to:
■ | defraud a Client in any manner; |
■ | mislead a Client, including by making a statement that omits material facts; |
■ | engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a Client; |
■ | engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a Client; or |
■ | engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation. |
3.2. | Confidentiality of Client Information |
In the course of investment advisory activities of 314SMI, the firm obtains and has access to personal and nonpublic information about its Clients. Such information may include a person’s status as a Client, personal, financial, and account information, the allocation of assets in a Client portfolio, the composition of investments in any Client portfolio, information relating to services performed for and transactions entered into on behalf of Clients, advice provided by 314SMI to Clients, and data or analyses derived from such nonpublic personal information (collectively referred to as “Confidential Client Information”). All Confidential Client Information, whether relating to 314SMI’s current or former Clients, is subject to the Code’s policies and procedures. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.
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3.3. | Conflicts of Interest |
314SMI, as a fiduciary, has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty and good faith to act in the best interests of its Clients. Compliance with this duty can be achieved by avoiding conflicts of interest and if they occur, by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that may arise with respect to any Client.
Conflicts among Client Interests
Conflicts of interest may arise where 314SMI or its Supervised Persons have reason to favor the interests of one Client over another Client (e.g., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts where compensation is greater), or a Client over a personal account (accounts in which Supervised Persons have made material personal investments, accounts of close friends or relatives of covered persons). 314SMI specifically prohibits inappropriate favoritism of one Client over another Client or of any personal account over a Client.
Competing with Client Trades
314SMI prohibits Access Persons from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for Clients in order to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result. In order to avoid any potential conflict of interest between 314SMI and its Clients, Access Persons may execute personal securities transactions in the same security as that being purchased or sold for advisory accounts during the same day only after obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO.
No Transactions with Clients
314SMI specifically prohibits Supervised Persons from knowingly selling to or purchasing from a Client any security, unless the Supervised Person obtains the prior written consent of the CCO.
Disclosure of Personal Interest
314SMI prohibits Supervised Persons from recommending, implementing or considering any securities transaction for a Client without having disclosed any material beneficial ownership, business or personal relationship, or other material interest in the issuer or its affiliates, to an appropriate designated person (e.g., a Managing Member of 314SMI (“Manager”) or, with respect to the Manager’s interests, the CCO). If this designated person deems the disclosed interest to present a material conflict, the investment personnel may not participate in any decision-making process regarding the securities of that issuer.
Referrals/Brokerage
314SMI requires Access Persons to act in the best interests of 314SMI’s Clients regarding execution and other costs paid by Clients for brokerage services. Access Persons are reminded to strictly adhere to 314SMI’s policies and procedures regarding brokerage (including allocation, best execution, soft dollars, and directed brokerage) as outlined in 314SMI’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
Vendors and Suppliers
314SMI requires Supervised Persons to disclose any personal investments or other interests in vendors or suppliers with whom the Supervised Person negotiates or makes decisions on behalf of 314SMI. 314SMI specifically prohibits Supervised Persons with interests as noted above from negotiating or making decisions regarding 314SMI’s business with such companies.
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3.4. | Public Presentations, Social Media and Blogging Policy |
Supervised Persons may periodically be called upon to make public presentations to a variety of audiences. If the Supervised Person is making a presentation in support of their work with SMI, all prepared comments and handouts must be reviewed and approved by the CCO prior to the presentation. If the presentation is being made in a capacity other than as a representative of 314SMI, the Supervised Person must assert that any opinions they may offer are their own and do not reflect the policies or opinions of 314SMI. Further information is provided in 314SMI’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
The usage of social media or blogging for business related purposes by 314SMI’s Supervised Persons is currently prohibited. 314SMI does not deny Supervised Persons the ability to develop or maintain a blog or social media account (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) for personal comments and opinions (non- business related). In the event a Supervised Person participates in social media or blogging on a personal level, the Supervised Person is prohibited from using these media accounts for business related purposes.
It is 314SMI’s expectation that any Supervised Person who engages in this type of activity will abide by the following guidelines:
■ | Make it clear that the views expressed in the medium are yours alone and do not necessarily represent the views of 314SMI. |
■ | Respect 314SMI’s confidentiality and proprietary information. |
■ | Ask the CCO if you have any questions about what is appropriate to include in your comments or opinions. |
■ | Be respectful to 314SMI, 314SMI’s employees, 314SMI’s customers, 314SMI’s partners, 314SMI’s affiliates, and 314SMI’s competitors. |
■ | Understand and comply when 314SMI asks that topics not be discussed for confidentiality or legal compliance reasons. |
■ | Ensure that your activity does not interfere with your work commitments. |
In the event a Supervised Person’s blog or online activity prevents them from honoring their responsibilities under this Code or their work commitments, they will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include immediate termination of employment with 314SMI.
3.5. | Rumor Policy |
All Supervised Persons are expressly prohibited from knowingly spreading any false rumor concerning any company, or any purported market development, that is designed to impact trading in or the price of that company's or any other company's securities, (including any associated derivative instruments), and from engaging in any other type of activity that constitutes illegal market manipulation. This prohibition includes the false spreading of any rumors, or any other form of illegal market manipulation, via any media, including, but not limited to e-mail, instant messages, blogs or chat rooms. Any Supervised Person who is found to have engaged in such conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action which may include termination.
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3.6. | Outside Business Interests – Change in Employment |
A Supervised Person who seeks or is offered a position as an officer, trustee, director, or is considering employment in any other capacity in an outside enterprise, is required to discuss such anticipated plans with the CCO or their designee prior to accepting such a position. Information submitted to the CCO is considered confidential and will not be discussed with the Supervised Person’s prospective employer without the Supervised Person’s permission.
3.7. | Gifts and Entertainment |
Accepting Gifts
Accepting extraordinary or extravagant gifts is prohibited. Any such gifts must be declined and returned in order to protect the reputation and integrity of 314SMI. Written disclosure of such gift must be promptly reported to the CCO.
Gifts of nominal value (i.e., a gift whose reasonable value, alone or in the aggregate, is not more than $100 in any calendar year), are required to be disclosed upon receipt to the CCO. Customary business meals, entertainment (e.g. sporting events), and promotional items (i.e., pens, mugs, T-shirts) may be accepted, see Entertainment below for additional guidance.
Solicitation of Gifts
314SMI’s Supervised Persons are prohibited from soliciting gifts of any size under any circumstances.
Giving Gifts
314SMI’s Supervised Persons may not give any gift with a value in excess of $100 per calendar year to a Client or person who regularly does business with, regulates, advises or renders professional service to 314SMI. Written disclosure of such gift must be promptly reported to the CCO or their designee.
Entertainment
No Supervised Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a Client, prospective Client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of 314SMI. Supervised Persons may provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, if the person or entity providing the entertainment is present.
3.8. | Political Contributions |
All Supervised Persons of 314SMI must receive prior written approval from the CCO or their designee for any political contribution or contribution to a political action committee (“PAC”).
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3.9. | Reporting of Violations |
All Supervised Persons of 314SMI must promptly (upon discovery of violation) report violations of this Code to the CCO. If the CCO is unavailable, the violation must then be reported to one of 314SMI’s Managers. The Manager will determine if any sanctions may be appropriate and imposed which may include reprimands, censures, fines, disgorgement, or suspensions. Employees of 314SMI should understand that a material breach of the provisions of this Code will constitute grounds for disciplinary action and/or immediate termination of employment with 314SMI.
3.10. | Whistleblower Policy |
The Dodd-Frank Act (the “Act”) contains provisions that protect whistleblowers that report fraudulent activities at financial services firms. Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act provides that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) shall pay awards to eligible whistleblowers that voluntarily provide the SEC with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action yielding monetary sanctions of over $1 million. The award amount is required to be between 10 percent and 30 percent of the total monetary sanctions collected in the Commission’s action or any related action such as in a criminal case.
The Dodd-Frank Act also expressly prohibits retaliation by employers against whistleblowers and provides them with a private cause of action in the event that they are discharged or discriminated against by their employers in violation of the Act. Further information is provided in 314SMI’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
Also, Section 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 states the following:
(a) No person may take any action to impede an individual from communicating directly with the Commission staff about a possible securities law violation, including enforcing, or threatening to enforce, a confidentiality agreement (other than agreements dealing with information covered by § 240.21F-4(b)(4)(i) and § 240.21F- 4(b)(4)(ii) of this chapter related to the legal representation of a client) with respect to such communications.
(b) If you are a director, officer, member, agent, or employee of an entity that has counsel, and you have initiated communication with the Commission relating to a possible securities law violation, the staff is authorized to communicate directly with you regarding the possible securities law violation without seeking the consent of the entity’s counsel.
4. | Insider Trading |
Inside information is presently defined as information that has not been disseminated to the public through the customary news media; is known by the recipient (tippee) to be non-public; or has been improperly obtained. In addition, the information must be material, important enough that a reasonably prudent person might base their decision to invest or not invest on the information. If a Supervised Person believes they are in possession of inside information, it is critical that they not act on the information or disclose it to anyone, but instead advise the CCO accordingly. Acting on such information may subject the Supervised Person to severe federal criminal penalties, and result in disciplinary action and potentially termination of employment with 314SMI. This section is also included in 314SMI’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
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5. | Personal Securities Transactions |
Personal securities transactions by Access Persons are subject to the following trading guidelines:
5.1. | Definitions of Security Types |
5.1.1. | Securities |
Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act defines the term “Security” as follows:
"Security" means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre- organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting- trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security," or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.
5.1.2. | Restricted Securities |
A security is considered “Restricted” if it is already in one or more of 314SMI’s investment strategies (or if it is going to be added that day). Options on restricted securities shall also be deemed to be a restricted security. For purposes of this section, excluded securities that are (or are going to be added that day) placed in one or more of SMI’s investment strategies shall not be deemed restricted.
Restricted securities can be traded by Access Persons, but only after Pre-Clearance Authorization by the CCO is given.
5.1.3. | Excluded Securities |
For purposes of this Code, the term “Excluded Securities” are securities that do not require any reporting when Access Persons trade them. These securities include:
o | Open-end, closed end, and exchange traded mutual funds, except proprietary mutual funds advised or sub-advised by or for 314SMI (which do require notification only, prior to non-AIP or non-AWP trades); |
o | Direct obligations of the United States; |
o | Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short- term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
o | Equities not used by the 314SMI strategies, |
o | Bonds not used by the 314SMI strategies, |
o | Any security not defined as Restricted in Section 5.1.2. |
If there is any question by an Access Person as to whether a security is reportable under this Code, they should consult with the CCO for clarification on the issue before entering any trade for their personal account.
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5.2. | Pre-clearance |
No Access Person may purchase or sell any Restricted security, as defined in Section 5.1.2, without pre-clearing this action through the CCO, subject to certain exceptions described below. This restriction includes initial public offerings and limited offerings (i.e., private placements). The CCO may reject any proposed trade by an Access Person that is inappropriate in terms of the affirmative duty of an Access Person of314SMIto SMI’s Clients.
Only upon receipt of the written approval from the CCO can the Access Person engage in the requested transaction. All approved transactions are in effect solely for the business day on which approval was requested. If an Access Person decides not to execute the transaction on the day pre-clearance approval is given or the entire trade is not executed, a new request for pre-clearance must be made for future trades. Limit orders entered must be placed as a day order. In addition, Access Persons may not simultaneously request pre- clearance to buy and sell the same security.
5.3. | Proprietary Mutual Funds |
Regarding the non-systematic purchase or sale of proprietary mutual funds advised or sub-advised by or for 314SMI, notification prior to the trade is all that is required.
Trades of Proprietary mutual funds that have established systematic investments are Excluded Securities and do not require any notification.
5.4. | Additional Pre-clearance Exception |
An Access Person does not need Pre-Clearance with the CCO to purchase or sell any Restricted security, as defined in Section 5.1.2, for an account(s) of the Access Person that is managed on a full discretionary trading basis by a registered investment adviser. The Access Person must not be allowed to trade in the account or hold unsupervised assets in same. This exception does not exempt the Access Person from reporting requirements of Section 6 of the Code.
6. | Reporting Requirements |
6.1. | Scope |
All Access Persons of 314SMI are required to provide account statements for any personal trading accounts under their control or relating to persons subject to this Code. This requirement applies to all accounts an Access Person might reasonably have control over, for all members of their household, as well as any other account from which they receive an economic benefit, including their 401(k) and the Profit Sharing Plans.
If an Access Person believes that they should be exempt from the reporting requirements mentioned above they should advise the CCO in writing, giving the name of the account, the person(s) or firm(s) responsible for its management, and the reason(s) they should be exempt from reporting requirements under this Code.
In the event a personal investment account does not produce a periodic statement because of account inactivity, 314SMI will accept a statement to that effect from the Access Person. This attestation is required by the CCO on a quarterly basis if no statement is received for a disclosed account.
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6.2. | Reporting Exceptions |
Access Persons are not required to submit:
■ | Any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
■ | A transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan (Note: This exception includes dividend reinvestment plans.); and |
■ | A transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker account statements that314SMIholds in its records, so long as 314SMI receives the statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter. |
6.3. | Initial and Annual Certifications |
Code of Ethics
Upon employment and annually thereafter each Supervised Person will affirm receipt of the Code and SMI’s Policies and Procedures Manual and acknowledge they have read, understand and will comply with policies described in both (Exhibit 1: Employee Initial/Annual Certification).
Personal Securities Accounts Report
Upon employment and annually thereafter, each Access Person will be asked to complete (Exhibit 2) Personal Securities Accounts Report affirming the securities accounts that are being reported, as well as any new accounts which may have been omitted through oversight over the preceding year.
Electronic Communication
Upon employment and annually thereafter each Supervised Person will be asked to complete (Exhibit 3) Electronic Communications Certification affirming their knowledge and compliance with SMI’s electronic communication policies.
Disciplinary Action
Upon employment and annually thereafter each Supervised Person will be asked to complete (Exhibit 4) Employee Disciplinary Action Certification affirming they have no disclosure issues to report and in the event of such an occurrence, will notify the CCO immediately.
6.4. | Initial/ Annual Holdings and Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Initial/Annual Report
All employees of 314SMI who during the course of their employment become an Access Person as defined in subsection 2 of this Code (this may be upon employment), must provide the CCO with an (Exhibit 1) Initial/Annual Certification no later than 10 days after the individual becomes an Access Person. The holdings information provided in conjunction with this certification (Exhibit 2) must be current as of 45 days before the individual became an Access Person.
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Quarterly Report
Every Access Person must submit a quarterly transaction report to the CCO, 30 days from quarter end. If quarterly statements are not available, a monthly statement for each respective month within the quarter is required within 30 days of month end. The quarterly transaction report requirement will be satisfied through receipt by the CCO of quarterly or, if applicable, monthly account statements. The CCO will review statements for any evidence of improper holding, trading activities, or conflicts of interest by the Access Person.
6.5. | Annual Written Reports to the Board |
At least annually, the CCO will provide a written report to the Board of Directors of each fund for which 314SMI acts as an investment adviser as follows:
■ | Issues Arising Under the Code. The report must describe any issue(s) that arose during the previous year under this Code of Ethics, including any material or procedural violations, and any resulting sanction(s). The CCO may report to the Board more frequently if he or she deems it necessary or appropriate, and shall do so as requested by 314SMI’s Managing Members. |
■ | Certification. Each report must be accompanied by a certification to the Board of Directors that 314SMI has adopted procedures reasonably robust enough to prevent their Access Persons from violating this Code. |
7. | Pay to Play Policy |
Since314SMIdoes not accept any State, Local or Federal clients, no Pay to Play policy is required.
8. | Recordkeeping Requirements |
SMI will maintain the following records for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place:
■ | A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years; |
■ | A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of this violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; |
■ | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a Supervised person; |
■ | Holdings and transactions reports made as required under the Code, including any brokerage account statements made in lieu of these reports; |
■ | A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons; |
■ | A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by Access Persons in initial public offerings, or otherwise limited offerings, for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted; |
■ | Any waiver from or exception to the Code for any Supervised Person of 314SMI subject to the Code, and; |
■ | A copy of each annual written report to the Board. |
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9. | Form ADV Disclosure |
A description of the Code will be provided in 314SMI's Part 2A of Form ADV, Firm Brochure. This description in 314SMI's Part 2A of Form ADV, Firm Brochure, will include the following statement:
"3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC will provide a copy of the Code to any Client or prospective Client upon request."
10. | Acknowledgment of Receipt |
A copy of the Code and any amendments will be provided to each Supervised and Access Person. Each person must acknowledge, initially, annually and as the Code is amended, that they have received, read, and understand, the above Code of Ethics regarding personal securities trading and other potential conflicts of interest and agree to comply with the provisions therein.
This Code is approved and promulgated effective 5/23/2024.
Signature | Title | ||
Print Name | Date |
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Exhibit 1: Employee Initial/Annual Certification – All Supervised Persons
I certify the following information to be true to the best of my knowledge:
(Initial each certification.)
☐ | I have read, understand and agree to comply with Adviser's Code of Ethics dated 5-23-2024 . |
☐ | I hereby acknowledge receipt of SMI's Policies and Procedures Manual dated 5-23-2024 and addendums, pending and applied. |
☐ | I have read, understand and agree to comply with Section 7 Insider Trading Provisions of 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC’s Policies and Procedures Manual. I have read, understand, and agree to comply with conditions contained therein. |
☐ | I understand that as a Supervised Person of the Adviser, I must promptly (upon discovery of violation) report violations of compliance procedures to the CCO as the situation dictates. If the CCO is unavailable, the violation must then be reported to the Sr. Portfolio Manager of 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC. |
Signature | Title | ||
Print Name | Date |
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Exhibit 2: Personal Securities Accounts Report – Access Persons Only
I am defined as an Access Person by 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC’s Code of Ethics and do have accounts in which I have direct or indirect beneficial interest or control. I have provided the Chief Compliance Officer (or designee / software) with an account statement for each account.
I. | Please select all that apply: |
☐ I have disclosed all brokerage accounts in which I have direct or indirect beneficial interest or control in the table above.
☐ I hold reportable securities outside of the above-referenced accounts. Information as required by Rule 204A (b)(1)(i) is attached.
II. | Access Person Information: |
I agree to promptly notify the CCO or designee if any such accounts are opened. I also agree to submit an initial holdings report to the CCO or designee within 10 days of such opening.
Signature | Title | ||
Print Name | Date |
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Exhibit 3: Electronic Communications Certification – All Supervised Persons
I certify the following information to be true to the best of my knowledge:
The purpose of this certification is to provide additional clarification of 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC’s (“Adviser”) policies and procedures related to Electronic Communications. If you have any questions about the contents of this certification or the Adviser’s policy with regard to electronic communications, please contact the Compliance department. Once you have read and have an understanding of these guidelines, please certify electronically below.
According to various regulations, including SEC Rule 17a-4, the Adviser must retain and monitor all electronic communications sent or received by its personnel. For the Adviser, the only approved Electronic Communications are emails that are sent from the Adviser’s .com domain, which is automatically and continuously archived.
Electronic Communications do not include any other means of electronic communication. Under no circumstances shall any Adviser business be conducted through non-approved electronic communications. Examples of non-approved electronic communications include but are not limited to personal email (Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc.), other instant messaging (AOL, Gmail, etc.), text messaging, PIN messaging, and social networking (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). If you are currently communicating through non-approved means of electronic communication, please refrain from doing so immediately.
The Adviser does not deny Supervised Persons the ability to develop or maintain a blog or social media account (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) for personal comments and opinions (non-business related). In the event a supervised or Access Person participates in social media and/or blogging on a personal level, the supervised or Access Person is prohibited from using these media accounts for business related purposes. It is the Adviser’s expectation that any supervised or Access Person who engages in this type of activity will abide by the following guidelines:
Make it clear that the views expressed in the medium are yours alone and do not necessarily represent the views of the Adviser. Respect the Adviser’s confidentiality and proprietary information. Ask the CCO or their designee if you have any questions about what is appropriate to include in your comments or opinions. Be respectful to the Adviser, the Adviser’s employees, our customers, our partners, our affiliates and competitors. Understand and comply when the Adviser asks that topics not be discussed for confidentiality or legal compliance reasons. Ensure that your activity does not interfere with your work commitments.
☐ | I have read this certification and I fully understand its contents and the requirements it places upon me as an employee of 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC. I agree that I will fully comply with the requirements contained herein. |
Signature | Title | ||
Print Name | Date |
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Exhibit 4: Employee Disciplinary Action Certification – All Supervised Persons
I certify the following information to be true to the best of my knowledge:
☐ Yes ☐ No At any time in the last ten (10) years have you been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving the purchase or sale of any security or commodities or futures contract, the taking of a false oath, the making of a false report, bribery, perjury, burglary, theft larceny, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, fraudulent conversion counterfeiting, misappropriation, or conspiracy to commit any such offense, or arising out of your conduct as an underwriter, broker, dealer, investment adviser, bank, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer transfer agent, fiduciary or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or as an affiliated person, salesman or employee of an investment company, investment adviser, bank, insurance company, or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act?
☐ Yes ☐ No Have you been, by reason of any misconduct, permanently or temporarily enjoined by order, judgment, or decree of any court from acting as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, bank, transfer agent, or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or as an associated person or employee of any of the foregoing, or as an affiliated person, salesman or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company, or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity, or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodities or futures contract, or arising out of any securities or commodities investment advisory activities?
☐ Yes ☐ No Have you ever been found by the SEC or the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) to have will fully made or caused to be made in any registration statement, application for registration or report required to be filed with the SEC or the CFTC under United States securities or commodities laws, or in any proceeding before the SEC or the CFTC with respect to registration, any statement which was at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it was made false and misleading with respect to any material fact, or to have omitted to state in any such application or report any material fact which was required to be stated therein?
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☐ Yes ☐ No Have you ever been found by the SEC, CFTC, or any court to have willfully violated or to have aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced or procured the violation by any other person of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Commodity Exchange Act, or of any rule or regulation under any of such Acts, or the laws of any jurisdiction relating to securities or relating to the conduct of business as a broker, dealer, bank, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser, investment company, or any entity required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act?
☐ Yes ☐ No Have you ever been found by any foreign financial regulatory authority to have (i) made or caused to be made any statement that was at the time and in light of the circumstances under which it was made false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated; or (ii) violated or aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced or procured the violation by another person of any foreign securities or commodities statute or regulation?
☐ Yes ☐ No Have you (i) been convicted by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction within ten (10) years of any felony or misdemeanor involving the purchase or sale of any security arising out of your conduct as a broker, dealer, investment adviser, or commodities or futures trader; or (ii) by reason of any misconduct, been enjoined by order, judgment, or decree of any court from acting as investment adviser, underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, bank, transfer agent, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity, or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, or arising out of any securities investment advisory activities?
Signature | Title | ||
Print Name | Date |
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